Discovery Pro synthesizer 6.4 to 8.0

[BlackWinny]

The official price of DP is similar to Sylenth1's. And it is not even as good in my view. So, the lifetime updates might as well be included in your price as well.
Then again, do you ever sell anything at the regular price? You always seem to have sales or you offer 3 coupons for this and that in the market place, which probably cover all your sales, anyway. So, it is hard to tell how much your stuff is actually worth in my view...

I own Discovery Pro, Corona and Bliss (and Phantom, older) and frankly with these three synths I'm totally in a heaven.

But, Fluffy... how could you compare these three synths with Sylenth ? They have absolutely not the same purpose. The number of modern features used by the EDM/dance/trance composers with their synths is an excellent argument for them... but even if Clavia Nord Lead 2 and DiscoDSP Discovery Pro are excellent EDM instruments used in EDM compositions it is not at all DiscoDSP's focus which is resolutely focused on vintage and organic sounds, with less modulations, indeed, but with a great flexibility though to make excellent music.

I think that too much people (it is not a critic) think nowadays that the number of features and the impression of having a space shuttle instrument panel is required to make excellent music. Remember that people like Jarre, Schultz, Schroeder, Froese (RIP), etc. make and have always made wonderful music with simple panel synths (except their huge modular synths).

For me, the excellent quality of the sounds, by their VCOs and VCFs and great accuracy compared to the hardware models make Discovery Pro, Corona and Phantom excellent synths which worth perfectly their cost.

It is exact that the payment management of the updates are a bit troubling, but DiscoDSP is mainly a one-man company and I think that George understands that the users are somewhat troubled by the fact that the sub-versions need currently an extra expense while the next full version 7 will not be, but I would say that compared to the wonderful blast I have with his three (four with Bliss) synths I accept to pay sometimes a bit to encourage George to continue to make his excellent job.

[Lejurai]

Okay 50% off for 6.6 updates and also 50% off for Discovery to Discovery Pro cross-grade this month.

Not fair! I wasn't supposed to buy anything synth related this month
Guess it's the next month then when I don't buy anything

[BlackWinny]

Phaser and chorus.

discoverypro.jpg

I really really like DiscoDSP plugs. IMO there are just too few of them and tbh, they're bit oldish so I'm not suprised that people don't talk about them too much. And by "oldish" I mean that they look old and aren't sexy like Tone2 stuff or Serum or..

Ah, over there. I thought the effects section was on the right side where the delay is...
And it is only is on/off? No controls? Also with keytracking, velocity etc. Seems like it is a bit limited in some respect, compared to other, recent plugins.

I far as I know, Discovery Pro is an emulation of the Clavia Nord Lead 2X. And with the full compatibility with the Nord Lead 2 and 2X sysex files.

And the Clavia Nord Lead 2X had no effects at all, except some effects-like which were doable using the morph functions and the LFO routing. The morph functions and LFO modulations were able to simulate a simple chorus-like effect and a rotary speaker effect. There was nothing else on the Clavia Nord Lead 2X (PDF owner's manual here). So why would George be criticised because the chorus on Discovery Pro is simply a On/Off button ? At least... there is a chorus. And in addition there is a phaser while the Clavia Nord Lead didn't have no phaser at all (given that there was no effect at all).


For the record... here is what was the panel of the Clavia Nord Lead 2X:

[MFXxx]

Discovery is more than a vintage synth emu imho. If you're into psy or trance it's a goto.

[Robmobius]

Discovery is more than a vintage synth emu imho. If you're into psy or trance it's a goto.

I find it gnarly (in a good way) for industrial stuff as well.

[Robmobius]

[And the Clavia Nord Lead 2X had no effects at all, except some effects-like which were doable using the morph function and the LFO routing.

However, what it lacks in basic FX it excels in sound. Nothing in software, can compare to the Nord filters (they are very unique).

Even though I do like the Discovery Filters.

[BlackWinny]

[And the Clavia Nord Lead 2X had no effects at all, except some effects-like which were doable using the morph function and the LFO routing.

However, what it lacks in basic FX it excels in sound. Nothing in software, can compare to the Nord filters (they are very unique).

Even though I do like the Discovery Filters.

Yes, the Clavia Nord Lead 2X was a very enthralling instrument, which was able to out incredible sounds and wonderful results... without any effect! The challenge (and it was a huge moment each time by searching in depth the limits of its abilities) was precisely to manage to get incredible effects... without any effect. Oh my god! Even if this synth appeared very late in the "analog times" (in 1997 if I recall correctly) it can although totally be considered as an element of the vintage era. An awesome synth having a quite simple architecture at a moment where appeared the first very complex synths for the modern EDM styles.

