Another eSoundz Group Buy for Drums...

[mhschmieder]

Under six hours? That's strange -- I would have assumed New Year's Eve. I won't have time then, as I"m at work and won't be home for over six hours. Unless I buy on blind faith without listening first.

[mhschmieder]

OK, I looked at the site. Looks enticing. So many "might have regrets later" deals this season, and I've already acted on far too many of them. I think I'm going to have to let this one pass.

Too bad my paycheque isn't deposited until midnight.

[rentadrummer]

The 2 extra kits are now guaranteed. A third one (which I like very much) will be added if we can get GB parcipitants up to 650... but there are only 7 hours to go....

The first phase of the content is supposed to posted late tonight or first thing in the morning.

Squids posted this earlier today, so I think the group buy expires on the 31st, not midnight tonight in the US, but you're a day ahead so it's a little confusing.

"The GB closes tomorrow night at midnight, Florida time (Eastern Standard Time). The product will still be available though for two more weeks if anyone was on the fence and wanted to hear more demos, see some videos etc. The pressure isn't on to rush a decision. But the pressure IS on if it's going to hit 600 or not which includes 2 more STm kits as a bonus."

[zed]

"The GB closes tomorrow night at midnight, Florida time (Eastern Standard Time). The product will still be available though for two more weeks if anyone was on the fence and wanted to hear more demos, see some videos etc. The pressure isn't on to rush a decision. But the pressure IS on if it's going to hit 600 or not which includes 2 more STm kits as a bonus."

Nope. That's old news. We already have achieved those 2 bonus STm kits. You will be able to purchase the product for two more weeks, but the Group Buy officially ends today (the 30th for those of us in North America) in just over 3 hours. Only if we managed to hit 650 before the official GB ending would we would get another Ocean Way Drum kit... but it is looking unlikely now with so little time left.

[mhschmieder]

I'll do my best to help get us to 650.

I just hate hate hate having to once again withdraw money from savings just to cover a four-hour gap in a deal that ends right before my next paycheque gets deposited.

[zed]

I'll do my best to help get us to 650.

I just hate hate hate having to once again withdraw money from savings just to cover a four-hour gap in a deal that ends right before my next paycheque gets deposited.

Well we probably won't make it for that extra kit... so I wouldn't worry about rushing it at this point. I believe the price will remain at $99 for two weeks. If we start getting close, I'll post here again and urge you to do it.

[mhschmieder]

Nah, the price changes, but the kit is still available for two additional weeks.

I purchased it an hour or two ago. I know for sure I won't have the discipline to redeposit what I spent in savings after my paycheque is deposited -- that's why I try to avoid that game altogether.

[zed]

Nah, the price changes, but the kit is still available for two additional weeks.

Squids just confirmed that the price remains at $99 for two weeks and will include all the extras, but the Group Buy is officially over so there will be no further extras.

Glad you joined us Mr Schmieder. I'm sure you'll enjoy the material.

[Frodo]

Wow-- just pulled this thread off of page 3.

One thing I find interesting is that there's generally a push to meet a deadline or cut-off date to get in on these deals. Yet, few even talk about how they're using the sounds in production or expressing how they feel about them after they're downloaded and installed.

What's up widdat?

Therefore, I just wanted to open the discussion as a follow-up.....

1. Was it worth the $99?

2. How are you using the sounds?

3. Which ones appeal to you the most?

4. What signal processing have you used on each to tickle your fancy?

5. Any regrets?

6. Any praises?

[zed]

Therefore, I just wanted to open the discussion as a follow-up.....

1. Was it worth the $99?

2. How are you using the sounds?

3. Which ones appeal to you the most?

4. What signal processing have you used on each to tickle your fancy?

5. Any regrets?

6. Any praises?

A little too early to start commenting on favorites, since we only got the 2nd half of phase 2 today... with 50 more hybrid kits coming tomorrow or Monday (which Squids says is the most exciting collection of kits in the lot).

But I will say right now what I knew on the day I signed up... it was definitely worth the $99 bucks. I can't imagine a better deal for the amount of material provided in this group buy. And with the new scripting and round robins I am finally hearing MIDI drum kits that sound as authentic and believable as a real kit or a drum loop recorded with a real kit.

There is some awesome stuff in this collection, and the signal processing available right from the front of the kit pieces GUI is enough to shape the sounds in all sorts of ways. So far I have felt no need for further signal processing, although things can only get juicier as more things are explored.

Not a single regret. After that Nomad Factory deal I kind of felt some regret for spending $400 on all sorts of variations on the same plugins (which I already had covered)... but I don't feel an ounce of regret with these sounds. A tonne of stuff for $99, and a developer who has been connecting with customers in the KVR threads EVERY DAY and through out the day, answering questions and trying to make everybody happy. That is customer service!

Sonic Reality/eSoundz is my favorite company to do business with. You cannot go wrong on one of their Group Buys. Sometimes there are a few hiccups and delays, but when all is said and done they always offer the best in quality, price and service. And there are always extras to make sure that you are *really* happy.

I'm happy.

[dp-user]

Does anyone know if the drum kit libraries in this group buy will load directly in Kontakt? I'm a bit leery of having to rely on Sonic Reality to support the Infinite Player plugin, which is claimed to be based on Kontakt technology, when I already own Kontakt... Just yet another point of compatibility failure...

[zed]

Does anyone know if the drum kit libraries in this group buy will load directly in Kontakt? I'm a bit leery of having to rely on Sonic Reality to support the Infinite Player plugin, which is claimed to be based on Kontakt technology, when I already own Kontakt... Just yet another point of compatibility failure...

Yes indeed. I load all my Infinite Player stuff into the full version of Kontakt. Infinite Player is NOT a separate plugin... it is a library that works in Kontakt.

You do, however, have to install Infinite Player in order to use any IP libraries. It is basically a key which unlocks the libraries for use in Kontakt Player or the full version of Kontakt.

[mhschmieder]

I THINK I've downloaded all the content (including the second round) by now, but haven't yet had time to install the libraries into the player.

I doubt I'll have time until well after NAMM due to composing deadlines and work deadlines this week.

I notice there's a brush kit and am anxious to try that. One can never have too many brush kits, and they are so rare.

[Frodo]

Apparently, there's a Phase 3 series of downloads in the works!

This was a very generous group buy, indeed.

[mhschmieder]

Yep, just got the email, it might be ready later tonight. I doubt I'll have time until after the NAMM Show though.

Sounds like it makes sense to do a single install after everything is downloaded, as there are some cross-references between Kontakt Instruments, libraries, etc.