Vanguard

Hi

I do like the interface, the graphics are nice and the controls are clearly laid out and responsive,
there is perhaps too much open space - but otherwise its a very nice gui.

I found that the documentation covers all the basics and picked up a better idea of the synths structure by reading through it.

The synth comes with a couple of banks of presets, which allied to the mass of free banks available has to be considered good value.

The developer has a support forum at KVR so I imagine any problems would be quickly ironed out.

I suppose the value of this product lies in what you are after - I think Vanguard is well respected for its ability to pump out a plethora of in your face lead and hard hitting pad type sounds as well as the more staple perc, bass and FX sounds, amongst others.

I have found this synth to be rock solid in the stability stakes.

There are a mass of wave forms on offer but to be quite honest I am left wanting at times - the Digital wave form for instance seems to lack the edge that I associate with this type of sound.

Although ARPs and Trancegates are not the type of processes that I would generally use it must be said that along with the onboard FX you can come up with some really interesting twists - and this is what makes Vanguard unique (although other developers are starting to mimic these features, read Discovery!) and on that point it is hard to be overly negative about the
'package' as a whole.

To consider alternatives is not easy given the feature set of Vanguard, but Exciton, Hydra and Anamark all offer similar sonic delivery and editing/sound creation potential, but they all lack the Trancegate and Arp - so you will not get the performance features that Vanguard offers, with them.

To sum up if you simply want a synth for 'standard duties' at this price point there are options - I have named three that can compete with Vanguard on sheer sonic sound sculpturing potential - but if you want the Arps and Trancegates you have less options.

I have edited this review to take in the updating that has taken place - the bass end has improved with 'Fatness voices' (vcs) which determines how many voices are used for the fatness effect and this puts Vanguard into the 'very versatile' synth category.

I would still like a bit more 'oompth' with the LP filter
at the extreme of the cut-off point.

I do like Vanguard and think the latest up-date takes it that bit further.Read Review