What soft synth do you prefer over the virus?

[ZenPunkHippy]

Click a button and you've got a Minimoog osc section and a Jupiter filter? Not a trick done in hardware, that's for sure.

Not quite true ... a fully specced Studio Electronics Omega 8 includes various classic analogue filter designs:

http://www.studioelectronics.com/produc ... hs/omega8/

Not exactly cheap, though

Peace,
Andy.

[hakey]

I get the feeling you have a chip on your shoulder and you simply want to be disagreeable with me.

No chip - politely disagreeing and being disagreeable are not the same. Your analysis was, imho, wrong. That is all.

Boring Maths debate alert!!! Going on far too long and hijacking the thread...FFS LET IT GO Guys! It really doesn't matter that much.

Boring whinging post alert!!! Complaining about a discussion that does not affect you in any way....FFS LET IT GO Jacques! It really doesn't matter that much.

[pdxindy]

I get the feeling you have a chip on your shoulder and you simply want to be disagreeable with me.

No chip - politely disagreeing and being disagreeable are not the same. Your analysis was, imho, wrong. That is all.

exactly... two of his claims are demonstrably wrong and he still will not admit it... you may as well talk to the wall as that kind of mind.

[zerocrossing]

Great instrument, but probably doomed to extinction like most VA hardware.

And, what do you think has replace hardware VAs?

Fixed that for you. IMO, software synths have already replaced VA hardware. You're just late to the game. Go to the Access site. Listen to their demos. Now go here: http://www.kv331audio.com/ Listen to the demos. I really don't hear a damn difference, and I didn't when I had a C in my studio either, and I never missed it one bit. Yeah, there are feature differences, but I just participated in a TI v Diva thread on another forum and it was pretty clear that Diva's filter sounded just as good even at high resonance. In some ways, better.

Are musicians who demand quality instruments all going to devolve into "producers" who sit on their fat asses making music with a mouse. Or, are companies all going to see the light and realize that VAs suck and all go back to making analog synths? Something else?

Something else. The myth/stereotype of the laptop musician as someone who sits behind a monitor clicking away is dead. Is that all you got? So a performance where there's a laptop on stage is different than a TI on stage... how? Don't say knobs, because knobs are for chumps who can't play a keyboard. assign parameters to real controllers like aftertouch and expression like a man! OK, I kid, but there's truth in that jibe. I could easily set up a system that an audience would have no idea was coming from a computer.

Oh yeah, and my ass isn't fat.

[cryophonik]

Great instrument, but probably doomed to extinction like most VA hardware.

And, what do you think has replace hardware VAs?

Fixed that for you. IMO, software synths have already replaced VA hardware.

Oh please. Seriously? You can't comprehend that there are pros and cons to both software and hardware? You can only equate "sound" and THAT's what's going to drive hardware into extinction? Fair enough, stick with that and consider yourself the winner of the software/hardware debate. Meanwhile, the hardware VA market is still alive and kicking.

You're just late to the game.

What game? The software > hardware game?

Go to the Access site. Listen to their demos.

I don't need to. I already own a Virus TI2 keyboard and have owned numerous other Viruses, and countless analog and non-analog synths since the late 70s.

Now go here: http://www.kv331audio.com/ Listen to the demos. I really don't hear a damn difference, and I didn't when I had a C in my studio either, and I never missed it one bit. Yeah, there are feature differences, but I just participated in a TI v Diva thread on another forum and it was pretty clear that Diva's filter sounded just as good even at high resonance. In some ways, better.

Maybe you should click on my first link below and look at the long list of software synths that I own and use every day. Guess what? They're great. Each one of in their own way. In fact, not one of them replaces another IMO, they just do things differently and each of them have their own pros and cons, yeah, sorta like hardware. But, they also require me to have my computer running and none of them have a nice Fatar keybed that I love so much, or weighted keys, or the ability for me to perform on in a live setting, etc. And, none of them are my Virus or my PC3X. And, as long as there are musicians like myself, there will be a demand for hardware instruments because sound is not the only thing that matters to most musicians.

Bass is actually my primary instrument and I own several fine basses. I also own and use Trilian and numerous bass libraries for Kontakt, yet they haven't replaced my basses. Hmmmmm....

[Kriminal]

Click a button and you've got a Minimoog osc section and a Jupiter filter? Not a trick done in hardware, that's for sure.

Not quite true ... a fully specced Studio Electronics Omega 8 includes various classic analogue filter designs:

http://www.studioelectronics.com/produc ... hs/omega8/

Not exactly cheap, though

Peace,
Andy.

filters, yes, but you cant mix osc/filters/envs tho

[SadPuppyBlues]

none of them have a nice Fatar keybed that I love so much, or weighted keys, or the ability for me to perform on in a live setting, etc. And, none of them are my Virus or my PC3X. And, as long as there are musicians like myself, there will be a demand for hardware instruments because sound is not the only thing that matters to most musicians.

I agree there'll be a demand for hardware as long as there are musicians. The point you seem to be missing: that piece of hardware can be a nice fatar keybed that doesn't cost a premium because it's packed with a softsynth.

Anyway, this isn't an argument about hardware instruments being a permanent fixture in music, but one about hardware softsynths being permanent. They're done.

[cryophonik]

The point you seem to be missing: that piece of hardware can be a nice fatar keybed that doesn't cost a premium because it's packed with a softsynth.

