PPG 2 3

[Jim Roseberry]

Gonna have to agree to disagree.
That Monark example sounds convincing in spots... and (to me) very artificial in others.
In the first two phrases, the three staccato Bb notes don't sound (to me) like a real Model D.

I don't have loads of time to spend on this, but here's a quick example.
https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0638/ ... 1776970217

My ears prefer the real Mini Moog.

[electro]

Gonna have to agree to disagree.
That Monark example sounds convincing in spots... and (to me) very artificial in others.
In the first two phrases, the three staccato Bb notes don't sound (to me) like a real Model D.

I don't have loads of time to spend on this, but here's a quick example.
https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0638/ ... 1776970217

My ears prefer the real Mini Moog.

NI had a filter modulation A/B comparison that disappeared from Soundcloud. They sounded the same
https://soundcloud.com/nativeinstrument ... comparison

[electro]

h ttps://soundcloud.com/nativeinstruments/monark-a-b-comparison

[Jim Roseberry]

Gonna have to agree to disagree.
That Monark example sounds convincing in spots... and (to me) very artificial in others.
In the first two phrases, the three staccato Bb notes don't sound (to me) like a real Model D.

I don't have loads of time to spend on this, but here's a quick example.
https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0638/ ... 1776970217

My ears prefer the real Mini Moog.

NI had a filter modulation A/B comparison that disappeared from Soundcloud. They sounded the same
https://soundcloud.com/nativeinstrument ... comparison

I have Monark (as part of Komplete)... but it's not currently installed on any of my machines.
If you believe it sounds 100% identical to a real Mini Moog, more power to you.
In my experience, there's nothing software or hardware that sounds exactly like a Mini Moog.

Given my career, it's funny (ironic) that I'm not much into Synth virtual-instruments.
I have no ulterior motives... and I'm perfectly OK if someone disagrees.
The vast majority of times, I just prefer the sound of my hardware instruments.
Were it the opposite, I'd probably be accused of trying to sell computers.


Side note - experience on VIs for live:
About a year ago, I decided to go full-on VIs for my live keyboard rig.
I spent thousands on MIDI controllers, hosts, all the top virtual-instruments, and a decked out custom machine to run it.
Kept bumping into limitations and other annoyances.

Arturial Keylab 88 mk3 - can't stand the velocity response (even after hours of tweaking).
For lack of a better way to put it, it feels like it's missing many dynamic levels (subtle nuance) when triggering Piano sample libraries. Had the same issue with Nautilus unweighted keys.
Velocity-response of piano sounds never felt right (to me).
Don't have that issue with Kronos 2 or 3 (or Nautilus weighted keys).
With my other keyboards, no tweaking necessary.
Playing Piano sample libraries sounds right no matter if I'm using Stage 4, M8x, Kronos 3, etc.

On to B3 plugins:
A real B3's highest note is a C.
When we play Tie Your Mother Down, I want the ability to play an E above that.
I don't care that it's slightly higher than what a real B3 can play.
Been doing that on workstations and Nord Stage keyboards for years.
Many of the most accurate B3 plugins simply can't do it.

I felt like I was compromising on almost all facets... with the exception of Piano sample libraries.
The Grandeur sounds superior (to my ears) vs any of my hardware instruments.
Synth sound wise, I felt like I was taking a step backward.
Programming wise (compared to programming a Nord Stage 4), VIs were a major step backward.
A few generic knobs/faders just don't give the dedicated realtime control you have on a Stage 4.
When I first got the Stage 4 (as a longtime workstation user), I fully expected to hate it. Much to my surprise, I had our entire 4-hour show programmed in two days (including custom samples).
There's no way I could have programmed virtual-instruments that fast. In fact, there's no way I could have done that on any other instrument.

Liquidated the MIDI controllers... and decided to go back to my hardware rig.