gear purchase, some questions

[sklawlor]

Hi there. I've heard some people say that they didn't like the filters of the virus, that they weren't as good or powerful at say something like in the DSI Prophet08 which I had considered because it apparently has a knob for every parameter and I'm not sure if that's necessarily the case with the virus. So how do the virtual analog filters differ from real analog, speaking as someone who may not be able to tell the difference without hearing them side by side and in my case, that's pretty hard since there aren't a lot of music stores around here to even try all this stuff out.

Thanks for more info and help.

Scott

Originally Posted by jgg

Slightly longer version of answer: if you get a Polar or the full keyboard version you wouldn't need anything else, they both have USB and MIDI, act as a self contained MIDI controller, and send all the knob controls, pedals (not included, see note below), notes with velocity and aftertouch (not polyphonic but still expressively useful).
If budget is an issue, on ebay the latest TI2 keyboards go for about a thousand dollars less than new. Another way that would work is to get the desktop unit new or used, and a Alesis QS8 or other full 88 key keyboard for around than $500. Piano weighted keys are pretty nice to play on, and you would have two synths with no compromise to sound or ability.

Myself I have a Virus TI2 keyboard and a Roland XV-88, the XV-88 is plugged into the Virus via midi, and the TI2 is plugged into my computer via USB. When I'm running Logic's virtual instruments, both keyboards and all the controls operate the virtual instruments. I'm certain the Omnisphere or other virtual instrument software can be controlled the same way.

If all my current equipment went away tomorrow, I would probably first buy another Virus TI2 keyboard (most useful on it's own), then eventually a piano weighted keyboard of some kind. If budget was no object the second keyboard would probably be Korg Kronos, as to my ears it's the perfect anti-virus - it does everything the Virus doesn't. Third would probably be real piano, as the best electronic piano emulators out there will only sound as good as a great recording of a piano, which is nowhere close to the real thing. They show up free on craigslist but need regular tuning an care. They are also a bit heavy.

I got the Miniak so that I could noodle around on the keyboard in my lap while my girlfriend watches TV show's I'm not interested in. The Polar could be the ultimate anywhere lap synth if space is limited and you don't need the full 61 or 88 keys. My Virus is on a Quiklok WS-540 stand with a second tier along with the XV-88, as I dislike wobbly keyboards when I'm playing - Bach to Chopin to Joplin to techno to ambient.

Best of luck.
JGG

[MBTC]

Hey jgg -- hope I don't come across as disagreeable. I think the Korg Kronos is likely the modern equivalent of something like the Triton? (which I referenced), probably much more powerful, and I'm sure a great music making machine. I stand my my opinion though that with Omnisphere and a good PC setup, he can easily achieve the total voice throughput of probably several physical Kronos purchases at three grand each. If I were on stage I'd take the physical keyboards over patch switching but for the home composer there is necessity and there is excess.

I do agree, if someone really craves analog sound and behavior, the Virus is the first board that comes to mind for me. Real analog often goes along with monophonic or polyphonic but limited capabilities. I recently read a marketing statement from a Moog representative that conceded there is no perceptible difference between analog and virtual analog or even soft synths by the time it hits the listeners ear, but that Moog synths still provided a lot of in-studio inspiration for the player (which I fully understand, I was just surprised that someone from Moog would say that). So, at that point you have to go virtual analog -- I'm just waiting for the next gen of Virus to catch up to modern CPUs (at least partially?) and integration demands (USB 2? Thunderbolt maybe?) because they seem a bit stale at the moment.

I've been playing experimenting with the PC versus a Mac I recently bought, along with Logic Studio. Logic has a lot of things I like about it... some of the instruments that come with Logic are inspiring all by themselves depending on the music you're into. But when I see someone wanting bang for their buck, Macs are still at a disadvantage. Without spending for a high end Mac Pro, you are looking for a heat dissipation problem over time, which can lead to problems. Even Intel has said cooling is an afterthought to Apple. Apple has been successful marketing shiny and compact designs that are beautiful to the eye. Good for them. This particular poster probably does not care what his computer looks like, and is interested in Omnisphere for the accesibility features, which is going to give him something like 30% less computing bang for the buck if he goes Apple. I like Logic -- I am a geek at heart, and have enjoyed learning it and exploring features of Logic. For certain music creation tasks I really like the workflow. For raw processing power, or Omnisphere... if money is no object its a coin toss. If you care at all about price then the PC wins hands down here.

[feedingear]

Again agree with MBTC: bang for your buck - 500USD or less for Omnisphere, infinite instances with freezing is definitely the way to go. As someone whos owned a XV5080, a Triton Extreme and an M3, I do not miss my rompler AT ALL. So many more inspiring plugs, where you can work straight in the DAW, and do more creative, intuitive automation and editing.