Anyway, this isn't an argument about hardware instruments being a permanent fixture in music, but one about hardware softsynths being permanent. They're done.

No, I'm not missing that point. I'm well aware of exactly what a hardware VA synth is and isn't. I'm also well aware that people have been proclaiming the death of hardware VAs for a long time now, but every year, new hardware VAs hit the market. Anyway, you guys can keep making these proclamations if it makes you feel validated and be sure to dig up this post when the demise of the final hardware VA is announced. Until then, enjoy your software > hardware debate. I'll enjoy making music with both.

[SadPuppyBlues]

Until then, enjoy your software > hardware debate. I'll enjoy making music with both.

Funny jokes. Anyway, there's no need for us to be hostile with each other because you can't back up:

And, what do you think will replace hardware VAs? Are musicians who demand quality instruments all going to devolve into "producers" who sit on their fat asses making music with a mouse.

Okay, people still buy hardware VAs. People still buy LucasFilm/LucasArts products. People still buy U2 albums. You're still eating crow right now. It's cool. It happens to everyone at some point.

[cryophonik]

Okay, people still buy hardware VAs. People still buy LucasFilm/LucasArts products. People still buy U2 albums. You're still eating crow right now. It's cool. It happens to everyone at some point.

Yes, people who like that things that you don't and have been successful doing it will eat crow. Your logic is solid.

...dig up this post when the demise of the final hardware VA is announced.

Have a nice day.

[pdxindy]

Are musicians who demand quality instruments all going to devolve into "producers" who sit on their fat asses making music with a mouse. Or, are companies all going to see the light and realize that VAs suck and all go back to making analog synths? Something else?

Something else. The myth/stereotype of the laptop musician as someone who sits behind a monitor clicking away is dead. Is that all you got? So a performance where there's a laptop on stage is different than a TI on stage... how? Don't say knobs, because knobs are for chumps who can't play a keyboard. assign parameters to real controllers like aftertouch and expression like a man! OK, I kid, but there's truth in that jibe. I could easily set up a system that an audience would have no idea was coming from a computer.

Oh yeah, and my ass isn't fat.

I use a Korg Z1 as my midi controller keyboard. Sometimes when someone is over I will show them my set-up, play some sounds etc. They often exclaim how good the Korg Z1 sounds, not knowing that I am playing soft synths. I can change presets, have the modwheel, XY pad, expression pedal and AT and 5 performance knobs at hand without touching the computer. Someone watching would have no idea that they are hearing softsynths by my activity.

[zerocrossing]

Click a button and you've got a Minimoog osc section and a Jupiter filter? Not a trick done in hardware, that's for sure.

Not quite true ... a fully specced Studio Electronics Omega 8 includes various classic analogue filter designs:

http://www.studioelectronics.com/produc ... hs/omega8/

Not exactly cheap, though

Peace,
Andy.

Oh right, thanks for re-igniting my G.A.S. for that baby. God that thing sound dreamy too. I swear one day I'll own one...

[aciddose]

In some ways, better.

than the filters in the virus? oh man diva must suck hard.

[SadPuppyBlues]

Okay, people still buy hardware VAs. People still buy LucasFilm/LucasArts products. People still buy U2 albums. You're still eating crow right now. It's cool. It happens to everyone at some point.

Yes, people who like that things that you don't and have been successful doing it will eat crow. Your logic is solid.

...dig up this post when the demise of the final hardware VA is announced.

Have a nice day.

Haha, so to paraphrase you, real musicians who use hardware VAs will be replaced by fat laziness because people are successful at liking things I don't. Fanboy logic.

You haven't made an actual argument because you can't, so instead of backing up what you said, you revert to goalpost shifting and attempting to make something personal out of it.

You have a nice day.

[zerocrossing]

Are musicians who demand quality instruments all going to devolve into "producers" who sit on their fat asses making music with a mouse. Or, are companies all going to see the light and realize that VAs suck and all go back to making analog synths? Something else?

Something else. The myth/stereotype of the laptop musician as someone who sits behind a monitor clicking away is dead. Is that all you got? So a performance where there's a laptop on stage is different than a TI on stage... how? Don't say knobs, because knobs are for chumps who can't play a keyboard. assign parameters to real controllers like aftertouch and expression like a man! OK, I kid, but there's truth in that jibe. I could easily set up a system that an audience would have no idea was coming from a computer.

Oh yeah, and my ass isn't fat.

I use a Korg Z1 as my midi controller keyboard. Sometimes when someone is over I will show them my set-up, play some sounds etc. They often exclaim how good the Korg Z1 sounds, not knowing that I am playing soft synths. I can change presets, have the modwheel, XY pad, expression pedal and AT and 5 performance knobs at hand without touching the computer. Someone watching would have no idea that they are hearing softsynths by my activity.

Right, my point exactly, though the Z1 sounds good too, I'm sure.

I'm not against hardware and if you prefer it, have at it. I can see the benefit of working sans computer as it used to be my main way of performing. I used to have a really hard time hauling all my crap around too.

I recently thought it might be nice to have some sort of digital synth in my studio. My first thought was the Roland V-Synth... until I couldn't find a single example that made me love the sound. I went and listened to a lot of different hardware synths. Kawai k5000s, Kurzweils, Rolands, Nords, Virus, etc. The only one that actually made me want it was the Nords. The Lead 2x and the Wave.... but not enough to spend the money and waste the space.