KVR Audio

Epiphany · Post by **Epiphany** » Mon Aug 13, 2007 9:19 am

Opposite to the hardware-educated stalwarts who have jumped into software and left their synths gathering dust, ive just bought a Nord Lead 2 this morning, after 10 years of using software only. Its not that I feel software is inadequate at all - I reckon Ive made the most of my tools and Im happy with the quality of my output.

I just think it will be very interesting for someone with my backround to finally use a hard synth, and hear how it changes my music.

Anyone done something similar?

MaxSynths · Post by **MaxSynths** » Mon Aug 13, 2007 9:28 am

I'm trying to find a way to convince myself that softsynths can replace hardware but the real thing sounds better for my ears. I use softsynths but the real thing (for me) have "another" sound. Anyway I'm happy for the success of softsynths beacause this allow me to buy real instruments at really low prices

justin3am · Post by **justin3am** » Mon Aug 13, 2007 9:28 am

I sure have! After learning synthesis on a DX-7 I was enticed by the freedom of software synthesis. After nearly ten years using only software I bought an Electribe, an MS-2000 and a V-Synth. I feel that these tools have helped me get even more out of my software as I have taken some strain off of my CPU and the deeper I get into my hardware the deeper I want to delve into my software. It is so useful to be able to move back and forth between two paradigms because they can be inspiring in totally different ways. It has also helped me diversify my sound.

The Nord Lead is one hell of a machine! Have fun dude.

mchannemann · Post by **mchannemann** » Mon Aug 13, 2007 9:54 am

I agree with justin3am, as the sound of real hardware and vst's emulation differs and the way of working on both is totally different it is inspiring to jump between both worlds, I constantly use both in my work as I just use the synth I need for the sound I need as I as example switched away from hardware samplers for things like a piano to the brilliant Truepiano and to awesome Gb eating Sample libraries which don't work on hardware samplers.

Epiphany · Post by **Epiphany** » Mon Aug 13, 2007 10:15 am

Well I hope so - I bought on the strength of reputation and opinions! Bit of an impulse buy really!

I cant wait to get hold of all those dials, to be able to control so many parameters at once, and also to get right into sound design with the computer switched OFF - no computer lights, no hard disk whirring, no bright LCD screen.

aMUSEd · Post by **aMUSEd** » Mon Aug 13, 2007 10:23 am

I have several "hardware" synths, many DSP powered synths/effects and many software synths. To me they all sound different from each other but I wouldn't say the ones designated as "hardware" synths sound any better than the software or DSP ones as a class although individually some do sound better than others in relation to particular purposes I use them for. Individually each has a character of it's own and certainly there is value in having a box made solely for one purpose and having well designed software for it and well made i/o's and da convertors etc but where to draw the line between that box being a PC and that box being a "hardware" synth I don't really know. I appreciate the load my DSP and external "hardware" synths take off my Pc CPU but in a way I see them as dedicated music computers (especially my Nord G2 Engine and Yamaha VL70m as they literally are just boxes). One thing I have yet to own though is a non emulated synth - i.e. one made up of analog circuitry rather than software run on a dedicated DSP chip in a dedicated hardware shell - maybe one day. I'd love an Andromeda for example but probably will get an Evolver pretty soon.

Shy · Post by **Shy** » Mon Aug 13, 2007 10:27 am

I'll just say that the Nord Lead 2 is an absolutely fantastic synth in both its sound and design. Countless synths have been inspired by it and in part or sometimes even fully have used its design. None sound like the Nord Lead, and most don't even attempt to sound just like it. As you may know, it's a fully digital, DSP processor based synth that's just as "real" as any fully code based synth, software or hardware, and its physical controls are "real" like any other hardware synth's.

Epiphany · Post by **Epiphany** » Mon Aug 13, 2007 11:06 am

Great endorsement - I havent seen a bad review of it anywhere, actually. I'm aware it is only software on dedicated DSPs, but just to be able to make sound without the computer, in a hands on fashion, feels like breaking a psychological barrier.

Chuck E. Jesus · Post by **Chuck E. Jesus** » Mon Aug 13, 2007 12:35 pm

aMUSEd wrote: One thing I have yet to own though is a non emulated synth - i.e. one made up of analog circuitry rather than software run on a dedicated DSP chip in a dedicated hardware shell - maybe one day. I'd love an Andromeda for example but probably will get an Evolver pretty soon.

noticed a used Evolver the other day:

http://www.analoguehaven.com/used/

deastman · Post by **deastman** » Mon Aug 13, 2007 1:28 pm

I have both a Poly Evolver Keyboard and an Andromeda. While I like the PEK for wavesequencing and for its harsh, barely controlled sound, when it comes to pure analog goodness, the Andromeda pretty much blows it out of the water. Actually, it blows just about any other analog polysynth out of the water. I really can't recommend it highly enough.

The Nord Lead 2 is also a real solid synth which has stood the test of time. Good choice there! I don't have one, but I can get the same sounds out of my Nord Modular G2. Yes, its just software in a box, but it sounds great.

hoffy · Post by **hoffy** » Mon Aug 13, 2007 1:32 pm

Be careful, any second now nuffink's gonna rock up to quote us in his idiotic "hardware appreciation thread thread".

Anyway- i spent about 3 or 4 years on software synths only... now i've got several hardware synths (andromeda, nord modular, thing-a-ma-goop, lots of other old ones hanging around)...

I like the best of both worlds

nuffink · Post by **nuffink** » Mon Aug 13, 2007 1:36 pm

hoffy wrote:Be careful, any second now nuffink's gonna rock up to quote us in his idiotic "hardware appreciation thread thread".

Anyway- i spent about 3 or 4 years on software synths only... now i've got several hardware synths (andromeda, nord modular, thing-a-ma-goop, lots of other old ones hanging around)...

I like the best of both worlds

Ain't it strange how the gearheads never have a link to their tunes?

m0j0byrd · Post by **m0j0byrd** » Mon Aug 13, 2007 1:49 pm

nuffink wrote:Ain't it strange how the gearheads never have a link to their tunes?

erm.....wheres the link to your tunes dude....

nuffink · Post by **nuffink** » Mon Aug 13, 2007 1:50 pm

m0j0byrd wrote:
nuffink wrote:Ain't it strange how the gearheads never have a link to their tunes?
erm.....wheres the link to your tunes dude....

I'm a shit musician. I'm here because I make plugins. How about you?

stk · Post by **stk** » Mon Aug 13, 2007 2:01 pm

Epiphany wrote:Anyone done something similar?

I've used very little hardware (in my "electronic" music, at least) for about 7 or so years now.

Bought a virus ti a few weeks back.
It's rad. lights flash, knobs are fun, sounds like rust-covered velvet and tar, coated in smoking aluminum and hashish.

I dig hardware. I dig software. Any jealous wannabes jump on the virus suxx0rs wagon, i'll crush you with my robot genius musics

I wanna b3 and a wurli, too.

After 10 yrs of s/w, I just bought a h/w synth