[Robmobius]

[And the Clavia Nord Lead 2X had no effects at all, except some effects-like which were doable using the morph function and the LFO routing.

However, what it lacks in basic FX it excels in sound. Nothing in software, can compare to the Nord filters (they are very unique).

Even though I do like the Discovery Filters.

Yes, the Clavia Nord Lead 2X was a very enthralling instrument, which was able to out incredible sounds and wonderful results... without any effect! The challenge (and it was a huge moment each time by searching in depth the limits of its abilities) was precisely to manage to get incredible effects... without any effect. Oh my god! Even if this synth appeared very late in the "analog times" (in 1997 if I recall correctly) it can although totally be considered as an element of the vintage era. An awesome synth having a quite simple architecture at a moment where appeared the first very complex synths for the modern EDM styles.

I actually prefer the sound of the Nord 2 compared to the Nord 4 (latest version). Despite it being a lot more versatile (with lots of FX). I regret selling my Nord 2.

I think Discovery Pro has a lot of things going for it tho'. Like the Nord, it's got its own unique sound. And it's a lot easier to integrate than the Nord 2 with a DAW.

As I said earlier the filters are good too and there's quite a few of them. The stacking is a nice feature as well.

[aMUSEd]

Can you fix the Alan Marcero bank please - every single preset has the same name, makes them very hard to import into other hosts.

[BlackWinny]

I actually prefer the sound of the Nord 2 compared to the Nord 4 (latest version). Despite it being a lot more versatile (with lots of FX). I regret selling my Nord 2.

I think Discovery Pro has a lot of things going for it tho'. Like the Nord, it's got its own unique sound. And it's a lot easier to integrate than the Nord 2 with a DAW.

As I said earlier the filters are good too and there's quite a few of them. The stacking is a nice feature as well.

Totally agree.

Today I would buy a Nord Lead 2X instead of a Nord Lead 4 if I had to choose among both, and not regard the price. I feel like a kind of loss of quality in the filters from the Nord Lead 2X to the Nord Lead 4. Contrary to what can think many people, the main argument of a synth is not in its effects (which sometimes hide the misery) but in the quality of its synthesis. I have always preferred synths without any embedded effects (or very few, a very simple and common phaser/flanger/chorus at the maximum and NEVER the crush, disto, etc.) but having a huge quality of its synthesis with direct output from the VCA. It is by the way probably the reason why the Nord Lead 2X keeps on selling a lot on the second hand market after having known one of the best successes of the 90's-to-mid-2000 years while the Nord Lead 4 is so few sold.

[fluffy_little_something]

I own Discovery Pro, Corona and Bliss (and Phantom, older) and frankly with these three synths I'm totally in a heaven.

But, Fluffy... how could you compare these three synths with Sylenth ? They have absolutely not the same purpose. The number of modern features used by the EDM/dance/trance composers with their synths is an excellent argument for them... but even if Clavia Nord Lead 2 and DiscoDSP Discovery Pro are excellent EDM instruments used in EDM compositions it is not at all DiscoDSP's focus which is resolutely focused on vintage and organic sounds, with less modulations, indeed, but with a great flexibility though to make excellent music.

I think that too much people (it is not a critic) think nowadays that the number of features and the impression of having a space shuttle instrument panel is required to make excellent music. Remember that people like Jarre, Schultz, Schroeder, Froese (RIP), etc. make and have always made wonderful music with simple panel synths (except their huge modular synths).

For me, the excellent quality of the sounds, by their VCOs and VCFs and great accuracy compared to the hardware models make Discovery Pro, Corona and Phantom excellent synths which worth perfectly their cost.

It is exact that the payment management of the updates are a bit troubling, but DiscoDSP is mainly a one-man company and I think that George understands that the users are somewhat troubled by the fact that the sub-versions need currently an extra expense while the next full version 7 will not be, but I would say that compared to the wonderful blast I have with his three (four with Bliss) synths I accept to pay sometimes a bit to encourage George to continue to make his excellent job.

Of course they are rather different synths, but that's not the point. Their price is similar and on the more expensive side at that, so why would they not include free updates like other companies do?
Most people like things simple and predictable.

[george]

Can you fix the Alan Marcero bank please - every single preset has the same name, makes them very hard to import into other hosts.

