Albino 3 returns.....

[Teksonik]

it sounds odd to pay 74 bucks for an old synth and a small synth upgrade.
Go2 is a 49USD synth, how can its upgrade cost 74bucks ?

You misunderstand, the upgrade from Go2 to Go 2x is $25. The upgrade from Explorer 8 to 9 is $74 and that includes both Albino Legend and Go2x and any other other synths, effects, or updates added during the 9 to 10 cycle. For example the very nice Bit to Bit 2 upgrade was free in E8 and there were at least a couple of their "Sane" effects added free as well. There might have been other things added to E8 for free but those are the ones I remember off the top of my head. Blue II to Blue 3 might have been free as well but don't quote me on that.

I also own PIGments but I rarely use it because the sound quality to CPU demand ratio is off for me. Imagine how CPU friendly an older synth like Albino will be on today's systems.

I just find it amusing when people dismiss an "old' VSTi synth but get practically orgasmic when someone releases yet another emulation of a 40 year old hardware synth.

[liquidsound]

I just find it amusing when people dismiss an "old' VSTi synth but get practically orgasmic when someone releases yet another emulation of a 40 year old hardware synth.

So true

[Jac459]

...
I just find it amusing when people dismiss an "old' VSTi synth but get practically orgasmic when someone releases yet another emulation of a 40 year old hardware synth.

That wouldn't be me...
But to be fair Albino is not a VA but very much an old digital synth...

Actually you are right to say that my 74usd remark is a bit (or totally) unfair. But for me Albino I know I won't use it at all so I am stuck with the go2 upgrade only.

Also you are right, for explorer 8, we got BIT 2 (which is not bad at all) and Blue III (which I don't like at all).

The sane effects, frankly, I fail to see the point... They are not very good sounding compare to others and the UI is really, really outdated.

On my side, my current frustration is that I considered for long rob papen a top editor, a non non-sense synth maker, with awesome presets, synths very good sounding (Predator, predator, predator !) and a UI getting more or less better and better (the peak being Predator 3 which was a step forward).
But since a few years I really feel them slowing down and going out of the race...

From a UI/ergonomy point of view, everybody can have its taste but the general consensus is that lesser click, lesser things to remember is better. In this context, a simple drag and drop for modulation is better than the drop down menu where you need to remember where is the source, where is the modulation the name of the source, where the name of the source is in the menu, it is objectively more clicks...

[egbert101]

Upgrade is free for some, $74 for others, and I heard 50% discount in end of November, so $36 for some. It is a bit of a mess tba.

[JerGoertz]

I wonder if there will be a discount for owners of Albino 2? Probably not, but I'd get it for $50. Can take a picture of the box for proof of ownership

[MillerSam]

$74/74€ is the update from eXplorer 8 to eXplorer 9 with GO 2X + Albino 3 Legend and future new plugins. Usually, they will add 2 more plugins to the bundle. Then the price is very fair.
If you buy eXplorer 8 or update to eXplorer 8 now, you get a free update to eXplorer 9.
The upgrade price from Albino 3 to Albino 3 Legend will be $49 and the new purchase $99

https://synthanatomy.com/2023/10/rob-pa ... rer-9.html

[Jac459]

$74/74€ is the update from eXplorer 8 to eXplorer 9 with GO 2X + Albino 3 Legend and future new plugins. Usually, they will add 2 more plugins to the bundle. Then the price is very fair.
If you buy eXplorer 8 or update to eXplorer 8 now, you get a free update to eXplorer 9.
The upgrade price from Albino 3 to Albino 3 Legend will be $49 and the new purchase $99

https://synthanatomy.com/2023/10/rob-pa ... rer-9.html

Thanks for clarifying

[hurricaneaudiolab]

I skipped Ex8, but now grabbed it do to the Ex9 thing, late to the party for sure, but now I am seeing why I skipped Ex8 - for example BLUE III, these are the new additions:

Karplus Strong String Model Synthesis
new waveforms and samples
new filter types
you can load up to 6 user samples
a new uglier GUI

That's it? For a new major version?

Similar thing with BIT II:

supersaw and supersquare oscillators
2 analog modeled filters
arpeggiator improvements
per voice distortion
a ribbon controller
fx improvements

WEAK.

The additions to Go2-X are equally as minor.

