UAD PolyMAX - This thing is Sick

[zerocrossing]

After Cytomic, Massive X and Reaktor Blocks have the best filters. I think they are better than PolyMax and Opal, the filter(s) that is. Don’t tell me those sound shrill.

I do agree with the UNO LX comparison.

Don't know about Reaktor, but I think the PolyMax and Opal filters are right up there with the best of them.

Yeah, it’s ridiculous imo to say that Opal and Polymax’s filters are not among the best in software instruments.

[TS-12]

I like the unison effect, too bad it only works in solo/ mono mode

[Uncle E]

Yeah, it’s ridiculous imo to say that Opal and Polymax’s filters are not among the best in software instruments.

Best sounding boring synths ever made!

j/k Opal isn't boring sounding...

[zvenx]

Comments on this thread made me go back to listen to the filter in Opal and Polymax.
I definitely don't get it.
I don't hear them as special at all.
rsp

[Uncle E]

Opal has a slick sound. Stands out, adds a nice sheen on top when your other synths are all big fat analogs. The kind of thing you might use Massive X or Sines for.

[zvenx]

This I agree with, but I still don't hear the filters as special.
rsp

[zerocrossing]

Yeah, it’s ridiculous imo to say that Opal and Polymax’s filters are not among the best in software instruments.

Best sounding boring synths ever made!

j/k Opal isn't boring sounding...

…and you know what happens when your synths sound boring, don’t you? You actually have to make the music exciting!

[zerocrossing]

This I agree with, but I still don't hear the filters as special.
rsp

There’s a character to it. Opal has it too. To me it sounds like UAD went the extra mile and really modeled how a filter and amp section react when getting pushed. It’s what I consider a bit of a “hardware” style sound that a lot of plugins don’t have. It’s not necessarily something you need, or you may not even want it, but I like it. I also especially like Opal’s pole morphing, which is reminiscent of my old 002. Oh, and Opal has those drive effects that are hands down the best I’ve heard in any software instrument.

[Aloysius]

These things are self evident to anyone with golden ears.

[Uncle E]

…and you know what happens when your synths sound boring, don’t you? You actually have to make the music exciting!

Damn you for making sense!!!

[bmanic]

Comments on this thread made me go back to listen to the filter in Opal and Polymax.
I definitely don't get it.
I don't hear them as special at all.
rsp

Me neither.. this just shows yet again how different taste is.

[Septic Underground]

the extreme volume drop when adding resonance is killing it right away for me. gui is neat and tidy.

[LFO8]

the extreme volume drop when adding resonance is killing it right away for me. gui is neat and tidy.

Agree. I like the synth for what it is and it's sound, but that to me comes across as a bug rather than a desirable feature.

[nusound mind]

Polymax hangs w/ the best analogue vsti's like Diva etc. soundwise imho and workflow wise it's immediate, no fiddling around overlong.

I prefer Opal though overall, It's range of sound is not as wide as some but I'd say it's in the mix w/ the best sounding softsynths like Spire, Electra, MX, etc. It's a bit surprising tbph that people aren't hearing it but hey fair enough, life is full of mysteries. Confirmation bias is a tricky one to account for, maybe I'm the one hearing what I want to hear but at the end of the day both these synths end up in my tracks pretty regularly since I got them.

[sqigls]

i think the whole "cloud or dongle" thing might shave off a few potential customers. I scored polymax for free, but i haven't used it yet due to the lack of machine auth. Probably never happen i get it, but it's one reason why some people aren't being exposed to the UAD stuff in general.