Total N00B question: Ti vs. Snow polyphony

[SPISHAK]

Hi all. I'm looking into getting a virus desktop of some sort to use as a sound module in my setup which is all hardware and no PC. I'm not quite sure what multi mode is for virus synths. Does this mean the virus can play separate parts for separate midi channels coming from my sequencer?......as in a bass patch for midi ch.11, a lead for midi ch.12, and a lush pad on midi ch. 13 all at the same time? :confused:

I use a Fantom X6 as sequencer/controller for EMU XL7, and a MicroKorg.

TIA for answering my stupid question. I searched the intranets for an answer, but was unsuccessful....I also searched here.

[flipside]

Yes, it can.. :)

Best,
Alex

[SPISHAK]

^^^^^Same with the snow? I would like a TI desktop, but too much$$$$ :(

*EDIT* OK snow will do 4 parts....that should be enough for my meager setup.....now I only have to save up $1500 more than i have :p

[Timo]

Indeed. Snow is 4-part multi-timbral, while all the other TIs are 16-part.

As to whether you can actually fully utilise all parts at the same time is also dictated by polyphony/voice usage.

eg, If you have a really thick pad using all three oscillators and a heap of unison, odds on you will probably only be able to use one or two parts!

The Snow has half the DSP power of the other TIs, so I'd imagine it would require more careful selection and allocation of various patches to parts if you want to use all timbres at the same time. Just something to bear in mind.

Welcome to the forum!

[SPISHAK]

^^^^Yeah, I kinda figured that. But I pretty much just use stock patches and real-time knob tweeks to get what I'm after. Are most of the stock TI patches polyphony hogs? Most of the patches I use now are only using 2 voices each. I haven't really delved into creating patches because it kills my work flow ;) thanks guys

[SPISHAK]

BUMP! Sorry to bug you folks, but I need to know how many voices of polyphony the virus ti's use for the stock patches on average. The SNOW is in my price range right now, but if I can't get at least 3 patches out of it at the same time then I need to know so I can save up for a TI desktop before I make a purchase.

Thanks for your advice, Mike

[Timo]

I don't have either a TI or Snow, so unfortunately can't answer for you. But I've renamed your thread to hopefully catch others' attention.

[psy604]

the Ti Desktop (currently) does not have an exact display for how may voices
are in use / still remain ... nor a overall peak meter for system resources.

there's only some meter in the top right corner of the display which shows the resource utilization of the patch - so it's hard to give a precise answer.

like Timo wrote before ... it always depends on how many oscillators are in use and to which level Unison is set (1-8 Voices).

math example: 3 OSC * Unison x8 = 24 voices (max. utilization per patch)

hint: you still could reduce Unison level, if it's hard to the 50 / 80 voices limit.

[Timo]

... it always depends on how many oscillators are in use and to which level Unison is set (1-8 Voices).

math example: 3 OSC * Unison x8 = 24 voices (max. utilization per patch)

Not only that, if you play three fingered chords you're tripling the voice usage further, then you have to think about release phases (to avoid note stealing) when you change chords, etc.

Sub basslines are usually monophonic, using 1 or 2 osc, so you're looking at just needing 1 voice for that part. Or 2 if you decide to use subtle twin unison.

Arpeggiated upper basslines: again monophonic, 2 oscs, twin or three unison = 2-to-4 voices.

Thick three-fingered pads/strings (chords) = Anything between 12 voices (for 2 osc, twin unison, and moderate EG releases) and 24 voices+ (for full blown 3 osc, 3 unison, and moderate release). Double the voice count further if you have even longer release times.

Leads: 2 or 3 osc, twin or 3 unison, moderate release = 12-24 voices.

Thick leads: 2 or 3 osc, 3 or 4 unison, moderate release = 24+ voices.

Ethereal/atmospheric stuff: Same as thick pads.

Blips, percussion, or FX, anything from 1 to 8 voices.

These are for classic oscillator types ONLY (as that's all I know, having an Indigo myself).

If you start using wavetables, formants, graintables, hypersaws etc, those guesstimates will be wrong. Some oscillator types require more DSP power than the classic ones, thus they'll reduce the voice count you have to play with with those patches.

So when Access give the figure "up to a maximum of 50 voices", you could have two parts playing chords and a thick lead and literally use up all of your polyphony... Or you could have a sub, arpeggiated top bassline, a few blips and a lead being able to use all four parts.

If you go stupid, you could use up all polyphony with one mofo behemoth of a patch, with just 10 voices to play with.

On the classic Virus though, I rarely use the third oscillator unless it really adds something to the sound. And similarly I rarely increase the unison beyond 3, otherwise it turns to mush. Some huge monophonic leads benefit from greater than 3 unison, but that's it, imho.

Hopefully someone else can chime in with regards to polyphony usage of the non-classic oscillators in the TI/Snow.

[Timo]

Sound On Sound (UK music-tech magazine) have reviewed the Snow in their latest edition.

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/aug08/articles/tisnow.htm

Subscribers only, or from a good newsagents, though. Unfortunately I don't have a copy to précis for you.

[SPISHAK]

Thanks again guys. Sounds like I should save for the TI desktop. I hope I'm smart enough to be able to operate it! :p

[psy604]

well, the advance of the TI Snow is, that it's very portable ...
but on the other hand it's a bit of a toy ... compared to the models with 2 DSP.

[SPISHAK]

^^^yup! My rig is not intended to be portable, as I'm more of a hobby musician. My roots lie in METAL drums from my teenage years, but I went to a rave party on LSD and instantly converted to electronica. My rig is: Fantom X6(controller/sequencer), EMU XL7, MicroKorg, Yamaha AW16G, Yamaha bass guitar, and a FULL Roland TD-10 exp. V-drum kit. If ya'll are interested I can post a song I made with this gear that made it onto a Roland gear demo CD a few years back...it might be a bit boring to you folks, but I did play all the parts.....so that's gotta say something........ I guess?!

take a look: (PC is no longer in the "music room", and drum kit is 1 cymbal short 'cuz a mount was broken at the time of picture. Also added "super chunk" bass traps in corners recently)

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p246/mykill666photos/P1000006.jpg

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p246/mykill666photos/P1000077.jpg

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p246/mykill666photos/P1000011-1.jpg

[SPISHAK]

Here's a picture of the bass traps

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p246/mykill666photos/P1000082.jpg

[psy604]

we have a gear porn and member's music section here ... where you can post that.

even if you don't have a PC in your studio setup anymore ... i would recommend it (at least) for better management of patches, since with that TI feature this issue got VERY handy ...

[psy604]

PS: if you like electronic music combined with bass guitar, you have to checkout the album of *dark soho* ... is a brilliant israeli act ... my favourite track of them is called *long way home* ... www (http://www.psyshop.com/shop/CDs/alc/alc1cd013.html)