Nothing new has been added to Albino 3 except for a larger gui.

Think Serum 2/Zebra 3/Synthmaster 3 are gonna be this weak?

What's the deal with team Papen? They're like EA releasing the same madden game every year just with new roster updates.

[Teksonik]

But to be fair Albino is not a VA but very much an old digital synth...

That has 4 Analog Oscs and Waveforms, Filters, Osc Hard Sync, etc. All elements found on analog synths. No it's not an emulation of any analog dinosaur but it's capable of analog style sounds....in the right hands.

Blue III (which I don't like at all).

Which is in my top 5 synths because I'm not an analog troglodyte. I prefer more complex synths capable of going far beyond the same old boring analog sounds. Blue 3 is capable of making some amazing sounds....to me. People use "digital" like it's an insult. To me it's a compliment that the synth is forward looking and not stuck in the past.

a simple drag and drop for modulation is better than the drop down menu

Not for me because I do have at least some memory left. Click....drag.....drop (right on the exact spot) is often slower than click/select especially when working with multi-tabbed or multi-layer synths where not all parameters can be accessed directly by drag and drop.

To me, Drag and Drop for a synth like Go2 would be like having training wheels on a tricycle.

But what we're doing here is simply expressing different opinions. Neither of us is right and neither of us is wrong. We simply have different preferences in sounds and functions.

I love all the RP synths so I'll gladly pay the upgrade to E9. If you don't love them then pass on the upgrade....then we'll both be happy.

[Synthman2000]

I view it it is a VA personally, at least it has VA oscillator waves and subtractive architecture + all the other options on the oscillators. I tried Pigments, it sounded like razor blades in my ears it just won't work for me, for others they love it that's great.

[liquidsound]

I just love getting lost in a synth.Yes there are loads of synths around but it's very enjoyable to sit and get lost in a synth. People pay more for nights out and with a synth you can have many nights in having fun.

Exactly how I feel. I could spend far more on a single night on the town so if a plugin amuses and entertains me for days, weeks, or longer then it's a heck of a bargain.

I don't think anyone expects Albino to take a place in the upper echelon of current synths but it will certainly find its niche here.

It might not be my most used synth but it will certainly get used.....

Far from me the idea to dimish your pleasure. As said, beauty is in the eye of the one looking.
To me, I have Pigments and Phase Plant getting new effects, new oscillators, granular synthesis for free, it sounds odd to pay 74 bucks for an old synth and a small synth upgrade.
Go2 is a 49USD synth, how can its upgrade cost 74bucks ?

Oops , I couldn't resist. Anyway, overall, I still like rob papen brand, so I am happy to see that some people are happy...

Someone with Bitwig that uses Phase Plant and Pigments CAN’T be taken seriously

[Teksonik]

Karplus Strong String Model Synthesis
new waveforms and samples
new filter types
you can load up to 6 user samples

But to some non analog troglodytes, allowing user samples is a huge new feature. But then we're required to understand that synthesis goes far beyond saw, square,triangle,sine and pulse waves. There is a whole world of sound out that simple analog waveforms simply can not make.

You call substantial additions weak. I call them inspiring.

But again all we're doing is expressing different opinions. Don't like what the upgrade brings? Then pass. I'll be first in line to upgrade and will spend many enjoyable hours with the new additions and look forward to what comes next.

As for "Serum 2/Zebra 3/Synthmaster 3", when they stop being vaporware we'll discuss them too...and their upgrade prices.

[Jac459]

Someone with Bitwig that uses Phase Plant and Pigments CAN’T be taken seriously

Ha ha lol.
But to be fair i never said i USE Bitwig, phase plant and pigments, i said iI HAVE them.

[liquidsound]

Someone with Bitwig that uses Phase Plant and Pigments CAN’T be taken seriously

Ha ha lol.
But to be fair i never said i USE Bitwig, phase plant and pigments, i said iI HAVE them.

Even worse!!!

[Jac459]

Someone with Bitwig that uses Phase Plant and Pigments CAN’T be taken seriously

Ha ha lol.
But to be fair i never said i USE Bitwig, phase plant and pigments, i said iI HAVE them.

Even worse!!!

Well I use one ALLLL the time, another one very often, and the last one very rarely... I let you guess.