I used to have an AX-73. Loved it - great controller keyboard as well as having that weird mix of analogue with digital controls. It got stolen along with my SH-101 and a Teisco.

Oh I'm sorry to hear that, I had an SH-101 at that same time.

I loved the AX-73, it felt like I had a Fairlight almost with my C-64 sitting on top and running the S-612 samples through the big analog synth. Of course it didn't quite sound like it, but what did I know?

[quote="braj"][quote="Redspark"]

Akai knew that it had to be big, did you ever look inside? The AX-73 has a tiny little analog voice board; most of the synth is completely empty. I used mine as a controller as well because it was reasonably light (compared to e.g. a Jx10)

It was pretty limited as an analog synth though, the one VCO CEM synth on a chip just doesn't quite cut the mustard. I see one on ebay now for $649 bin, that's funny.

Yeah it was simple, but it was nice, and I got it really cheap at the time too. I had a Juno 1 with that dinky KB and no velocity so the AX-73 gave that more range, anyhow I really liked it and it looked good which is what REALLY mattered

String + tags = shoes

As long as they were big tags or you have very small feet

You can say that again, they were dirt cheap a few years ago. I suppose a few more than a few now.

That's simply not true mate.

When that lead came in my whole body literally froze up and got goose pimples from head to toe.

That had a depth and lushness to it that is NOT achievable by about 90% of other va's.

And that is MY answer to the others asking, how do you define warmth?

when my body "feels" the sound and seizes up from the pure ecstasy of it.

I actually believe, and i really mean this, as strange as it may sound:

That the sound of diva vs most of the competition is SO easily picked out in a blind test, that people who are anti it, will specifically pick the other synths as diva.
work that one out.

I am exactly the same mate, is that the minority really?

It's just that Diva (and the xils sutff) were missing links to add the last bit of what we didn't have yet, cause we have tons of digital sounding virtual instruments to choose from.
But i LOVE digital sounds, all sorts of sounds, everything!

see that irks me. they want freebies AND they are wealthy?

they should be happy to hand over their money.

Good on you for sticking to your principles.

It is not on every sound but I agree and have had the same experience... There are some lead sounds from Diva that when they come in are just startling with their immediacy, presence and depth. It is palpable and it is startling because it is so uncommon. Diva has something fairly unique.

I feel that what sounds good though, has a lot to do with the ability of the musician or producer doing the track, more so than their skill at sound design.
Hearing a good track, the first thing I think of is their ability to create good music, not their ability at creating sounds.
Someone could make an old casio toy keyboard sound amazing given enough skill at sequencing and production.
Many times the sounds may be suitable for the track presented as a demo or something, but do not fit in with some other genres that well.
Even though the EDM crowd is large at kvr, and the ability to manipulate a sequencer is more important than actually being able to play the keys.
There are still many who play world, jazz, fusion, rock, blues, etc... that do not find EDM or ambient sound demos useful when searching for some sounds to get. I've bought many sounds, and most times, I feel many are just made for sequencing, and do not translate well for playing, using a keyboard.
Not saying that this is the case here though, as it's the LeVzi comment, that made me think of it.
That said, I think I'll get the Arksun Diva set now.
edit: I forgot to mention.
Those Arksun demos are f'ing amazingly great imo...shockingly so.
edit: and bought.

The quality of Diva is out of question but the first time i had that feeling you describe with a softsynth was when i tried Sylenth1 at the first release. Recently i had the same feeling while doing sounds for Tone2 Saurus so this is not limited to only Diva. Of course what really blows me away in comparison is when i use my real analog Slim Phatty but that's nothing special for a real analog synth.
The greatest experience of that kind i ever had was when testing the Schmitt Eightvoice mega synth at the Musikmesse. That sounds was going through my whole body, no joke.


Ingo

When Insigna released this short demo I was very impressed, all Synthmaster except the drums:

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/13639983/MoogMarks.mp3

I purchased DIVA when it was released. As a softsynth it is very nice. The best I think
But when I jump to using some of my analog synths like an SH101 , MOnopoly , MS20 , Pro-one , CS30, System 100 , Andromeda to name a few ( or my ebbe und flut analog filter ) ....then DIVA does not sound analog to me at all.
Just play one sequence with just the SH101 and you will have to admit that DIVA sounds vey good compared to other plug ins but there still is no analog liveliness in the sounds. Owning just about any serious sofsynth audio unit running on a Ma pro 8core I still prefer to use my analog synths with a Kenton. Only when I am lazy or on the road I use DIVA or Ni , arturia, dcam, refxetc
I would say get yourself an sh101 for 500 euro. in stead of buying several sofsynths that do not nail the sound .....