UAD PolyMAX - This thing is Sick

[pdxindy]

The designer’s intent was a great sounding synth that’s super easy to dial in basic sounds. They did that really really well. Too well, maybe, because they also lost sight of actual users, I think. A few mod slots would’ve gone a long way. Opal is a better overall synth, but not quite as simple to use.

It's good there are lots of different synths that meet different interests. PolyMAX is much too limited for me. My favorite new synth is the newly updated Filterscape VA. Sounds great with world class filters, is a mostly one page design that is fast to work with, yet has a wide sonic palette.

[Lbdunequest]

World class filters? What does that mean?

[JerGoertz]

World class filters? What does that mean?

It fought filters from around the world, defeating all comers, until it finally reached the top!

[pdxindy]

World class filters? What does that mean?

That they are as good as any of the other top software filters in various synths... my opinion of course

[martinjuenke]

World class filters? What does that mean?

That they are a game changer.

[Uncle E]

My favorite new synth is the newly updated Filterscape VA. Sounds great with world class filters, is a mostly one page design that is fast to work with, yet has a wide sonic palette.

What changed? Where can we download the current version? u-he's site says the current version is from 2015, with a Beta version from 2018.

[tq]

The much improved 1.5 beta of Filterscape can be found in the U-He forum: viewtopic.php?t=599959

[idoru97214]

Ok, so from my perspective, here's where they fall a little short as instruments:

1. No MIDI Learn

2. Hardwired MIDI assignments - this is even worse than having no MIDI learn

3. Not all GUI parameters are automatable. There are quite a few things on the Minimoog at least that can't be automated or controlled by a control surface.

4. Plugins sound "good" but not "best in class" good. Example: the Rhodes isn't great. The Hammond doesn't even stack up to the IK version. Neither IMO stack up to Acoustic Samples VTines and B5 respectively. I've never even bothered to try their piano. Have that well-covered.

5. audiouser720 says the VCA in Polymax saturates when pushed. Great! Now where's the clean output volume trim to dial the volume back after boosting the VCA? Oh right. There isn't one! You'd need to use another plugin afterwards.

6. Opening the browser, moves the GUI to the right. That's just weird and just bothers me.

They're pretty good instruments overall, and sound good, but they're not as good at being instrument plugins as their FX are at being FX plugins if you get what I mean.

I also don't agree that PolyMax has the same level of character as the new Prophet Rev 4's. I have both and PolyMax is much more refined (which was a good word choice) sounding. Nowhere near as sloppy as the Rev 4 from a voice variation perspective. Nowhere near as much drive at normal output levels.

What are genuinely best in class sounding plugin synths in your opinion? Genuinely asking

It really depends on what you're talking about. If you're talking about a plugin that's trying to pass itself off as an analog synth, that's one thing. If you're talking about a synthesizer in general, that's a totally different thing. The truth is, almost all software synthesizers sound good these days. Whether or not they have the kind of character you like, well that's another story.

The first scenario, definitely. Pass itself off as an analogue synth.

In that case… (I’m no particular order)

Repro
The Synapse Audio emulations
The newer Arturia emulations
The Softube emulations
Knifonium
Strobe II
Cypher II
Polymax
The newer GForce emulations
Roland Cloud emulations

Don’t even start with fxpansion. Those 2 were the absolute best. Always makes me so angry. Never gone forgive for abandoning them

Same x1000 - RIP FxPansion

[Lbdunequest]

World class filters? What does that mean?

That they are a game changer.

They are not

[Lbdunequest]

World class filters? What does that mean?

That they are as good as any of the other top software filters in various synths... my opinion of course

Ok

[Funkybot's Evil Twin]

pdxindy has actually been using the new Filterscape quite extensively and posting some great sounds he's made with it. And the new SVF filters are indeed world-class. And by that, it's pretty obvious that means really great sounding analog models of an SVF filter. Anyone who hasn't tried the update yet should. Urs Heckman is one of a small handful of people on the planet who do analog filter models at that level (Andy Simper from Cytomic is another - and you'll notice there's a mutual respect for each others work and Andy doesn't suffer fools). So anyone who wants to sh*t on the models without having even used them is clearly just trolling.

[audiouser720]

Is the filter in FilterscapeVA more world class than the the filter in PolyMax?

They are different type of filters, I know, but I want to know which one is more world class.

[DamienC]

Hi,

Do you know if UAD takes request ?

Synth is great but the fact that you can t midi map it is really annoying.

[Funkybot's Evil Twin]

Is the filter in FilterscapeVA more world class than the the filter in PolyMax?

They are different type of filters, I know, but I want to know which one is more world class.

There are subjective aspects of filter DSP, "this sounds good" and objective aspects, "this behaves the same as the hardware circuit." When it comes to the former, hey, whatever floats your boat. Not everything needs to sound and behave like an analog filter. The PolyMax filter sounds kind of bland to me personally. When it comes to the latter, Andy and Urs are about the best in the world at that. Doesn't guarantee you'll like the sound of the filter though. Nothing will make BONES like a ladder filter with no bass compensation for example - no matter how accurate it is.

[Vortifex]

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