Arturia's new plugins : Solina V and Matrix 12V

[ghettosynth]

No kidding, Spark is taking FOREVER! I have to say that for V3 users, the update pricing isn't too bad considering that, unless I'm mistaken, you get four new plugins. Of course that depends on how much one likes them.

I'm glad that I didn't take advantage of the offer for Spark, this seems like better value.

Sure looks like it beats the hell out of Spark 1, which crashed my DAW more times than I care to admit. I didn't even get around to figuring out if it was strictly a sampler or if it also sported a synth like the new one does.

Well, I'm going to hold my enthusiasm. It's funny how much stuff I bother to check out only to conclude, meh, I think that reaktor gets the job done for me there.

Spark2 : Meh, we'll see.
Solina : I really don't get what all the fuss is about string machines
Vox : Man I like organs, some of this sounds great, but, I can do without the vintage effect noise.
Matrix 12: Filter needs to either be zdf or oversampled, it's kind of a show stopper. I'm definitely not a fan of the reverb. As far as I can tell, there's no sysex import? Maybe that's a demo limitation, but I saw no mention of it.

I don't know, I'll probably just hold on to my c-note.

Bottom line for me is that the M12v doesn't use enough CPU to do a good job.

On Edit: Yes, oversampling helps the filter, but the entire synth doesn't need it and it quickly becomes an issue. I could probably prattle on about this for a while, but, I don't really think that there's any point to that other than to confirm that this is NOT a usable M12 clone for me.

[klinik]

Had a Matrix12 from the 90s until three years ago. Used it almost exclusively for a couple of soundtracks and later used to be my main pad machine until I got the elka Synthex in late 90s or early 00s
I can live without the M12 but Ive been excited about this emulation: that would be a good way to having those sounds back (and yes, it have a very distinct sound) The filter used is a CEM yes, but nothing in common with the one in the M6 or M1000, it used the 3374, and I only know of another synth using that chip.

Well, making the story short: nice graphics, but unfortunately sounds nothing like a real M12.

I really wish to like it and I had a coupon for the V collection, but after demoing will remain unused

[ghettosynth]

Had a Matrix12 from the 90s until three years ago. Used it almost exclusively for a couple of soundtracks and later used to be my main pad machine until I got the elka Synthex in late 90s or early 00s
I can live without the M12 but Ive been excited about this emulation: that would be a good way to having those sounds back (and yes, it have a very distinct sound) The filter used is a CEM yes, but nothing in common with the one in the M6 or M1000, it used the 3374, and I only know of another synth using that chip.

No, that's not true at all. First, it's the 3372, the 3374 is the dual VCO chip. Second, all of the late model CEM chips shared a similar design, as a low pass, it pretty much sounds the same. Now, of course, the additional modes add a lot of variety, but they have little impact on the basic sound of the 4P Low Pass.

The CEM 3396, as used in the Matrix 6 and Matrix 1000 is a complete synth on a chip, yes, but the VCF/VCA section is really quite similar to the 3372.

Well, making the story short: nice graphics, but unfortunately sounds nothing like a real M12.

Yep, I agree.

PS: Elka Synthex, nice, probably the only drool-worthy DCO synth in existence.

[klinik]

No, that's not true at all. First, it's the 3372, the 3374 is the dual VCO chip. Second, all of the late model CEM chips shared a similar design, as a low pass, it pretty much sounds the same. Now, of course, the additional modes add a lot of variety, but they have little impact on the basic sound of the 4P Low Pass.

The CEM 3396, as used in the Matrix 6 and Matrix 1000 is a complete synth on a chip, yes, but the VCF/VCA section is really quite similar to the 3372.

Yes 3372 is the filter, just typo. I still have a couple of both chips around
And not, is not a similar design as the other late SEM chips. they have similarities but just the buffers make it different both sounding. The 3396 synth in a chip is not sounding close to the 3372, and yes I also had a M1000 and a 6R at the time.
But this is not M6 vs M12 so the bad news is we still need a good emulator

[ghettosynth]

No, that's not true at all. First, it's the 3372, the 3374 is the dual VCO chip. Second, all of the late model CEM chips shared a similar design, as a low pass, it pretty much sounds the same. Now, of course, the additional modes add a lot of variety, but they have little impact on the basic sound of the 4P Low Pass.

The CEM 3396, as used in the Matrix 6 and Matrix 1000 is a complete synth on a chip, yes, but the VCF/VCA section is really quite similar to the 3372.

Yes 3372 is the filter, just typo. I still have a couple of both chips around
And not, is not a similar design as the other late SEM chips. they have similarities but just the buffers make it different both sounding. The 3396 synth in a chip is not sounding close to the 3372, and yes I also had a M1000 and a 6R at the time.

