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Alan's List of Favorite Trance Hardware Synths (pg. 5)
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| spolitta |
| Well, It's sometimes hard to get a really good sound out of the Supernova but the beauty of this synth is that it can sometimes sound like a Nord 3, Virus or a Vintage Analog but it still has it's own character as well. If I could only keep one synth without a doubt it would be the Nord 3 but Supernova is right on top with Nord and Virus, don't let that nasty reverb turn you off. Bottom line is if you have a Virus and Nord you should probably get something other than the supernova because you're already covered in that area, so a Dave Smith synth, a Moog or a Jupiter is a better buy if you already own a Virus and Nord. |
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| Numb |
| quote: | Originally posted by alanzo
So, I've realized recently that I've owned A LOT of synthesizers in my day. Here is the complete list in chronological order: Novation A-Station, Access Virus Rack, JP-8000, Virus|Powercore, Nord Lead 1, Novation Supernova II, Access Virus B, Access Virus XL, Access Virus Classic, Nord Lead 3, Access Virus TI, DSI Prophet '08, Nord Lead 3 (again), Waldorf Blofeld, DSI Poly Evolver, Alesis A6 Andromeda. Currently I own the last six.
It also occurred to me that some might like to know what I thought of each one... so here they all are in order of most to least favorite:
I recently purchased the Blofeld, Evolver, and Andromeda. So I may update this in a few months after I learn those three instruments.
I'm going to be updating my YouTube channel with audio demos, so check there once a month or so : http://www.youtube.com/user/alanmarcero
Currently own:
1. Nord Lead 3 (audio demo)--Definitely the best sounding and the FM, Unison, and Stack capabilities are EPICLY awesome.
2. DSI Prophet '08 (audio demo)--Although it isn't very capable sonically, what it can do sounds amazing. Fat analog basses, detuned saw leads that sound great with just 4 OSCs, and everything has such a nice vintage vibe. My favorite aspect is its ability to layer two patches together to form a single 4 OSC patch. Dual/Multi-timbrality would be nice. It can certainly do this as it has eight voices and two stereo outputs. DSI did this with the Poly Evolver which can act as four seperate Mono Evolvers or a mix n' match, each with their own stereo output. It would be nice if the Prophet '08 could at least act as two seperate four voice Prophets. Their tech support said this 'may be in a future OS update'. Get a DSI MoPho if the Prophet '08 is too much $$.
3. Access Virus series (audio demo)--TI is preferred, but from the B on up, they're all great. This gets #3 because it's a versatile work-horse, but it just doesn't sound nearly as good as my other instruments.
Sold long ago:
4. Novation Supernova II--Personally I didn't like its gritty sound. The OSCs and sound engine are also somewhat weak. But it's on the top of my "sold long ago" list for a reason. Maybe I'll purchase another some day, but I doubt it. A 'par for the course' virtual analog would hardly find a place in my studio.
5. Nord Lead 1--Sounds pretty good.. but it was meant to be a 'modern' Prophet 5. The original Nord Lead is much cheaper than a poly analog, and sounds pretty close to one, but I'd recommend skipping a step and going for a DSI Prophet '08 instead.
6. JP-8000--SUPERSAW!!!... but that's about it. The synth is kind of useless for anything else. Its lack of variable unison is VERY limiting. Note that the JP-8080 does have UNISON, more voices, and a distortion effect. If you must get one of the two, go with the JP8080... but I still think the sound of the JP80x0 is dated... any modern VA can run circles around it.
7. Novation A/K-Station--Avoid at all costs - Novation's V-Station is nearly IDENTICAL to both of them and is 5x easier to use, cheaper, and just as awful sounding. I've heard the X-Station has some improvements over V/A/K-Station...
Other thoughts:
One synth I do not own but advocate for frequently is the DSI MoPho. It's a one voice Prophet '08 with added sub oscillators for a price that can't be beat ($400 new). It's VERY simple to program your own patches. You would be amazed what you can do with a mono synth when the OSCs are that FAT.
The Nord Wave is a $3,000 disappointment. I'm sure it's WAV capabilities are great but they took out the BEST innovations of the Nord Lead 3... namely the Unison/Stack and the NL3's awesome knob interface. At least they kept the NL3's great FM synthesis but they completely ditched the Unison/Stack. It's as if they took the design for the NL2, threw in a WAV osc, grabbed the FM from the NL3 and replaced Unison with ty onboard FX. Lame.
