Product Reviews by KVR Members

This is the most used software synthesizer I have purchased and well worth the price. This is a PROFESSIONAL soft synth. DXi version, MIDI learn knobs, lots of program banks. What can I say that has not been said before. My only complaint is the difficulty in seeing the little white marks on the knobs. Maybe if they were red dots then it would be easier to see the position of the knob.

Bottom line. I paid $99 for Pentagon I. After one hour I was mad. Mad that I had paid $150 each for two other “professional” software emulations of vintage synthesizers. Compared to Pentagon I they are way overpriced.

Robert

Edit: I am increasing my marks for the GUI by two thanks to some nice skins that are easier to read. I am also increasing the support rating from 9 to 10.

I really like this little synth and I have recommended it to a few people. I would not want it as an only synth but for the price it is a great value and addition to my collection. It is not a “do everything” but that is not what I was after. The JunoX2 does have a unique sound and the Formant, Digital and Comb oscillators are great. While many other VSTi’s have affects sections the JunoX2 does not need effects to sound good. I also like the Randomize function and it is easy to tweak what ever pops up into a new pad.

I do have one big complaint. The pitch bend setting is hardwired, or programmed, at one octave. I am used to a 1 step range for pitch bend and the 1 octave setting makes this VSTi almost useless for leads. I would love to see this plus volume per oscillator added to the next version.

I run JunoX2 within Sonar II with DirectiXer 2 with no problems. It is very stable. I give this soft synth a Must Buy.

Robert

In short – SonicSynth is a virtual sample playback module that exceeds any hardware in quality and value. When I open a new project in Sonar, SonicSynth is the first virtual instrument I open. Everything else works around it.

The long version - All of my hardware workstations have been fitted with expansion ROMs. I love ROM’s. For a little money I can turn a bland sample playback workstation into a hip hop machine or a virtual orchestra. I can add keyboard sounds form the 60’s and 70’s, or go all out for a single 64 meg piano sample. When I heard about SonicSynth I began to research the “virtual” workstation with great interest. For the price of a single expansion ROM I could buy a workstation for my computer.

Sound Quality – I can say that the combination of the Sonic Reality samples and SampleTankLE come across full and clear. The overall sound quality exceeds any of my hardware synthesizers.

Stability – No problems so far. I use Sonar with DirectXer and run SonicSynth without incident.

The bad – There are a few sounds I don’t like. This happens on any synth you buy. CPU usage varies with the program.

The good – The synth pads alone are worth the price of the package. As with top of the line hardware workstations you can produce an entire song using only SonicSynth as your sound source. There is something here for everyone. When you want something new, add a ROM. Value is outstanding.

In use – As with any workstation I can compose a song using SonicSynth as my single sound source. Every composer needs a collection of sounds readily available to inspire you while you quickly record that moment of musical enlightenment. It is important that you can pull these sounds up and start recording before you loose inspiration.

Support – Support from Sonic Reality is great. The developers frequent the forum and new ROM’s are in development.

Overall I rate this program a definite buy.

Robert Brown