Well, eventually you will probably want to go to hardware,but it all depends really.

You could start with software synthesizers + a traditional daw and drop reason, which would allow you more flexibility. But in reason you do have access to a few different synths, which you really should spend some time on, to find out if you really want to be spending that much money on hardware synths at some point.

One other thing you could do is grab the demo of Sonar 3 or FL Studio (there isn't a cubase sx 2 demo), and load up some Vsti or DXi Plugins, and mess around with those.

Fl Studio Trial: http://www.tucows.com/preview/209204.html

Sonar 3 Trial:
http://www.cakewalk.com/download/do...tion=DL&PID=300

Vsti's to look into or try the demo's of:

Spectrasonics Atmosphere - Lots of Pads, Leads, Strange Noises etc. could replace hardware if you really wanted it to because it is sample based.
http://www.spectrasonics.net/instru...atmosphere.html

ReFX Vanguard - A decent synth, some thought it was the second coming, others hate it, but give it a shot anyways.
http://www.refx.net/pro_Vanguard.htm?lang=eng

Novation V-station - Somewhat limited in its sounds, but it is in my opinion, the best software synth to learn how to program synths on.
http://www.novationmusic.com/nov_ro...tation_over.htm

LinPlug Albino 2 - Similar to a virus in structure, lots of options, but slightly more difficult to program.
http://www.linplug.com/Products/Albino_2/albino_2.htm

Anything by Native Instruments - They make alot of different plugins, all great, including pPro-53, FM7, Absynth, Reaktor, and more. Demos available for everything.
http://www.native-instruments.com/

Superwave P8 - Was meant to be an emulation of the jp80x0, but it's built in synthedit, so it's not the greatest, but it is free, and can produce some nice sounds with time.
http://home.btconnect.com/christopherg/main.htm

I'm sure there's more that I'm missing, but that is a good start.

es

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Don't take me too seriously.

Thanks!!

Ok, as far as DPS Effects card's such as the UAD-1. Are they only able to use the standard software effects which come with the product? Or are they universal towards many other ones, such as how the Powercore can do the virus softsynth I believe?

Also, im thinking of getting a new Audio interface. Right now I have an audigy 2, and I was thinking of getting the m-audio 2496. But considering that I'm going to get hardware later on. Isn't it just a better idea to get a card like an EMU?

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http://www.midavmusic.com

The powercore and uad-1 run their own custom plugins.. but they are high quality plugins. Just consider the cost is for the plugins, and the hardware is a bonus.

The e-mu cards look hot, I'd spend the extra 50 bucks and get the 1212M.

es

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Don't take me too seriously.

Thanks Vert,

And what do you think of the 1820 series? The 1212 comes with the extra card, but from the 1212 to the 1820m they all seem to have pretty much the same features... whats the external midi input box good for? It worth the extra $200?

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http://www.midavmusic.com

quote:

Originally posted by midaV Thanks Vert, And what do you think of the 1820 series? The 1212 comes with the extra card, but from the 1212 to the 1820m they all seem to have pretty much the same features... whats the external midi input box good for? It worth the extra $200?

The 1212M has 2 cards that go in the pci slots (one is a pci card, the other just sits there). The seecond card has the audio outputs and inputs. If you buy the 1820M, you don't get the second card, you get the breakout box. It has more TRS audio inputs and outputs, XLR inputs w/ phantom power for mics and a second set of midi ports. It's more expensive, but would be great if you are using 2 or 3 synths.

I suggest you go to the emu site ( http://emu.com ), and look at their flash demo of the hardware, it shows you all of the connections.

es

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Don't take me too seriously.

Well, this being my first post here (love this site and great overall forum) I'm not sure how much info I can offer.

I own a Virus KC... an absolutely wicked purchase. Probably some of the best keys I've ever played and the sound is amazing. If you do go down this road look for the sound sets by Vengeance Sound (I think they're called "Incubator" or something like that). Set A is free and is offered on the Access site and really gives you an idea of the power behind this synth.

Like vert said, I'd really look into the VST side of things. Vanguard is stunning and nicely compliments the Virus in tone. Also look at the RGC Audio z3ta. Version 1.4 allows for 2x oversampling which really "warms" the sound up significantly.

As far as the PowerCore Virus is concerned, be aware that you are limited in the number of instances you can use for a single license purchase (14 I think per song). While this may not seem limiting it is something to consider.

I wouldn't go too hog-wild with hardware purchases as a well powered computer can give you some stunning results. And with FXTeleport (for PC only) you can max out the capabilities of a single computer for some heavy duty VST CPU use and still retain the full capabilities of your host (this is mostly for live play).

Again, the Virus is an amazing synth both for the price and build quality. It's an amazing synth for live play and fairly easy to program (there are some great tutorials on the Access site on how to do this once you're so inclined).

quote:

Originally posted by nectario First of all, if I could do everything using only samples I would. I do not like the idea of having too many cables/boxes around. I think I can arrange a trance track well enough although I am not perfect. I also know music theory, but I barely know the concepts of subtractive synthesis. Basically, I know how it works but I never sat down to create my own sounds... I just manipulate them with the filter nob in the song... thats as much as I will do.. My main disapointment with Sample CDs out there is a) Most sample CDs contain mainly LOOPS. I HATE loops. I HATE loops and again, I HATE loops. I prefer to have single sounds where I can create my own loops and arrange the sound the way I want to.

then you are getting wrong CDs. there is a lot of sample cds containing drum kits, samples sounds (leads, basses, sequencer sounds) from real hardware, you just have to know where to look. and don't ask me, i don't use samples at all apart from the drum hits which i don't really remember where they come from

quote:

b) Most sample CDs don't have exactly what I am looking for. There are certain sounds I want which I can't find on those sample CDs. I then have to really manipulate the sound to get the desired sound. (I am looking for basic simple trance sounds)

and that's the way it will always be. you will just have to tweak existing samples or try mangling the presets of some softsynths.

quote:

c) With hardware my song will sound fatter or better.

if i were you i wouldn't rely on that too much. that might be true, but it would make sense if you knew a bit more about synthesis and wanted to make the sounds yourself.

quote:

Some of the sounds I find a hard time finding: 1. Good trance ambient pads but SIMPLE (most are more complex than I want) 2. Simple riff sounds (or trance beeps) 3. Good and realistic Saw Leads.

i usually achieve those with softsynths ... and here are some reccomendations:

pads - groovecube exciton, rgcaudio z3ta
simple sounds - synth1 (freeware), gmedia imposcar, native instruments pro-53
leads - rgcaudio z3ta, superwave performer or trance pro, novation v-station, native instruments pro-53