Well, that's it... I would have put this only on my blog, but no one reads it. :) |
Hi, I'm new here. Dare I ask if you could please share your Nord lead 3 patches? Sorry if I missed something, I didn't read the whole thread.
Edit: Read the thread. You got some killer sounds to my ears. I've had this thing for years and I must admit I suck at it. Mainly a guitar player.
Edit 2: Mopho is hilarious. "Push it, push it" |
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| alanzo |
| quote: | Originally posted by Numb
Hi, I'm new here. Dare I ask if you could please share your Nord lead 3 patches? Sorry if I missed something, I didn't read the whole thread.
Edit: Read the thread. You got some killer sounds to my ears. I've had this thing for years and I must admit I suck at it. Mainly a guitar player.
Edit 2: Mopho is hilarious. "Push it, push it" |
Virus my website for the NL3 patches .. http://www.alanmarcero.com |
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| Numb |
Thank you.
I'm bit confused about the pricing. It says "$25.00 is the suggested price, but any amount is valid (0.00 and up)" In the little box it says 2$. I add to cart and it says total price 25$
:conf:
Edit: Never mind, I get it. Thanks. |
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| DJ Robby Rox |
I think the Virus/Nord preference is based on the same Pepsi/Coke concept.
Neither is really better, some people just have different taste, or ears, as I think they both sound great, but just prefer the sound of the TI.
My only question, and I've bitched about this before, and am very well aware that it is "bitching".
For the people who have hardware, or the money for a nice piece.
You don't have to be rich, I know that, I just can't dish the money out *yet.
But when I DO.
This is what I see myself doing, that I don't understand current hardware owners DON'T really do, because I don't see the samples.
You love a good synth right?
Why?
The sounds? No other reason.
I could see myself sitting by a Virus/Nord, and literally tweaking myself to heaven. I mean people who own these synths have to know how to make patches, and new sounds, otherwise they just burned 2 or 3 grand.
I took a week to learn how to sample SF2s. I know how to do it, its actually extremely easy.
I see people making Nord or Virus patches, than exchanging the presets for those synths.
But I don't see a lot of people sampling these things.
Is there a reason why?
Theres virtually no places that sell Nord/Virus samples at all. Once in a blue moon on ebay you'll see someone rip 25 sounds off their Nord, and sell it for 10 bucks. Thats cool, but noone really does it.
I see some guy sampling his phantom, and selling a like 60gb pack for maybe $60 but I don't want phantom sounds.
When I get a Nord or Virus FIRST thing I'm doing is sampling, and not pain in the ass wav samples, or presets for other Nord/Virus users, but SOUNDFONTS.
Quality multisamples.
Vipzone seems to be the *ONLY* place ANYWHERE, that sells hardware soundfonts, they are a rip off, like $60 for maybe 30 sounds, 2 bucks a soundfont.
But they DO IT.
And I own a lot of their packs.
Because I LOVE the sounds, their virus pack is obviously my favorite.
One day I will own some hardware, but till that day all I ask is someone, please, (you can even make a few hundred dollars maybe more doing it)
SAMPLES SOME VIRUS/NORD SF2s, you WILL make money, if you're even semi decent people will love the sounds, word gets out, you make a lot of people happy, make some money, and the world is a better place.
PLEASE. The market is DRY with Nord/Virus SF2s. And I know some people might not like VIPZone, but their SF2s are the best available anywhere, and I know they make some good money because they know its a market noone else is doing it.
And they are always releasing more SF2s. |
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| Numb |
| quote: | Originally posted by DJ Robby Rox
I think the Virus/Nord preference is based on the same Pepsi/Coke concept.
Neither is really better, some people just have different taste, or ears, as I think they both sound great, but just prefer the sound of the TI.
My only question, and I've bitched about this before, and am very well aware that it is "bitching".
For the people who have hardware, or the money for a nice piece.
You don't have to be rich, I know that, I just can't dish the money out *yet.
But when I DO.
This is what I see myself doing, that I don't understand current hardware owners DON'T really do, because I don't see the samples.
You love a good synth right?
Why?
The sounds? No other reason.
