Originally posted by drogtech
Shame there is no copy of it, ok so nord rack 2x is still as 1st to consider, this video is very cool http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4aFRVpMwH4 Is there some good way to hear most of the sounds what NR2X can generate??
The Nord sounds great in that video, BUT, realize that he is running it through an external FX unit with some reverb and a lot of delay. As for finding more N2X sounds, there were a bunch on the Clavia website, but you should be able to just google more. I think there are a few people on TA here who have one - maybe they can point you to some examples of songs that have used it.
quote:
Originally posted by drogtech
What about my question concern the recording from this type of synth?
Are the sounds in that dry format so good they don't need fx's? or is like you said common thing and producers where buying also hardware fx's I still don't know how the recordings of the sounds work when you use h/w synth ? I start tweaking the sound in that Nord device when I create what I wanted how I put this into ableton in arrangement view? Only by recording the audio from h/w synth ??
Yes, you would record the sound from your h/w synth into Ableton. To do this, you have to have the synth hooked up to a MIDI interface via MIDI cables, and have the 1/4-inch outputs of the synth hooked into the inputs on your soundcard. You can sequence the parts in Ableton, just as you would for a soft synth, but assign the MIDI channel out to the corresponding MIDI port on your MIDI interface. That will allow Ableton to "play" the external synth. You can automate parts as well by sending MIDI automation out to the synth. It's a bit much to go into detail here, but you probably get the point.
To record it, you would create an audio channel in Ableton, select the inputs on your soundcard corresponding to the external synth, and record it as it plays back. Then, once you've recorded the audio, you can add any effects you want to right in Ableton. Another option is to route your external hardware into a hardware effects unit before going into your soundcard, but that will "print" the effects to audio when you record it in Ableton and you won't have the ability to edit them later without re-recording the part.
The Total Integration (TI) of the Virus gets around a lot of that by sending both audio and MIDI to/from the Virus over USB via a plugin that you insert right into your DAW - that's arguably the biggest advantage of the TI and no other synth has the same capability. It's not without its flaws, though. Also, you can use the Virus the same way I described above and, in some cases, that can be advantageous.
Sean Walsh
quote:
Originally posted by drogtech
I read that Virus has more digital sound and Nord more analogue if so wouldn't VSTS do the same as Virus and Nord would fill the gap what analogue offers?
Originally posted by cryophonik
Alternatively, maybe you should do yourself a "favor" and go ask this question on gearslutz.com. Be sure to post a link here when you do because I can't wait to see your head explode after 12 pages of guys who don't even make music argue over the superiority of analogue vs digital. In the meantime, we'll be over here on TA making music. ;)
You're my new hero :toocool:
Fledz
Drogtech, one of the strong features of the Lead 2x is it's layering capability. Since it doesn't have on-board FX it can sound a bit thin in a single patch but the layered capability totally changes it. Are you a fan of Steve Helstrip aka The Thrillseekers? I know a lot of the guys aren't the biggest fans of melodic trance in the early 2000s but I'm sure they have a good appreciation of some of the specific sounds that were used. The lead in Hydra - Affinity as well as in Ferry Corsten - Sublime (The Thrillseekers Remix) were both done on the Lead 2. There's a video of Steve demoing it, I'll try and link it for you here.
EDIT - Here it is. Skip to around 3min. Still gives me goosebumps. (He may have it hooked up to an external reverb though, I'm not sure).
Something important to point out is how easily the Nord sits in a mix. Because there's no FX, while you may find it slightly lacking in solo mode, stick it in a track and you'll go "wow!". Remember that you're not recording a patch and releasing that, you're designing an entire song. I'm a big fan of the Nord and once you get to know it, it's very easy to add some of your FX to brighten it up a little bit.
As for the Virus, forget the analogue/digital rubbish. The Virus has such insane FX that that it sounds pretty damn analogue to me. Once again, it's about how it sits in the mix, not solo though. I've been playing around with the C and the sheer amount of detail you can go into is insane. It really can do anything you want it to, pads in particular.
What sort of music do you make? What do you want the hardware for primarily, leads, pads, bass etc? Do you have any outboard hardware FX?
I really think you can't go wrong with either but if you want an extremely capable and very rich synth, get the Virus. If you want something that isn't a jack-of-all-trades but is focused more on really crisp leads, pads and backing synths, get the Nord.
Fledz
quote:
Originally posted by Fledz
Might as well ask this now, I was going to take the MIDI OUT from the soundcard to the MIDI IN on the Nord. Then use the two main outs into the EXT IN on the Virus. Then feed the VC normally back in the sound card. Does that sound right?
