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beginner hardware synth advice
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| rafale |
I'm looking to get some hard synths. What are some other maybe underrated synths that you guys can introduce to me? All I've heard is JP8080 or Virus Virus Virus... hehe.. i'm looking for a non-keyboard synth as i've got a separate controller..
also, it would be great if you could also list down the polyphony level next to the synth e.g. : Virus C - 32-voice polyphony; JP8080 - 10-voice polyphony.
ChEerS!! |
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| everyMan |
Polyphonies and all caracteristics can be found in many place on internet. There is no need to list them here.
Something interresting would be the synth users to tell us wich typical sounds can or can't be reproduced on their synth, the pros and cons of their synth.
Wich place has an analog synth in a studio ?
The real differences in sound and synthese between Access/Clavia/Waldorf...
When I listen to the Vengeance's demos all theses synths seems to sound the same way..
only the JPsound can't be reproduce by the others. |
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| Axolotyl |
I've had experience with the Clavia Nord and the Waldorf Q series.
The Nord sound is very tight, bright and controlled. A lot of the typical psy trance sounds you hear are from a nord. It manages to scream but at the same time hold together a tight sound. Great frequency range and filters and can really achieve that tight squelching sound if thats what your after.
The Q is a lovely piece of work. I own a micro Q and its a nasty synth. Very aggressive sounding and can cut through a mix very easy. Probably the complete opposite end of the spectrum to the JP8000 sound. Metallic, sharp, aggressive. Oscillators and lfo's on it are amazing. Programmable arpeggiator onboard too which is heaps of fun. It can do pads and other cheesy trance sounds too but not aswell as some other synths.
Check out the Supernova/Nova as an alternative to the JP8000 sound. It can do big liquidy pads and such pretty well, athough no supersaw. |
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| IDarkISwordI |
Hey. I could spend several days typing this talking about various charecteristics of synths you should check out, but I'll try my hardest to keep this as short as possible :).
As a beginner, its limiting on what I can show you. I believe it is much easier to learn how to program some of the harder synths and work your way back :) but thats just me. This is of course how I'm going to introduce them to you though.
Firstly, one of the best synths you can buy is the EMU Morpheus.EMU Morpheus Z-Plane. The downfall of the Morpheus came at its somewhat small LCD having to display a lot of variables. The morpheus is very good at creating edm type sounds though. Its main feature comes at its extremely well programmed filters. There are 197 filters to choose from and not a single one will dissapoint. The reason for so many is its special feature that other synths only dream of having; Z-Plane filtering. In short, Z-Plane filters allow morphing of filters to get an almost never ending, never repeating sound making it one of the best synths you can buy to generate atmosphere in songs. Dont be mistaken though, it is highly useful at creating leads and basses as well. This one comes highly recomended.
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-Ebay
The next one comes from EMU as well; the Proteus 2000. The Proteus 2000 is similar to the Morpheus but a lot of things were cut out to make it simpler for those users that didnt want to bother with programming the Morpheus (which is unfortunate). This would be an excellent synth for a beginner who has used VSTs before. From the Morpheus, on the Proteus 2000 upgrades the LCD as well as on panel knobs (4 knobs plus 3 shifts). Another major upgrade is the ability to buy and plug in expander cards to get more sounds. For purposes of more edm styled sounds, you might try finding Rob Papens Techno Synth Construction Yard X. The effects as well as the filters on the Proteus 2000 are top notch. You cant go wrong with this synth.
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If you want a more vintage, true analog sound, you can go with something from Oberheim. The first I would recomend (as the cheaper solution) is the Matrix 6R. This is a beast in terms of analog sounds. Not as fat as some synths but definantly an excellent analog module. One thing that will interest you is that it will do unison mode. Dont expect to create sounds as fat as the JP8080 but its nothing to bitch about in terms of fatness ;). This synth is great for leads and some basses (mostly upper basses).
-More Information
-Ebay
The big Oberheim synth greatly sought after by many EDM composers is the Expander. The Expander is a beatutiful synth for just about anything analog, be it basses, leads, pads, whatever. Its a definant must have if you can afford it. I cant talk too much abiout this synth though because I've never had the chance to use one, but those who have almost always give excellent reviews about it.
-More Information
-Ebay
I coulndt possibly make this list without mentioning a synth that was a Ymaha FM synth. I've only used a DX-7 so I cant vouche for the usability of the rack modules but I cant imagine they are crap. There are several modules to mention; TX-7, TX-802 , TX-816 , TX-81Z. All of these do FM and actually, the TX-816 is 8 DX-7s in a 4U rack.
-More Information
-Ebay - TX-7
-Ebay - TX-802
-Ebay - TX-816
-Ebay - TX-81Z
This is by far not a comprehensive list but it should make for a great start into creating some good synths. Note that I didnt mention any rack mount drum modules. I find it best to find a great sampler and upload some good ones you find off the net. For a sampler, get something from Akai (just about any of them). Like I said at the beginning, I could go on and on forever but I think this list hear while suffice as a good starting point :).
Heres a few links to check out:
-SynthSite
-Harmony Central
-Synth Museum
I hope this helped :).
Cheers,
Zac |
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| fr0st |
| Oberheim "expander" is spelt Xpander ;) |
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| rafale |
hey DarkSword, thanks for all the great info.. I was wondering though.. how do all those synths you mentioned compare with the Virus? or Virus C in particular? Are those synths all 2nd-fiddle (in terms of capabilities) to the Virus?
