- Unleash Omnisphere 2.6 On Your Music. For years, Omnisphere has been an essential virtual instrument for songwriters, sound designers, and composers ranging in genre from EDM to cinematic scoring, but Spectrasonics Omnisphere 2.6 software synth totally ups the ante with a truckload of new features that instantly grabbed the attention of the electronic musicians and serious synth mavens here at Sweetwater.
- Do you have the latest drivers for your device? Our engineering team is constantly adding, updating and improving our drivers to ensure optimal performance. Series Pianos USB Audio and MIDI Interfaces MIDI Interfaces Keyboard Controllers Microphones Accessories Legacy You must select a series.
- Mar 30, 2018 Spectrasonics Omnisphere 2 installatation fix (ominsphere 2 Steam Folder not found). How to install omnisphere 2. This video shows how to fix steam folder not found or 'not a valid steam folder.
- M-Audio pioneered the portable MIDI controller market with the Oxygen series of keyboard controllers. Today, M-Audio continues to be a leader of this technology by developing intuitive controllers for software-based music production and performance. Thanks to continued innovation over the course of nearly a decade.
- Will Omnisphere 2 replace my Omnisphere plug-in? Omnisphere 2 is the next version of Omnisphere. When installed, the Omnisphere 2 Upgrade contents (20GB) merge with the existing Omnisphere 1 library and become one product, replacing Omnisphere 1 as a plug-in. When opening older projects which use sounds from Omnisphere 1, will they load.
I have a basic M-Audio midi controller that I used to put music into Sibelius. How do I do to use Omnisphere in front of an audience? Is this possible? 1- Buy an audio interface. 2- Buy the Behringer BCR2000 USB/MIDI Controller in order to use it with the M-Audio bad keyboard or invest into the Akai MKP61? 3- Buy Omnisphere 2.
Where can I purchase Omnisphere 2?
Download sales and Upgrades are now available for purchase in our Webstore/Techshop. Physical sales (boxed with USB drive) are handled exclusively through our Authorized Resellers.
If I already own Omnisphere, is there an Upgrade to Omnisphere 2?
Yes! If you already are an Omnisphere customer, you are eligible for the Omnisphere 2 Upgrade - available now in the Webstore/Techshop.
If I already own Atmosphere, is there an Upgrade to Omnisphere 2?
Yes! If you already are an Atmosphere customer, you are eligible for the Omnisphere 2 Legacy Upgrade - available now in the Webstore/Techshop.
Is there a DEMO version of Omnisphere 2 I can try?
Because of the size of our instruments, we don't offer Demo versions. However, you can contact one of our local dealers in your area in order to arrange a live demo of Omnisphere 2. To find a local dealer in your area, please contact your local Authorized Reseller.
How are Spectrasonics Instruments delivered to new users?
All Spectrasonics instruments are available in two different editions: Boxed and Download. The physical boxed editions now contain high quality USB drives and are sold exclusively to new customers through our Authorized Resellers. The download editions are now available and sold exclusively through our Webstore/Techshop.
Aren’t Spectrasonics Instruments delivered on DVD-ROMS?
They used to be, but this is no longer the case. All our physical boxed versions have now been revised with high-quality USB drives. For convenience, we now also offer download sales of new Spectrasonics Instruments direct to customers from our Webstore/Techshop. Both of these new delivery platforms offer much faster and more reliable installations than DVD discs.
If I buy the Boxed version, will I also be able to get a download in the future? If I buy the Download Edition, will I also be able to get a drive? If I have the DVD-ROM edition, will I be able to get the drive or future downloads if I need them?
Yes to all of the above! We are happy to announce that there are now alternative forms of installation available optionally to registered users - no matter which edition you have originally purchased.
Spectrasonics is keenly aware that many users no longer have computers with optical drives and there are numerous scenarios when the convenience of downloading or the speed of a USB drive would be a preferred form of installation for different types of users. To address all the various user needs and scenarios, Spectrasonics has a new Support Services area that offers Alternative Installation USB Drives and Additional Download Installations for optional purchase. These services are available for purchase in our Webstore/Techshop for registered users.
How is the Upgrade delivered? Is it downloadable? How big?
The Omnisphere 2 Upgrade package is a 60GB download which you can order through Webstore/Techshop.
Is the Omnisphere 2 Upgrade available as a physical product?
Not at this time. Our download service is highly reliable though... even with slower connections.
Can I download the upgrade?