Well that was a ing nightmare. Sounds easy in theory, not so much in practice :rolleyes:
The manual is terrible in this sense. After a bunch of playing around, I found a post on the Access forums saying that you go into the Effects Edit section, not the global. Then you set input to either Dynamic or Static (Static in my case). But.....that's not it! Then you have to use the OSC VOL knob to make sure the sound gets through. s sake, wasn't very intuitive but I got it working. The Nord sounds great with Delay/Reverb but there's no point routing it to the Virus. Can just do that ITB or route it to a proper analogue FX unit.
drogtech
I need some more clarification about working with h/w synths, I am able to write midi notes in ableton channel and put it under the sound I did in Nord?? or I need to play notes by myself and it streams only audio?
To make my decision I need to know which device could give me the sounds I am looking for I know they cant make every sound I want but which could offer me the most of my needs.
I am huge fan of atmospheric sounds so all pads, textures/strings ect would be highly welcome. Artists like Schnauss, Solarfields latest Tycho album sounds cool too.
Another genre is more breaky deep stuff such as Fretwell tracks it connects atmospheric background with more raw sounds on top of it another example are tracks like Boards of Canada.
Bassicly its still electronic music right so I need something for textures,pads,leads, bass, fx sound ect :p
Which of those sounds could cover by Vsts better so the hardware will complete other areas?
I think about combo Nord Rack 2x plus Waldorf Blofeld vs Virus TI-2.
Fledz
You need a MIDI IN and OUT, which the Nord and Virus both have. So you can run a midi from Ableton into them and it will play them. You can also of course play them by hand too.
drogtech
Ok I found person who actually is selling Nord Lead 3! What about buying used hardware such as synth? should I be worried about something what should i double check before buying it?? Of course I cant test it as its in different city but within the same country ;)
cryophonik
quote:
Originally posted by drogtech
Ok I found person who actually is selling Nord Lead 3! What about buying used hardware such as synth? should I be worried about something what should i double check before buying it?? Of course I cant test it as its in different city but within the same country ;)
I would personally suggest buying a used synth over a new one, especially if it's your first synth. Assuming that you get it at, or near, the going rate, it's a smarter investment because you'll likely get all/most (maybe even more?) of your money back should you decide to sell it in favor of something else. Of course, there is always risk involved, so make sure that you check out the seller's credentials (e.g., eBay), ask many questions about the physical and operating condition of the synth, make sure the seller provides some hi-res and clear photos of the synth from many different angles (top, back, bottom, etc.).
Also, check the going prices for the synth before you buy it:
Originally posted by cryophonik
I would personally suggest buying a used synth over a new one, especially if it's your first synth. Assuming that you get it at, or near, the going rate, it's a smarter investment because you'll likely get all/most (maybe even more?) of your money back should you decide to sell it in favor of something else. Of course, there is always risk involved, so make sure that you check out the seller's credentials (e.g., eBay), ask many questions about the physical and operating condition of the synth, make sure the seller provides some hi-res and clear photos of the synth from many different angles (top, back, bottom, etc.).
Also, check the going prices for the synth before you buy it:
He wants 1305USD, claims its near mint condition ;) I will ask for more pictures, I never liked to buy used gear so many variables but maybe I will give it a try
evo8
quote:
Originally posted by drogtech
I need some more clarification about working with h/w synths, I am able to write midi notes in ableton channel and put it under the sound I did in Nord?? or I need to play notes by myself and it streams only audio?
To make my decision I need to know which device could give me the sounds I am looking for I know they cant make every sound I want but which could offer me the most of my needs.
I am huge fan of atmospheric sounds so all pads, textures/strings ect would be highly welcome. Artists like Schnauss, Solarfields latest Tycho album sounds cool too.
Another genre is more breaky deep stuff such as Fretwell tracks it connects atmospheric background with more raw sounds on top of it another example are tracks like Boards of Canada.
Bassicly its still electronic music right so I need something for textures,pads,leads, bass, fx sound ect :p
Which of those sounds could cover by Vsts better so the hardware will complete other areas?
I think about combo Nord Rack 2x plus Waldorf Blofeld vs Virus TI-2.
As someone who has a Nord Rack 2X, i found the stock sounds not great and i think you must be willing to spend time to program sounds
i think if you expect to just turn it on and be "wowed" by the sound you might be disappointed - just my opinion
I kinda left mine sitting for a while until i got more determined to use it in tracks - it really does have a nice sound especially when you open the filter, the high frequencies are very prominent but not harsh
I find it really starts to shine when you push it to extremes, like using FM or very fast PWM
cryophonik
quote:
Originally posted by drogtech
He wants 1305USD, claims its near mint condition ;)
Is it the keyboard version, or rack version? That price seems in the ballpark for the keyboard version, but high for the rack version. Also, just FYI/FWIW from my observations, the going prices on the Nord 3 has been slowly but steadily increasing over the past few years.
