Check these out:

http://www.clavia.se/nordlead3/index.htm (apparantly very good for pads)
http://alesis.com/products/a6/ (analog.. expensive)
http://alesis.com/products/Ion/
http://www.davesmithinstruments.com/ (2 analog oscs, and 2 digital)
http://korg.com/gear/info.asp?A_PROD_NO=Legacy (not hardware, but cool nonetheless)
http://www.jomox.de/ (another expensive analog)

Just an idea. The hot synth is the Virus C, but it all comes down to preference for everything else. If you want the classic trance supersaw then get the jp80x0, I wouldn't worry about it being old. It's pretty young compared to other synths people still use.

es

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Thanks Man.

You've been really helpful!

I like the Nord Lead. (I think I'll buy that instead of the V-Synth!)

So I guess I'll go with the Virus/Nord Lead/JP8080

Thanks, I appreciate it!

NK

quote:

Originally posted by nectario Thanks Man. You've been really helpful! I like the Nord Lead. (I think I'll buy that instead of the V-Synth!) So I guess I'll go with the Virus/Nord Lead/JP8080 Thanks, I appreciate it! NK

Good plan .

es

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If you are definately getting yourself 2 synths how about getting the virus and a true analogue like a Juno or something or or even something that is not a VA like a Rolamd XV5050 or something for some basic sound sets.

quote:

Originally posted by hardmandez something that is not a VA like a Rolamd XV5050 or something for some basic sound sets.

a basic sound set that is useful in trance is basically limited to orchestral sounds. For which you are best off using samples or a sample based VSTi like Edirol Orchestral.

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You don't need to spend all the money BTW. Three virtual analogues is over kill especially when you haven't any experience of using them.
Also they are all based around the same theory of subtractive synthesis. So you should be able to create the same or similar sound on any one of them. The only major difference between them all is the filter which is unique to each make and defines the general sound of your VA.

So to be honest one VA would be more than enough.

Thanks! Let me ask you, if I buy a VA (ie Virus) can i transfer the sounds via USB? Or do I have to use the sound output?

Thanks!

-NK

They all use MIDI which is the standard for external hardware. So you usually do play back using a MIDI sequencer(Cubase, Sonar, Reason, Etc).

If you wanted to record the output into the rest of your tracks which I guess is all internal on the PC you would need to input it into a soundcard.

quote:

Originally posted by nectario Thanks! Let me ask you, if I buy a VA (ie Virus) can i transfer the sounds via USB? Or do I have to use the sound output? Thanks! -NK

You are going to need a decent audio interface (most include atleast one midi port).

Check out:
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/1820M/ (PCI Based, 2 sets of midi ports)
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/828MkII/ (firewire based, one set of midi ports, but has more TRS audio inputs.

And if you need more midi ports one of these would be good for future proofing:
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/microlite/

And I disagree with that other guy, I'd still get atleast 2 VA's. Different VA's have different sounds, and if you can afford it, having a few different synths can give you more variety.

I think you need to understand though, that in order to use external hardware synths, you will need to move from reason to cubase, logic, or sonar. So you might want to research your sequencers, and try to learn one of those before you drop the cash on the synths. You can try some of the demo's of some of the VSTi's out there (v-station, vanguard, and albino come to mind), and learn how a 'normal' sequencer works. Once you get the hang of that, then you can start thinking about that virus.

Things you will need for a nice hardware studio:
Monitors
Audio Interface
Midi Interface
Synths
Fast Computer
Professional Sequencer
DSP Effects card (powercore, uad-1)

es

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Last edited by Vert on May-10-2004 at 16:53

quote:

Originally posted by Vert And I disagree with that other guy, I'd still get atleast 2 VA's. Different VA's have different sounds, and if you can afford it, having a few different synths can give you more variety. es

True but top end VA's aren't all that cheap. I myself have 3 VA's and some real analogues excatly for the reason you mentioned. What I meant was buy one for now. Get to know it learn how to use it, programming synths doesn't come all that easy to everyone, hell I don't even know everything and I've been using them for a good 5-6 years. So you should get to know your bit of kit over a year or so befire and then add to your setup. Rather than blowing all your cash in one big spending spree.

quote:

Originally posted by hardmandez True but top end VA's aren't all that cheap. I myself have 3 VA's and some real analogues excatly for the reason you mentioned. What I meant was buy one for now. Get to know it learn how to use it, programming synths doesn't come all that easy to everyone, hell I don't even know everything and I've been using them for a good 5-6 years. So you should get to know your bit of kit over a year or so befire and then add to your setup. Rather than blowing all your cash in one big spending spree.

I just think that nectario doesn't totally understand the true implications of moving to a hardware studio, from a more simpler daw like reason.

If I were you nectario I would go buy a book about cubase or the sequencer you choose, and learn how it works + integrates with the hardware.

es

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