I could see myself sitting by a Virus/Nord, and literally tweaking myself to heaven. I mean people who own these synths have to know how to make patches, and new sounds, otherwise they just burned 2 or 3 grand.
I took a week to learn how to sample SF2s. I know how to do it, its actually extremely easy.
I see people making Nord or Virus patches, than exchanging the presets for those synths.
But I don't see a lot of people sampling these things.
Is there a reason why?
Theres virtually no places that sell Nord/Virus samples at all. Once in a blue moon on ebay you'll see someone rip 25 sounds off their Nord, and sell it for 10 bucks. Thats cool, but noone really does it.
I see some guy sampling his phantom, and selling a like 60gb pack for maybe $60 but I don't want phantom sounds.
When I get a Nord or Virus FIRST thing I'm doing is sampling, and not pain in the ass wav samples, or presets for other Nord/Virus users, but SOUNDFONTS.
Quality multisamples.
Vipzone seems to be the *ONLY* place ANYWHERE, that sells hardware soundfonts, they are a rip off, like $60 for maybe 30 sounds, 2 bucks a soundfont.
But they DO IT.
And I own a lot of their packs.
Because I LOVE the sounds, their virus pack is obviously my favorite.
One day I will own some hardware, but till that day all I ask is someone, please, (you can even make a few hundred dollars maybe more doing it)
SAMPLES SOME VIRUS/NORD SF2s, you WILL make money, if you're even semi decent people will love the sounds, word gets out, you make a lot of people happy, make some money, and the world is a better place.
PLEASE. The market is DRY with Nord/Virus SF2s. And I know some people might not like VIPZone, but their SF2s are the best available anywhere, and I know they make some good money because they know its a market noone else is doing it.
And they are always releasing more SF2s. |
I would love to make Nord Lead 3 "Quality multisamples" but the truth is I'm far removed from this kind of music and just now getting back into it. Been mostly making noise from it for industrial/metal/rock music. Then there is the whole legality issue. I know nothing about it. |
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| alanzo |
To add to the SF2 comments, I did at one point also sell sampled SF2s of my patches. I may get back into it solely for the $$, but they were a real pain in the ass to make and use. There's too much variation in samplers and too much of a learning curve to really make SF2s as marketable as ROMplers like Nexus or the Spectrasonics VSTis.
If I were to get back into sampling, I'd like to find a way to make it more usable. NeXus is an excellent example of this ... I contacted Manuel Schleis about it but he was really snobby and douchey about sampling my patches... I don't think he even gave them a listen.
Basically, it would have to be as simple and organized as NeXus where you can browse through and change the patches. I guess you can already kinda do this with HALion or Kontakt. But again, something like that just isn't as marketable as an 'all in one' package like NeXus, the Spectrasonics VSTis, or even SampleMoog : http://www.ikmultimedia.com/samplemoog/ |
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| mzvirbulis |
Hey guys!
I Have a JP-8080 and i kinda know what you mean by dated but i dont think i have heard a better machine playing warm lush pads tbh!
Plus the low frequency fundamental is pretty fat. Again im still learning what i can do with it's rec mode features etc.
Assigning things seem abit of a pain coz most times these days u can assign any control data to another parameter.
But hey im not ashamed of it being my first VA synth :) |
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| Vizay |
I myself am thinking about a used NL3, it simply sounds amazing and on top of it all it's swedish! ;)
Funny though, hard as hell to get your hands on a used NL3 here in sweden, basicly have to buy one second hand from the states wich kind of sucks.
Is the difference between the NL3 and NL2x really that big?
I mean is it a universe between them or just a matter of taste? |
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| alanzo |
| quote: | Originally posted by Vizay
Is the difference between the NL3 and NL2x really that big?
I mean is it a universe between them or just a matter of taste? |
The NL3 has more voices, a high resolution screen, awesome FM features, a great interface and stack / chord capabilities. So yes, the difference is big. |
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| EgosXII |
how are you finding the blofeld alan?
good for anything? |
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| dannib |
| quote: | | Is the difference between the NL3 and NL2x really that big? |
Yes the difference is huge. They are basically two different synths built completely differently from the ground up. The nord 3 has more voices, unison, fm etc etc. The pure tone of the nord 1/2/2x sounds far better to my ears than the n3 (I own both). |
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