What soft synth do you prefer over the virus?

[cryophonik]

Haha, so to paraphrase you, real musicians who use hardware VAs will be replaced by fat laziness because people are successful at liking things I don't. Fanboy logic.

No, not even close. Why don't you go back and re-read the thread?

You haven't made an actual argument because you can't, so instead of backing up what you said, you revert to goalpost shifting and attempting to make something personal out of it.

I don't have an argument, nor do I have anything to back up. The other guy (and you) stated that hardware VAs will soon be "extinct". That is HIS and YOUR argument, not mine. I asked him to back that up by answering some questions about what actual musicians who use hardware VAs will do without them? The fact that hardware VAs are still available and, in many cases, selling very well indicates that they are not going extinct any time soon. As stated, I use both hardware and software and see the pros and cons of both. Sorry if I got under your skin by disagreeing with you.

[zerocrossing]

The other guy (and you) stated that hardware VAs will soon be "extinct".

Why do I always have to be the other guy?

But I've considered my statement and "extinct" isn't really a good description of what I think. I just think VA is evolving into something that doesn't need a specific hardware configuration. Sure, they'll always be the musicians who just want a hardware synth, but you keep claiming that people like Access are selling their synths like hotcakes, and I wonder where you get that data. I'm no longer in music retail, but when I was hardware VA was important because no PC computer could really do it natively. Now even a cheap off the shelf Dell is capable of a lot. Definitely capable of a similar quality of sound. I can't imagine that a huge part of their market (like me) has gone away.

I also see a lot of "what sounds like a Virus?" threads like this which says only one thing: people are actively looking for alternatives.

[jobromedia]

People are looking for alternatives because the Virus itself is overpriced. I saw a Virus softsynth during the xmas sale for 500 SEK. The reason why I didn't buy it was because it required some overpriced hardware.

[cryophonik]

Sure, they'll always be the musicians who just want a hardware synth, but you keep claiming that people like Access are selling their synths like hotcakes, and I wonder where you get that data.

To be clear, I never said that they're selling like hotcakes, but I don't think anybody needs me to tell you that there is a strong market for these synths; otherwise, they WOULD be extinct, new ones wouldn't be brought to market so regularly, and you wouldn't see them on the web, in studios, on stages, etc. Access is about to release a new OS for free that will add several new features. That's certainly not evidence that they are about to go under in my book.

I'm no longer in music retail, but when I was hardware VA was important because no PC computer could really do it natively. Now even a cheap off the shelf Dell is capable of a lot. Definitely capable of a similar quality of sound. I can't imagine that a huge part of their market (like me) has gone away.

I also see a lot of "what sounds like a Virus?" threads like this which says only one thing: people are actively looking for alternatives.

No disagreements here. The problem with too many producers is that they fail to see that not everybody shares their values, has the same needs, same income, etc. I see a lot of people complaining that the Virus is "overpriced." For them, that's probably true, but that doesn't mean that it applies to everybody else. Like many people, I think that the Virus a value considering its specs, frequent updates, and quality, and it's something that holds much of its value. Hell, I've sold most of the Viruses that I purchased secondhand for more than I paid for them, so that's not overpriced AFAIC.

Also, I should just state for the record, that I am NOT one of the people who claims that the Virus has some magic sound that can't be replicated very well (or close enough) with other synths, software or hardware. I don't know about most people, but my Virus makes a LOT of sounds, not *one* sound. Yeah, like all synths, it has some characteristics that comes through with some patches better than others, but that doesn't make it superior IMO. Hell, I'll go so far as to say that I can't pick out a Virus in a track, including my own (yes, I've gone back to some of my old productions and discovered that what I thought I had done with a soft synth or analog synth was actually done with my Virus, and vice-versa), nor can I usually pick out analog synths or cheap soft synths in other songs without some degree of guesswork/luck. I'm also convinced that most other people can't either, with the exception of obvious presets, of course.

[SadPuppyBlues]

Haha, so to paraphrase you, real musicians who use hardware VAs will be replaced by fat laziness because people are successful at liking things I don't. Fanboy logic.

No, not even close. Why don't you go back and re-read the thread?

Here's where you came in:

And, what do you think will replace hardware VAs? Are musicians who demand quality instruments all going to devolve into "producers" who sit on their fat asses making music with a mouse.

Go ahead and like your vintage hardware VA all you want. I'm sure you're amazingly successful at it.

But don't pretend like your opening statement was "I like hardware VA, and it essentially comes down to personal preferences." You make pretty transparent charges here about people who don't feel the need for hardware synths. All because you don't think this thread should exist.

[samsam]

People are looking for alternatives because the Virus itself is overpriced. I saw a Virus softsynth during the xmas sale for 500 SEK. The reason why I didn't buy it was because it required some overpriced hardware.

'Overpriced' is pretty subjective, no?

IMO it's not digital hardware that's dead, it's just the term VA, which seems a bit redundant to me these days. What's wrong with just saying 'digital'?

I've got one analog synth, one digital HW synth and a few soft synths. They're all great. Variety, it's the spice of life.

[aciddose]

it's just the term VA, which seems a bit redundant to me these days. What's wrong with just saying 'digital'

nothing at all. of course the term "va" was never correct in the first place and was made up by some fool to deal with the issue of "digital synthesizer" having a subjective negative connotation and association with effects such as aliasing, generally understood to refer to samplers and other synthesizers not having the typical subtractive structures.

the desire then was to refer to a sort of synthesizer which was digital, but aimed to emulate the properties of an analog system.

the term then took on it's own life as a bastard term referring specifically to attempts at emulating a set of criteria usually based upon certain well known subtractive synthesizers.

let's all use the right term here - software synthesizer - and insert other qualifiers as needed.

the virus is a subtractive software synthesizer.

