quote:

Originally posted by catalystG5 then tell me... why do all the major producers have hardware. i was always under the impression that hardware is more for the pros. and tell me do you actually have/had any hardware. are you telling me this from your experience. i guess this thread is aimed more to the ppl that have hardware and can tell me the difference

i have a Virus TI, Virus B, Waldorf Microwave 2 and Roland JP-8080. i don't think you can't replace them with softsynths. especially the jp-8080 sounds weak in comparison to modern softsynths..

The Virus KC has a softer sound than the Nord Lead 3 or Micro Q. So it depends what kind of lead sound you're after. It has plenty of excellent lead sounds, but if in general you're looking for another style of sound you'll want another synth.

The JP8080 is very basic compared to modern synths. I have a few banks of vengeance patches in mine and that changed my view of it totally. Still very limited compared to more modern synths, but a lot of times I'll turn to it because it's the perfect sound for what I want. My other synths can do a lot more, but they can't do "JP80x0", so I use my JP8080.

Catalyst, we all have different production styles, different musical tastes. We like different lead sounds, bass sounds, kick sounds, you name it. If you have a hardware itch that needs to be scratched, scratch it. Go to a music shop and play around with their range of synthesizers and see what appeals.

Synths come through ebay all the time. Keep building your skills with software, save up some money and wait for a good deal. If you get a good deal on one, you'll be able to sell it at the same price or even make a profit later on. Heck, even if you lose a little bit of money on it, if you've had it for 3 months or 6 months, work out what it effectively cost you to hire it per week. Should be worth it for having your questions about hardware answered.

My recommendations:

Yamaha AN1x - amazing and highly underrated synth, can be picked up for around $300. Key feel alone is worth the admission price. Perhaps one of the finest 61-keybeds around

Nord Lead 1 keyboard with PCMCIA card expansion. Perhaps pricier than AN1x and somewhat rare to find in decent shape. Responsible for "that" guitar sound in Solarstone - 7th city. Wouldn't buy without PCMCIA card expansion +card. That gives you 12voice poly vs stock 4, plus prophet soundset (if u get the card with unaltered banks).

Nord lead 3 rack or keyboard - more expensive than previous 2 but very cool synth. You either love it or hate it. It took me 3 tries to really get into it.

Virus C rack - as discussed above. Overall, swiss army knife of synths.

Oberheim Matrix 1000 - another gem (good price - anything below $250). Overall AMAZING synth. Get 2 for 12 voices of stereo polyphony. Some patches are self-evolving and so organic you feel tempted to check synth for signs of life.

Juno 106 - nasty bass and trancey pads. Very cool synth but prone to VCO (voice chip) problems. Make sure the one you're buying had it either fixed or does not exhibit problem. Alternatively, consider HS-60 - same thing, packaged for consumer with speakers. Innards are identical, can be bought cheaper than Juno-106 if you can live with its somewhat bland looks. VCO chips will cost about $80 a piece and are somewhat of a pain to replace yourself, though doable. Be sure to check yours out.

Novation K-Station - another cheap and edgy synth (tho V-Synth, a vsti incarnation) does a rather good job and has hardly noticeable difference in sound. A bargain if you can find one for around $300.

Novation Nova, Supernova, Supernova II - all great synths, though I found them somewhat limited and never quite warmed up to them. Can be purchased for under $600 or cheaper (depending on model). NU NRG productions are splattered with Supernova sound, and even the man himself - Jarre has been caught using one:
Notice the nords in the background

MFB synths - somewhat unknown german synth manufacturer, you can easily purchase one for under $500 - pretty cool sounding little gizmos.

Roland JD-800 or JD-990 - legendary vintage synth, very cool sounding.

I can go on and on... but do your own research. Check out usual sites - harmony-central.com, sonicstate, vintagesynth... and also bluesynths.com - registration needed but gives you access to demos, reviews, etc. definitely sign up.

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I just got a Ti about a month ago and love it. Haven't really had any problems with it yet. For those with the pops and clicks, I found a post on the VirusTi forums and it solved it for me. Go into setup on the Ti and turn off the white LEDs by setting them to ---. Apparently the BPM pulse white light's circuitry has negative effects and turning it off has helped a ton. I know it sounds crazy but it works. I also turned down the red LEDs to pretty low as I felt they were way bright to being with. Have had a few timing issues with the arps but nothing I can't work around. Love the Ti control and the patch management. Just finished my first track using it and can't wait to start on a 2nd.

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interesting i thought the pops & clicks were sequencer specific...

quote:

Originally posted by Zombie0729 interesting i thought the pops & clicks were sequencer specific...

Here is the thread I followed:

http://virusti.com/forum/index.php?...t=3103&hl=leds&

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quote:

Originally posted by thecYrus especially the jp-8080 sounds weak in comparison to modern softsynths..

That's whats so great about it.. the soft pads.

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quote:

Originally posted by mysticalninja That's whats so great about it.. the soft pads.

well, soft pads would be cool if they wouldn't sound so completely digital. :\

well people i just got the virus....still coming to terms with the synth. so far ive realised that its not as easy as i thought it would be. i guess i still gotta figure out all the knobs. anyways people will keep u all posted

quote:

Originally posted by catalystG5 well people i just got the virus....still coming to terms with the synth. so far ive realised that its not as easy as i thought it would be. i guess i still gotta figure out all the knobs. anyways people will keep u all posted

dont worry learning synthesis will be fun now.

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quote:

Originally posted by thecYrus well, soft pads would be cool if they wouldn't sound so completely digital. :\

Also it seems to have exactly the right of polyphony to never get muddy. so you can use long releases and it'll release into the second chord but on the third chord you play the release will cut off from the first but youll still have the second... if you know what I mean.

And personally I think bass/raw oscillators sound alot more digital on a virus.. It's really easy to make nice sounding bass patches on the JP. I've wiped both my entire performance and single patch banks and replace them with about 80% bass patches ha.

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quote:

Originally posted by mysticalninja Also it seems to have exactly the right of polyphony to never get muddy. so you can use long releases and it'll release into the second chord but on the third chord you play the release will cut off from the first but youll still have the second... if you know what I mean. And personally I think bass/raw oscillators sound alot more digital on a virus.. It's really easy to make nice sounding bass patches on the JP. I've wiped both my entire performance and single patch banks and replace them with about 80% bass patches ha.

imho the raw virus OSCs aren't great at all, right. but the jp OSCs are even more weak. well, yesterday i throw my jp out of the rack and ordered a moog voyager and korg radias.