Recommendations for best B3 and horn section libraries?

ChrisDuncan · Post by **ChrisDuncan** » Mon Sep 23, 2019 1:23 pm

AntonySharmman wrote:ChrisDuncan also have a look there http://wavesart.eu/KronosEXs

Thanks, Antony.

I didn't find any B3 or horn section libraries. Did I look in the wrong place?

ChrisDuncan · Post by **ChrisDuncan** » Mon Sep 23, 2019 1:33 pm

Greg, Pergatory - thanks for the sax recommendation, they sound great.

As for the horns and B3, now that I know demos are fairly safe I'll check out both versions of each and see which ones grab me.

ChrisDuncan · Post by **ChrisDuncan** » Mon Sep 23, 2019 1:41 pm

While browsing the Korg store, I came upon two free organ downloads, the KRS-06: CX-3 Signature Sounds and KRS-06 Bonus Organ Bank. They use the CX-3 engine to create a collection sounds.

Before spending money on organs, I thought I'd see if this gets me where I want to go, particularly since the engine itself seems to be well regarded here.

I did the same thing when I got a Kemper for my guitar. I could profile a bunch of amps but I've never been great a dialing in sounds, so I bought commercial packs from guys who were better at it than me.

In both cases I have the capability of doing it myself, but if others can create better versions of the sounds I'm looking for, so much the better.

Anyone have experience with these free downloads?

ChrisDuncan · Post by **ChrisDuncan** » Mon Sep 23, 2019 2:04 pm

Okay, after further reading I'm a bit confused.

Is the KRS-06 download what's already included in the latest version of the OS, and the KRS-06B a bunch of presets that use it, or is the KRS-06 also something new relative to the latest and greatest version of the OS?

KK · Post by KK » Mon Sep 23, 2019 9:15 pm

ChrisDuncan wrote:Is the KRS-06 download what's already included in the latest version of the OS, and the KRS-06B a bunch of presets that use it, or is the KRS-06 also something new relative to the latest and greatest version of the OS?

Both KRS-06 are just two PCG files, so not linked to the OS. Some of the KRS-06 programs are part of the factory things in the Kronos 2, but if you explore both PCG files you will see they also contain many extra ones that might be of interest for you.

One of the many cool features the Kronos offers and that you might not know yet is that with new programs which use samples/EXis already installed on your Kronos (in this case, the CX-3 engine), you can listen to each in Disk mode without even installing them. Then you can choose to install just the ones you like wherever you want. Simply open the PCG, then choose the Programs directory, then Bank U-G (in this case), then select one program after the other. Even the knobs work as programmed even though you didn't install anything yet.

ChrisDuncan · Post by **ChrisDuncan** » Mon Sep 23, 2019 9:22 pm

KK wrote:
ChrisDuncan wrote:Is the KRS-06 download what's already included in the latest version of the OS, and the KRS-06B a bunch of presets that use it, or is the KRS-06 also something new relative to the latest and greatest version of the OS?
Both KRS-06 are just two PCG files, so not linked to the OS. Some of the KRS-06 programs are part of the factory things in the Kronos 2, but if you explore both PCG files you will see they also contain many extra ones that might be of interest for you.

One of the many cool features the Kronos offers and that you might not know yet is that with new programs which use samples/EXis already installed on your Kronos (in this case, the CX-3 engine), you can listen to each in Disk mode without even installing them. Then you can choose to install just the ones you like wherever you want. Simply open the PCG, then choose the Programs directory, then Bank U-G (in this case), then select one program after the other. Even the knobs work as programmed even though you didn't install anything yet.

Awesome! Thanks for the tip, man.

ChrisDuncan · Post by **ChrisDuncan** » Mon Sep 23, 2019 10:37 pm

Okay, one down, one to go.

After installing the free KRS-06 / 0SB and auditioning them, I think that's going to cover me for the B3. There's lots of solid, usable stuff in there for what I do. More importantly, however, the engine is obviously very good so these will also serve as an education in creating my own sounds or tweaking existing ones.

I'm sure the libraries on sale bring more things to the party but I'm not a keyboard soloist, so the B3 is typically part of the overall texture of the song. A conspicuous texture at times (ain't nothing like that Hammond sound), but a texture nonetheless. I suspect it'll be quite some time before I outgrow this engine.

I'm currently downloading demos for the Korg EXs 16 Funk and Soul Brass as well as the KApro EXs 116 Power Brass. I think one of those will be a worthwhile addition beyond the stock Kronos stuff. Many thanks to KK for the tip about auditioning without even installing, I'll be using that with both demos.

So, 50 bucks saved along with great programs, serving as inspiration to better learn what's clearly a good Hammond engine. I suspect I'll be grabbing one of the horn packs this evening.

ChrisDuncan · Post by **ChrisDuncan** » Mon Sep 23, 2019 10:48 pm

I've looked through the included pdf as well as the Kronos user manual and I can't find the instructions on how to uninstall demo programs.

Could someone point me in the right direction? Once I make a decision I want to clear out anything I didn't buy.