I'm asking this because after checking them out, the prices differ tremendously. What am I missing here? |
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| RiCo |
| The Virus is not the greatest synth like people paint it. All those other synths have great sounds...and I wish more people exploited those synths in trance productions.About supersaw not being possible in Nova, you can get a close sound with the newest OS...it has a double saw waveform and then you use unison with 6 or 8 voices and you can have a close sound if a good reverb is used...the Nova ones are horrible. The AN1x is another underrated synth...it is a great pad machine but can also make TB-303 clones which sound very close. It also excels with trance leads...even hard trance sounds with the FM. What makes the AN1x special is that it has two scenes so you can use the ribbon controller to morph in between them and evolve the sound...plus the free envelope generator...you can envelope pretty much all the othe functions...so a lot of new sounds are possible. I've had it for a year but I am just starting to program the synth using its knobs instead of AN1x Edit...it is easier than it looks. I have come up with very unique patches which would sound very fresh in a trance production. I hope people start using other synths for trance to give it a fresh sound. :) |
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| rafale |
| Or could it be that the Virus has all-rounded ability while other synths are good for particular sounds only? I reckon that by getting a Virus I wouldn't need many more other synths coz the Virus alone can do so much with sounds. |
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| IDarkISwordI |
Hey. I'd have to disagree with Rafale. While the Virus is excellent as making basslines and leads, I persoanlly think it sucks at creating atmosphere for songs. Compared to the JP8080s supersaw, the hyper saw of the Virus kicks some seriosu ass with its fatness. Part of that stems from the added sub-bass on the hypersaw generated by a static unisoned square causing the sound to be ultra bassy/fat. Thats great but when you get to creating ethereal pads much like in the breakdowns of trance songs, the Virus just cant cut it in my opinion. Leads and basses: good; pads other than hypersaw pads: only decent.
As for the comparison between the Virus and the synths I mentioned. I'm not sure how well I can brief this without just regugitating what is already on synthsite :). Theres a specifications page for each of the synths I mentioned which will give you the polyphony, effects, I/O, max number of voices, memory and other like that. It reall ydepends on what kind of sound you are looking for. I honestly would recomend grabbing three of the synths I mentioned at $500 each than going out and grabbing a single Virus C. The main concern I would have if you are limited to a bidget, is the low polyphony on the Virus C. True enough that it would be hard to play 32 notes at a single time but it also limits how fat you can make your sound. Grab a Proteus 2000 and youll have 128 note polyphony, which can be easily programmed to generate a pretty decent super/hyper saw with the factory sound bank and at a much lower cost.
Look over the specs on synthsite and think to yourself which is going to be the more important thing to you, an expensive lead box or several synths where you can make a complete song (including drums (the morpheus and proteus 2000 do do drums as well)). Lastly, if you do decide to go with access, and have some patience, I would seriously wait for the TI to come out. Its a VERY nice keyboard.
Cheers,
Zac |
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| Axolotyl |
I've also heard good things about the AN1X. One of the most under rated VA's out there and one of the first too!
The Virus sure isnt the be all and end all of synths. It has a very distinct character just like any other pro synth. I personally prefer the sound of the Nord over the Virus. The Virus just sounds so heavy, thick and serious. Sometimes you just dont want that kind of sound in a track. They are notoriously difficult to program too.
I'd recommend reading some of the reviews over at sonic state or harmony central. A lot of the reviewers compare them to other synths they have. |
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| RiCo |
| For me, the Virus excels at trancey leads and stabs. But like you said, it's not an all-around synth. The Nord Lead...I find that synth good for a lot of those leads that sound very round when closed...good for vocal trance and progressive...and its basses and basslines are top-notch...also very round and nicely shaped. The AN1x I find it good for everything...there is something about that synth...I can just make anything I need from it. Sub-basses are heavy and powerful, pads are lush, smooth and evolving if neeeded, trance leads are sharp and defined, the filters sound great...the effects are good enough for being built-in. I bought that synth a while ago and then sold it...which I regrettted, so I bought another one and I am not planning on selling it. Another synth that has good sounds for being a ROMpler is the E-MU Xtreme-Lead 1...there are sounds there that I cannot get anywhere else. The filters are pure on that thing...so many sounds are possible by combining the waveforms...which sound TOO clean...but that at the same time gives any production a minty-fresh feel. If anybody wants to check the sound, go to my Soundclick and check Peace After The Storm. It is not mixed properly but you can hear some of the sounds of the XL-1:) |
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| IDarkISwordI |
Hey. The Xtreme Lead is a great choice but I'd still recomend the Proteus 2000 over it. Out of the box, the Xtreme Lead has tons of patches but when it comes to programming, youll find it to be a little more restrictive than the Proteus 2000 because essentially its a cut down proteus 2000 with mostly edm geared programmed patches. On ebay, last I looked, the Xtreme Lead was going for about the same so if you have to decide between them, I think youll be happier with the Proteus 2000.
EMU produce two more synths worth mentioning, and they happen to be rock solid (but a little pricey), the Proteus 2500 and the XL-7 also known as the Command Station. Both are pretty much the same but the Command Station is a desktop version with velocity sensitive pads whereas the 2500 is a rack mount module. They are essentially just a Proteus 2000 with a faster processor and I think a few more effects but definantly good choices to look into. I havent used either so I cant say they sound better than the proteus 2000 but as long as they dont sound worse, the extra knobs and buttons are a HUGE plus if you are into programming your own patches. (XL-7 is also Xtreme Lead 2). One quick qurestion for you rafale, whats your budget lol?
Cheers,
Zac |
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