By Modeler
On 1st January 2006
Version: 1.5.1
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reFX had obviously been reading my wish book with this one. I remember the first VSTi plug-ins I used was Chris Huelsbeck's MicroSynt (yeah I know I was about five years late to the party, I was happy enough with AXS before then) and what struck me was how SID-like it was. I approached Chris rather naively and asked how difficult it would be to combine a VST instrument with a SID emulator; he pointed out that there already was such a product - quadraSID.
I was like "Wow, a virtual SIDStation!" and I've been in Galway-heaven ever since. The recent, unexpected release of v1.5 has given it a new lease of life. The new Vanguard-esque GUI and fantastic presets (thank you again Mister Huelsbeck) have really put a new shine on this already superb little plug-in.
GUI
reFX opted not to make quadraSID resemble anything like a C64 in all its beige plastic glory (they saved that for Trasher 2). A very functional display - no knobs to tweak! Since v1.5 there's a been a nice compact option with a preset browser ideal for people like me who can't program a synth for toffee.
Sound
Well, it sounds like a C64. I read somewhere it's based on the code used by the VICE emulator which is pretty damn authentic; I spent most of my life listening to the real thing and I can't fault it. Multiply that by four and what you get is more SID than you can handle. As if my tracks weren't enough like loading music already...
Features
The 6581 and 8580 are there, even the infamous filter bug is there and can be disabled at will! The only thing missing is a facility that would allow me to program it in BASIC. ;-)
Docs
All very well documented, not that anyone who's used to programming a real one would need to read to manual. Nice bedtime reading for the rest of us.
Presets
Brilliant - all the sounds from the Commodore era are here and that's all I wanted. The fact that the synth is capable of a lot more than a single SID is a bonus and many of the presets demonstrate this very well.
Support
v1.5 was a complete surprise, there wasn't huge demand for an update but Mike did it anyway. Not only that but all of the bugs I found were ironed out in v1.5.1 which performs flawlessly on my system.
VFM
There are freeware SID emulations doing the rounds, some better than others but nothing can touch this. It's not exactly expensive; neither are the new Rob Hubbard presets (a must) so the cost isn't an issue bearing in mind what you get.
Stability
No issues - it does its thing and doesn't give me any grief whatsoever.
Overall
Whether you like the SID sound or not, if KVR had a Top Gear style "cool wall" this would be in the sub-zero category, right next to the special fridge that has Vanguard in it. :-) |
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By Jace-BeOS
On 19th December 2005
Version: 1.5.1
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reFX quadraSID is a fun and unique synth. It takes a little more effort to program it from scratch than some, maybe due to the fact that you are programming an old chipset with unique attributes rather than programming a traditional subtractive analog, but if you're looking for a hybrid between "that old school sound" and sounds that most other "modern" synths can't make easily (or at all), this is a great choice. If you think you're in for only the cheepo "old school" Commodore 64 sound, then you're selling yourself (and quadraSID) short. It does more than just make classic cheese! (though the classic cheese is certainly there if you want it)
The UI is great (especially this new one). If i had to complain, it would be that the unison mode is a bit clumsy to audition the 1/2/3 unison presets. i also think that the behavior of the note triggering is inconsistent but this may be an inherent aspect of SIDs (i wouldn't know). Other than that, add some of your own reverb/chorus/delay effects and this is a cool little VST synth that's light on CPU use and a GREAT price/value ratio, especially with reFX's holiday discount. |
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By bajongo
On 13th February 2002
Version: 1.4
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This thing is special! It's not my all-do all-time instrument but it has some sounds I heard nowhere else and I love these sounds. It can sound like a cheap toy and it can sound very expensive, too. I love the unison, gives some serious walls of sound. The oversampling feature is very cool also, it's a sound shaping thingy and with it I can choose also the amount of alaising I want to have OR NOT WANT TO HAVE! Very low on CPU compared to the big sound it has.
Interface: Great! Very stylish since it has it's new look.
Sound: Very good and outstanding, very versatile.
Features: Tons of Modulations options, wow!
Documentation: Very good manual.
Presets: Well there are quite some but I make my own sounds which suits my needs much better in this case.
Customer support: Great company, very responsive.
Value for the money: Top instrument for a slim price.
Stability: Stable, didn't crash.
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By autodafe
On 12th February 2002
Version: 1.4
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Wow. I bought this synth after checking the demo...
The sounds are really something different from the usual synths.
It has lots of presets which are all very good and usable.
Nice synthetic drums, great leads. What I like best are two "arpeggio" presets, one with a major scale, the other with a minor.
The interface looks great, maybe just a bit too "big" for me...
It's a bit difficult to program, 'cos you feel lost between all the indicators and so on, but sounds really great.
It's verys stable and quite light onthe CPU, even if I noticed some minor "problems" when you drag it and it has to redraw the interface...
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By realmarco
On 6th December 2001
Version: 1.4
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Oh my god this thing ROCKS!
I mean its like THE most flexible VSTi to my eyes,ears and wallet(hehehe)
ever wanted to make Drums with a synth?
...Check out the "Galway-noise" channel,
i mean its like having a classic subtractive synth with Humonguous(!!!) modulation with a waldorf Attack stuck to it...
no Fm though...but with this thing you can actually CREATE an Fm operator.
..And the envelopes! 4 of them, clickable ala Absynth/FM7 and they can do anything
(check out the combiners+the modulating Matrix)
I haven't been this excited since i first got my hand(er,mouse) on Electron.
Don't take my word for it, There is a Demo (MAC/PC) ....
EXPERIENCE it, a programmers wet dream!
P.S. tons of other feature too loooong to list |
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