midi virtual synthesizer software

I just purchased a 44-key USB midi keyboard controller for the PC.  I got it for myself, and to teach my 5-yr. old how to play keyboard.  I'm looking for some software recommendations to use the keyboard with.  I already have Ableton Live and Reason.  Are there any others that have good basic instrument sounds (and not all that techno shit)?  I'm not trying to be a producer.  I just want software that has good sounds and is fairly easy to use.

[Overblast]

obviously it's important to know what it is you're looking to play, but i'd highly recommend getting native instruments kontakt and alicia's keys for a great piano sound. there's loads of syth packs for kontakt as well, which you can just use in the standalone player OR a VST, so no need to fire up your DAW every time.

Sounds good..  I'm getting them now.  I'd like to have some 80s Synths and good orchestral sounds.  Native Instruments Massive is pretty cool.  A lot of strange stuff in there but there are quite a few pleasant sounds mixed in among them.  I got the stand alone player from NI as well as the 120 free instruments.  That was a good suggestion so I don't have to run the DAW every time.  Can I add all of my VST files to the free player?

wow!  Alicia's Keys sounds great.  Much, much better than the Vienna Concert Grand!  Thanks mef!

After getting my midi keyboard controller, and playing with various software.  It seems the best combination is Ableton Live and Native Instruments Kontakt.  The quality is outstanding!

[Overblast]

yeah it's great, i got a few packs for kontakt, got a great full choir for it as well

which choir pack did you get?  I need a good one.  I'm in the process of obtaining Requiem Light right now.

Also, the controller I purchased was a Behringer UMX490.  I highly recommend it for anyone who is even remotely interested in creating digital music.  It was only £90!  great value for the money!

[g]

Sativa are you going to compose some tracks and put them online? Would like to hear!

[Overblast]

which choir pack did you get?  I need a good one.  I'm in the process of obtaining Requiem Light right now.

Also, the controller I purchased was a Behringer UMX490.  I highly recommend it for anyone who is even remotely interested in creating digital music.  It was only £90!  great value for the money!

Cinesamples VOXOS Epic Virtual Choirs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDL4cBcIK8A

if you need a choir, your mind will be blown

Sativa are you going to compose some tracks and put them online? Would like to hear!

sure...  I'll post one once I've completed it.  I remember when you made the Christmas song.  I forget how long ago that was though.

Cinesamples VOXOS Epic Virtual Choirs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDL4cBcIK8A

if you need a choir, your mind will be blown

I'm getting that one for sure!  That's amazing!  The Requiem pack is okay if you want a lot of chanting and are possibly composing a soundtrack for a remake of the 1970s movie The Omen.  It may also be good for part of the soundtrack to Skyrim or Diablo III but it doesn't fit into what I'm trying to do.  That youtube video was great!

[g]

Sativa are you going to compose some tracks and put them online? Would like to hear!

sure...  I'll post one once I've completed it.  I remember when you made the Christmas song.  I forget how long ago that was though.

cool yeah. what type of music are you going to make?
the christmas song was in 2006 or something. but im still making music

[cytochrome]

For a DAW, you should get Studio One 2. It's really intuitive. Get Native Instruments  Komplete 7. It has some useful shit, but I pretty much only use Battery 3, Kontakt 5 and Massive, so I suppose you could get those separately. As for samples, I find that the piano libraries by Imperfect Samples are superior to anything I've tried before, but they are, I think, 15 GB a piece. Also, get Spectrasonics Omnisphere and I promise you that you won't run out of interesting patches anytime soon.

[Uncle_Mart]

Studio one is probably the hottest new contender on the market right now, people are actually finally dropping pro tools for it. I've not given it that much time yet but from what I saw its the direction that Cubase should have gone. Its minimal clutter, has a fantastic audio engine and its so damn intuitive. Its quite a bitch to get started though but you should be able to pick it up if you have some knowledge.

Also want to say the Omnisphere is a beastly rompler, as cytochrome already stated, its very unlikely you'll ever want for more sounds Battery is also probably still king of drum machines too. If you want some soft synths then I suggest LennarDigital Sylenth1 and Cakewalk Z3TA 2.

[Dr_Grinch]

At DEMF this past weekend Moog, Novation and Vestax had a bunch of toys set up for you to play with.
If I get back into DJ'ing I really want a launchpad.