KVR Audio

cryophonik · Post by **cryophonik** » Thu Dec 08, 2022 6:47 pm

losangeles wrote: Thu Dec 08, 2022 6:21 pm I’m never quite sure when to use some of my synths’ vsts/dedicated software, and when to just use MIDI CC via the DAW. Is there any benefit of one over the other?

I tend to use the MIDI modulation (not automation) envelopes to control my hardware, since otherwise the physical settings and those being transmitted can vary- which can confuse me sometimes for knowing the momentary state of my patch/sound.

Ultimately, editors just simplify the process. They give you instant access to all MIDI-controllable parameters without having to assign CC/NRPN values in your DAW. Most of them also work as librarians that allow you to navigate and load presets in the synth or saved on your DAW. Some of them have instant recall that work like a soft synth, where the state of the synth can be saved and recalled when opening and closing the project file. For myself, if I'm only trying to automate a filter sweep or something simple, I often just use MIDI CC in my DAW.

lfm · Post by **lfm** » Fri Dec 09, 2022 11:12 am

Need to use computer just to make presets kind of destroys the idea using hardware.
I even consider it fail if you need it and certainly ruins the fun of it with mouse clickfest.

Having an arp going you have two hands free to turn knobs, way to go, I think.
So picking synths to purchase I evaluate this and enough preset locations to save at.

cryophonik · Post by **cryophonik** » Fri Dec 09, 2022 5:25 pm

lfm wrote: Fri Dec 09, 2022 11:12 am Need to use computer just to make presets kind of destroys the idea using hardware.
I even consider it fail if you need it and certainly ruins the fun of it with mouse clickfest.

Having an arp going you have two hands free to turn knobs, way to go, I think.
So picking synths to purchase I evaluate this and enough preset locations to save at.

Yeah, I agree that the main reason to use hardware is the hands-on fun and not being tethered to a computer, but ultimately, you're going to want to record it to your DAW (well, for most people), so the editors are great for that.

vitocorleone123 · Post by **vitocorleone123** » Sat Dec 10, 2022 6:37 am

Wouldn’t buy a hardware synth that didn’t have one.

pekbro · Post by **pekbro** » Sat Dec 10, 2022 6:47 am

I would probably use them if I didn't have to buy them, I already paid for the synths, that's where it ends for me. lol

cryophonik · Post by **cryophonik** » Sat Dec 10, 2022 10:53 pm

Oh, and one of the huge and usually unsung advantages of editors…

…naming presets

Tj Shredder · Post by **Tj Shredder** » Thu Dec 22, 2022 9:27 am

vitocorleone123 wrote: Sat Dec 10, 2022 6:37 am Wouldn’t buy a hardware synth that didn’t have one.

Exactly…!

tehlord · Post by **tehlord** » Thu Dec 22, 2022 10:40 am

As a long time user of hardware synths since the late 80s.....

I prefer using software over almost any hardware synth interface.

I know, right...?

CapnLockheed · Post by **CapnLockheed** » Thu Dec 22, 2022 11:34 pm

Yeah, I'd MUCH rather edit an 80's Yamaha FM synth from the front panel.........NOT!!

Without software editors it's like trying to paint a room....from outside the house...through a one inch opening......with a one inch brush taped to the end of a ten foot pole. If there's a software editor for ANY hardware synth I own.....I'm using it. Performance is one thing. Twiddling knobs IS fun. Deep programming and studio work are different situations.

YMMV.

chaocrator · Post by **chaocrator** » Sat Jan 28, 2023 9:24 am

cryophonik wrote: Wed Dec 07, 2022 10:34 pm
chaocrator wrote: Sat Aug 20, 2022 11:48 pm using software librarians/editors for:
…Blofeld,…
Which one are you using and how do you like it?

typically Edisyn, just because it runs on Linux, and because it supports several other machines i own.

EqualizerB · Post by **EqualizerB** » Thu Mar 16, 2023 9:37 pm

Soundtower Editor for my PIoneer Toraiz AS-1. Programming this machine without the software is hardly possible. The controls are rather limited and more performance oriented. The editor opened things up for me since the As-1 sounds amazing and is not too far from being the "single-voice version of the Sequential Prophet-6" the manual calls it.

vitocorleone123 · Post by **vitocorleone123** » Thu Mar 16, 2023 10:25 pm

I wish my LXR-02 had an editor. Otherwise, my other 3 synths all have editors I use. As do 3 of the 5 pedals in my FX chain (I just use the built-in knobs in Studio One Pro to control them and almost never touch 'em).

jdoo · Post by **jdoo** » Sat Mar 18, 2023 2:41 pm

While the SoundTower editor for the OB-6 is woefully in need of refreshing... it greatly simplifies organizing banks, has "Sound Genrators" which generate dozens of morphed/changes sounds based on one or two existing patches (has to be tried/used to be appreciated... but it's happy accidents can take your patches in directions you might not have considered.) It also organizes saved ARPs.. so as youre programming patches.. you have quick access to your library of saved ARPs. Again.. something that has to be tried to be appreciated. On the downer side.. their documentation is whack/ non-existent. Their video tutorials are for other instruments.. and their interface, often displays incorrect data - but stores the right stuff. So.. it feels like a lot of trouble (and is). OTOH - managing banks, and the sound generator are worth the PITA other stuff, imo.

Hardware synths benefit greatly during programming, from having a computer, with software connected up. Live play? Not so much..

Passante · Post by **Passante** » Sun Mar 19, 2023 9:40 am

Is there, does it exist a software editor for Nord Lead 3?

cryophonik · Post by **cryophonik** » Sun Mar 19, 2023 3:10 pm

Passante wrote: Sun Mar 19, 2023 9:40 am Is there, does it exist a software editor for Nord Lead 3?

Check Midiquest. I believe the full version does.

Who's using software editors for their hardware synths?