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Little Phatty Questions (pg. 6)
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| alanzo |
http://www.amonvision.com/aspnet_client/14.mp3
Andy first, then Jupiter. The Andy sounds a lot smoother in this one. Also, unison detune on square waves with the Arturia synth sounds AWFUL. It sounded fine with saw waves. I also don't really like the envelops on the Jupiter, again, Arturia screwed that up.
I have unison detune turned off for this one becuase it sounded so bad. There is also a 3db treble boost on the Jupiter. |
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| alanzo |
Alright, that's enough demos. I gotta say, I think you're just fine with what you have. Minimonsta sounds incredibly close to the moog.. and Jupiter 8v sounds incredibly close to the Andy. And given that I *don't* like the sound of the Prophet '08, maybe the Arturia Prophet V will sound better since it's modeled after the Prophet V.
In every instance, the Jupiter 8v sounded either as good or not quite as good (but close). I'd say the main draw-back is its capabilities. The Andy has sub OSCs and LFOs for every voice, for example. But for $100.. . I could get a copy of Cubase 5, Minimonsta, and Jupiter 8v all for about 1/3 what I'd get back for just the Voyager. Although I may not bother with Minimonsta because I like the Pulse better. It's much more unique. Maybe you should just get a Pulse?
But if I start using VSTis, the issue of CPU usage comes up... I've never quite tested out my quad-core 3ghz CPU. Maybe it can handle what I need. An upgrade is pretty much out of the question. It doesn't get too much better than what I have (at least not reasonably priced).
BUT.. some of my synths I definitely won't be getting rid of. I think the issue with software is that it has a bad-name because of all the developers who have no idea what they're doing, just throw together an instrument without a frame of reference (the original Moog, for example), and cal it a day after only a few months. It's all about how well the instrument is made. There are plenty of ty hardware synths out there, just like there are plenty of ty software synths. But once matched, they're pretty much even. And where they're not even, Software makes up for it with its price and usability.
All that being said, I definitely won't sell my NL3.. there just is nothing else that soudns like it. Same goes for the Waldorf Pulse and Xt. I may demo a copy of Largo to see how it compares to the Q...
I may compare the TX 802 to FM7, as well. Although I haven't really used it AT ALL since I bought it a couple months ago. I just tested it and screwed it into the rack.
So, we'll see where I go from here. I'm in no rush to start throwing my Voyager and Andy up on the bay.... but... maybe I will. :) |
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| DjStephenWiley |
| would really like to get your opinion on largo alanzo - i actually bought it and sold it because it was too unfriendly to use, but I couldn't deny the beauty in its sound. The 4x layering was obviously very nice even though it ate CPU like mad. |
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| alanzo |
| quote: | Originally posted by DjStephenWiley
would really like to get your opinion on largo alanzo - i actually bought it and sold it because it was too unfriendly to use, but I couldn't deny the beauty in its sound. The 4x layering was obviously very nice even though it ate CPU like mad. |
I'll have to buy a copy of Cubase, first. Jupiter 8v and Largo will only work with a legit copy of Cubase (I'm still using a cracked SX3). |
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| DjStephenWiley |
| just get a cracked copy of ableton 7 |
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| alanzo |
| quote: | Originally posted by DjStephenWiley
just get a cracked copy of ableton 7 |
That won't work, either, because once I install the latest version of Syncrosoft, my cracked copy of Cubase is ed. I had to format and reinstall when I did that yesterday ... |
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| DjStephenWiley |
| well bloody hell |
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| Eric J |
| quote: | Originally posted by alanzo
Alright, that's enough demos. I gotta say, I think you're just fine with what you have. Minimonsta sounds incredibly close to the moog.. and Jupiter 8v sounds incredibly close to the Andy. And given that I *don't* like the sound of the Prophet '08, maybe the Arturia Prophet V will sound better since it's modeled after the Prophet V.
In every instance, the Jupiter 8v sounded either as good or not quite as good (but close). I'd say the main draw-back is its capabilities. The Andy has sub OSCs and LFOs for every voice, for example. But for $100.. . I could get a copy of Cubase 5, Minimonsta, and Jupiter 8v all for about 1/3 what I'd get back for just the Voyager. Although I may not bother with Minimonsta because I like the Pulse better. It's much more unique. Maybe you should just get a Pulse?
But if I start using VSTis, the issue of CPU usage comes up... I've never quite tested out my quad-core 3ghz CPU. Maybe it can handle what I need. An upgrade is pretty much out of the question. It doesn't get too much better than what I have (at least not reasonably priced).
BUT.. some of my synths I definitely won't be getting rid of. I think the issue with software is that it has a bad-name because of all the developers who have no idea what they're doing, just throw together an instrument without a frame of reference (the original Moog, for example), and cal it a day after only a few months. It's all about how well the instrument is made. There are plenty of ty hardware synths out there, just like there are plenty of ty software synths. But once matched, they're pretty much even. And where they're not even, Software makes up for it with its price and usability.
All that being said, I definitely won't sell my NL3.. there just is nothing else that soudns like it. Same goes for the Waldorf Pulse and Xt. I may demo a copy of Largo to see how it compares to the Q...
I may compare the TX 802 to FM7, as well. Although I haven't really used it AT ALL since I bought it a couple months ago. I just tested it and screwed it into the rack.
So, we'll see where I go from here. I'm in no rush to start throwing my Voyager and Andy up on the bay.... but... maybe I will. :) |
Wow, I hope i didn't steer you in the direction of software unnecessarily. I mean, I always liked the sound, but I never really had the opportunity to do a side by side comparison with the hardware it modeled. Whatever you decide to do, let me know if you decide to get rid of any of that stuff. I might take it off your hands IF the funds are available (that's a big IF).
BTW--If you like the Minimonsta, I highly recommend checking out G-Force's other emulations. I have impOSCar and its a truly unique beast with features i haven't seen on other synths. Strong oscillators, unique envelopes, and a filter separation function that does crazy things to the sound. Highly recommended.
As for CPU, I have a quad-core Mac Pro at 2.66, and I tend to use most of my available CPU on a typical track. Right now, the only software instruments I use regularly are Minimonsta, Minimoog V, Jupiter 8V, Massive and ES2. Combine that with UAD plugs, typical Waves stuff and Logic internal plugins, and I easily use 70-80% CPU.
However, it isn't really a problem. I can finish entire tracks without freezing most of the time. I usually bounce any type of custom FX, but leave everything else. I make tech/progressive house, so you may have more layers, but I can send you a couple of example tracks if need be.
Now keep in mind, I originally sold all my hardware mainly because I was trying to improve a few high priority items in my setup. I wanted top-notch monitors, audio interface, and computer. I already had the Mac Pro, so I looked at it as: There is no point in having great hardware if the three most important pieces of your setup are lacking. I sunk all that sold hardware money into the Focal Twins, and now I am sinking my money into a good 2 channel ADDA converter. I'll get great DA so I can mix and master better, and I figure any advantage I might get with outboard isn't going to matter if it gets recorded into a crappy AD converter.
The one thing you may miss without hardware is the tactile interface. Thats one of the reasons I am considering adding SOME hardware back to my setup after selling all of it a year or so ago. I have a good workflow habit now, and I can see much better how some types of external hardware might be beneficial to my setup. Instead of being a distraction, it can now be an advantage. I'm not only a better producer, but I am a better songwriter. That is huge.
The NL3 is indeed the one synth I regret selling, but honestly, I had higher priorities at the time of the sale. It was, however, the best master MIDI keyboard I have ever had, and I have still not found a Software Instrument equivalent, so I may repurchase at some point. |
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