Thanks again for all of your responses. I'm not too keen on the JP-8080 for its "supersaw" simply because I already have a softsynth with 7 oscillators(with multiple sawtooth waveforms) so I'd rather not spend all that cash on something I already have available. The Supernova sounds interesting, I have used the V-Station and it seemed rather unimpressive, yes it has some good out of the box sounds. But if I'm buying a piece of hardware (particularly my first) I want it to be very versatile. If I had a ton of cash or several of these synths though, of course I would get them all. Anyways, back to what I was trying to get at before, is the Supernova like the V/K Station or is it more versatile?

I mainly stick to Trance/Prog. House productions, but I eventually want to expand to other genres and I would like something that is good for classical instruments too (Fan of some of Daniel Kandi's work), to add that great presence during the breakdown, but its not in the budget right now, that was the one reason why I was looking at the Motif. It seems that it has a strong set of patches of more "traditional" instruments along with a strong sound synthesis engine that I could tweak out. But I think its out for right now.

Last edited by WhatTF on Jun-09-2008 at 22:28

You need to go retry V-station i bought it thinking. "here is my softsynths for bass." But over the past few months i have gotten better at synthesis in general and also with v station and i have gotten some sweet leads and pads. It's now my favourite soft synth.

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get an analog synth nate!

analog! analog! analog!

david

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quote:

Originally posted by davidbuhau get an analog synth nate! analog! analog! analog! david

Yeah after some debate my current top three choices are: Access Virus, Nord Lead, and Prophet 08 (analog). I think I'm going to pick up a used Virus first and then probably the Prophet when I get enough cash. Then the Nord and perhaps a Motif later.

quote:

Originally posted by WhatTF Yeah after some debate my current top three choices are: Access Virus, Nord Lead, and Prophet 08 (analog).

Excellent choices. I have all three of those synths (Virus Polar TI, Nord Rack 2X, and Prophet '08 module). Soundwise, the P08 is the hands-down winner. That thing just sounds incredible and is very easy to program. OTOH, the Virus TI is the most flexible synth (because of the Total Integration/Virus Control), but unfortunately you don't get that capability in the older models. Regardless, I don't think you can go wrong with a Virus as a first hardware synth.

I like your game plan of buying a used Virus, then the P08, followed the Motif. BTW, I also have a Roland XV-5050 (w/Orchestra and World expansions) that I use for the very reason you want to get the Motif - I use it for traditional bread-n-butter 'real' sounds, esp. strings, pianos, and world/ethnic sounds. Those types of synths complement the (virtual) analogs very nicely. Good luck and have fun!

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my friend josh has a virus if you wanna play with one for a few hours before you make your decision...

i don't think i'd ever purchase a digital hardware synth, just cuz imho, it's software crammed into a shiny box

david

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love and puppies!

quote:

Originally posted by davidbuhau my friend josh has a virus if you wanna play with one for a few hours before you make your decision... i don't think i'd ever purchase a digital hardware synth, just cuz imho, it's software crammed into a shiny box david

Yes with a chip dedicated to making sounds, plus it has unique filters and what not.

Hey so a follow-up question. I found the Access Virus C (XL) Rack for sale at around 800 bucks is this a good deal?

Last edited by WhatTF on Jun-11-2008 at 00:42

Those are some nice synths you're thinking about, you'll be well covered with them. Maybe instead of the motif consider the Roland Fantom series or the Korg M3. I was playing with an M3 the other day and I was pretty impressed with it despite its reputation.

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quote:

Originally posted by kitphillips Those are some nice synths you're thinking about, you'll be well covered with them. Maybe instead of the motif consider the Roland Fantom series or the Korg M3. I was playing with an M3 the other day and I was pretty impressed with it despite its reputation.

I've got a Motif ES8 and thought about selling it and trading it in for something with more of a trance feel. I didn't, for whatever reason, and really glad I didn't now. When I started using the Studio Manager software interface to dig really deep into it, it was really phenomenal to work with. I'm sure they are all good - but I like the keys on the Motif, and the presets for strings/pads, piano, guitar, bass, etc. are second to none in my opinion. It's also got some really good effects when you get to using them... like I said, I started with the software but control most of it from hardware now. I've gotten pretty deep into it now - using performance mode, tweaking the voices, etc. and wouldn't givie it up now. Probably depends on what you're looking for... but this has turned into a really good purchase for me.

Yeah like I said I wanted to get the motif later simply because I wanted something with some "bread & butter" sounds also from the demos I heard of it, it seems that it is versatile.

quote:

Originally posted by cryophonik Regardless, I don't think you can go wrong with a Virus as a first hardware synth.

Coming from the the guy with the access logo as his av. big surprise.

Anyways do you think that is a deal on the Virus C rack?

quote:

Originally posted by WhatTF Anyways do you think that is a deal on the Virus C rack?

I had a Rack XL that I sold when I bought my Polar. I bought (stole?) it for $650, sold it a year later on eBay for $850. I haven't paid attention to the prices since, so take it for what it's worth.

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