Dude if you can tell the difference between a virtual synth and a hardware one from listening to them then you have some pretty damned good hearing! lol

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quote:

Originally posted by DJ Robby Rox If the virus is using a dsp that runs code like a computer. Why can't they just copy that exact code and replicate that exact sound on a computer?

DSPs are specialized processors. PC CPUs are general-purpose. A PC could emulate that DSP easily enough (or a program could be written to perform the same operations), but it would be comparatively slow.

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I also can't understand why they're so expensive. Is it the dsp? It can't be the actual hardware/wires etc?

The DSP itself usually costs about $10. If you really need to assign a price to some specific component, it would either be the overall electronic architecture (this shit has to be designed, you don't just slap together any parts like a PC) or the onboard software which probably took many man-years to develop.

Really though, it's just supply and demand. It wouldn't matter if it costs 50 cents to make one, if people are willing to pay $3000 then that's what they'll charge.

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When I hear a virus with even a terrible preset on youtube compared to the best softsynths with the best presets, the virus always sounds much better and cleaner.

Sounds like bullshit to me. I'd love to see/hear an example of what you're saying.

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quote:

Originally posted by DJ Robby Rox Oh, for some reason I thought hardware used the analog diaphragms with electric current.

Not all hardware synths are analog. You have digital hardware synths and analog hardware synths. Synths like the Voyager are analog, but most others are digital.

quote:

Originally posted by DJ Robby Rox If the virus is using a dsp that runs code like a computer. Why can't they just copy that exact code and replicate that exact sound on a computer?

They can, but I guess there is more money in hardware. Access actually did port their Virus code over to PowerCore, which is a different DSP system, and it sounds identical. As a good example, Novation V-Station sounds basically identical to all the modern Novation hardware synths. This is because all/most of the algorithms are the same.

quote:

Originally posted by DJ Robby Rox I also can't understand why they're so expensive. Is it the dsp? It can't be the actual hardware/wires etc?

Cost of hardware, branding, better programmers, etc.

quote:

Originally posted by DJ Robby Rox When I hear a virus with even a terrible preset on youtube compared to the best softsynths with the best presets, the virus always sounds much better and cleaner. What is all this $ going into when people get a nice piece of hardware? Nothing?

The DSP code in a hardware synth is generally better written than your average soft synth.

Oh one other thing I forgot to mention - manufacturers probably put more effort into preset design for their expensive hardware synths than they would put into a soft synth that sells for a fraction of the price. I don't think I need to explain the reason for that.

So even though I don't believe that the presets sound noticeably better in general, there's a perfectly rational explanation if some of them do.

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9999-45-81 - Tweaker Gimp ☼ I Probably Won't Even Go To This But I Have To Make Sure I Fill Up All The Available Space Here

Awesome, I guess I'm basically looking for reasons NOT to dish out the cash for a serious hardware synth.

But digi when I get on my other computer I'll link you to what I'm saying. Its not exactly hearing one sound, if you play 10-15 presets from an access virus, than 10-15 presets from z3ta or synth1 or w/e, its impossible not to tell a huge difference.

Even if it is just one preset its still not that hard to notice. My hearing/pitch perception in reality most likely sucks, but I'll post 2 vids of what I'm talking about soon as I get to my other comp.

quote:

Originally posted by DJ Robby Rox if you play 10-15 presets from an access virus, than 10-15 presets from z3ta or synth1 or w/e, its impossible not to tell a huge difference.

And you consider this a reasonable comparison?

Honestly, that's like saying: if I buy 15 wines from France and mix them all in a big jug, and buy another 15 from California and mix them all in a bug jug, the California jug will taste better. Maybe it does, but what does that actually prove?

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2009-02-21 - DJ Attention @ I'm So Popular
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2048-06-66 - Spastic & Whocares ¶ Although I'm Actually Flattered
9999-45-81 - Tweaker Gimp ☼ I Probably Won't Even Go To This But I Have To Make Sure I Fill Up All The Available Space Here

quote:

Originally posted by DJ Robby Rox if you play 10-15 presets from an access virus, than 10-15 presets from z3ta or synth1 or w/e, its impossible not to tell a huge difference.

synth1 and z3ta are not very good imo. try comparing it to massive or korg legacy.

regardless, if presets were any indication of a synths quality, v-station would be the biggest piece of shit on the market.

Yeah its a really unfair comparison between synth 1 and a virus... Its like comparing a lamborghini to a suzuki and saying therefore all european cars are better than asian cars (which they incidentally are, but thats not the point is it )
Compare a virus to massive or something instead... Incidentally, what soft synths do you have? Maybe your problem is that you havne't found one thats inspired you yet.
Also, you'll never get good sounds as long as you use your gear as an excuse. If theres one thing I know, its that you have to feel a certain bond with your gear, hardware or software.
You also really need to look at your knowledge of synthesis too, I don't even know what your talking about with the diaphragm and electric current comment, I think maybe your thinking of a microphone
Really, all you need to make good music is a few good softsynths, a decent computer, DAW, effects and a decent pair of headphones. After that theres really no excuse for poor music except lack of experience and knowledge.
People (I think) only buy hardware because of consumerism or GAS. Some people become aroused when confronted with small boxes with flashing lights (fair enough, so do I). But its important to recognise that hardware is only of benefit in so far as it appeals to us and inspires us. It doesn't make a better sound than software, no matter how cool it is.

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quote:

Originally posted by DJ Robby Rox But digi when I get on my other computer I'll link you to what I'm saying. Its not exactly hearing one sound, if you play 10-15 presets from an access virus, than 10-15 presets from z3ta or synth1 or w/e, its impossible not to tell a huge difference.

Haha. Synth1 presets suck. The z3ta presets aren't that good either. It's all about the sound design. Access hired profesional sound designers for the Virus synths.
This is what synth1 sound like with good sound design:
http://users.pandora.be/dezma/Media/dezma_synth1.mp3

Amd z3ta:
http://www.adamszabo.com/mp3/Adam_V...Preset_Demo.mp3

SOME software is very good. zeta sounds great, absynth, vanguard, imposcar, to name a few. They can all pump out very nice sounds.




However, MOST hardware synths sound awesome, and have their own, personnal sonic twist.


I use both hardware and software, so i know what im talking about. When i began producing, I was all software of course. I learnt which vsts were good, and which ones were bad. Unfortunately there is a alot of weak sounding synths, which require alot of tweaking or outside effects. in time, my vst choise narrowed down to probably 3-4 synths, including absynth and zeta.

then i bought a virus c. Save for absynth, which is unique, ive gotten faaaaaaaar better sounds with it than any softsynth i ever used. Perhaps it was because i was noob at synth programming until i bought a virus, which sparked my curiosity for sound programming, but I still think virus is one of the most awesome sounding synths out there.

why is it awesome? I think its because EVERY little aspect of the virus, the oscillators, pwm, lfos, fm, filters, distortion, effects (ESPECIALLY!!! virus effects are the shit!), and integrated eq (this is especially good too) is top-sounding. Most softsynths have good features, and some bad ones. With the virus, the only thing one could possibly criticize is the distortion and filter saturation, but then again its a minor thing.

Not only does every little aspect of the synth offer much versatility for sound making, but the mod matrix is the best ive ever seen (those who work with zeta alot know how useful this is). Pretty much ANY parameter can be controller by the lfos, enveloppes, midi controllers, and more. That, in turn, gives even more sonic power.

So my verdict? Yes, virus is the bmw, no, the ferrari of VA synths. But you can still do the same traject with an audi