By dburgan
On 8th February 2004
Version: 2.5
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Tonewise DirectiXer
This is another VST-DX adapter, similar to the one that Cakewalk has bundled with SONAR. I'm an owner of SONAR 3, so I already have a VST-DX adapter, essentially free. Why, then, would I shell out my hard earned dough for a competing product?
Well, see my review of Cakewalk's adapter to get the answer. Put simply, Directixer makes it possible for me to manage my huge collection of VST and VSTi plugins, whereas Cakewalk's does not.
Directixer has some very cool features, and is a good looking, highly usable application. It seems totally stable and is able to encapsulate just about any VST I've ever thrown at it. It also has the singular ability to be able to capture the MIDI output of a VSTi plugin and route it back into SONAR. Try that with Cakewalk's adapter!
It does have a few limitations, which I hope will be addressed soon:
- No ability to randomize VST parameters (a feature I sorely miss)
- Relies on the VST plugin id to uniquely identify a plugin. Unfortunately, some VST developers don't properly set their VST plugin id, and so duplicate plugin ids are not all that uncommon. Other adapters allow you to load and use those plugins, but Directixer balks. In fairness, the bug lies with the VST developers who didn't set the plugin id, but it sure would be nice if Directixer would insulate me from it.
All in all, this is a great product at a great price. Cakewalk's adapter is still lagging behind this one. Worth a look. |
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Last edited : 8th February 2004
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By dburgan
On 8th February 2004
Version: 1.4
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Native Instruments (NI) Reaktor Session
Reaktor is one of those products that just keeps getting better and better. When it first came out, it was ground breaking. Certainly there are other modular synths that have outdone Reaktor in one regard or another (SynC Modular and SynthEdit come to mind), but none encapsulate so much in one place.
I bought Reaktor Session instead of the full Reaktor simply because the full Reaktor is hideously overpriced. I love to program modular synths (I'm a Sync Modular fanatic), but I couldn't justify almost five bills for a piece of music software. At $150-$200, Reaktor Session is a much more reasonably priced alternative.
Although I can't create new instruments, the good news is that there are enough publicly available instruments that I may never need to! Further, while new instruments are not possible, combining existing instruments in new ways most certainly is. So a limited form of ensemble authoring is possible.
All that said, the UI is not particularly appealing, and is quite unintuitive in several areas.
What makes Reaktor Session a must-have is the user library. It is mind-boggling. There are so many ensembles, with so much innovation, that it's really hard to even put it into words. If you are an electronic musician of any stripe - be it ambient, prog elec, symphonic elec, techno, club, etc. - Reaktor is a must-have, for the simple reason that the library is so massive and powerful.
For what it's worth, I found the copy protection to be well implemented and not particularly intrusive. It did prompt me to re-insert my CD once, which was annoying, but overall I pretty much forget that it is copy protected. NI even allows for a duplicate license so I can take Reaktor with me on my laptop for business trips - perfect!
I *would* however like to make a backup copy of my CD, in case one of the kids decides to use it as a frisbee. Unfortunately, I can't. I wonder how much NI would charge if I needed a replacement?
In any event, Reaktor sounds *good*. Reaktor's not the fattest or the most authentic sounding soft synth, but it is still very good sounding. Combined with the massive user library, this is the synth to beat. |
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By dburgan
On 8th February 2004
Version: 1.1
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Muon Software Tau Pro
One word: WOW.
This synth is supposed to be 303-like, but I find it to have nothing to do with that infamous silver box. Instead, this is an aggressive, uber-powerful monosynth made for but one purpose:
Nasty Aggressive Bass
Well, okay, it also makes nasty aggressive leads too. In fact, it reminds a lot of the Waldorf Pulse in that regard. It has one of the thickest, fattest sounds in a soft synth that I've ever heard. Power.
Is it a one-trick pony? You bet. You can't even control the envelope of the thing. But at that one trick, this synth is better than any other. |
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By dburgan
On 8th February 2004
Version: 1.2
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Muon Software Tau
OK, everybody knows this is a 303-knockoff. Yes, it's a one trick pony. Yes, it has only limited programmability. Yes, the 303 sound has been abused ad nauseum.
This little gem, however, just plain sounds GOOD. I have to say there are very few synths out there that can make as tight a bass sound as this masterpiece by Muon. The fact that Muon gave the synth away just floors me. Put simply, it just sounds fantastic. Forget the squelchy acid sound the 303 is so (in)famous for; instead, use this beauty to make sub basses, punchy smooth basses, even the occasional harsh bass. I love it.
I own Tau Pro, and I still keep Tau in my arsenel. Why? It's just the most well-focused little soft synth I've ever seen. A classic. |
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By dburgan
On 8th February 2004
Version: 1.12
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Muon Software Electron
I'm not going to repeat what I'm reading in some of the other reviews, since that would be redundant. Instead, I'll just offer my short-list of likes and dislikes:
Likes
- Nice UI
- Very intuitive design
- Lots of presets available
- Relatively flexible synth engine
- XY pad is cool and unique
- Dual multimode filters
Dislikes
- Sound is decent, but nothing to write home about
- Oscillator waveforms are hardcoded - WTF?
