Poll: What factors influence you when purchasing new libraries and VSTs?

[trumpoz]

As a semi-pro/hobby type musician if I can justify spending the money on a product that I like the sound of.

 

[chillbot]

Price seems to be a big factor. I'd be curious to see a poll on "how many people would have bought Gravity at $229 instead of $449?"

 

[Robo Rivard]

Totally agree with this. But... how do you know if it's "playable" until after you've bought it? I've been pleasantly surprised by some libraries, but more often than not I am disappointed with the overall playability but there's no way to find out until you get your hands on it.

Actually, that could lead to a more constructive survey:

- What VI is the more playable to you and why?
- What VI has the more friendly GUI to you and why?
- What VI is the best for most styles to you and why?

I guess it would bring more useful insights from professionals and hobbyists alike...

 

[robgb]

Price vs. quality. Am I overpaying for a one-trick pony library? Hard to know until you buy it, unfortunately.

 

[Puzzlefactory]

A decent walkthrough video where you can see the library being used in context (something akin to Daniel James’s stuff) is the main deciding factor for me.

 

[WindcryMusic]

A decent walkthrough video where you can see the library being used in context (something akin to Daniel James’s stuff) is the main deciding factor for me.

I agree. DJ has effectively sold me more than a few libraries over the last couple of years.

 

[dathyr1]

I also agree that price and then quality of sounds plays a big factor for me. I am not a big orchestral composer like most of you, and I go for the libraries such as Plugin Guru, The Unfinished, and Orange Tree Samples to name just a few. These are sellers I know and that have great affordable sounds/effects I like and use and don't have to mortgage my house to pay for them. Protection is not a factor for me, if it has it that is great. I am not too fond of using ILOK products, but if I would need it in the future I would get it.

Most sellers have good demos and walkthroughs, but i also watch more videos or get opinions from others that have the product on if that library/effect would fit my needs. Plus i keep watching the VI forum and learn from all of you about products.

I will sit back and see what 2018 brings me far as affordable new sounds.

 

[enCiphered]

Totally agree with this. But... how do you know if it's "playable" until after you've bought it? I've been pleasantly surprised by some libraries, but more often than not I am disappointed with the overall playability but there's no way to find out until you get your hands on it.

And this is why we need demo versions. I´m really surprised to see only a few voted for it.
I can remember, when I bought my first guitar library from Ilya Efimov a few years ago, there was a time limitation in kontakt and I could only play 15 minutes with the library. Of course 15 minutes is not enough but I could check out keyswitches and playability before I buy the full version.

 

[Ihnoc]

My stance is demo/trial versions have the strongest appeal, followed by walkthroughts. I can at least judge the playability and sound on my own terms, with how suitable it is to my playing style and the kinds of idioms I draw upon. I have noticed that when I listen to Spitfire's walkthroughs (for example), I am hearing common colours and progressions. That's fine because Paul is drawing on his background, but a demo would let me know if it was suitable for me.

One thing that isn't on the list, but is bundled up with the articulation options is consistency. I get in a real huff over libraries that provide lots of different articulations, but then only give a long and staccato for mutes or different playing positions. Why even include the mutes if you aren't going to do it fully?

 

[Geoff Grace]

The top influence on my purchases is whether or not I need to buy something to successfully complete my current project. If I don't need to buy anything for current or upcoming projects, then I may look at my setup and upgrade or replace the weakest links.

Cost is always a factor if I'm going to continue to make my living doing what I love. As a result, I don't buy everything I want; and I wait for sales when possible. I'm also more likely to buy after I get my quarterly royalty checks.

Best,

Geoff

 

[tim727]

Totally agree with this. But... how do you know if it's "playable" until after you've bought it? I've been pleasantly surprised by some libraries, but more often than not I am disappointed with the overall playability but there's no way to find out until you get your hands on it.

Although it's true that you can't always determine playability with 100% certainty prior to having it beneath your actual fingers, walkthroughs and reviews can go a long way to painting a pretty accurate picture of playability. For instance, with Bohemiam Violin is was painfully obvious from the tech demos and walkthroughs that the library was exceptionally playable. Of course, it's not always so easy depending on the lib ... but usually you have at least a decent sense of it.

 

[PeterN]

Since this was not among choices.

If its Epic, a synthesizer, a riser, or a boom library, then not interested. Anything symphonic raises natural interest.

Harpsicord, banjo and mandolin will be out of question too, even if its best library for free. In particular the harpsicord.

(Maybe pulled it a bit off topic)

 

[rnappi]

I don't know if loyalty to vendors falls under "Company reputation", but for me it's important. I will always go out of my way to make purchases, sometimes unnecessary ones, to support companies that are generous with sales and thorough with customer service.

 

[enCiphered]

3 votes for NKS support, this is no big surprise. It seems like most people don´t want to spend so much money for the NI controllers.

 

[Puzzlefactory]

Price seems to be a big factor.

Probably just an indication of the amount of hobbyists on the forum.

 

[Casiquire]

A lot has to do with upcoming projects for me.

 

[TintoL]

What the hell "sales" suppose to mean? And so many people think is important.

 

[quantum7]

So far it looks like not too many people here are skipping great products just because of a certain type of copy protection. Go to KvR and you'd think that copy protection was the end-all, be-all for buying any software.

 

[Casiquire]

So far it looks like not too many people here are skipping great products just because of a certain type of copy protection. Go to KvR and you'd think that copy protection was the end-all, be-all for buying any software.

Yeah, personally I really don't care about it. I have a USB hub, just plug all my dongles into there and never worry about it again.

 

[enCiphered]

What the hell "sales" suppose to mean? And so many people think is important.

Regular sales or discounts. This is an important factor for musicians, bands and producers on a tight budget.