Yes. The upgrade is now exclusively available as a download in our Webstore/Techshop.
Does an Omnisphere 1 license need to be registered and authorized in my Spectrasonics User Account in order to qualify for the Omnisphere 2 Upgrade?
Yes.
Does Omnisphere 1 need to be installed on my computer before purchasing and installing the upgrade to Omnisphere 2?
No. Upgrading to Omnisphere 2 will supply the complete 60GB Omnisphere 2 sound library, which includes the sounds from Omnisphere 1. If Omnisphere 1 is already installed, you will not lose any custom user-created sounds or third-party libraries.
Do I need to have Atmosphere installed before purchasing the upgrade to Omnisphere 2?
No, but if you are an Atmosphere user you will need to have it authorized and registered to qualify for the Legacy upgrade.
Is there a student discount price for Omnisphere 2?
Spectrasonics doesn't offer student discounts, however qualifying schools and institutions can participate in our EDU program.
Does Spectrasonics allow for used sales/license transfers of Omnisphere 2?
Please see the License Transfer FAQs area of the Knowledgebase for more info on our License Transfer Policy.
Can I upgrade if I bought a used copy of Omnisphere v1?
Yes, but only if that copy of Omnisphere has been properly license transferred through Spectrasonics.
Can I upgrade if I bought a used copy of Atmosphere?
Yes, but only if that copy of Atmosphere has been properly license transferred through Spectrasonics.
If I upgrade my Atmosphere to Omnisphere 2 can I later resell and transfer the license of either instrument used to someone else?
No. Customers who participate in a special upgrade program for any Spectrasonics virtual instruments are not eligible for license transfers either for the original instrument or its subsequent upgrade. For example, if an original owner of Atmosphere takes advantage of our special “legacy” upgrade program to Omnisphere 2, the owner is not permitted to resell either instrument and no license transfer will be granted.
If I upgrade my Omnisphere v1 to Omnisphere 2 can I later resell and transfer the license of either instrument used to someone else?
Since it is the same original license, Omnisphere 2 would still be eligible for a future license transfer. However, Omnisphere 1 cannot be transferred as a separate product.
Are Omnisphere 1 and Omnisphere 2 different instruments/products?
No. Omnisphere 2 is simply the next major version of Omnisphere.
Is Omnisphere 2 a Stand-alone app or a Plugin?
Omnisphere 2 includes a standalone application and VST/AU/AAX plug-in platforms that work in all the major DAWs and hosts.
What is the STEAM engine?
STEAM™ is our in-house core technology that is the foundation of Omnisphere, Trilian and a new generation of Spectrasonics instruments.
So does Omnisphere replace Atmosphere?
Yes, Omnisphere is Atmosphere's successor.
What are the minimum system requirements for Omnisphere 2?
You can view them HERE.
Is it compatible with xxx?
Check our Compatibility FAQs in the Knowledgebase which we keep up to date with the latest info.
Will Omnisphere 2 replace my Omnisphere plug-in?
Yes. Omnisphere 2 is the next version of Omnisphere. When installed, the Omnisphere 2 Upgrade contents (20GB) merge with the existing Omnisphere 1 library and become one product, replacing Omnisphere 1 as a plug-in.
When opening older projects which use sounds from Omnisphere 1, will they load the same?
Absolutely - it is still Omnisphere! Version 2 is fully backwards compatible with version 1 projects.
Will custom saved patches/multis be negatively affected when upgrading to Omnisphere 2?
No. They will open and operate the same as always.
Will third party patches be negatively affected when upgrading to Omnisphere 2?
No. All third-party Omnisphere v1 libraries are fully compatible with Omnisphere 2.
Does Omnisphere 2 use Copy Protection?
Yes, please see the Copy Protection FAQs area of the Knowledgebase for more information on our system.
Does Omnisphere 2 include a manual?
All our instruments include a comprehensive online Reference Guide, which is accessible directly through the plug-in. The integrated Reference Guide is searchable and we can keep it up to date with the software releases. You can check out the Reference Guide HERE.
How fast of a computer will I need to run Omnisphere 2?
As with all virtual instruments - the faster the better. Omnisphere 2 is designed to run optimally on modern computers. See the System Requirements for more information.
Does Omnisphere 2 need more CPU power than Omnisphere v1?
Not significantly more. Some newer patches require more resources than older ones. However, many new patches do not require more resources.
Does Omnisphere 2.5 need more CPU power than Omnisphere 2.4?