KK · Post by KK » Mon Sep 23, 2019 10:53 pm

ChrisDuncan wrote:I'm currently downloading demos for the Korg EXs 16 Funk and Soul Brass as well as the KApro EXs 116 Power Brass. I think one of those will be a worthwhile addition beyond the stock Kronos stuff. Many thanks to KK for the tip about auditioning without even installing, I'll be using that with both demos.

You're welcome. Remember for auditioning without install, the samples must already be on your machine. In the case of demos which use their own samples, they often come with an auto-install file with .exsins extension. As already mentioned, they are safe as they don't touch the OS, but you have to at least temporarily install them to hear what's offered. Just make sure to save all before proceeding and install them in an unused bank.

To uninistall any demo, in Global mode : Options info tab, select the library you want to uninstall, then Uninstall EXs from the menu, press OK.

ChrisDuncan · Post by **ChrisDuncan** » Mon Sep 23, 2019 10:55 pm

KK wrote:
ChrisDuncan wrote:I'm currently downloading demos for the Korg EXs 16 Funk and Soul Brass as well as the KApro EXs 116 Power Brass. I think one of those will be a worthwhile addition beyond the stock Kronos stuff. Many thanks to KK for the tip about auditioning without even installing, I'll be using that with both demos.
You're welcome. Remember for auditioning without install, the samples must already be on your machine. In the case of demos which use their own samples, they often come with an auto-install file with .exsins extension. As already mentioned, they are safe as they don't touch the OS, but you have to at least temporarily install them to hear what's offered. Just make sure to save all before proceeding and install them in an unused bank.

Thanks, man. How do I uninstall them when I'm done reviewing demos?

KK · Post by KK » Mon Sep 23, 2019 10:58 pm

ChrisDuncan wrote:Thanks, man. How do I uninstall them when I'm done reviewing demos?

Just updated above.

ChrisDuncan · Post by **ChrisDuncan** » Mon Sep 23, 2019 11:48 pm

Thanks for the uninstall, KK.

Okay, I've listened to both horn libraries. The KApro seems to be intended primarily for unison lines. They sound good for that, but that's only one use case for me.

The Korg lib seems to have a better collection for, say, a Chicago style 2 trumpet, 2 trombone sort of thing in four part harmony, etc.

If the Korg sounded good I'd pull the trigger but there's something very off about the sounds. For a great many of them, I can hit and hold a note and I get a very phasey sound, as though I had a slow flanger in the mix. It's so conspicuous I wonder if I'm doing something wrong as surely they wouldn't ship something with such obvious artifacts.

One possible thing I may be screwing up has to do with the pcg files. Both the KApro and the Korg want to install in User G, and I can't see any way to point them elsewhere. So, I have to load one, play it, then load the other. Installing both went without any errors, and followed the instructions for loading the pcg + ksc from the hard drive. It's not that complicated, but it wouldn't be the first time I screwed something up that should have been easy.

Is it possible that I have them installed wrong and that accounts for the flanger sound on the sustained Korg patches? Oddly enough, I don't get that on the KApro.

Would value any feedback you might have. Don't want to drop $100 on the KApro if it's mostly meant for unison lines, but I can't spend money on the Korg if that's really what it sounds like.

GregC · Post by **GregC** » Tue Sep 24, 2019 3:23 am

ChrisDuncan wrote:Th
The Korg lib seems to have a better collection for, say, a Chicago style 2 trumpet, 2 trombone sort of thing in four part harmony, etc.

If the Korg sounded good I'd pull the trigger but there's something very off about the sounds. For a great many of them, I can hit and hold a note and I get a very phasey sound, as though I had a slow flanger in the mix. It's so conspicuous I wonder if I'm doing something wrong as surely they wouldn't ship something with such obvious artifacts.

e.

I guess you are referring to the Korg EXs18. It ha some brass ensembles.

The Chicago horn and sax section is the perfect ensemble but I haven't found a Exs that totally nails it.

The Exs 18 is reminiscent but I found its better to not overplay it in the mix.
once you start recording multi tracks, you might discover this.

IOW, I wouldn't use some of the EXs18 ensemble programs as a total standalone for recording. in the mix, it good, though.

ChrisDuncan · Post by **ChrisDuncan** » Tue Sep 24, 2019 10:29 am

GregC wrote: I guess you are referring to the Korg EXs18. It ha some brass ensembles.

The Chicago horn and sax section is the perfect ensemble but I haven't found a Exs that totally nails it.

The Exs 18 is reminiscent but I found its better to not overplay it in the mix.
once you start recording multi tracks, you might discover this.

IOW, I wouldn't use some of the EXs18 ensemble programs as a total standalone for recording. in the mix, it good, though.

The phasey problems I was mentioning was the demo of the Korg EXs16.

AntonySharmman · Post by **AntonySharmman** » Tue Sep 24, 2019 11:51 am

ChrisDuncan wrote: I didn't find any B3 or horn section libraries. Did I look in the wrong place?

I have repaired and sampled the best Hammond series IMO , Hammond C3 that you can find in Vintage Keyboards.
Symphonic horn section libraries can be found at Cinematic Suite , and solo & pop brass sections at Brass & Vocals Suite 2