KVR Audio

Numanoid · Post by **Numanoid** » Thu Jul 23, 2015 6:52 pm

If I got Monark, do I need HeavyOcity Coil (included in C-Tools) ?

http://www.heavyocity.com/product/c-tools/

€29 is tempting for the C-Tools suite, but I feel I already got both a very good bass synth in Monark, and Boscomac got me covered when it comes to string/organs

zerocrossing · Post by **zerocrossing** » Thu Jul 23, 2015 7:25 pm

PAK wrote:
djanthonyw wrote:It is very good, and proves that analog can be emulated 99.999999 (lets just say 100%).
I doubt even the Monark team would put the percentage quite that high

But it's good enough that I'd say its closest competitor is presently other analogue hardware synths, rather than VST's. For me it's the emulation standard to beat, particularly for its envelope handling and bass output.

I really hope NI devote some resources to help create the same for something polyphonic in the not-so-distant future. Plus it'd help fill the slight void they left when they finally pulled Pro53 from Komplete

I recently got Monark free as part of Maschine (thanks NI!). If anything it made me kind of dislike the Model D. I know, call me crazy, but for years now I've grown accustom to things like velocity, aftertouch, etc and for me that really makes an instrument expressive in a way that the crude keyboard-pitch-mod wheel style of vintage instrument can't touch.

So, while not a Model D... or technically any Moog, my ATC-X with it's 24db ladder filter is a far more enjoyable instrument to use and sounds fantastic. Actually, I found I liked it more than a Sub Phatty so the Moog got sold.

I'm seeing this trend a bit lately in software and it's bothersome to me. I've yet to pull the trigger on the excellent sounding Oddity 2, or Roland's SH-2 for similar reasons. Yeah, I get that you're trying for a more pure emulation... except for the fact that they're not.

So here's my plea to all developers. When you're done nailing the sound of the past, have a look at 2015 and maybe include functionality at least as good as a synth like Diva. U-He seems to totally get what I'm talking about. XILS Labs does as well. Today, a synth like Obscurium is much more likely to get my credit card out than the best analog emulation out there.

EvilDragon · Post by **EvilDragon** » Thu Jul 23, 2015 7:28 pm

Oddity 2 does support velocity, aftertouch and has polyphony.

V0RT3X · Post by **V0RT3X** » Thu Jul 23, 2015 7:30 pm

Monark + The Drops Prodigy Filter combination is pretty f**king amazing.

Might not be for everyone since I prefer that overdriven analog sound.

electro · Post by **electro** » Thu Jul 23, 2015 7:51 pm

zerocrossing wrote: I'm seeing this trend a bit lately in software and it's bothersome to me. I've yet to pull the trigger on the excellent sounding Oddity 2, or Roland's SH-2 for similar reasons. Yeah, I get that you're trying for a more pure emulation... except for the fact that they're not.

Monark, TAL Bassline, XILS 4, and Oddity 2 together cover every piece of ground you could possibly want in a monosynth (leads, basses, FX).

When you're ITB there's no need for every synth to do everything every other synth does.

larm · Post by **larm** » Thu Jul 23, 2015 8:29 pm

Is monark velocity sensitive? My reaktor skills are not gr8..

db3 · Post by **db3** » Thu Jul 23, 2015 8:30 pm

Numanoid wrote:If I got Monark, do I need HeavyOcity Coil (included in C-Tools) ?

Apples and pears. Coil is simple FM/VA. Most of the presets are the type of bass sounds you would expect from an FM synth. I was able to coax some interesting hybrid sounds out of it but the drum and pad modules in C-Tools are much more fun.

NB) I actually find Monarch too sterile. Sooner use Minimonsta or Mini V.

Echoes in the Attic · Post by **Echoes in the Attic** » Thu Jul 23, 2015 8:52 pm

zerocrossing wrote: I'm seeing this trend a bit lately in software and it's bothersome to me. I've yet to pull the trigger on the excellent sounding Oddity 2, or Roland's SH-2 for similar reasons. Yeah, I get that you're trying for a more pure emulation... except for the fact that they're not.

