Sonic Academy new synth!

[Phil Sonic Academy]

[fluffy_little_something]

Finally we see the full GUI
Sounds very modern...

[Jbravo]

can you fix the broken LFO2 on ANA1 first?

the rate knob only works when sync or retrig is enabled (unlike LFO1 which works just fine)

[MikeCallon]

Frankly, i never cared for backwards coompatibility of a new version of a synth. As long as you can keep both installed, it doesn't matter to me. A newer version most probably also means that the sound engine is either rewritten, or has been improved, so, backwards compatibility will be a tedious thing to do, so, why not just keep version 1 and 2 separated. Never really got the fuss about backwards compatibility. Totally unnecessary IMO.

Unless of course someone invested in all of the preset packs for version 1 and/or created a lot of presets that are not compatible with version 2

To me, getting a converter may sway my decision whether to buy version 2 or not. But having said that - I'm not too worried if the presets don't sound exactly the same after conversion - if I need exactly the same sound I'll use version 1 .... maybe converting to version 2 will bring whole new life to some unloved version 1 presets

[chk071]

Frankly, i never cared for backwards coompatibility of a new version of a synth. As long as you can keep both installed, it doesn't matter to me. A newer version most probably also means that the sound engine is either rewritten, or has been improved, so, backwards compatibility will be a tedious thing to do, so, why not just keep version 1 and 2 separated. Never really got the fuss about backwards compatibility. Totally unnecessary IMO.

Unless of course someone invested in all of the preset packs for version 1 and/or created a lot of presets that are not compatible with version 2

And version 1 will still continue to work. They may even still sell it, alongside ANA 2. Synapse Audio did with Dune 1, after Dune 2 was released. In either case, i don't see any loss.

[MikeCallon]

And version 1 will still continue to work. They may even still sell it, alongside ANA 2. Synapse Audio did with Dune 1, after Dune 2 was released. In either case, i don't see any loss.

My point is, if I buy version 2 I'd like to be able to use version 2 with the presets I've already purchased/created and build on them with the new features in version 2. I think we'll have to agree to disagree on this one

[wagtunes]

And version 1 will still continue to work. They may even still sell it, alongside ANA 2. Synapse Audio did with Dune 1, after Dune 2 was released. In either case, i don't see any loss.

My point is, if I buy version 2 I'd like to be able to use version 2 with the presets I've already purchased/created and build on them with the new features in version 2. I think we'll have to agree to disagree on this one

And that all depends on what it is you're looking for in a new version.

Is it just an enhanced sound engine with maybe better oscillators and better filters? Or are you looking at significantly added features?

You can't have it both ways. It would be absolutely ridiculous for me to expect Dune 2 to be able to play Dune 1 patches. They're essentially 2 different synths.

If the features of ANA 2 make it so that it's difficult, if not impossible, to play ANA 1 patches and have them sound anything like ANA patches, then they are effectively two different synths.

So what is it that you want? Something that for U-he would be a no cost upgrade (Zebra throughout its history) or something like Dune 2?

I mean seriously, if you're expecting ANA 2 to be ANA 1 with some slight sound modifications, IMO, that shouldn't even be a paid upgrade and it it was, I wouldn't even spend the money to get it. If I'm going to pay 50, 60 or even $70 for an "upgrade" it damn well better be essentially a new synth. And if it's a new synth I can't rationally expect it to work with the old synth's patches.

You can agree to disagree all you want but you can't have it both ways.

So what is it you want? A slightly modded ANA 1 or a true ANA 2?

I'm not paying for the former.

[fluffy_little_something]

He already said that it is basically a new synth, built on a new platform. In other words, it will have taken a lot of time and effort to program, which has to be rewarded accordingly, if the result is great.

[MikeCallon]

Well - a conversion tool was mentioned - so I was simply expressing an opinion that, to me at least, it would be very important to have one.

I don't think we have enough info to make any guess as to how difficult this would be to create or how different any converted presets may sound - but I'd rather have the option than not.

I guess what I want is to have my cake and eat it - if you don't ask, you don't get

[wagtunes]

Well - a conversion tool was mentioned - so I was simply expressing an opinion that, to me at least, it would be very important to have one.

I don't think we have enough info to make any guess as to how difficult this would be to create or how different any converted presets may sound - but I'd rather have the option than not.

I guess what I want is to have my cake and eat it - if you don't ask, you don't get

Fair point. Just don't be disappointed when ANA 1 presets don't sound the same in ANA 2 when ANA 2 is a different synth.

I for one am not expecting miracles.

[fluffy_little_something]

Took a screenshot of the GUI from the video. I like the knobs, their marker is easy to see. The env sliders are also nice, and pretty long, which is good.
PS: Just noticed that the colored rings around knobs seem much less visible than on the old version.
The knobs look all the same, except for the global cutoff knob, which is bigger. Several knob sizes and heterogeneous spacing, and maybe even subtly color-coded knob caps, would make it easier to visually remember which knob is which parameter, since there are so many knobs now.

Some labels are a bit dark due to the knob shadows, not to mention the non-active fonts on dark blue background, very hard for me to read.

I assume the resolution of the real thing will be better than on my zoomed-in screenshot, but still...
What will the size of the GUI be in pixels? Or is it scalable? (Why does Chrome's spell checker always mark 'scalable' as wrong? )

[fluffy_little_something]

Fair point. Just don't be disappointed when ANA 1 presets don't sound the same in ANA 2 when ANA 2 is a different synth.

I for one am not expecting miracles.

They probably sound simply better
And if you like the old sound so much, just keep the old version

[wagtunes]

Fair point. Just don't be disappointed when ANA 1 presets don't sound the same in ANA 2 when ANA 2 is a different synth.

I for one am not expecting miracles.

They probably sound simply better
And if you like the old sound so much, just keep the old version

Honestly, I wasn't crazy about ANA 1 once I started using it and comparing it to other synths. As you can see, I never made a library for it. Just never got inspired. So ANA 2 has to be an improvement. How much remains to be seen.

[fluffy_little_something]

Yes, if I remember correctly I was not thrilled by the sound, either, but I liked the concept.

The new version sounds very modern, clean and digital, judging from the video. I wonder if it can do sizzling old-skool pads etc. as well, or Moog basses. I have seen a Drive knob...

There is much more tabbing on the GUI.

[kurodo]

There is much more tabbing on the GUI.

That is true but sometimes a few tabs here and there don't hurt
Lets be honest what would you prefer a Synth that has a lot of Sound Design potential or a Synth that allows you to squeeze every last drop from a limited Synth that has no tabs in sight?

That is the question I am sure a lot of developers spend sleepless nights over