Well, we can agree to disagree. I don't think that there is enough characteristic difference between them to matter. Moreover, modeling any such differences is hardly going to make a difference here, that isn't where the problem lies. One could probably use almost any straightforward filter model with oversampling or zdf techniques and achieve a better result.

But this is not M6 vs M12 so the bad news is we still need a good emulator

Yeah, I'm not sure about that. I think that Arturia has probably prevented that from happening in pure form. This will probably satisfy many thus shrinking the market for an accurate emulation.

[beely]

Yeah, I'm not sure about that. I think that Arturia has probably prevented that from happening in pure form. This will probably satisfy many thus shrinking the market for an accurate emulation.

Alas, yes. This is my problem with Arturia - they don't really do a good enough modelling job (it seems to vary from product to product), but make a decent enough marketable product with enough of the right character, and have enough clout to get official licensing deals. This basically kills the market for anybody else wanting to do one of those synths, and who has the modelling chops to do a brilliant job... ;(

I mean, if we had a CS80, Jupiter 8, Matrix-12 etc of the quality of some of those guys out there doing good work, it would be amazing. A CS80 from GForce/Jon Hodgson, a Jupiter-8 from Togu, a Matrix-12 from u-he*... those would be wonderful for sure.

Instead we get these small, kinda soulless dead synths that are *ok* but lack the excitement, weight and life of the actual machines, and the impression people get is that's what the real thing sounds like. And they tend to be buggy in my experience and lack some attention to detail... I just find it a shame, really...

Nice graphics though... :shrugs:

*Note: Ok, I know "just" recreating old synths directly isn't exactly u-he's thing, but you get my point...

[penguinfromdeep]

Very well put Beely!

[stardustmedia]

Bought the collection v3 just about 2-3 months ago, and I even hadn't a chance to install it. Was too busy and v2 was already installed. Now v4... ok GAS alert... but I bought it... oh well...

But this time I will install those right away this weekend, where I have a little time slot just for me in the studio


PS: Does anybody know what happens when you install v4 without the dongle on top of v2 or v3 with eLicenser?

[tshear23]

Yeah, my CPU is at about 20% even without a note playing. Preset switching lags a LOT for me, too.

[lnikj]

Yeah, I'm not sure about that. I think that Arturia has probably prevented that from happening in pure form. This will probably satisfy many thus shrinking the market for an accurate emulation.

Alas, yes. This is my problem with Arturia - they don't really do a good enough modelling job (it seems to vary from product to product), but make a decent enough marketable product with enough of the right character, and have enough clout to get official licensing deals. This basically kills the market for anybody else wanting to do one of those synths, and who has the modelling chops to do a brilliant job... ;(

I mean, if we had a CS80, Jupiter 8, Matrix-12 etc of the quality of some of those guys out there doing good work, it would be amazing. A CS80 from GForce/Jon Hodgson, a Jupiter-8 from Togu, a Matrix-12 from u-he*... those would be wonderful for sure.

Instead we get these small, kinda soulless dead synths that are *ok* but lack the excitement, weight and life of the actual machines, and the impression people get is that's what the real thing sounds like. And they tend to be buggy in my experience and lack some attention to detail... I just find it a shame, really...

Nice graphics though... :shrugs:

*Note: Ok, I know "just" recreating old synths directly isn't exactly u-he's thing, but you get my point...

That sums things up pretty well!

Just about every time that there is anything to compare (Monark, Diva, Minimonsta, Timewarp, NI Pro-53) then the Arturia models just do not sound as good.

I'm an owner of V3 and SparkLE, and whilst I love Spark I find the only reason now I go to V3 is for the SEM, which sounds great (though somebody else like Gforce would probably make it sound greater) and occasionally, just because I'm bored and want to mess around, the Moog Modular (and which still has one of the best realistic interfaces of any synth ever in IMHO).

Of the latest offerings, the only thing that I really like the sound of is the Vox, though I would rarely use it in my music.

[ghettosynth]

Yeah, I'm not sure about that. I think that Arturia has probably prevented that from happening in pure form. This will probably satisfy many thus shrinking the market for an accurate emulation.

Alas, yes. This is my problem with Arturia - they don't really do a good enough modelling job (it seems to vary from product to product), but make a decent enough marketable product with enough of the right character, and have enough clout to get official licensing deals. This basically kills the market for anybody else wanting to do one of those synths, and who has the modelling chops to do a brilliant job... ;(

I mean, if we had a CS80, Jupiter 8, Matrix-12 etc of the quality of some of those guys out there doing good work, it would be amazing. A CS80 from GForce/Jon Hodgson, a Jupiter-8 from Togu, a Matrix-12 from u-he*... those would be wonderful for sure.

Instead we get these small, kinda soulless dead synths that are *ok* but lack the excitement, weight and life of the actual machines, and the impression people get is that's what the real thing sounds like. And they tend to be buggy in my experience and lack some attention to detail... I just find it a shame, really...

