it's not really a TOTAL non-trance setup. A Roland XV is a very decent allrounder with much upgradeability thru expansion cards. And you'll need an allrounder (even tho it's a rompler) because there's a phat lead, a phat bass, and then a bucket of other sounds that don't need to be fat or anything, just back things up. Every setup needs a sampler, especially if there's no dedicated drumbox. The triton may be obsolete (however more stuff does give you a broader range of sounds). The akai's sequencer is probably obsolete, as you're talking about logic and protools. So the way I see it, good would be sampler + allrounder + VA. And mixer of course.

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All rhythm evolves around a kick...

Instead of getting both the fantom and the xv...just get the fantom since they use the same sound engines (the fantom dosen't have a few the xv has)unless you think you need a synth with 128 note polyphony...With the extra cash get an anolog modeling synth...

quote:

Originally posted by Pjotr G it's not really a TOTAL non-trance setup. A Roland XV is a very decent allrounder with much upgradeability thru expansion cards. And you'll need an allrounder (even tho it's a rompler) because there's a phat lead, a phat bass, and then a bucket of other sounds that don't need to be fat or anything, just back things up. Every setup needs a sampler, especially if there's no dedicated drumbox. The triton may be obsolete (however more stuff does give you a broader range of sounds). The akai's sequencer is probably obsolete, as you're talking about logic and protools. So the way I see it, good would be sampler + allrounder + VA. And mixer of course.

thats why i mentioned sonic synth. it is a "rompler" type plug-in but wheras the fantom or say JV series, etc.. might have a 32-64MB soundset...sonic synth uses an over 2GB soundset. it's purpose is to emulate the best of the romplers (using PCM/Sample based material of course) integrated with built in FX....plus it's used in a VST environment making using it with other FX plug's, routing it however you want, a synch. now what do u think is gonna sound better..a 32-64mb core waveform set or over 2GB's for the much higher quality soundset.. it uses presets just like any rompler would and offers you the additional ease of using it in the VST environment, is low on CPU usage, offers geat automation capabilites straight from the Host Sequencer, the sound designer is the same guy that makes a lot of the presets for Roland, Korg, etc.. except he's not forced o compromise quality by cramming the soundset into 32-64mb...so the sound quality is beyond great. it runs about $199-$299 depending on where you get it and currently there running a special where they give you 2 of their $79 E-Rom Expansions (equivalent to expansion boards on a hardware unit) for free. Their support is second to none (the designer is always on the KVR-VST forum and helps people personally), etc.. now compare that to a hardware rompler... yup software's lookin better n better everyday...don't get me wrong, i still tink you MUST have hardware but a rompler for 1500-2 grand as compared to sonic synth... which would u choose?

oh n for a sampler, have you checked out what Native Instruments Kontact can do? or for a drum box, what Fxpansions DR008 can? those two blow away any hardware based synth or drum box out there and again..your using it in your host sequencer so you get all the perks of that.


to each their own. theirs plenty of demo's around so try things out n see what you like. just remember that just cause it costs more, or is hardware, it doesnt mean it's better.

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Music isn't a way of life...it is life

Last edited by MekTek on Jul-19-2002 at 13:55

ok, after reading everyones posts i was wondering where the best place would be to purchase the equipment?? Ialso have a couple of queshtions about the analog synth, since i never used one before. How do they differ from a digital synth ??

generally you have more control over an analogue synth (or virtual analogue) which means you have more paramaters to control. You also get a generally different "type" of sound, more like the sounds that you find in trance music. In my opinion an analogue/virtual analogue synth is the most important part of a trance producing studio.

For purchasing equipment, I'd go either with a local retailer, or ebay.

I always get great deals off ebay, like my supernova pro for $1800 CND including shipping. and my pcv-275 for $400 US including shipping.. You can usually find new and used gear on there.

I see your in NYC, like me, so you can check out Sam Ash on 48th st or i'd say take a trip to the guitar center on northern blvd. i forget the exact street but it's between 40-60. they usually have more setup to play with. you can call information, get the digits n ask them for the addy n directions. i'd say go there n play around with all the gear n see what suits you. then you can purchase from musiciansfriend.com. you'll save money on sales tax n it's the online "store" for guitar center, as they own it, though most of the workers don't even know this...GC for some reason doesn't want people to know. i guess it's cause a lot of times the musicians frined prices are lower than theirs since it's internet based and theres less overhead. synthplanet.com usually has MUCH better prices on gear than most but it's not american based so for support you'd have to deal with the out the U.S. distributors for support.. that's a pain in the ass n not worth it when your working on a track then have to wait eons for overseas support.

