[DEALS] Electronic music gear savings roundup

Some savings that've been in my notes recently — I didn't spring out to buy these (just yet) but maybe you'll find them useful:

"Play your effects" Sugar Bytes Artillery 2 has a discount code for 25% off:

CoMu228rbsb . Which makes the end price $150. I found this via the limited version bundled with Computer Music magazine, which claims it expires on 2008-12-31. But I put it in and it still appears to work — let me know if it doesn't!

EastWest on Sounds Online has a "buy one get one free" special,

that they run for every few months, on their honkin' huge sample packs (which they have no end of pro user testimonials for). After saying it was going to end on June 30th, they extended it to July 31. I've had my eye on Symphonic Orchestra Gold Complete + Stormdrum 2, it might be a nice way to get a orchestra in a box + epic movie percussion at a reasonable price.

Arturia CS80V,

their virtual reproduction of the famed Yamaha CS-80 whose analogue lushness melted all over Vangelis' Blade Runner soundtrack (among others), has dropped to $80 at audioMIDI.com. "Offer only valid until 7/15/09 or while supplies last." I thought this was $100 in days previous (which is special pricing itself for Arturia's 10th anniversary), it's still being listed for $100 at other places, and it seems like the only synth from their collection at that price.

Don't forget Native Instruments Komplete 5 at $399

as shared previously. This is getting BIG BUZZ! Heck, as Peter Kirn points out (I adore his prolific multimedia extravaganzas), that's been the normal price for Reaktor 5 alone, AND you get 10 more virtual instruments for the same price.

One more tip: look for pro audio stores on eBay which accept your best offer.

They should obviously have sterling reputations, too. Two examples to allow best offer on many items are ks123 and dutchmuzik. While cashback currently stands at 8%, offer a lower-than-your-intended-target offer, go through a few rounds of bargaining, and you may come out much better.