Nice graphics though... :shrugs:

*Note: Ok, I know "just" recreating old synths directly isn't exactly u-he's thing, but you get my point...

That sums things up pretty well!

Just about every time that there is anything to compare (Monark, Diva, Minimonsta, Timewarp, NI Pro-53) then the Arturia models just do not sound as good.

I'm an owner of V3 and SparkLE, and whilst I love Spark I find the only reason now I go to V3 is for the SEM, which sounds great (though somebody else like Gforce would probably make it sound greater) and occasionally, just because I'm bored and want to mess around, the Moog Modular (and which still has one of the best realistic interfaces of any synth ever in IMHO).

Of the latest offerings, the only thing that I really like the sound of is the Vox, though I would rarely use it in my music.

Agreed, although, I will give some credit to a few of the other synths. I enjoy the 2600, but, only because I enjoy the 1613 emulation, and I think that the ProVS is useful, especially when used with the Pro5/VS Hybrid mode, and, only if you don't push the resonance up on the filters.

I originally wanted the Moog and the Jupiter, Diva killed my interest in the Jupiter, and frankly, I don't like the Moog interface, it's just not clear and I have a giant monitor.

[Ingonator]

In Matrix-12V i observed voice steling while playing some patches, even when only using 4-5 notes.

I found that there seems to be a built-in feature for this. Go to the "Voices" page. At the "Zones" section, at the right of the displayed mode (e.g. "Rotate") there is a "V. Steal" button. If this is highlighted (light green) voice stealing seems to be activated, if itÄs dark green (like the background) it seems to be off.

I also found you could reduce the CPU load by deactivating voices at the "Voices" page (default is all 12 voices on). Just click at the button left to the Voice number (e.g. "Voice 12") you want to deactivate and the button should switch from red (= activated) to black (= deactivated) then.

If you do not use unison usually 6-8 voices should be enough for most polyphonic sounds.

Unison could be activated by changing the mode (drop-down menu) in the Zones section at the Voices page. By default you use only one zone (Zone 1 or "Z1") but you could use up to 6.

at the Voices page you could also detune each voice either wit hFine tune or by semitones which coukld lead to interesting results, especially with the Unison (where this could e.g. emulate having multiple oscillators at different octaves). The amount of unison voices depends on how many of the 12 voices you have activated (see the "Play" buttons left to the voice number). For a fat sound you could detune the voices individually.


Ingo

[fmr]

Bought the collection v3 just about 2-3 months ago, and I even hadn't a chance to install it. Was too busy and v2 was already installed. Now v4... ok GAS alert... but I bought it... oh well...

But this time I will install those right away this weekend, where I have a little time slot just for me in the studio


PS: Does anybody know what happens when you install v4 without the dongle on top of v2 or v3 with eLicenser?

The old version get updated, and don't work with elicenser anymore (at least that's what happened with me yesterday). But you have five authorizatrions, so, I guess you'll have your back pretty well covered, and I'm sure Arturia will open more, if needed, and properly justified.

[T-CM11]

Bought the collection v3 just about 2-3 months ago, and I even hadn't a chance to install it. Was too busy and v2 was already installed. Now v4... ok GAS alert... but I bought it... oh well...

But this time I will install those right away this weekend, where I have a little time slot just for me in the studio


PS: Does anybody know what happens when you install v4 without the dongle on top of v2 or v3 with eLicenser?

The old version get updated, and don't work with elicenser anymore (at least that's what happened with me yesterday). But you have five authorizatrions, so, I guess you'll have your back pretty well covered, and I'm sure Arturia will open more, if needed, and properly justified.

So, best to use the separate installers for only the new V4 plugins then... (V3 works fine now, and unless those plugins get SERIOUS updates (=new bigger GUI), I want to keep using them with the dongle!!)

edit: I'll demo the M12 tonight... to see if it's worth paying for the upgrade...

[stardustmedia]

Bought the collection v3 just about 2-3 months ago, and I even hadn't a chance to install it. Was too busy and v2 was already installed. Now v4... ok GAS alert... but I bought it... oh well...

But this time I will install those right away this weekend, where I have a little time slot just for me in the studio


PS: Does anybody know what happens when you install v4 without the dongle on top of v2 or v3 with eLicenser?

The old version get updated, and don't work with elicenser anymore (at least that's what happened with me yesterday). But you have five authorizatrions, so, I guess you'll have your back pretty well covered, and I'm sure Arturia will open more, if needed, and properly justified.

Thanks

Having 5 licenses is pretty effin awesome.

It's ok if v2 gets overwritten. I won't use them anymore after upgrading. So I can unplug the eLicenser. Arturia was the only reason I had it.