Will do.

[fluffy_little_something]

I far as I know, Discovery Pro is an emulation of the Clavia Nord Lead 2X. And with the full compatibility with the Nord Lead 2 and 2X sysex files.

And the Clavia Nord Lead 2X had no effects at all, except some effects-like which were doable using the morph function and the LFO routing. The morph functions and LFO modulations were able to simulate a simple chorus-like effect and a rotary speaker effect. There was nothing else on the Clavia Nord Lead 2X (PDF owner's manual here). So why would George be criticised because the chorus on Discovery Pro is simply a On/Off button ? At least... there is a chorus. And in addition there is a phaser while the Clavia Nord Lead didn't have no phaser at all (given that there was no effect at all).


For the record... here is what was the panel of the Clavia Nord Lead 2X:

I am not criticizing him, I was just wonderinig if there were any chorus controls, maybe hidden away in some edit panel.
And yes, I do think such few, fixed keytracking options are a bit limiting by modern standards. But yes, if it is a strict emulation, why not...
Personally, I guess I would be more interested in Corona... Unfortunately, its GUI is not very usable in my view. The Discovery Pro interface looks much better to me, although a bit confusing at first. But it is better on the eyes.

PS: Just noticed that Corona has several GUI sizes now, that's good news

[BlackWinny]

Of course they are rather different synths, but that's not the point. Their price is similar and on the more expensive side at that, so why would they not include free updates like other companies do?
Most people like things simple and predictable.

The only thing I can say is that creating and maintaining alive a one-man (or so) company is much more difficult than people think. I perfectly know the problem having someone in that case in my close family.

We are used to see our world from our armchair, and we are used to enjoy (or [mis]evaluate) the products we use just by seeing the object we have purchased and the results we get with. And we almost always forget that before the purchase of that object there has been many things which happened to imagine it, to design it, and to produce it. And not only that but also all the administrative and financial parts of the life of the company, even for a one-man company. In order to create a product and to maintain it alive and enjoyed by the customers it is required to have solid shoulders, much more than what we think from our comfortable seats. And it is an error also to keep out of the mind the fact that behind the man who manages his small company (sometimes all alone) there is a life. Managing that kind of extremely small company (the term is very badly chosen when it is ONE man) generally needs to spend 7 days per week on it. And with a daily fear of what could fall from the sky. You must brace yourself for any obstacle in this spellbinding world of the artistic products as well as for the common daily products, because if it's spellbinding for the customer... it is not spellbinding as much for the one-man (or so) developer.

Having in my own family someone who himself faces a permanent fear of any sudden huge issue which would jeopardize the life of his company (and therefore the reasonable life of the manager without being able to buy a journey each year for the summer holidays) I perfectly understand George's attachment to a kind of security in order to never be constraint to close the door. If one day it would happen, everybody would cry that day about a company which has suddenly disappeared resulting not only in the loss of a few products but mainly in the loss of a job! And generally with a subsequent huge deprivation for the family, the wife and the children of that man.

And without forgetting also that the tax laws are not the same from a country to another, even within the European countries. In some countries like the one I know the best (France) the creation and the continued existence of a very small company is extremely perilous year after year! Not at all encouraged by the politics at the total opposite of what should be their correct behavior to incite the creation of employment!

All that show why I NEVER complain about this or that little extras to pay sometimes to a one-man (or so) company even simply for updates or upgrades.

I read everyday here on KVR lots of musicians who seem to not realize at all that they show to the whole world their ownership of 10+ very expensive synths... and who are even not able to accept to give a few bucks for updates once or twice per year to a man who work very hard to keep his job alive while we largely profit of him and of his work! We are used to be extremely aggressive when it concerns the money, but we totally forget that there is a total disproportion between our emotional reactions and the generally not so expensive extra which is asked! It is not only a wish from the developer... it is a real necessity the fact to encourage financially a developer by adding not more than a few bucks at updates is also a way to maintain such a small company alive and to retrieve later by successive improvements the small money we invest sometimes at different moments which are rarely more frequent than once or twice per year for a same product. Except for homeless persons or extremely poor persons, we are not so indigent to the point to categorically refuse to participate to the maintain alive of such a small company made of one man or two men who let us enjoy the result of his or their mind.

[fluffy_little_something]

Yes, it is definitely a tough business. But as with any tough market, those with sought-after products manage to thrive.

Europe in general is not a very inviting place for such small enterprises. Everything here has become so complicated. Not sure if it is the same in the US by now.