Any experience with Crystal Soft Synth?

[imagegod]

I'm thinking of downloading the Greenoak 'Crystal software synthesizer' to use with GPO and I was wondering if anyone has any experience playing it with a notation program? Or do I need a Sonar-type sequencer? (My notation program has a fairly useful sequencer, if that makes a difference)

Thanks!

[squoze]

This is one of my favorite softsynths. You can do things with it you can't do with any others I've seen. It's a standard VST instrument-I used Sonar's VST adatper on it-works fine.
I don't know about playing it with a notation program.
If the notation program can act as a host for a VST instrument, you should be fine. I don't know much about capabilities like that in notation programs, so maybe someone else can help-you may be able to use a stand-alone host program, with crystal, with your notation program.

[imagegod]

...you may be able to use a stand-alone host program, with crystal, with your notation program.

Anyone know of any cheap stand-alone host programs?

At some point I'll be dropping some bucks for Sonar 4, but I'm in no hurry if I don't have to be.

Thanks!

[LFO]

Steinbergs VStack should take care of you for around $60. Here is a link:

http://www.steinberg.net/ProductPage_sb.asp?Product_ID=2130

-Kevin

P.S. I use Crystal a good bit and think it is better than many of the shrink wrap offerings out there. You should like it a great deal. If you do the math, the price of VStack is less than what you would pay for an over the counter VSTi like Crystal, so you are way ahead of the $$ game. :)

[Joseph Burrell]

You can try Bidule for free. I use it quite extensively with Overture SE and it works like a charm. Good thing is is that in can host GPO as well as any other type of VST instrument (similar to Vstack.)

[imagegod]

Thanks...you guys are the best. One quick question...assuming money isn't an issue (and at $60, it certainly isn't) which of the two is easier to use?

As always, your replies are most appreciated!

[Shazbot]

I love Crystal, too!

For a host I recommend Tracktion (http://www.mackie.com/products/tracktion/) ($80) which works very well with GPO and VSTs.

[kitekrazy]

I'm thinking of downloading the Greenoak 'Crystal software synthesizer' to use with GPO and I was wondering if anyone has any experience playing it with a notation program? Or do I need a Sonar-type sequencer? (My notation program has a fairly useful sequencer, if that makes a difference)

Thanks!

To me a sequencer and a notation program are 2 different animals. I've gotten away from notation programs. You should have a copy of Cubasis with your GPO. You can use Crystal and GPO with it.

I hope you are familiar with Crystal. The first time I tried it I thought it didn't work. The patch had a delayed attack. This is a great piece of software that's hard to believe it's free. I need to fool around with it.

[imagegod]

To me a sequencer and a notation program are 2 different animals. I've gotten away from notation programs. You should have a copy of Cubasis with your GPO. You can use Crystal and GPO with it.

Thanks for the suggestion...all are always welcome. However, I'm a visually oriented individual and when I look at a sequencer like Cubasis, it's looks like gobbledygook to me. When I look at a page of notation, I can imagine the music as it is and as it should potentially be...which of course is the job of all composers.

But thanks much!