Novation (X-station/bass station) vs Virus C

[soulidstate]

I wish to know what you have in mind about the subject. I'm a little short of budget for the C :cry: and one of the options I am looking at is the Xbass station. WHat do you think guys? :roll:

[Gopal]

Surely you are kidding

There is absolutely no comparison

[soulidstate]

Surely you are kidding

There is absolutely no comparison

Can you pls elaborate?Pardon me for being naive.

[ten]

As in the bass station is utter shit and not even remotely in the same league as the virus C.

ten

[Tomer=Trance]

your talking about a low end VA in compere to one of the most complex and high end VAs on the market!

[Wandering Kid]

bass station is quite a cheap (although good) 2 oscillator, single filter virtual analogue synth with very limited modulation/routing capabilities. it is monphonic. i.e. 1 voice at a time.

an access virus c is a 3 oscillator + sub oscillator, dual filter virtual analogue monster with mind boggling modulation/routing capabilities. the virus c is polyphonic and is capable of 32 simultaneous voices at any time.

a bass station is a great instrument im not denying. but it is worlds apart from the versatility of a virus. and not just on paper and in stats. the virus is versatile enough to be a workhorse kind of synth - its the type of instrument you can use to build 90% of your stock sounds. the bass station isnt really anywhere near as capable at filling that kind of role. it has more of a specific purpose. the virus, owing partly to its extensive modulation options is excellent for analog pad type sounds, atmospherics and crazy analog fx.

i should mention there is a reason why bass station keyboards go for ?120 and virus c keyboards go for about ?800. if you want something like a virus you really need to be looking for something in that kind of price range or try to save up for a virus. bass stations are really cool, inexpensive synths that would complement just about any set up. complement being the most appropriate word here.

[juffi]

Why not take a look at KS-Rack/KS4/KS5 from novation? 16 voices, 3 osc's, 4-times multitimbral, vocoder, audio input and so on doesnt sound bad compared to the virus. And speaking of sound, it seems it isnt bad either. There was a huge price drop within these products.

[soulidstate]

Why not take a look at KS-Rack/KS4/KS5 from novation? 16 voices, 3 osc's, 4-times multitimbral, vocoder, audio input and so on doesnt sound bad compared to the virus. And speaking of sound, it seems it isnt bad either. There was a huge price drop within these products.

Thanks guys for responding.

Juffi,
Does the KS come any close to the Virus?

Can you recommend any synth that is close to the Virus' features and capabilities which isnot that expensive?I just want to explore my options otherwise I will have to save up for the Virus.

[ledge]

Does the KS come any close to the Virus?


No. There is only one filter type (low pass 12 or 24 dB) and no mod matrix.

Can you recommend any synth that is close to the Virus' features and capabilities which isnot that expensive?I just want to explore my options otherwise I will have to save up for the Virus.

The only way you are going to get similar capabilities in terms of range of sounds etc. for cheap is going with a softsynth, probably the rgc audio z3ta.

[juffi]

Does the KS come any close to the Virus?


No. There is only one filter type (low pass 12 or 24 dB) and no mod matrix.

Can you recommend any synth that is close to the Virus' features and capabilities which isnot that expensive?I just want to explore my options otherwise I will have to save up for the Virus.

The only way you are going to get similar capabilities in terms of range of sounds etc. for cheap is going with a softsynth, probably the rgc audio z3ta.

Well Novation Website says the KSR/4/5 has 3 filter types, the K-Station has 1 . Best thing is to check out the synths at your local store. And yes, try out z3ta also.

[Wandering Kid]

im beginning to understand just how important the mod matrix is for shaping sound on the virus. i havent used my virus b that much but i went through the first 30 pages of howard scarr's tutorial and the mod matrix is essential for emulating analog filter types. absolutely essential. if the K Station doesnt have a mod matrix its going to sound fairly static in comparison to the virus.

one of the great things about it is its ability to modulate pretty much any control parameter. or set it to modulate itself. it lends itself to a movement in the sound which you cant really get in your average run of the mill virtual analogue.

what is your budget? you must specifiy a budget.

because you can get a virus b desktop on ebay for ?400. you can get a nord lead 2 rack for about ?350. doesnt have the mod options that the virus has but it sounds great anyway and its so easy to use. k station for about ?200.

virus b's cost alot less than virus c's and theres not that much difference. for most intents and purposes they are identical with the exception of a few features on the c which arent on the b (moog filter/3 band EQ) and a revised control surface. the EQ you can do with plugins no problem. and the moog filter. well. i dont think its worth having a new filter type for an extra ?250. id rather buy another synth with that money. seriously look into a 2nd hand virus b desktop.

[Tomer=Trance]

try a 2nd hand nord lead.

[Gopal]

I just picked up a 16 voice Novation Nova and I have to say I'm very impressed by the little beauty. No, it isn't as good as the virus, but it is punchier for leads at times and with its 18db filter option makes some damn good 303 (style) sounds. Also the Doublesaw is a nice touch and it has very extensive modulation capabilities. For the money these things are hard to beat. However, my humble little Roland SH-32 is actually pretty damn good when you spend enough time with it and its price tag is silly these days, like $200. Good way to start out learning synthesis if you can't afford a virus right away. Better then a softsynth anyway (ducks head to avoid soft synth user's barrage).

[soulidstate]

what is your budget? you must specifiy a budget.

because you can get a virus b desktop on ebay for ?400. you can get a nord lead 2 rack for about ?350. doesnt have the mod options that the virus has but it sounds great anyway and its so easy to use. k station for about ?200.

i dont think its worth having a new filter type for an extra ?250. id rather buy another synth with that money. seriously look into a 2nd hand virus b desktop.

Hi WK,

Yeah, I think that's a good counsel. My budget is $500 max. My only worry with ebay is we don't have paypal here in our country so I have problems with fraud just case I encounter one. Is the feedback system of ebay reliable?

Thanks to all you guys who responded. :wink:

[Gopal]

It is kindof reliable.

I've actually ended up getting in touch with some shops that sell second hand gear on ebay and then dealing directly with the shops and I couldn't be happier. I got both my bass station and my Nova from a music store in NY and they both arrived in good time and in excellent nick. I would recommend forming a relationship with a shop like I have. Then when you have saved up the money, email them and ask them if they have what you are looking for. So far its only taken them a couple of days to track things down for me and they usually have them factory refurbished before they put them up for sale anyway.

[soulidstate]

That's a good idea. Thanks Gopal.