First of all, in this post I am not compiling any sort of comprehensive summer sales bargain list about different VST items. The reason for this is simple: the sales are yet to begin. But what I will do is mention some things I may be interested in – if the price is right.
Actually one item I did purchase already was the Detroit Soul library at Big Fish Audio. Normally I am not into loop packs or construction kits, but I was looking for some vintage sounds to be used on Maschine, and the 60 percent discount was very generous indeed. This deal will expire soon I believe so check it out fast if you’re into that sort of stuff.
One other thing I picked up was the Propellerheads Thor Polysynth for iPad. The synth was released only last week so it was not on sale, but it was very much worth its price. Both the sounds, the interface, and the overall usability are of greatest quality, meaning Thor will surely make it to the Top 10 must-have apps for iPad music makers.
The summer sales are the second most important period for me to gather new music items – the prime season is Thanksgiving. If my memory serves me right, already last summer Native Instruments were offering their George Duke Soul Treasures 50 percent off the list price. I did not pick it up then since I had missed the crucial update concerning the time-stretch feature, which makes this loop-based library very usable in any projects requiring that 1970s vinyl-ish feel. The product also includes all the loops in WAV files so they can be applied in Maschine as such – another thing I had not noticed. So I have basically made the decision to pick this item up – if the discount percent is 50 like last summer. By no means I absolutely need this product, but if the price is right, I sure know things I can use it for.
Also the NI Scarbee Rickenbacker bass is one item I could use with the right price tag included. All the Scarbee instruments in NI catalog are extremely well-structured and have great playability, but then again I don’t actually need a new bass. If summer brings the Rick half-priced, I may be into buying however.
There are also some loop library items at Big Fish Audio catalogue – mainly guitar-based stuff – I might have use for, but since these are pretty new products, I doubt they will be on sale before Thanksgiving. Regardless of this their site is worth checking especially on Thursdays, when their weekly sales items are published.
Otherwise I don’t think this year’s summer sales will include anything radical product-wise. Also iPad app vendors will spend their time coming up new products aimed at the new iOS 7 so that front will probably be somewhat quiet too. Well I am very much strapped for cash now myself so I won’t mind.
UPDATE 6/27:
Samplephonics now has a -50 percent discount on its products. I purchased the Funk and Soul Guitar as well as the Vintage Keys libraries. Also Orange Tree Samples releases its new Rick Bass tomorrow, the discount being 20$.
Missing Sample 