[ericj23]

.

let's all use the right term here - software synthesizer - and insert other qualifiers as needed.

the virus is a subtractive software synthesizer.

I agree with the sentiment, but seeing as the virus is also a wavetable synth (and did they add granular stuff in one of the updates or am I making that up) I think the name VA is the problem

The virus has not been a VA or a subtractive software synth for 7 years! It is a very capable synthesis platform that has also been well implemented. Choices about how features are programmed result in differences in sound (otherwise all software synths would sound the same), so in truth their is nothing that sounds exactly like the virus - nothing.

If someone wants to give an example sound or two and ask what can do this I am sure the good people at KVR can provide alternatives, but if you want the virus you need to start saving!

[The Telenator]

Now, about the thread's question. It's really funny, and I never would have expected this, but my very favorite go-to soft synths are all free ones! And it is less about the money than the sound.

I guess my No.1 has to always be Synth1. Got thousands of presets, got the look and color perfect, and it behaves so well. But the Zynewave Nucleum is a major contender -- beautiful sounds. Love Oatmeal, whether with the newer Legacy Light skin or just the funky old tan look. Love my MinimogueVA and my Arppe2600va. And let's not forget eSLine with those! Then there's always Steinberg's Model-E synth. They were giving that one away free just recently. Anyone still like the rompler ProteusVX? Don't care much for its UI and behavior, but some presets are awesome, with no tweaking required.

[The Telenator]

Forgot to add, there is nothing that sounds like a handful of other synths, either. Virus is good, but in the end just another good synth. Too many out there to get too worked up about any.

As to that whole bit about VA synth debating, it makes me think about how everyone was saying that the old Moog hardware synths were all destined for the dumpster, yet now they are back and the hippest of must-have keyboards for live performance. Everything comes back, you know, whether from quality or simply nostalgia.

[Nimrod7]

I have a Virus TI in my studio, but don't using it any more.

I create most of my sounds with Synth Squad, or Diva.

[trimph1]

It really does not matter which synth you use. As long as you like what it does.

[nix808]

It really does not matter which synth you use. As long as you like what it does.

+1
I hope u do
we r spoiled 4 choice

[zerocrossing]

Sure, they'll always be the musicians who just want a hardware synth, but you keep claiming that people like Access are selling their synths like hotcakes, and I wonder where you get that data.

To be clear, I never said that they're selling like hotcakes, but I don't think anybody needs me to tell you that there is a strong market for these synths; otherwise, they WOULD be extinct, new ones wouldn't be brought to market so regularly, and you wouldn't see them on the web, in studios, on stages, etc. Access is about to release a new OS for free that will add several new features. That's certainly not evidence that they are about to go under in my book.

I won't make any statement based on Access sales because I honestly have no real information about it. Just my own experience and I'm a guy who likes to have blinky boxes all around him, pretty much at all times.

Exhibit A, you're honor:



and that's a long time ago! Doesn't even show the DX200, ATC-1, Slim Phatty and Prophet '08 I've since added, but that was when I was doing a mostly software schtick.

So, as I started adding back hardware (old hardware VA sold because I thought I was loosing my studio space) the Virus didn't make the cut. Oddly, a Roland ROMpler, the SonicCell (FantomX in a weird desktop box) made it in because.. I missed the sounds of my XV-5050 and there were times I ran out of CPU on my old laptop. But anyway, it was cheap. I think I paid $500 for it. So if I could get a TI Snow in that range I might go for it, but $1,300 just seems ludicrously expensive. Not that I can't afford it, I just don't feel it's worth that much. Of course, that's my opinion.

The problem with too many producers is that they fail to see that not everybody shares their values, has the same needs, same income, etc. I see a lot of people complaining that the Virus is "overpriced." For them, that's probably true, but that doesn't mean that it applies to everybody else. Like many people, I think that the Virus a value considering its specs, frequent updates, and quality, and it's something that holds much of its value. Hell, I've sold most of the Viruses that I purchased secondhand for more than I paid for them, so that's not overpriced AFAIC.

Well, you're right, I can't argue that Access wouldn't be around if they charged more than people are willing to pay for their instruments... but I have a sinking feeling that it's more because in the trance world lots of people feel you have to have a Virus. Nothing else will do. Also, a lot of people still feel like a computer is "nerdy" to use in a live situation. Even you made a slight against the "fat-ass producers." Also people who never took the time to optimize their computer set up and feel it's too unstable.

Also, I should just state for the record, that I am NOT one of the people who claims that the Virus has some magic sound that can't be replicated very well (or close enough) with other synths, software or hardware. I don't know about most people, but my Virus makes a LOT of sounds, not *one* sound. Yeah, like all synths, it has some characteristics that comes through with some patches better than others, but that doesn't make it superior IMO. Hell, I'll go so far as to say that I can't pick out a Virus in a track, including my own (yes, I've gone back to some of my old productions and discovered that what I thought I had done with a soft synth or analog synth was actually done with my Virus, and vice-versa), nor can I usually pick out analog synths or cheap soft synths in other songs without some degree of guesswork/luck. I'm also convinced that most other people can't either, with the exception of obvious presets, of course.

Right, that's exactly what I'm talking about. So, if Access can't make a synth that's recognizable in a mix and the current trend is people are doing more Skrillexesque performances using Live and some Akai controllers.



That's the future my friend, like it or not. I don't like it either, hell, I'd love to see a live Triceratops, but I just don't see a place in the future for a multi thousand dollar hardware synth that even you can't pick out of a mix.

[Kaboom75]

Virus Ti & Korg Radias was my dream synths till U-HE messed up the dream.

Only synths that beat the Virus is Zebra and Diva.
Diva is more close to analog and more magic about it but not got the same features as the virus but I would rather use Diva with Soundtoys plugs than the Virus.