Which VST for creating piano & synth sounds?

[KimGT99]

Hi there,

I look for different VST's or maybe an all in one solution. I already use EZ drummer with different packs which works pretty good for me.

I'm looking for VST to create piano (grand/rhodes, you name it), synthsounds and a bunch of samples. I will not do studiograde: I'm writing songs for the band I play in, our keyboardplayer does the job afterwards. He uses his keyboard (obviously) with Omnisphere. Some will now argue that I just should stick with a very basic pianosound. But wether I explain very badly or some bandmembers (all nice folks, no offense here) have issues getting my ideas. So, the more developped the stuff the better it is. Sure, costs time...but I like to hear what it could sound later anyway.
I already worked with free stuff on Ipad: Camel alchemy and some cheapo grand piano.

I took a look at Omnisphere which obviously has more to offer than I'll ever use (probably).

BTW we're doing kinda symphonic rock somewhere between Nightwish, Symphony X etc.

So, what do you use or recommend?
Thx for your comments.

 

[seamonkey]

Native Instruments Komplete. Watch for sales.

 

[T2k5]

Komplete is a good all-in-one solution, but for the use you described, it's probably too expensive. For VST synths, I prefer U-he Zebra 2 (Invalid Link Removed) and ImageLine Harmor (Harmless is a stripped-down and cheaper version), but there are decent free options available too. If you want samplers, you could try Kontakt 5 with just the sample packs you need, as you can get some decent ones for free. IK Multimedia also has some nice piano samplers.

 

[-Asdfgh-]

NI stuff is very good. There are some sound font players and free sound fonts, though.

 

[silky smoove]

For piano and Rhodes sounds, I've been digging XLN Audio's Addictive Keys packages.

For synth sounds I'm a big fan of Omnisphere (as you mentioned), as well as Xfer's Serum. They both excel at different things.

If I were doing the whole "symphonic rock" thing as you describe, I would grab a copy of Omnisphere, Addictive Keys, and Spitfire Audio's Albion I. I'm not doing the symphonic rock thing, but managed to have grabbed all of those anyway, haha.