- Knobs are too small
I'd like to say I reach for Electron first every time I need a VA sound, but unfortunately I don't. There are just too many other VA synths with similar capabilities and superior sound. Electron's a nice enough product, and I love Muon as a company, but it's not the strongest product in Muon's line. |
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Last edited : 8th February 2004
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By dburgan
On 8th February 2004
Version: 1.1
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Land of Cockaigne Panzertank PM4
Nasty. That's the only word I can think of to describe this SynthEdit creation. Wait, here's another: weird. And another: wicked.
This is one of those FM synths that somehow manages to sound like an industrial plant gone haywire. For hard-edged techno, industrial, IDM, etc., this would be a must-have synth. Fortunately, the price is right (it's free)!
If you're looking for lush, cool DX7-style crystal or bell sounds, lush EP, or punchy FM bass, keep looking. This synth's forte is aggressive, wild sounds that you won't find anywhere else. |
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By dburgan
On 8th February 2004
Version: 1
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Krakli RGB
One of the things I like about SynthEdit is that so many people are now able to create synthesizers, a fact that inherently encourages novelty and innovation. Sure, many SynthEdit synths sound alike and are monotonously similar in UI, but there are also a good number of SynthEdit synths that sound *great* and/or offer synthesis capabilities you'll not find anywhere else.
RGB by Krakli is one of those synths.
I have a lot of SynthEdit synths installed, and so it was quite by accident that I decided to try RBG for a lead line in an ambient piece I was working on. I tried several of the presets, which were all nice but not quite what I was looking for - but then stumbled across one preset that was almost perfect. With a little tweaking, I had an amazingly lush and evocative synth sound, totally different from anything I could get on a more analog-style synth. With more tweaking, I found that RGB was really a flexible, distinctive synth.
Some of Krakli's other products are just as weird as RGB (some weirder) and definitely show a ton of innovation. In the case of RGB, I think Krakli hit the nail on the head - producing a synth that is not only innovative, but great-sounding and incredibly useful. Props to the developer. |
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By dburgan
On 8th February 2004
Version: 1
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Steinberg VB-1
What to say about this classic soft synth? It's unusual. It has a very distinctive way of programming, with a simulated bass guitar and the ability to adjust such things as pick placement, bridge tightness, pickup location, and volume/brightness. One might think that this is a physical modeling synth, but honestly I don't know. The sound is nice, but doesn't sound particularly authentic to my ears.
What this synth is NOT is a fat bass engine. The sounds that come out of VB-1 are undeniably thin. If you want an earth-shattering sub bass or a bass with warm analog punch, keep looking. This synth is totally digital and totally thin.
But is it without merit? Not at all. I find VB-1 to be usable as a 'unusual' synth. You see, I'm a sucker for oddball synthesizers, and VB-1 is definitely an odd ball. I love the fact that I program it using a totally different metaphor than yet-another-virtual-analog. The synth engine, while not very authentic, is unusual enough that, with a little fx processing, one can make some pretty evocative sounds. Usable in a broad set of situations? Nope. But usable in the occasional niche situation? Yes, sometimes.
The fact that this was one of the earliest soft synths should cause one to cut VB-1 a little slack - but in my case, I couldn't care less about history. What I want is a synth that sounds good and works well *today*. Fortunately VB-1 is still a usable tool for niche situations, and is priced right. |
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Last edited : 8th February 2004
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By dburgan
On 8th February 2004
Version: 4
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Cakewalk VST-DX Adapter
I've been a user of the FXpansion VST-DX adapter for several years. The product, since acquired and marketed by Cakewalk, is really one of those innovative tools that opened up an entire market. For that, I think Angus deserves major kudos.
Is the Cakewalk VST-adapter the best on the market, though? Sorry, but no.
There are many things to like about this product, not the least of which is that it comes free with SONAR. It also is effective at wrappering VST and VSTi plugins, and is remarkably stable. Other thoughtful touches include the ability to randomize the VST parameters, and strong fxb/fxp support.
What the product lacks, however, is effective management of plugins. I don't know about anyone else, but I have hundreds, if not thousands, of VST and VSTi plugins on my computer, and on my laptop. Managing access to these plugins is an absolutely essential feature for me. Unfortunately Cakewalk's VST adapter does not give me the opportunity to rename plugins, nor does it allow me to categorize them by type, manufacturer, or function. If I want to do that, I have to separately run Cakewalk's Plugin Manager - but even then I have to be careful! If I run Cakewalk's VST adapter again, I run the risk of overwriting all my carefully-specified names. Put bluntly, this is a show-stopper problem for me - and is the reason I use Directixer instead.
The Cakewalk VST adapter also lacks the ability to route MIDI *out* of a VST plugin, but honestly I've never felt the need to do that, so I dunno if that's a big deal or not.
Overall, I'm keeping an eye on Cakewalk's VST adapter. If Cakewalk would only adopt a Directixer-style management interface, I would be all over it. Until then, I'll stick with Directixer. |
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By dburgan
On 8th February 2004
Version: 1.6
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Superwave Superwave P8
SuperWave is one of those soft synths that has a distinctive sound. The UI is spectacular, of course, and the synth features are very well conceived, but what really makes this synth is the sound. Put simply, it is a great, great VA.
