VSTis as good as hardware? Similar to Access Virus Quality?

[musikmachine]

Could you post a mp3 of the preset so us non Zebra's can here it in action?

OK, done (had to learn a bit about box.net first).
http://www.box.net/shared/anv4fhoned

With all respect: but this isn't in the Virus (TI) league. This lacks depth, breadth, punch. Well, lots of things.

With all respect, if the guy who made the virus preset in question (and lots of others) says he can match it in software (in this case Zebra) I find that quite compelling.

Why don't you post up an example of the Virus preset in question then so everyone can hear how it is in another league

oh, and to state my opinion, I would not trade Zebra straight up for any Virus unless it was just to sell it, buy Zebra again, and pocket the extra cash!

+1 I'd like to hear the virus and how zebra compare or vice versa, i'm not saying one is better than the other

C'mon virus owner,put your money where your mouth is

[Howard]

Zebra2 version again:
http://www.box.net/shared/anv4fhoned

Original Virus version:
http://www.box.net/shared/0ncjrljnay

They sound similar enough, although the Z2 version needs a tad more movevement in the held chord. Will do this today (but please don't expect me to post more MP3s to prove it).

[Shy]

That's a pretty boring sound. I suggest cranking up the filter resonance.

[kuniklo]

I like hardware for one reason only - a really good dedicated physical interface is more pleasant to work with than any software/controller combination. I'm hoping that now that software can more than match any hardware synth for sound that the pressure will be on manufacturers to really think hard and focus on playable, immediate instruments instead of just boxes with knobs. If they want to continue to sell hardware I think this is their only path forward. Honestly I think most synth manufacturers, hard and soft, have gone far beyond what most users really need in terms of features and complexity. There's an opening for somebody that understands the needs of musicians, as opposed to synth nerds like most of us, for a new generation of hardware synths that don't aim to compete with software synths directly.

Another interesting avenue of exploration for hardware is the integrated sequencer/synth approach, like the Elektron Monomachine. I'd pay big $$$ for a Monomachine-style groovebox that could use samples as oscillators with fm & sync.

As for the Virus, it's still a great synth and I really enjoyed mine but the interface is stuck in 1997 and synths like Massive and Zebra can more than compete on sound (although the Virus has a broader sonic sweet spot than either of them, IMO).

[Howard]

The FM7 didn't quite have the punch of the TX81...[snip]... and most of all, nothing sounded as good and gave that "proffessional sound" that the virus did.

1) FM7 beats TX81Z by miles. Maybe you're not programming your own sounds?

2) I'm taking you guys up on the "Z2 vs Virus" challenge. Name me a preset I can find in the ROM banks of my Virus C. I'll clone it, then post both (as MP3) without saying which is which. Choose carefully - I'm only prepared to do one clone, and I get to choose which one if you name several BTW: you can send me a MIDI file I have to use for the demos, if necessary.

[Howard]

That's a pretty boring sound. I suggest cranking up the filter resonance.

Suggest away, see if I care. One person's "boring sound" is another's "yummy cream-cheesecake"

[Shy]

"see if I care"? I made my suggestion, crank up the filter settings. If you don't care that's just fine, I won't wait to see if do.

[kuniklo]

2) I'm taking you guys up on the "Z2 vs Virus" challenge. Name me a preset I can find in the ROM banks of my Virus C. I'll clone it, then post both (as MP3) without saying which is which. Choose carefully - I'm only prepared to do one clone, and I get to choose which one if you name several BTW: you can send me a MIDI file I have to use for the demos, if necessary.

I'd vote for Rom-C/patch 81, "Psytro3 HS" from the TI. I *think* this was in the Virus C too, but I'm not sure. I have no doubt you can reproduce this on Z2 but I'd like to hear it because I think this patch shows off the character of the Virus filter pretty well and because I have a track I want to finish built around this sound that I can't complete because I also sold my Virus.

[Howard]

I'd vote for Rom-C/patch 81, "Psytro3 HS" from the TI.

I'd accept "Pstyro2 HS" - version 3 isn't in my Virus C. Other suggestions?

[pepelogu]

I'd vote for Rom-C/patch 81, "Psytro3 HS" from the TI.

I'd accept "Pstyro2 HS" - version 3 isn't in my Virus C. Other suggestions?

Remember not to use any outboard effects or processors on any of them, that would make the comparison pointless.

[pdxindy]

"see if I care"? I made my suggestion, crank up the filter settings. If you don't care that's just fine, I won't wait to see if do.

your suggestion says nothing about the issue at hand. the point is to recreate a virus preset, not change any sound you hear to something you think you would like better

[OffTopic]

Despite the limited audio quality of this videostream this gives a good overview on how the TI excels on pads, bells and leads and it illustrates the quality of the filters.

For leads e.g. Flyin CSV after 2'50.

BTW I am not in any way linked to access music!

Could you post a mp3 of the preset so us non Zebra's can here it in action?

OK, done (had to learn a bit about box.net first).
http://www.box.net/shared/anv4fhoned

With all respect: but this isn't in the Virus (TI) league. This lacks depth, breadth, punch. Well, lots of things.

With all respect, if the guy who made the virus preset in question (and lots of others) says he can match it in software (in this case Zebra) I find that quite compelling.

Why don't you post up an example of the Virus preset in question then so everyone can hear how it is in another league

oh, and to state my opinion, I would not trade Zebra straight up for any Virus unless it was just to sell it, buy Zebra again, and pocket the extra cash!

[Shy]

"see if I care"? I made my suggestion, crank up the filter settings. If you don't care that's just fine, I won't wait to see if do.

your suggestion says nothing about the issue at hand. the point is to recreate a virus preset, not change any sound you hear to something you think you would like better

I didn't know those two samples are one a virus preset and one an attempt to recreate it, because it wasn't mentioned. Maybe it was mentioned somewhere earlier but I haven't seen it. As far I know, the suggestion to recreate a virus preset came later.

[bmanic]

VSTi's can come pretty close to the Virus now, especially with the added help of Nebula3.

Cheers!
bManic

[advaya]

wtf shy??? I'm all for heated debate and riled-up discussions, but your attempts to prove (god knows what now) are getting rather banal.