Analog Vs. Digital

analog synths use analog circuits to create the sine,pulse,square,etc waves in real time. the filters, lfo's, etc on a pure analog synth do this all in real time as well. this is what a analog sine wave

digital synths/Virtual analog modeling synths (VA's) use DSP chips to model characteristics of analog circuitry. it uses digital algorythms to try and recreate the behaviour of real analog oscillators, vco's, vcf's, lfo's, filters, etc. this is represented by ones and zero's digitally.

the analog is the top one n digital the bottom one..you can see the difference plainly in the two:


in a nutshell, as you can see, the digital sinewave is more "stepped"
and not as smooth as it's analog counterpart. this equates to a "warmer sound" for analog units and a "harsher" sound for the digital units. since the digital still needs to use 1's and 0's to try and recreate/plot the analog sine wave, it isn't as smooth as an analog oscillator as it isn't exactly like it..it's more jagged as the points are plotted rather than it being a continous analog wave. the general consensus is that the analog units sound warmer and fuller, some have built in arpeggiators or step sequencers so old units like the moog's, sequential circuits (prophets), roland TR808, 909, TB303, Korg MS20, 50, etc..along with a lot of analog effects like the roland space echo are much sought after. the bad part about analog circuitry is a lot doesn't have midi but rather CV (though many can be retrofitted, with midi, for a reasonable price). They go out of tune and need to be retuned often (though this is for the most part a button to press), take time to warm up, are succeptable to temperature variants and as such the sound will change if the room it's used in is hotter or colder, cost a lot, etc.. there are trade-offs for using analog gear but the sound...well IMO, is well worth the trouble. for a bit more of an indepth explanation, check out this article: http://www.iaekm.org/archive/p11.html

this must confuse you as it did me when i first learned all this stuff so i'll try n clarify how it would impact what to buy...analog synths are great to add flavor and to learn the basics of analog synthesis. if you have the money i'd say buy an anlog synth or two in addition to whatever your getting..something like maybe a sequential circuits pro 1, Moog Rogue, Roland SH101, Juno 106, etc..to learn with n when your more comfortable with analog go for the big guns like Moogs' minimoog n memorymoog+, Sequentials' Pro 5, Rolands' Jupiter 8, Oberheims' Matrix 12, Roland SH7, etc.. i'd say go with some VA's that suit your taste n maybe 1 or 2 analog beauty's to learn on and hear the difference for yourself (though "learning on" doesn't mean they won't still sound great). for some info, sound bytes, pic's, etc. on more analog synths check out http://www.vintagesynth.com and http://www.synthmuseum.com you can find a lot on ebay, if u wanna buy any. you can find average prices n do searches from http://www.prepal.com

i hope that clarify's some stuff for you. i know how confusing all this stuff can be at first. if u wanna know anything else, feel free to ask.

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Music isn't a way of life...it is life

Last edited by MekTek on Jul-19-2002 at 15:50

Thanks everyone for your support, you have helped clarify LOTS of things. Any info is appreciated.

ok, After doing lots of research and with some help from ta members and local music stores i have generated a new list. Tell me what you think.

P.S. I know this guy is ripping me off alot, i just used him to help me get a list and i can find 3/4 of the eq listed here for half price.

Last edited by nate735 on Jul-28-2002 at 00:25

well. you don't need the "wave burner Pro", thats for sure. Waldorf drum module?... I recommend you use software for drums (from my own experience). Table top drum pads? nah, get rid of that one quick. Get way cheaper monitors. A nice pair of bookshelfs and a sub can cost half that, and still sound amazing. Audio cables for 150? ... .. If you get professional 1/4" I can see that, but midi cables cost $5 at my local music store, and non-professional 1/4s costs like $10. CND. so .. you can save on those.

and supernova? I recommend (if possible) save the money on buying a Supernova rather than Supernova 2, and then buy a pro upgrade for 44 voice polyphony. there is little diff between the 1 and 2, besides a vocoder and a slightly different layout. same sounds.

I think this looks better.

I have the VLZ 1402 mixer, but I have not enough channels to edit my sounds. I would have the same problem if I would buy the VLZ 1642, and I think it would be the same for you. Maybe it's better to buy a mixer that's a bit bigger than that, like the CFX 20. I believe (I'm not sure) it's just like the VLZ 1642, but it is just a bit bigger and has effects on it.

I don't know what kind of sound card the RME is, but if you're going to buy the EXS24 (wich sounds great) you will need a sound card that has multiple outputs so you can edit your samples on your mixer. Or you need to edit your samples in your computer if your going to buy a soundcard that has no multiple outs.

Like DJ Chrono said, I think you won't need the akai MPD16 because you can program your drums in your sequenser wich works fine.

I think that if you are going to buy a burner wich comes wich burning software you won't need the wave burner pro.

You synths are good but you will need to expand your voices, because with the number you have now you can't use enough sounds for you're tracks.

I have heard the mackies HR824's are great but the Beringers would do the job too.

sony mdr-v700dj's for producing? LOL! I like how they look, thats about it.

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