Looking into first Analog synth...

[tehlord]

I was looking at the virus synths, i know they arent 100% analog but how do they perform in comparison?

They're not even 1% analogue, but that doesn't really matter.

You might find an older Virus B or C model for your budget, or perhaps look at a Nord Rack 2x as well for about the same money. You'll have the added benefit of polyphony, and in the case of the Nord you'll have a proper UI to work with as well.

Personally I wouldn't get too caught up in buying an analogue synth at this stage.

[infernouk]

I was looking at the virus synths, i know they arent 100% analog but how do they perform in comparison?

They're not even 1% analogue, but that doesn't really matter.

You might find an older Virus B or C model for your budget, or perhaps look at a Nord Rack 2x as well for about the same money. You'll have the added benefit of polyphony, and in the case of the Nord you'll have a proper UI to work with as well.

Personally I wouldn't get too caught up in buying an analogue synth at this stage.

the nord keeps coming up, might look into them.

I want an analog as otherwise ill just keep using vst presets and sounding like everyone else as i cant really get my head around a pc screen with numbers and dials

[ZenPunkHippy]

It's practice, song composition, production and mixing that sets you apart from the crowd. Presets in the right hands will sound amazing and unique. Not trying to insult you here - just saying that it's possible you are looking for a solution in the wrong place.

Peace,
Andy.

[tehlord]

Just so that you know, not all hardware synths are analogue although I suspect you probably do know that already. VA synths like the Nord, Virus and older JP8080s etc calculate sound in the same way that a plugin does. The difference of course is that you have the physical controls in front of you. I'd also argue that the process of the audio running through the convertors in a VA hardware synth make it sound nicer anyway. I have no preference to either and use both, it's just that I prefer the thicker sound that my hardware synths bring. In a mix it's unlikely to make much difference.

True analogue syths use voltages and resistors etc to produce a sound. They tend to sound a lot beefier, without the aliasing and harshness that can be associated with VA platforms. The downdside is polyphony. The most you'll usually get is 1-8 voices wheras a VA these days will usually be anything from 20-120 voices depending on the complexity of the sound used.

If you already know all this then I apologise, but it's worth considering as it'll be your first purchase.

[infernouk]

It's practice, song composition, production and mixing that sets you apart from the crowd. Presets in the right hands will sound amazing and unique. Not trying to insult you here - just saying that it's possible you are looking for a solution in the wrong place.

Peace,
Andy.

yea i understand that, but i want to learn this way!

[infernouk]

Just so that you know, not all hardware synths are analogue although I suspect you probably do know that already. VA synths like the Nord, Virus and older JP8080s etc calculate sound in the same way that a plugin does. The difference of course is that you have the physical controls in front of you. I'd also argue that the process of the audio running through the convertors in a VA hardware synth make it sound nicer anyway. I have no preference to either and use both, it's just that I prefer the thicker sound that my hardware synths bring. In a mix it's unlikely to make much difference.

True analogue syths use voltages and resistors etc to produce a sound. They tend to sound a lot beefier, without the aliasing and harshness that can be associated with VA platforms. The downdside is polyphony. The most you'll usually get is 1-8 voices wheras a VA these days will usually be anything from 20-120 voices depending on the complexity of the sound used.

If you already know all this then I apologise, but it's worth considering as it'll be your first purchase.

i kind of understood but without experience i cant gauge which would be a better choice, it sounds a lot better to have a polyphonic for chords etc

[ZenPunkHippy]

Fair enough

I would recommend getting a synth that uses sliders for the envelopes rather than dials - it makes more sense and is easier to learn. The Roland SH-101 has sliders. Not sure what modern synths do though - it seems everything is using dials these days.

Peace,
Andy.

[tehlord]

i kind of understood but without experience i cant gauge which would be a better choice, it sounds a lot better to have a polyphonic for chords etc

Exactly. All the mono synths mentioned here can only play one note at a time, although any that have more than one oscillator can be tuned to create a chord but that will be the only chord it can play of course!

There are analogue synths like the Prophet 08 that have 8 voice polyphony, but a used desktop version is likely to be around £750 or so.

For me the Nord Rack 2x would be favourite. It's also got no fx on board which will allow you to focus on pure sound design.

[nix808]

A used first gen Virus TI would be plenty knobby?
It has enough polyphony to play any single sound/chord.

[thecontrolcentre]

whilst still providing a good analog sound, primarily for house basslines, but also for chords and leads,. if such a thing exists. in my price range

Just to be clear, all of these synths being discussed are mono-synths, that is, they produce one note at a time. To produce chords you have to sample each note of the chord and use your sampler.

Personally, I think that you could answer a lot of questions for yourself if you just restricted yourself to a simple monosynth VST for a while.

ive already got a load of vst synths ive built up over a couple years.

Primarily i use massive, sylenth, a.n.a, nexus and a few others but i generally end up just scrolling through presets as i cant get to grips with them on a pc screen.


I was looking at the virus synths, i know they arent 100% analog but how do they perform in comparison?

As suggested, a simple monosynth will be easier to get to grips with. None of the vsts you mention are simple or monophonic. Same goes for the Virus. Maybe give Charlatan a go.?

+1 on the Nord Lead. Lovely synth. I would look for a second hand Bass Station also. Simple and easy to learn on.

[xamido]

It's easy actually. For the TS, you don't need analog synth. What you want is a hardware synth with a lot of knobs for live tweaking and hands on feeling. So what you can get now :

1. 2ndhand Access Virus C, indigo or KB/KC. Usually they cost from 700-1000 $.
2. Nord Rack. 700 - 1200 $.
3. Roland Gaia. 600$.
4. Novation Nova/X-station/Supernova. 500 - 900$.

You don't have to go analog for now. Just use VA hardware synth, since the reason is because you want to tweak them with your hands.

[infernouk]

It's easy actually. For the TS, you don't need analog synth. What you want is a hardware synth with a lot of knobs for live tweaking and hands on feeling. So what you can get now :

1. 2ndhand Access Virus C, indigo or KB/KC. Usually they cost from 700-1000 $.
2. Nord Rack. 700 - 1200 $.
3. Roland Gaia. 600$.
4. Novation Nova/X-station/Supernova. 500 - 900$.

You don't have to go analog for now. Just use VA hardware synth, since the reason is because you want to tweak them with your hands.

thanks yea i just want something hands on and thought the analog sound would be a good additional feature.

im thinking i want a rack unit as i dont need keyboards taking up space when i have a midi that will work with them

[thecontrolcentre]

http://item.mobileweb.ebay.co.uk/viewit ... 0877129837

[infernouk]

http://item.mobileweb.ebay.co.uk/viewit ... 0877129837

it looks in terrible condition?

I was looking at the nord lead here



can the rack mount do all the same stuff? or am i limited using an external midi

[thecontrolcentre]

IIRC there is no difference between the rack and keyboard apart from the keys. The bass station on ebay looks tatty, but it is very cheap and there are loads of them around.