Best Software for quality R&B production?

[Zippy1]

Hi all

I write R&B music and I'm currently using the stock instruments that come with my DAW (Sonar), whilst these are OK, they're a bit limited, I'm also using a few free VSTi's (notably DSK Mini Drumz 2, which although quite useful, is again fairly limited).

I now want to purchase some decent sounds / VSTi's and I've been looking over the 2 main options (East West Complete Composers Collection and NI Komplete Ultimate 8) - now, I've ruled out the East West bundle because it's not expandable and seems more geared towards orchestral / cinematic type stuff (which I would also like to do, but it's not my priority). I love the idea of Komplete 8 as it's so vast and I think one of my favorite producers (Teddy Riley) has used sounds from this before (from session strings). I'm guessing there will be a ton of stuff that I would never use in the NI collection, but that will probably be the same for any collection).

Now, is this a good choice for R&B music? I'm not into producing 'Dance' or 'D&B' or 'Dubstep' etc.... purely R&B (and 'mainstream' R&B/Pop - think Beyonce, R. Kelly Babyface, Usher etc. from uptempo to R&B ballads).

I think I was settled on NI Komplete 8 Ultimate and BPM for the drums (as I believe Maschine isn't great for this type of music although I could still utilise it).

I just want something that gives me everything I would need (to an extent), is expandable and sounds top quality/professional.

My budget would be about 1,000 (UK Pounds, sorry, just got a new laptop and the keyboard is mapped incorrectly and I can't find the pound Sign!!).

These 2 should just fall within my budget.

Any thoughts and advise would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[P. Casso]

You don't need the EW Complete Posers Collections. You were right in it has a lot of great stuff but really overkill for what you are trying to do. Komp 8 is a good choice. I would hold off on buying BPM at first because you can do most of everything you can do in BPM in Battery.

[fataltone]

yep go for Komplete 8 and call it a day

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[youngjboy]

I would just get Komplete. I am thinking about getting it myself after using the lighter version while trying out Maschine at Guitar Center.

[UnkNowNGenius]

Been wondering the same thang

[JBlongz]

Komplete Ultimate (only because it's the best way to get Kontakt with all extra libraries)
Geist
Omnisphere
Trilian


Thats all you need bro.

[Zippy1]

Thanks for all the replies! I guess I'll be going for Komplete 8 Ultimate then! I'll hold off BPM for the time being.

Thanks again all :-)

[JBlongz]

Bpm is kind of a joke to me. It's entire drum library is about 250mb ( I sampled it into Kontakt format). The rest is a cut out from Motu Mach Five sound library. Geist is the most satisfying drum software, then comes Ableton's drum racks, then Maschine, then MPC, then Battery.

[youngjboy]

To the OP, do you have a song page. Just trying to get a sense of what your current sound is.

[DaKillaB]

jus a head ups...

not sure if you've tried the sounds that come with Komplete yet, but I would suggest trying them out for a little bit...

I had komplete a while ago and I ended up getting rid of it...

the package seemed like it would be cool, but when I got the sounds, they didnt really seem too inspiring...
the synth sounds are pretty good, you'll actually get more than you need with they synths...

but the bread and butter everyday type of sounds just seemed lacking to me... pianos, guitars, etc...

I know allot of people will say you can tweek them etc... but for me, I like the presets to be inspiring on their own and then if I want, I'll tweek after... not sure if you're like that as well...

battery and guiar rig are DOPE....


but yeah, that was my experience...


I'm looking into total worksation by IK multimedia right now... its pretty much similar to the Komplete package.... only thing with this package is that its kinda old, they havent really updated it for a while..

theres also Halion 4.... i'm leaning more towards this one right now, I have to go and test it out though..


you said ur budget was a stack right?

I think you might be able to get both Halion 4 and total workstation for that or one of the two and Komplete 8 (not the ultimate version)...

that actually might be the way to go...
if you really want to get Komplete, get Komplete 8 cause it'll give you they synths, battery, guitar rig... and then get Halion 4 or something like that...

but yeah just my thoughts....