Not significantly more. Some newer patches require more resources than older ones. However, many new patches do not require more resources.
Is Omnisphere 2 compatible with 32-bit and 64-bit systems?
Omnisphere 2.4 and earlier are compatible with both 32-bit and 64-bit systems. Omnisphere 2.5 and higher are compatible exclusively with 64-bit systems.
Can I easily switch back and forth between Omnisphere 2.5 and Omnisphere 2.4?
Yes! We have a rollback installer that’s easy to use for this purpose if you are unsure if you are ready for 2.5 or not.
Does Omnisphere 2 use streaming?
Yes! Omnisphere 2 streams from the drive for quick loading of the sounds. Drive streaming is configurable as well.
Can I selectively install parts of the Omnisphere 2 library since it is so large?
Because of patch compatibility, Omnisphere 2 must always be installed with the complete library. However, you can install the 60 Gigabyte library to a secondary or external drive if you wish.
Will Omnisphere 2's streaming benefit from a faster hard drive?
Fast drives are a smart way to go of course. There's a chapter in the Reference Guide devoted to optimizing Performance with Omnisphere 2.
Can I install Omnisphere 2 on a different drive?
Yes, you can definitely install the library to a secondary or external drive.
Can I Use My Own Audio in Omnisphere 2?
Yes! You can now use any WAV or AIFF audio files in Omnisphere as soundsources for creating your own amazing sounds! Omnisphere 2 supports bit depths up to 24-bit files and sample rates up to 192kHz.
Will the audio import in Omnisphere 2 be for single audio files or multi-samples?
Omnisphere 2 supports one audio file of any length per soundsource. You can layer up to four soundsources in a patch and 8 patches in a multi. Keep in mind that Omnisphere's focus is as a synthesizer and will never be a sampler with multiple velocities, key-mapping, round-robin, etc. - there are other instruments out there that do that very well.
Omnisphere 2 allows you to easily turn your audio files and even your audio tracks/mixes into synthesis source for Omnisphere 2's powerful oscillators. It's remarkable how much you can creatively mangle one sound and transform it into something awesome!
When the first version of Omnisphere came out in 2008 as Spectrasonics’ flagship software synthesizer, it was well received by the audio community, winning many awards for its sound quality, versatility and power. At that moment Spectrasonics clearly made the transition from releasing sample libraries to designing and releasing instruments. Stylus and Trilian were the other releases that defined this new era for the company.
Omnisphere quickly became an industry standard software synth and its sound could be heard in everything from pop music to film scores. Flash forward to 2015 and it’s a wildly different market now with hundreds of sample-based software synths on the market. I sought to find out if Omnisphere 2 has what it takes to stay on top. Does Spectrasonics keep up with the times and present something new and fresh with this update? I was looking forward to finding out.
Let’s take a look at the new features of this update and review some of the aspects of Omnisphere 2 that set it apart from the competition. There is way more to cover then I was able to in this review, but I will hit some important key points.
Updated Browser
Figure 1—Expanded Browser In Omnisphere 2
Some of the most innovative new features appear in the Browser section. I appreciate the small description of each patch, often including the patches layered or samples used to create it, in addition to any effects or modulation information. This is not a new feature but new users will undoubtly appreciate it. Few software synthesizers provide such useful tips right in the main interface. Omnisphere’s browser does exactly what a Browser should do: allow for quick selection of sounds with the ability to preview them and receive important information about them all in one place.
Figure 2—Patch Description in Browser
The new trademarked features like Sound Match and Sound Lock give users the ability to quickly navigate like sounds and save settings on the go. You can now import custom audio tracks into Omnisphere for truly unique and extensive processing, a feature composers and sound designers have been asking about for quite some time.
Sound Match
Figure 3—Sound Match in the Browser Section
Say you find a patch you like, but would like other choices in the library that are similar to compare it to. This is what Sound Match is all about. Choose a patch, engage the Sound Match button and it will search for similar sounds to audition in the right side browser. I wish all software synth developers incorporated this feature in their patch browsers. I have run into the issue of finding like sounds many times in other instruments, so I find this feature so refreshing. If you tend to create your own patches or import your own audio to make a patch, it’s a good idea to spend time tagging it with keywords so it can work for you within Sound Match.
Sound Lock
Figure 4—Sound Lock Drop-Down Menu
Sound Lock allows you to lock various parameters while designing or browsing for sounds. All parameters can be locked while you switch out a sound patch or individual parameters. So, if you spend time designing an Arp pattern and want to audition different patches with that pattern, select Arpeggiator under the Sound Lock menu in the top right corner of the instrument. It’s pretty clear how this can come in handy for sound designers.
