Available soon: Tone2 ElectraX

[Brittlestem]

And? These are paid updgrades. What do you consider worth mentioning about them?

I can't imagine that you have never been coming across paid upgrades on other products in the past so I have to assume you're just attempting to be controversial for the sake of it.

That's called 'trolling' b.t.w. .

He's talking about having to buy soundsets to get the extra features.
Paying for the upgrade is fine - having to buy a soundset as well because Tone2 didn't make the upgrade available separately is not.

[Shabdahbriah]

I quite like the layout, the colours, etc. - what I meant is that I think the perspective is wrong, it's fisheye, and then it isn't - how far is the viewer away from the surface? I don't know it, looks just wrong
- it's the same as with Polyana, that's why I mentioned it.
They attempt to look realistic but fail.

I have to agree here. The layout is cool, but the knob 'perspective' is seriously skewed/distorted, though "polyana" is without doubt the worst I've ever seen.

I'm also not a big fan of virtual reflective-glare.

[1-2-Many]

More bothersome for me on the GUI is the strange lighting. Especially on the displays. All the knob reflection-shadowing, along with trying to mimic screen glare-reflection gets in the way of readabilty and is bothersome to my eyes.

This is the sort of thing I always try to minimize with HW gear in the studio - seems silly to amp it up on software just to be more "realistic".

the black one is too hard on the eyes, but the white version does not have the glow...

The white version still has the silly reflections, but is probably the one I'd settle on - although I'd rather a version with clean readable displays without all the "lighting effects".

Again though, I'm sure it will sound great Can't wait to try the demo!

[goldenanalog]

He's talking about having to buy soundsets to get the extra features. Paying for the upgrade is fine - having to buy a soundset as well because Tone2 didn't make the upgrade available separately is not.

Well-put, re_mute!

I have to agree here. The layout is cool, but the knob 'perspective' is seriously skewed/distorted, though "polyana" is without doubt the worst I've ever seen.

I'm also not a big fan of virtual reflective-glare.

I personally think that the display is absolutely gorgeous; what about putting a virtual 'display dimmer control' on the front panel? Or even going so far as to add a 'ambient room lighting dimmer' to the UI?

And how about this for a crazy idea:

Change the front panel to one of a 'straight-on' viewing perspective; and give the user the ability to 'spin' the interface horizontally through say: a +/- 10 degree arc (position lockable)?

Useless? Probably. But what fun!

But I really do *like* it as is (and could work fast and furious with it); and wouldn't be put-off from purchasing it in the slightest because of it's display (which I *do* agree is....well.....different....)

Comment: I also own a license for Poly-Ana; the problem (for me, anyway) is one of clarity...Poly-Ana would have a *GREAT* front panel if it existed as hardware 'in the real world', but not as a virtual.

Poly-Ana sounds really good, though.

-goldenanalog

[contrary]

[xx JPRacer xx]

What are the big differences between ElectraX and Gladiator? Also, will ElectraX replace Gladiator or developement will continue in parallel?

[pdxindy]

And? These are paid updgrades. What do you consider worth mentioning about them?

I can't imagine that you have never been coming across paid upgrades on other products in the past so I have to assume you're just attempting to be controversial for the sake of it.

That's called 'trolling' b.t.w. .

He's talking about having to buy soundsets to get the extra features.
Paying for the upgrade is fine - having to buy a soundset as well because Tone2 didn't make the upgrade available separately is not.

That sorta kinda tipped the balance for me as I decided I would be annoyed to have to buy a soundset in order to have features that were fully implemented in the synth but just locked so I could not use them... I didn't totally love Gladiator, but it had some sounds I particularly liked so that is why that sorta tipped the scales.

Sure hope they do not do that with ElectraX...

[narz3000]

I'm glad that somebody else mentioned it. I thought it was just me. Light's and shadow's seem to be off. They are inconsistent.

Although, I just bought my first Tone2 product and couldn't be happier with the sound.

So...just a minor detail then.

[MaxSynths]

What are the big differences between ElectraX and Gladiator? Also, will ElectraX replace Gladiator or developement will continue in parallel?

They have a different approach to synthesis. Gladiator is based on the HCM synthesis technique, which is for sure a revolotionary tool in sound design and provide unique ways to shape the sound. ElectraX scheme and synthesis is different: it adds more and new synthesis types (like fractal synthesis for example) and the structure of the synth(s) itself give a different and new way to program sounds. Just to give you a simple example imagine a synth working in FM + a synth with a subtractive brass patch + a bassline running in the background and a kick drum triggered by the modulation wheel at the same time and each with his own effect. ElectraX offers also a rich and well structured modulation section per synth!

I don't think ElectraX will replace Gladiator, they are both two great tools and different products. BTW has been a long time I was waiting for something to program complex patches like I used to do in XPhraze. I think that if Vangelis had something like ElectraX two instances had been enough to score the Blade Runner main titles (not kidding)



Cheers,
Max

[xx JPRacer xx]

Ok, thanks Max. So ElectraX is more "powerful" (or versatile) than Gladiator then?

[MaxSynths]

Well it offers more options for very complex patches. Difficult to explain with the words... as soon as the audio demos will be available you'll get a better picture of what ElectraX can do

I'm so tempted to post some examples but it's forbidden for now

[audio_dude]

A new synth from Tone2: that's a -very- cool news, for sure!!! And I'll quickly try this piece of software!!!

But, in case some guys of the Tone2 crew read this: please, please, please, do not add new features within the additional soundsets you'll sell in the future! It's a point which has been previously stated, and I totally agree with it! Software updates are software updates, and soundsets are... soundsets! (and I don't buy much of them...)

Anyway, keep up the good work, Markus! Your new synth seems very cool!

[zvenx]

I think/hope they have gotten that by now. Their last two soundsets for gladiator 2, have just been that...soundsets.

rsp

[Echoes in the Attic]

I agree the added functionality should be in updates and soundsets should juts be soundsets. I think many people have expressed that opinion so i don't see them using that strategy again here, but who knows.

And ya, don't like the slanted knobs at all. But otherwise I think it's nice to look at.

[pdxindy]

ElectraX scheme and synthesis is different: it adds more and new synthesis types (like fractal synthesis for example) and the structure of the synth(s) itself give a different and new way to program sounds. Just to give you a simple example imagine a synth working in FM + a synth with a subtractive brass patch + a bassline running in the background and a kick drum triggered by the modulation wheel at the same time and each with his own effect. ElectraX offers also a rich and well structured modulation section per synth!

huh... what does the Fractal Synthesis sound like? You mention these new possibilities, but then comes in the talk about this layer thing... It is not new. There have been multi-timbral synths for a long time and synths like Alchemy, Albino, etc etc can do layering too. And like I previously said, I can do that with any synth essentially as easily in my host. And I certainly have no interest in presets that are songs in 1 key press...

Maybe you all are not yet allowed to talk about features and that is why it comes back to the layers a lot. It is only the 18 th page that you just said you cannot yet post audio demos. It has been left to everyone to guess that this must be the case. So maybe you also cannot talk about specific features, but not saying so and mostly talking about the layers gives the impression that it is mainly the layers that is the calling card of the synth.