Kirk Hunter: Giga Libraries vs Kontakt
- Thread starter Frederick Russ
- Start date
Niah
Senior Member
Humm, speaking of kontakt perhaps you could help me out we a few questions that I have Frederick.
First of all I am a gigastudio user and I have never used any other sampler than giga. The thing that bothers me the most in giga is the fact that it doesn't fully integrates with your sequencer. Meaning, you can't add your effects (vst-plugins, reverb, delay,s EQ, and compressor units from your sequencer) in real-time, you have to stick to giga's own effects (which they are pretty poor). Also the giga editor it's a real pain in the ass, because the changes you make it doesn't save on your performance file so you have to have a lot of different files from the same instrument on your hard drive...and so on and so on.
Now I believe that with kontakt this problems are not a problem at all, since it's a vst so it fully integrates with your sequencer and you can apply editing and effects in real-time (specially the convultion reverbs).
But the thing is, Gigastudio 3.0 is arriving and it promises the possibility to add vst instruments and vst-plugin effects as well as a convulution reverb (gigapulse) and the possibility to save your editing on your performance file( .gsp).
But I am still very curious about the kontakt sampler, and I just want to know from you what are the pros and cons of using it and if it's better for me to stick to giga or not.
btw, the kontant sampler doesn't read giga files, but is it possible to convert them to the kontakt format?
Thank You
First of all I am a gigastudio user and I have never used any other sampler than giga. The thing that bothers me the most in giga is the fact that it doesn't fully integrates with your sequencer. Meaning, you can't add your effects (vst-plugins, reverb, delay,s EQ, and compressor units from your sequencer) in real-time, you have to stick to giga's own effects (which they are pretty poor). Also the giga editor it's a real pain in the ass, because the changes you make it doesn't save on your performance file so you have to have a lot of different files from the same instrument on your hard drive...and so on and so on.
Now I believe that with kontakt this problems are not a problem at all, since it's a vst so it fully integrates with your sequencer and you can apply editing and effects in real-time (specially the convultion reverbs).
But the thing is, Gigastudio 3.0 is arriving and it promises the possibility to add vst instruments and vst-plugin effects as well as a convulution reverb (gigapulse) and the possibility to save your editing on your performance file( .gsp).
But I am still very curious about the kontakt sampler, and I just want to know from you what are the pros and cons of using it and if it's better for me to stick to giga or not.
btw, the kontant sampler doesn't read giga files, but is it possible to convert them to the kontakt format?
Thank You
OP
OP
Frederick Russ
Founder Emeritus
I think Kontakt is a really great way to go - a lot of people have migrated to Kontakt from Giga, and some even view the new Giga upgrade as too little too late. I don't necessarily agree with the last statement.
I think some pros for staying with Giga is:
1. You've already learned how to use the program;
2. If you're porting midi from a master computer and slaving a GigaPC you could possibly have Giga running on both machines (GS3 VST running in your native sequencer and the second machine as well.)
3. GigaPulse! Convolution reverb for the price of upgrading Giga 160;
Conversely, Kontakt already can place a great streaming sampler in your sequencer TODAY, and depending on how powerful your computer is you could have multiple instances of Kontakt open with 16 instruments per instance.
Chicken Translator has had a Giga to Kontakt sample convertor for some time now. If you have Giga libraries and want to run them in your native sequencer environment using Kontakt I would recommend Chicken Systems.
BTW, what libraries do you own? There are specific issues that may need to be addressed if you have software that interacts with the samples (for example Garritan's Maestro Tools or VSL's Performance Tool).
Many folks are using Kontakt successfully and never want to look back. I personally own a Mac G5 & VisionDAW PC running NI Kompakt libraries (with the great new DFD update).
Good luck with your decision. Perhaps you may want to look at your next sample library purchase complete with a Kompakt Player (like EWQLSO Silver, Gold) or Kontakt Player (like GPO.) Download the updates from Native Instruments and see how they integrate into your sequencer.
I hope this helps. Good luck!
I think some pros for staying with Giga is:
1. You've already learned how to use the program;
2. If you're porting midi from a master computer and slaving a GigaPC you could possibly have Giga running on both machines (GS3 VST running in your native sequencer and the second machine as well.)
3. GigaPulse! Convolution reverb for the price of upgrading Giga 160;
Conversely, Kontakt already can place a great streaming sampler in your sequencer TODAY, and depending on how powerful your computer is you could have multiple instances of Kontakt open with 16 instruments per instance.
Chicken Translator has had a Giga to Kontakt sample convertor for some time now. If you have Giga libraries and want to run them in your native sequencer environment using Kontakt I would recommend Chicken Systems.
BTW, what libraries do you own? There are specific issues that may need to be addressed if you have software that interacts with the samples (for example Garritan's Maestro Tools or VSL's Performance Tool).
Many folks are using Kontakt successfully and never want to look back. I personally own a Mac G5 & VisionDAW PC running NI Kompakt libraries (with the great new DFD update).
Good luck with your decision. Perhaps you may want to look at your next sample library purchase complete with a Kompakt Player (like EWQLSO Silver, Gold) or Kontakt Player (like GPO.) Download the updates from Native Instruments and see how they integrate into your sequencer.
I hope this helps. Good luck!
Niah
Senior Member
Well first of all thank you very much for all your information.
I forgot to tell you that I work with only one machine and not a very powerful one I'm afraid (PC - P4 2.4ghz 512ram, will try to upgrade it soon to at least 1.5 gb ram).
Secondly I don't own any garritan or vsl products and I don't tend to in the near future. On the other hand I have already worked with some NI products like the B4 organ and the Stormdrum and I was very pleased.
Last night I downloaded the kontakt sampler demo and it just works wonderfully on my sequencer which is great.
My most concern is for my SI strings library (GIGA format) which I use it a lot, if they perserve the same dynamics (velocity, mod wheel, key switching) and sound quality once converter and used with the kontakt sampler.
Thank you again
I forgot to tell you that I work with only one machine and not a very powerful one I'm afraid (PC - P4 2.4ghz 512ram, will try to upgrade it soon to at least 1.5 gb ram).
Secondly I don't own any garritan or vsl products and I don't tend to in the near future. On the other hand I have already worked with some NI products like the B4 organ and the Stormdrum and I was very pleased.
Last night I downloaded the kontakt sampler demo and it just works wonderfully on my sequencer which is great.
My most concern is for my SI strings library (GIGA format) which I use it a lot, if they perserve the same dynamics (velocity, mod wheel, key switching) and sound quality once converter and used with the kontakt sampler.
Thank you again
OP
OP
Frederick Russ
Founder Emeritus
On the SI library, I've heard that it converts really well to Kontakt. But if you're unsure, perhaps contact David Fox at Sonic Implants and see if you can crossgrade to the Kontakt version.
David Govett
New Member
I thought he was planning and eventual kontakt version. Kontakt converts Giga pretty well though so its not that much of an issue. If you plan to release in several formats, the best to start with is Giga since everyone converts it. (provided you don't get too fancy with the programing)
Dave
Dave
