need a good choir, and some other good real sounds

[theplateauxofmirror]

so I've got a few synths that i noodle around with on my own to make electronic music, but i'm about to join a black metal band. so what i really need are good pianos and, most importantly, a good, epic choir patch. for once i'm not looking for something with a lot of programming capabilities, just maybe some minor tweakage. i don't need anything analog-sounding or electronic-sounding, i just need a legit and realistic piano and choir and maybe strings, though i can get nice string sounds on other machines.

i don't know much about keyboards that aren't analog or analog-modeled. i can't afford a big workstation, though i think those are the sounds i'm after. if anything with realistic presets and minor tweaking are available for preferably under $500, fill me in. i was checking out an alesis qs6 at a music store today and i'm considering that.

i can get somewhat choir-like sounds out of what i have, but i think i need something with sampled ROM presets or whatever for what I'm looking for.

[Syn303]

Buy one of the Roland JV or XP Synths (JV-1080 or XP-50, 60) and put the vocal SR-JV card in it for choirs.
But since you have an ESQ1, you can use choir samples.

[cryophonik]

Spectrasonics Omnisphere is a great choice IMO. It has a ton of excellent choirs (some rivalling EWQL SC), some great pianos, and is just an incredible all-around synth.

[pricklyrobot]

Buy one of the Roland JV or XP Synths (JV-1080 or XP-50, 60) and put the vocal SR-JV card in it for choirs.

+1. I think I picked up my JV-1080 for about $250. The expansion cards usually go for $75-$125 depending on the card. One of the Orchestral cards (I have the Orchestral II card which includes some decent choir sounds) should get you most of the epic metal sounds you'd need. Then if you decide you need a wider range of choral sounds, pick up the Vocal card later on.

Roland have all of the cards and their manuals (with waveform/patch listings) on their site, just do a product search for "SR-JV80".

[theplateauxofmirror]

The JV-1080 and one of those cards sounds like exactly what I need, and more affordable than I was expecting, too. Thanks a lot guys.

[tallowwaters]

I think you would be better off with an inexpensive sampler and an expensive choir sample pack

[Bitexion]

The Korg 03/W (rack version of the 01/W) has some really GREAT choir/vocal samples. I've used them in several metal bands, and they always loved it. Specially one preset called Supervoices. Totally rocks the house.

If you're looking for simple aaaah choir sounds like on Emperor's "In the Nightside Eclipse", an early-mid 90's rompler based synth is what you want. Or a module. I'm not sure what synth Ihsahn actually used on those albums, but they sound great. Possibly a Roland JD-800 (i've read somewhere)

[Sexor]

Maybe you should go for a software emulation of the Mellotron. The Mellotron choir sounds are great and super useable. There are a couple of different plugs around, so just google your way to the one you like best.