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How would you spend $1000 (US) on hardware? (pg. 2)
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| excite331 |
| quote: | Originally posted by David Adams
As the title suggests, how would you spend $1000 USD on hardware?
Please no software - I have quite a bit of that. I'm really wanting some hardware to mess with. I thought about spending a little more on the Virus TI, but I'm sure it will come down in price in a year or so. I was thinking of something like a Virus C, Supernova II, or JP-8080. I might even be able to get two of them. Would a Lexicon MX200 be worth my while with one of these?
Or, should I just save the money up and get the Virus TI for about $800 money...
I just want opinions...
Thanks! |
If it's 'hardware to mess with' coupled with an inclination towards a Virus synth then I'd suggest you either think more about what you're after(!) or if not just go for a Virus B, it'd save you a bit of money and the Ti wont even offer you -that- much more I wouldn't have thought considering, as stated, your initial criteria.
I'd also add that a Lexicon reverb unit is most likely, assuming your circumstances, a pointless purchase - but, if you were really keen to throw some money at quality fx then a UAD-1 or Powercore would probably be better given the range of high quality plug-ins you'd be getting. |
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| David Adams |
| quote: | Originally posted by DigiNut
I'd get a DSP (UAD or Powercore). Much more versatile than a single-purpose box! |
And, much more expensive it seems :( |
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| Limit |
| I would get a Virus C and a Nord Lead 3...but I guess that just because I want them and will never buy them...I have too much hardware as it is. |
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| Eldritch |
Get a Virus B. I plan on getting one as soon as I've moved to Cubase (And can afford one! lol).
I think a Lexicon MX200 is a bit pointless when you've got impulse convolution reverb plugins like SIR that can mimic even more expensive reverb units.
Not saying that SIR is better than the MX200, it's just more bang for the buck since it's free.
:) |
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| G-Con |
This thread has really interested me. I always thought that any kinds of hardware would be too expensive for me. However that lexicon mx200 is within my price range.
I havent the first clue about hardware so i wonder if anybody would be so kind as to answer a few questions for me.
1) How much better are the effects on that Lexicon than software effects. I think that there is a software version of the lexicon. Would the hardware version be noticeably better?
2)How easy is it to setup up? I use Ableton live 5
3)Am I right in thinking that it will use no computer power? (This would be a big plus as I could then go mad with reverb and never have to worry about it.)
4)Can i use the different effects with different settings on multiple tracks. For instance i might want a delay on my bass and a different delay setting on my lead. Can i do this or can it only do one at a time?
Any advice much appreciated |
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| excite331 |
| quote: | Originally posted by G-Con
This thread has really interested me. I always thought that any kinds of hardware would be too expensive for me. However that lexicon mx200 is within my price range.
I havent the first clue about hardware so i wonder if anybody would be so kind as to answer a few questions for me.
1) How much better are the effects on that Lexicon than software effects. I think that there is a software version of the lexicon. Would the hardware version be noticeably better?
2)How easy is it to setup up? I use Ableton live 5
3)Am I right in thinking that it will use no computer power? (This would be a big plus as I could then go mad with reverb and never have to worry about it.)
4)Can i use the different effects with different settings on multiple tracks. For instance i might want a delay on my bass and a different delay setting on my lead. Can i do this or can it only do one at a time?
Any advice much appreciated |
I don't use hardware but with the anticipated additional work needed to use hardware fx my guess is that you'd be a heck of a lot better off buying a UAD-1 or a Powercore. That being, the reverbs on these aren't far off the Lexicons, you use them as a vst plugin and you get more high quality plugins as well. |
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| DigiNut |
| quote: | Originally posted by David Adams
And, much more expensive it seems :( |
Are you maybe looking at the firewire version of the Powercore? The PCI/PCI-E card should cost well under $1000 US, and that's with the plugins; the "unplugged" version is about $400 and you can just get the plugins separately if you don't want all the stock stuff (although I've found it all to be very good quality).
Same with the UAD-1, you can get the "Express Pak" for $500 and the "Expert Pak" for $1000. |
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| jupiterone |
Probably buy some hardware for circuit bending.
Or a custom built studio system modular synthesizer. |
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| Derivative |
| quote: | Originally posted by G-Con
This thread has really interested me. I always thought that any kinds of hardware would be too expensive for me. However that lexicon mx200 is within my price range.
I havent the first clue about hardware so i wonder if anybody would be so kind as to answer a few questions for me.
1) How much better are the effects on that Lexicon than software effects. I think that there is a software version of the lexicon. Would the hardware version be noticeably better?
2)How easy is it to setup up? I use Ableton live 5
3)Am I right in thinking that it will use no computer power? (This would be a big plus as I could then go mad with reverb and never have to worry about it.)
4)Can i use the different effects with different settings on multiple tracks. For instance i might want a delay on my bass and a different delay setting on my lead. Can i do this or can it only do one at a time?
Any advice much appreciated |
Lexicon reverbs vary. PCM91 is amazing. PCM81 is amazing. They have a couple of cheapo units on the market right now and I'm totally indifferent to them.
Bear in mind that Lexicon PCM91 reverbs have already been ripped for impulse responses. So a good quality PCM91 impulse + SIR convolution reverb plugin (or any type of convolution plugin in Voxengo Pristine Space) = the closest thing to a real PCM91 that you will ever get.
There are pros and cons to doing this:
1) If you buy a real Lexi PCM91 it will cost you over 1.5 grand. SIR + Impulses is free.
2) If you buy a real Lexi PCM91 you have to send the signal outboard which means you will add two AD/DA stages - this is nearly always bad but you can sort of get away with doing it if you have amazing convertors (like Apogee Rosetta 200 and up).
3) Lexi PCM91s and other outboard reverb units have no latency. Its all realtime. Convolution reverb plugins normally use loads of CPU cycles and they all have a permanent fixed latency so you can never really use them as insert effects unless your host can do latency compensation on every mixer channel. |
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| thecYrus |
| but the difference between a pcm91 and the impulses of a pcm91 is very huge. you can't compare them in a way. it's like night and day.. but i wouldn't say conv reverbs sound bad it's just not as great as the real deal. |
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| Derivative |
| quote: | Originally posted by DigiNut
Are you maybe looking at the firewire version of the Powercore? The PCI/PCI-E card should cost well under $1000 US, and that's with the plugins; the "unplugged" version is about $400 and you can just get the plugins separately if you don't want all the stock stuff (although I've found it all to be very good quality).
Same with the UAD-1, you can get the "Express Pak" for $500 and the "Expert Pak" for $1000. |
Yep. You can get a UAD-1 card fairly inexpensively. Same deal with a powercore card. Its the plugins that are freaking expensive but man, those Sony Oxford EQs and Compressors are just unreal. On the UAD-1 front all the compressors are good except that fairchild emulation which sounds like a broken tube compressor...I don't know - maybe thats the point... |
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| CReddick |
| quote: | Originally posted by David Adams
The Virus TI would be my first choice, but I feel it is a bit steep right now, but I'm extremely tempted. |
So why settle for a second choice. Wait... save some $, and get your Virus TI. |
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