Importing Audio
Figure 5—Imported Audio Sample in Part A
The import audio feature is not readily available in the Browser section upon first look. You have to choose ‘User Audio’ in the Utility menu to reveal the ‘drag and drop’ window, or choose the small folder icon in the Sample window in section A or B. New Omnisphere users should be aware of the utility menu in general as it includes saving, loading and clearing custom multis, patches and layers among other important prompts.
Figure 6—Utility Menu in Omnisphere
I was impressed by the granular synthesis technique Eric Persing demonstrated in the Omnisphere 2 promotional video so I wanted to try the same technique with a short sample of a Handpan performance by my friend Stevan Morris. In the promotional video, Eric imported a sample of a full jazz track and immediately morphed it into a textural soundscape with the granular controls. Results with the Handpan sample were similiar. The source audio quickly became unrecognizable from the original, but that’s part of the fun! I changed the position of the sampled piece of audio to modify the tone and texture of the granular output. Within this one feature, there were so many wonderful possibilities I could use as is or further process with the FX section.
Figure 7—Granular Synthesis in Omnisphere
I also opted to run my custom Handpan sample through an effect in the FX section called Innerspace. I was hooked on that effect at first listen. Within Innerspace alone, there are incredible settings to explore. Also, simply reversing the sample in the A section and moving the start slider to different position yielded some usable results. In the demo below, you’ll hear part of the original Handpan performance layered with these new textures.
New Sounds and Samples
Figure 8 – Bowed Ceramic Kalimba
Over 5000 Soundsources and patches were added to the already extensive library totalling more than 12,000 sounds! The degree of custom morphing of the Soundsources and patches available in Omnisphere guarantees that producers and sound designers will create infinite, unique variations. Some of the new Soundsources sampled include Diego Stocco’s custom built instruments played in every conceivable fashion, circuit bending samples, cave stalactites, a ‘Spotlight EDM’ with modern sounds for dance producers and much more. The Spectrasonics team went out of their way to bring the most unique sources to users to keep sound design fresh and interesting.
Figure 9—Recording Stalactites in a Cave
Omnisphere 2 Cheap
New FX units and Multi Racks
Perhaps one of the most substantial upgrades to Omnisphere is additional FX racks, patches and multi racks. There are 25 new FX units including analog modeled effects, filters, cabinets, compressors, EQs and resonators. Users can build their own custom racks or use one of the dozen preset racks as a starting point. I’ve already mentioned Innerspace as one of my new favorite effects. The different compressors are handy and sound great, especially when designing a patch that needs a boost or when taming a loud, distorted patch with a quick limiter inside the instrument.
Figure 10—New ‘Innerspace’ Creative Effect
Many Ways to Mix and Mangle
Once you’ve chosen a sample or a waveform to start with in Part A or B of the interface, it’s time to design and mangle to your heart's content. There are over 400 new DSP Waveforms available so you won’t get bored. Mix two sample patches, two synths or mix and match using the A and B sections. Route your oscillators to an LFO, filter, envelope or controller via the right-click menu on any parameter in that section. Create polyrhythmic movement with your synth patch in seconds via multiple LFOs. Use up to 8 different Arpeggiators in a patch. Move the sound around in space using the Orb interface and record an instance to use on every note you play and hold. If you intend to use Omnisphere in a live setting, Live Mode allows for seamless patch layering on the fly and Stack Mode allows you to do keyboard splits and complex patch layering. I can go on but you get the idea. Omnisphere 2 is special because it brings together many types of synthesis under one clean and easy to use interface. There is something for every type of audio producer here.
Figure 11—Arpeggiator in Omnisphere
Omnisphere 2 Demo Download
Wrap Up
So, has Omnisphere 2 lived up to its previous reputation as the king of software synths? I say without a doubt. Omnisphere 2 is a tool that will live on and provide endless sounds and inspiration for musicians, producers and sound designers for the foreseeable future.
Price: $499, Standard Upgrade $249 Pros: Great sounds and FX. Flexible Modulation routing and limitless sound design capabilities. Cons: Users new to Omnisphere Modulation Matrix and deeper functions will need to research for methods and possibilities. Web: https://www.spectrasonics.net/products/omnisphere/index.php Watch Video Course: http://www.askvideo.com/course/omnisphere-101-omnisphere-2-explored |