Loosely modeled after the Roland JP8000/8080, this synth comes with a great set of presets that do an excellent job of showing off its capabilities - and its full-bodied, warm sound. It's not a bread-and-butter VA sound like you might get in, say, a DreamStation, but it is highly usable and flexible.
I have had a few problems with the synth - stuck keys being the biggest, but the occasional crash also happens. Your mileage may vary.
Despite the fact that this synth was developed using SynthEdit, it really shines as a pro-level product. Why the developer gave it away free is a bit beyond me - but I'm glad he/she did. |
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By dburgan
On 8th February 2004
Version: 2.21
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Dr SynC SynC Modular
This was the first modular soft synth I ever bought, and honestly I still think it is the best. I recently bought Reaktor, which is indeed very nice and strongly supported, but SynC Modular's ability to do DSP primitives all the way down the simple math - and do so with surprisingly good performance - is unmatched.
Quite literally, you can do almost anything in SynC Modular.
Programming it is relatively complex, not even counting the fact that DSP programming itself is a black art. I have no way to judge how it compares to Reaktor in this sense, but my opinion is that SynC could have benefited from some UI improvements.
Alas, SynC is no longer supported. NI, in a brilliant move, hired Dr. Sync to work on Reaktor, thus killing the one product that really could have made a dent in Reaktor's market.
There are not as many publicly available ensembles for SynC Modular, which is a shame but is understandable given there will be no further updates to the program. So, if you want out-of-box experience, you probably will be happier with Reaktor. If you want to be able to prototype literally any DSP algorithm in a visual language, SynC is the tool for you. It's for the hardcore DSP/synthesist enthusiast, not really the general artist-public.
SynC is still my favorite soft synth, bar none. Reaktor 4 made a dent in SynC's position, but SynC still outshines it in my view. |
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By dburgan
On 7th February 2004
Version: 1.1
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Cakewalk Cyclone
I'm no loop guru or master loop slicer, so take my review with some salt, but I have to say I found Cyclone to be a powerful tool. I won't describe its abilities, since others have done so adequately. What I will say is that when I load up a nice ACIDized perc loop and transform it into a drum kit, that I more often than not end up with some of the most musical percussion I've ever heard. The fact that it is MIDI controllable allows me to play that kit from my PX7 pads, which transforms Cyclone into a *brilliant* tool for my purposes.
Would I have bought Cyclone if it didn't come with SONAR free? Honestly, I don't know. I do know that if Cakewalk stopped bundling it, I'd be quite upset.
A few downsides - the UI took a LOT of getting used to for a novice looper like myself. I still get confused by certain things. Cakewalk could have done a better job, IMHO, at making this thing more intuitive. But, for the price, I guess I can't complain.
In summary - an essential tool for loopers, and a great tool for everyone else. |
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By dburgan
On 7th February 2004
Version: DXI2
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Audio Simulation DreamStation DXi2
I've heard a lot of people complain about DreamStation, about this or that, but honestly I don't know why. Nearly every time I need a solid, bread-and-butter VA sound out of a soft synth, I end up using DreamStation. Lots of other VA soft synths have more features and are better at certain things, but none are as flexible and usable as DreamStation.
In particular, I've heard people complain the sound is thin or uninspiring. Frankly, I have no idea what they're talking about. I've gotten tremendous basses and nice pads out of DreamStation. And the brass! Wow, you can get a lovely Vangelis CS80-style brass out of this thing, complete with delayed vibrato.
DreamStation lacks only two things really. First is a mod matrix. DreamStation is a very simple VA model, with hardwired modulation, which limits the diversity of sounds it can make. Again, it makes bread-and-butter stuff wonderfully, but if you need a 'different' sound, you'll have to look elsewhere.
Finally, the UI on it is just too small! The knobs are so tiny that sometimes I have to squint to see them clearly. Not that it isn't a nice UI - it is, and very well designed. If it was about 50% bigger, it would be perfect. |
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By dburgan
On 7th February 2004
Version: 1.2.0
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ART Teknika Console Sound Modular Studio
Wow what a useful tool. I've seen VST-DX adapters before, but not DX-VST adapters! Plus, this thing can seamlessly turn a DXi into a VSTe, a VSTi into a VSTe, or any combination. It does so in an eminently flexible and transparent manner. It can even wrapper troublesome plugins in AudioMulch, so that the preset is actually stored in the AMH file (SIR is an example of one such plugin).
I was really surprised by the capabilities of this tool. At the price point it is a steal.
The only significant criticism I have about the product is the poor documentation and the occasional Japanese message box that appears! :-) Wouldn't be a complaint if I spoke Japanese, I guess, but it would be nice if the English version was all English.
The UI is very lovely and solid, although there are a few things that take some getting used to. It's a bit like FruityLoops in that certain Windows-ish conventions are thrown out the window and replaced with custom widgets and the like. It's not bad, just different, and requires a little learning curve.
All in all this is a great tool - and one I'm glad I own. I look forward to a bright future for the product. |
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