Which is the best virtual analogue? - Synths & synthesis forums

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Subject: Which is the best virtual analogue?

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Original Message 1/11 08-Feb-98 @ 08:25 PM - Which is the best virtual analogue?

steve_hunt

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I've got a prophecy and I love it's sounds - but it's a bugger to program (despite a degree in electronics) and it's monophonic.
I want a virtual poly that can sound like a Yamaha GS1 eg ELP Pirates and give Jupiter type brassy synth sounds, squelchy pads etc.
All the modules/boards I know of have imperfections as follows. Someone put me right or I'll have to wait for a 16 note poly JP8000 with 3 oscillators, 5 octaves or a rack...
1. JP8000: Only 2 oscillators, poxy small keyboard with no aftertouch, only 8 notes, sounds a bit weak without the trick effects.
2. Nord Rack 2: Not enough knobs to twiddle, no effects, expensive but not out of the question, no lcd for patch names etc. Only 2 oscillators.
3. Microwave XT: Not really virtual modelling but so what? Only 2 oscillators. Never heard one - will it squelch and fart like I want - the downloadable demos all show the great wavetable stuff but not it's normal filter charecteristics. Is it the best of both worlds or does the wavetable stuff disguise the lack of decent filters (like my Ensoniq VFX - ok I know the Microwave has resonance but so has my SY99 and that sounds very digital). Great orange box though!
4. Access Virus. Seems to be the latest thing and I've not heard even a demo. Only 2 oscillators. Yeah I know it's got a sub but the spec sounds like it can't be detuned from Osc 1 - that's only like having a beefier waveform for Osc 1 - it can't drift in and out of phase. No ring mod I think.
5. Yam AN1X. Not enough knobs although you can get at most parameters quite quickly. Poxy colour scheme - looks like a toy. Only 2 oscillators. It seems to get slagged off a lot - is this because Yamaha are out of favour or is there a good reason? Nice big aftertouch board.
6. Novation Supernova. At last 3 oscillators! Looks a bit fiddly in a 3U rack but good display and clever access to lots of parameters quickly using well laid out switches. But made by who? How well made? What kind of support/upgrades/second hand market...? I've read a few comments that the Waldorf Pulse sounds a lot better than Novation's Basssatation and the Supernova seems to be 16 of those. Does that mean the Microwave will sound better than the Supernova? I certainly don't want to compromise sound quality even for that 3rd oscillator and 6 more voices...

What views and experience out there?

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Message 2/11 19-Feb-98 @ 12:55 AM - RE: Which is the best virtual analogue?

Johnny

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I've only got a prophecy and a jp-8000.(they both kick ass)

Out of the two, I recommend the jp-8000.

More knobs + more sliders = more control.
Therefore, you can create any sound you want.

There's no distortion FX but who cares, all you've got to do is overdrive it on the mixer.

PLUS from the experiance of using the JP, you'll find it easier programming the prophecy.

BUT the prophecy's cool for random sound scalpting.

CHEERS

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Message 3/11 27-Feb-98 @ 03:04 PM - RE: Which is the best virtual analogue?

ivan

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The Microwave supposedly has very good filters. I think it's a good alternative since you can get new sounds out of it, and not just the analogue stuff. Personally I think that the Nord Rack is better than the JP-8000, at least soundwise, and it has more polyphony and four outputs.
AN1x is a fairly good budget alternative, but I've heard that it doesn't sound as good as the Nord or the JP and the interface isn't as satisfying.

SuperNova and Virus: They might take some time to show up, but they might be worth the wait (but by then Nord 3, AN2 and JP16000 will be in the works...)

Alternatives might be a secondhand MKS80 if you can find one. At least it should give you Jupiterstyle brass...
Otherwise a Nord Modular might be the thing. Most people are raving about it, and it's certainly the most flexible virtual analogue around.

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Message 4/11 01-Mar-98 @ 04:37 AM - RE: Which is the best virtual analogue?

Sedusa

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The Virus is out... Saw it the other day...

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Message 5/11 01-Mar-98 @ 11:34 AM - RE: Which is the best virtual analogue?

iskross

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The Clavia NordLead2 is all of it! The NordModular is also something to check out. Both are much better then JP-8000!

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Message 6/11 01-Mar-98 @ 04:17 PM - RE: Which is the best virtual analogue?

Johnny

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I'm not sure about that, i've heard demos of the JP-8000 and the nord lead 2.
The nord sounds similar, but it doesn't have that same acid fealing.
The nord has less knobs and sliders, + it looks like it's only a half product, did you see the nord modular website? that's why it's got that big open space on top with no knobs.
If i have to get a nord, i'd rather get the modular alone.

Cheers.

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Message 7/11 03-Mar-98 @ 04:13 PM - RE: Which is the best virtual analogue?

ivan

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I actually think that the Nord is better. When you turn off all the eq and delay and stuff on the JP, it doesn't sound as good (in my ears). It might be because I like the rawness of the Nord.
And it certainly can sound acidic...

The four outputs are certainly a plus, especially since you've got the double number of voices., and the knob layout feels more logical, especially for performance stuff.

I don't get that about the big open space?

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Message 8/11 07-Mar-98 @ 09:27 AM - RE: Which is the best virtual analogue?

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I've just got the virus, and i think its the best thing i've ever heard . (not including the Prophet vs)

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Message 9/11 09-Mar-98 @ 08:49 PM - RE: Which is the best virtual analogue?

kilo

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yup..... i really wanna check out this virus.... everyne seems to rate it as wicked...... some saying it's even better than their old genuine analog kit

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Message 10/11 27-Mar-98 @ 04:37 AM - RE: Which is the best virtual analogue?

self_osc

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I�ve got the prophecy and I really think that sounds fatter than the 8000 and the Nord. Of course it�s monophonic, but if you compare they on a 1-note head to head test, you�ll notice that the Korg is far more warm and fat than the rest.
Now you can get the amazing Z1, that almost is a bit limited in the output/FX sections, sounds really beefy and have the wider sonic palette of all the actual synths, no just analog.
But wait a little, I�m shure that Korg is developing an update version to be released soon.
Try it anyway and then you�ll can see what I mean.

Dan

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Message 11/11 25-Apr-98 @ 07:41 PM - RE: Which is the best virtual analogue?

test

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ieu ediud siud sidis

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