I don't understand putting Oddity 2 in this category at all. It's polyphonic, added a sub osc, and has very modern modulation due the fact that it has minimonsta's XLFO and envelope for pretty much every control!

musikmachine · Post by **musikmachine** » Thu Jul 23, 2015 10:46 pm

EvilDragon wrote:Yeah it doesn't have velocity sensitivity, just like the original. If NI wanted a more "modern" version of the Mini, they would have added it along with polyphony, but alas...

It should be possible to add it by tweaking the .ens.

I think Rounds may be the closest thing.

zerocrossing · Post by **zerocrossing** » Fri Jul 24, 2015 8:56 pm

EvilDragon wrote:Oddity 2 does support velocity, aftertouch and has polyphony.

It does? I could have sworn I demoed it and it did not, but it wouldn't be the first time I was wrong.

zerocrossing · Post by **zerocrossing** » Fri Jul 24, 2015 8:58 pm

Echoes in the Attic wrote:
zerocrossing wrote: I'm seeing this trend a bit lately in software and it's bothersome to me. I've yet to pull the trigger on the excellent sounding Oddity 2, or Roland's SH-2 for similar reasons. Yeah, I get that you're trying for a more pure emulation... except for the fact that they're not.
I don't understand putting Oddity 2 in this category at all. It's polyphonic, added a sub osc, and has very modern modulation due the fact that it has minimonsta's XLFO and envelope for pretty much every control!

I was just comparing it (perhaps mistakenly) to Monark in the sense that various limitations were modeled. I now have to crack open the Oddity demo again and see what's what. I loved the basic sound of it.

electro · Post by **electro** » Fri Jul 24, 2015 10:50 pm

Oddity's Duophonic architecture makes it unique. Imposcar is the other duophonic synth from Gforce.

Numanoid · Post by **Numanoid** » Fri Jul 24, 2015 10:53 pm

db3 wrote:NB) I actually find Monarch too sterile. Sooner use Minimonsta or Mini V.

Interesting point of view.

EvilDragon · Post by **EvilDragon** » Fri Jul 24, 2015 11:23 pm

zerocrossing wrote:
EvilDragon wrote:Oddity 2 does support velocity, aftertouch and has polyphony.
It does? I could have sworn I demoed it and it did not, but it wouldn't be the first time I was wrong.

Actually wait. Polyphony - yes, it's right there on the GUI (top left corner). Check it. Velocity - yes, via XADSR you can assign to any continous parameter. Aftertouch - sadly no, they didn't copy the MIDI control part from Minimonsta (shame). Oh well.

Sorry for being 66% correct about it

Grizzellda · Post by **Grizzellda** » Fri Jul 24, 2015 11:52 pm

electro wrote:
zerocrossing wrote: I'm seeing this trend a bit lately in software and it's bothersome to me. I've yet to pull the trigger on the excellent sounding Oddity 2, or Roland's SH-2 for similar reasons. Yeah, I get that you're trying for a more pure emulation... except for the fact that they're not.
Monark, TAL Bassline, XILS 4, and Oddity 2 together cover every piece of ground you could possibly want in a monosynth (leads, basses, FX).

When you're ITB there's no need for every synth to do everything every other synth does.

Heh Heh

...well those are pretty bold statements, and while I do not completely agree, I agree somewhat. Especially about the "in the box" part. In today's computer environment, combining a couple of synths is easy, add a couple of FX and, well...all sorts of sounds...galore! However, I want more from a so-called "monosynth" than a simple Moog copy. I like super duper modern digital flexibility!

But you guys seem to be talking virtual analogues here...

How about Viking (Reason RE). Have you tried that one? Dope filter, man...smooth like velvet, but very squelchy while being velvety smooth!

Monark is seriously impressive.