KVR :: View topic - Decided to get a VA Synth ...but which one?

KVR :: Hardware (Instruments and Effects) » Decided to get a VA Synth ...but which one? [View Original Topic]
There are 18 posts in this topic.

agehayoshina - Fri Jan 25, 2013 8:02 am

Hey Guys,

I have decided on getting a VA Synth and he first 2 that came to mind were the Microkorg and the Mininova.

I am not sure though which is the best VA out there to get the sounds I want to make.

For reference, the sounds I am trying to emulate would be in this region:

Rustie

Hudson Mohawke

S-Type

From what I found from my own research, I think the Microkorg is better to those sunds, with the Mininova sounding harsher.

But maybe I have totally missed one synth?

Any advice on which one to get or what better ones to get would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

agehayoshina

Wormhelmet - Fri Jan 25, 2013 8:10 am

They both sound great, but I watched a ton of videos on the mininova because of the real time performance effects. It honestly looks like a ton of fun to play. I think you could squeeze out the sounds you are looking for from either, but big difference in live play features.

Either one will give you a good VA.

Ingonator - Fri Jan 25, 2013 9:00 am

Personally i have a Waldorf Blofeld desktop and i love it:

http://www.waldorf-music.info/en/blofeld.html

There is also a keyboard version:
http://www.waldorf-music.info/en/blofeld-keyboard.html

Both should be also available in black color.

The price to sound to features ratio of the Blofeld is unrivaled IMO:

http://www.thomann.de/gb/waldorf_blofeld.htm
http://www.thomann.de/gb/waldorf_blofeld_keyboard.htm
http://www.thomann.de/gb/waldorf_blofeld_black.htm
http://www.thomann.de/gb/waldorf_blofeld_keyboard_black.htm

If you want to load samples into the desktop version (around 60 MB flash memory) you must unlock it with the SL upgrade (in the keyboard it is already included):
http://www.thomann.de/gb/waldorf_blofeld_license_sl_sample_upg.htm
http://www.waldorfmusic-shop.de/epages/61933844.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/61933844/Categories/Blofeld

It's also possible that the synth engine is too complex for the stuff you want to do so maybe the other synths mentioned are a good idea too.

Ingo

JavaJ - Fri Jan 25, 2013 10:30 am

any thoughts on the new KingKorg. I am wondering what the competition is to it so I can start my research (don't want to assume I will get it if there are other existing gear that is comparable at the same pricepoint or lower).

billcarroll - Fri Jan 25, 2013 10:37 am

You want an access virus Smile

agehayoshina - Fri Jan 25, 2013 10:49 am

Which access virus?

There's quite few if I'm not mistaking?

Ingonator - Fri Jan 25, 2013 10:51 am

agehayoshina wrote:

Which access virus?

There's quite few if I'm not mistaking?

Depends on what you need. The TI could do everything that the older ones (A to C) could do but if you don't need the wavetable synthesis and hypersaws from the TI a Virus C or even B should be enough.

Ingo

agehayoshina - Fri Jan 25, 2013 10:55 am

Ok cool I'll look into that!

billcarroll - Fri Jan 25, 2013 10:57 am

agehayoshina wrote:

Which access virus?

There's quite few if I'm not mistaking?

The Virus TI Snow will do everything you need when working with a DAW. Unless you need a keyboard and something for on-stage performance I'd get the Snow.

breakmixer - Fri Jan 25, 2013 11:00 am

If the Mininova is anything like the Ultranova, the VST editor and intergration with your DAW will be rock solid, however I don't like the fact they call it Virtual Analog - as it sounds like nothing analogue(which is why I bought it then sold it). Digital Subtractive, yes. However if you are after a modern synth and not worried about classic analogue sound this will not bother you.

agehayoshina - Fri Jan 25, 2013 11:01 am

Ingonator wrote:

http://www.thomann.de/gb/waldorf_blofeld.htm

http://www.thomann.de/gb/waldorf_blofeld_license_sl_sample_upg.htm

It's also possible that the synth engine is too complex for the stuff you want to do so maybe the other synths mentioned are a good idea too.

