From: Rainer Straschill <moinsound@googlemail.com>
To: Loopers-Delight@loopers-delight.com
Sent: Fri, February 4, 2011 6:35:26 PM
Subject: Re: inexpensive synth
I'd like to answer/comment on various messages in one go here. First, Mark:
> I have to admit that when I hear the word awesome I generally tune
> out. Didn't hear it?? Did you watch the video? Too much talk from
> awesome geezers of course, but sounded pretty ok to me... Bit Like a
> virus tho... Did you read bad modulation somewhere? Hmmm I heard some
> very modular-ish modulations going on a few times, maybe it was just
> sequenced?
>
My statement regarding the modulation possibilities was mainly targeted at the options to use the four knobs to control a variety of parameters.
Judging from the manual, you can only select one of several pre-assigned assignments (i.e. everything controls filter etc.), and only one parameter per knob. Nothing like freely assigning the parameters and even use different response curves as it is possible when assigning parameters to knobs e.g. with the Nord Modular
or the Oberheim XPander.
There is, in fact, a modulation matrix with 16 positions - but it also lacks non-linear response curves (like the Xpander or Matrix series) or even functions with multiple variables (as with e.g. the Nord Modular, or the Kurzweil K2x series).
So it's not exactly bad - but not great either.
I only started to watch the video, but stopped and decided it was "just not for me" when the second sentence was "you'll be hearing this all over the radio" ;).
(but checked again - and the software editor seems to be "awesome", too. And consider this: the sound is "killer"!).
Regarding the "wavetables or no" (also expanding on Andy Butler's comment):
Again, judging from the manual: no, it can't do wavetables.
Christophe, and Andy O (and just now, Anthony):
As the discussion was about inexpensive synths - no, I didn't consider them in this context.
But, yes, the Blofeld looks fun - and I can't
remember a synth by Waldorf/PPG which was boring, so this would be a safe bet. Different from the Venom, it does not try to be like too many popular things at once, rather be something original with character.
The Nord 3 - are you talking about the Nord Elektro 3? That wouldn't be enough synthesizer for my taste - but for what it is (a well-playable thing for important keyboard instruments which are not synths) it seems ok. Sadly, Clavia always discontinued the Modulars rather quickly.
And I'm completely with you, Anthony - the Nord Modular is the mother and the son of all virtual analog synths - if you want to spend the time to goof around a lot. Plus, there's this great free pdf book about how to have fun with it.
And finally, Duke:
You really made my day with your post - again. Thanks!
Rainer
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