KVR Audio

Aiynzahev · Post by **Aiynzahev** » Thu Jun 07, 2012 5:22 pm

When using presets sometimes the effects are integral but other times they are just for some ambience. If ghey a re not an integral part do you like them onor off by default?

fisherKing · Post by **fisherKing** » Thu Jun 07, 2012 5:41 pm

on. often, a good part of a preset is in it's effects (and they're easy to pull back, or kill)...

braj · Post by **braj** » Thu Jun 07, 2012 5:51 pm

Sometimes they are an integral part, but notice the OP says "If they are not an integral part"

braj · Post by **braj** » Thu Jun 07, 2012 5:53 pm

Personally I like them on, many times I may overlook a good preset if there are no effects. Even if I end up using external effects or adjusting the internal, I like a little polish on top. I usually just pull down the wet mix to find my own sweet spot. But some synths or designers go way overboard sometimes, IMO subtle effect use for most patches is best.

Loki Fuego · Post by **Loki Fuego** » Thu Jun 07, 2012 5:55 pm

More often than not, fx are used to make sound bigger. More often than not, I don't want this, when I'm listening to the presets in the context of a mix.

paterpeter · Post by **paterpeter** » Thu Jun 07, 2012 9:17 pm

If I browse presets to get a first impression of what an instrument does I prefer the effects to be on, especially if they are of good quality. It gives me a better idea how the synth will sound in practice - maybe I lack a bit of imagination here.

Similarly, if I develop an application I try to create a reasonably "nice" user interface as soon as possible. Of course I could start with an ugly stub, but I have the feeling that for my customers and me such a UI is distracting from the functionality. It doesn't have to be perfect, but reflect the rough idea. Same with effects - it doesn't have to be final.

Mutant · Post by **Mutant** » Thu Jun 07, 2012 9:39 pm

Chorus, phaser, distortion/overdrive etc = on

Delay, reverb, compressor etc = off

Tricky-Loops · Post by **Tricky-Loops** » Thu Jun 07, 2012 9:46 pm

I love them to be on to switch them off...

Because most of the times the effects are too exaggerated to fit in the mix. They sound good in isolation, but not in the mix.

But first they have to be on so that I can hear what effects are influencing the sound...

quayquay17 · Post by **quayquay17** » Thu Jun 07, 2012 10:20 pm

Best solution:
A large, front panel button to toggle off FX

hibidy · Post by **hibidy** » Thu Jun 07, 2012 10:25 pm

I voted off. That's kinda blah but I generally find so many with too much. I find all those built in fx to sound gorgeous on their own........but usually harder to mix with.

mcnoone · Post by **mcnoone** » Thu Jun 07, 2012 10:27 pm

There are some soundsets that provide a choice for the user.
One set has fx on, and another with them off.
Some synths allow them to be tweaked, and then turned on by the user if needed.
I like those kinds.

IrionDaRonin · Post by **IrionDaRonin** » Thu Jun 07, 2012 10:29 pm

Since i think the most important thing in a synth is the sound source, i prefer the effects off (delays, reverbs, and this kind of ambience effects)

Anyway, there are non ambience effects which are part of the source sound, such edge, abstract, add filters, chorus, or strange modulation effects which make the sound source more precise or charismatic.
I like these effects on.

So practically i prefer ambience sounds OFF, and effects which make the source charismatic ON.

To put an example: Those FX filters in Zebralette, i just love them.

Have a good day

Lotuzia · Post by **Lotuzia** » Thu Jun 07, 2012 10:35 pm

So an LFO modulating the pitch is not an Fx, but a Chorus ( LFO modulating the pitch) is one FX.

I'm happy that my Juno 60 has its chorus, it can be so part of the sound, so unique and distinct. Same for delay, that can build unique complete complex rythms, and that you can even further modulate with musical gestures . Part of the sound ? Not part of the sound ?

This is why I voted yes ( Because I think people are smart enough to switch the fx they dont want OFF if they need/choose so )

Aiynzahev · Post by **Aiynzahev** » Thu Jun 07, 2012 10:53 pm

Thanks guys.

I think I will keep them on as I spend time tweaking them to really work in a song.

If it comes down to it though I could easily provide a bank with the effects off, but the conflict will be between what I call integral and what others feel is integral.

In other words I might feel that a particular patch works because the delay is slightly off beat and I've designed the sound to be short and plucky and to just miss or just catch the delays. If I simply turn the delays off the user won't quite get what I had in mind with the patch.

For this reason I really prefer to keep them on, they give you an idea of what I was thinking (plus I design for Trance, which loves delays). I personally think of effects as very much part of the patch sound and they are very important to me in a synth.

Most synths are pretty good about having a simple off switch. The bank I am thinking about is for Sylenth1 which as you all know has simple on off switches as you please.

Thanks again guys, it's hard to please everyone but I think it's hard to get across my design without effects sometimes, just imagine an instrument not having any ambiance or reflections from the room, it would sound odd even if its a beautiful instrument. Or imagine the string sounds had no resonant board to create that beautiful body of the sound. That's how I see effects.

JJBiener · Post by **JJBiener** » Fri Jun 08, 2012 4:32 am

I voted for "on" because I want to hear the sound and effects as the design conceived it. I know I can (and often do) change the effects, but I like knowing what the designer had in mind.

KVR Audio

Do you prefer effects on or off by default

Do you prefer effects on or off by default