Firstly, it seems to have only one MIDI port. Has this been noticable or didn'T it matter to you.

Also, on the thomann website it says I need the license for ''expand the Waldorf Blofeld with 60MB sample flash for preset & user sounds.'' does this mean that I can't save any presets prior to buying the license?

And lastly, too complex? In what way? I'm kinda new to this so I'm not sure how it is too complex to make a sound.

Thanks for the great tips!

Linus

Ingonator - Fri Jan 25, 2013 11:15 am

agehayoshina wrote:

Ingonator wrote:

About complexity (the engine has realy many fetures):
http://www.waldorf-music.info/en/blofeld-sound-generation.html

http://www.waldorf-music.info/en/blofeld-user-interface.html

http://www.waldorf-music.info/en/blofeld-specifications.html

About MIDI: It got MIDI In and OUT and also an USB connection.

about the SL expansion: I had posted a link about it. This is only necessary to onlock the integrated 60 MB flash memory which you could use to load your own samples with the SPECTRE software (factory samples included).
The Sl expansion is more or less just an unlock code as the flash memory is already built in. In the keyboard version the SL expansion is already included.

info about the SL:
http://www.waldorf-music.info/en/license-sl-sample-option.html
Sl activation:
http://www.waldorf-music.info/en/license-sl-activation.html
this one will be needed for the process:
http://www.waldorf-music.info/en/downloads-blofeld/403-licensesl.html

The wavetable use does also work without the expansion and with the latest OS it's possible to load user wavetables.

Free editors (full editor + wavetable creator) are available here for example:
http://lady.rdsor.ro/~kotro/index.php?m=soft

free stuff is available here:
http://Synth.Stromeko.net/Downloads.html

free sounds, free samples, SPECTRE and OS updates:
http://www.waldorf-music.info/en/downloads-blofeld.html

commercial soundbanks (including one from me) are available here:
http://www.waldorfmusic-shop.de/epages/61933844.sf/en_GB/?ViewObjectID=16653292

The SL license could also be purchased there.

Ingo

Aural Chaos - Fri Jan 25, 2013 11:50 am

Just to be clear, the Blofeld desktop does NOT have a MIDI out/thru port....

stillshaded - Fri Jan 25, 2013 12:10 pm

+1 for virus ti.

probably my favorite synth when it comes down to it.. and I own:

korg ms-20
roland mks-50
diva
harmor
sytrus
oxium
corona

I consider all of those to be great.. if you do go for a Virus, get the TI for sure.. It's the granular and formant wavtable oscillators that make it. Another underrated function is the "analog drift" available in the mod matrix. Whenever I'm done with a patch, I just use all leftover modulation slots to put analog drift on different parameters. ULTRA ORGANIC...

also, the factory presets suck IMO

V0RT3X - Fri Jan 25, 2013 12:14 pm

If your going to get a Virus Ti2 maybe get look on Ebay for used ones.

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/ACCESS-VIRUS-TI2-POLAR-TOTAL-INTEGRATION-PLUG-IN-TECHNOLOGY-PRISTINE-OPEN-BOX-/350693692633?pt=Keyboards_MIDI&hash=item51a6f914d9

Virus TI2 will get you a lot of bang for your buck.

aMUSEd - Fri Jan 25, 2013 12:17 pm

Forget all those - get a Korg MS20 mini

Aural Chaos - Fri Jan 25, 2013 12:57 pm

aMUSEd wrote:

Forget all those - get a Korg MS20 mini

Maybe the OP wants the ability to play more than one note at the same time, recall presets instantly or have access to the many other common features not available using the MS20.

agehayoshina - Fri Jan 25, 2013 3:11 pm

Aural Chaos wrote:

Maybe the OP wants the ability to play more than one note at the same time, recall presets instantly or have access to the many other common features not available using the MS20.

That and 500 is not quite affordable for me atm. The microkorg is bang in my price range. Also, can you really not recall presets in the ms20? isn't that a feature that should be the norm in all synths in the year 2013?

There are 18 posts in this topic.