I´ve just ´discovered´ trance music and looking to get my feet wet in the world of VA so has anyone used the Access Virus? Is there anywhere to get this beast in Spore? How does it compare to the others for trance and other sounds?
It´s like asking which is the better car - Merz, BMW or Audi? (none of which I own BTW).
BUT if you read SOS or FM, most of the trance artists use the Virus.
You could order Access/Novation stuff from Sean Lai or mail order from www.synthplanet.com (You can decide who´s cheaper and more convenient - Sean Lai requires payment upfront while you wait fro delivery).
Daxco carries Nord. Look under dealers of this site to find their contact. Personally, I won´t order from them as I had a bad experience with Daxco. And get this, I placed an order with them and agreed on the price of $1,500 for the Nord Rack 2. When they kept delaying the delivery, I cancelled the order. Next thing I knew, they were advertising a Nord Rack 2 for $1,800.
You´ll looking for synths huh! Access Virus is good but no match for the Super Nova. Trance producers, Robert Lange and ATB both use Super Nova, many others too. I´ve checked out both, and personally i prefer the Nova. Don´t go for Nord Lead, it´s not meant for Trance. Personally, i don´t have that kind of $$, so i just use a Yamaha CS2x mixed with a Boss VF-1. You can really make a lot happen even without the best synth, a lot of Trance is sound mixing, which relies on the ear! Well, if you got the $$, go for it anyway. Besides that, maybe you´ll try opting for a drum machine and a sampler as well. Check out the Roland models on those, they´ll the best!
It´s like asking which is the better car - Merz, BMW or Audi? (none of which I own BTW).</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR></TD></TR></TABLE>
[img]images/forum/smilies/icon_lol.gif[/img] yeah i know what you mean. For the record, Audi A4 any day !
<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font size=-1>Quote:</font><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT SIZE=-1><BLOCKQUOTE>BUT if you read SOS or FM, most of the trance artists use the Virus.</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR></TD></TR></TABLE>
there was a recent article on trance remixers ´euphoria´ i think the title was on FM. Ian Van Dahl and Ian Fleming being the only people who showed their kit lists that i knew of. Both had the Virus, but the Nord was conspicous by it´s absence which got me wondering. Hmmmmf......
<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font size=-1>Quote:</font><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT SIZE=-1><BLOCKQUOTE>You could order Access/Novation stuff from Sean Lai or mail order from http://www.synthplanet.com (You can decide who´s cheaper and more convenient - Sean Lai requires payment upfront while you wait fro delivery).
Daxco carries Nord. Look under dealers of this site to find their contact. Personally, I won´t order from them as I had a bad experience with Daxco. And get this, I placed an order with them and agreed on the price of $1,500 for the Nord Rack 2. When they kept delaying the delivery, I cancelled the order. Next thing I knew, they were advertising a Nord Rack 2 for $1,800.
Hi! I´m a trance producer.</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR></TD></TR></TABLE>
Hi parablue, it´s nice to know a fellow trance head in these woods!
Altho i been writing a lot of other music from way back in d late 80´s , i only recently got into trance initially because of the clubbing scene. It changed my perspective of dance music in a big way
<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font size=-1>Quote:</font><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT SIZE=-1><BLOCKQUOTE>You´ll looking for synths huh! Access Virus is good but no match for the Super Nova. Trance producers, Robert Lange and ATB both use Super Nova, many others too. I´ve checked out both, and personally i prefer the Nova. </BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR></TD></TR></TABLE>
Yes, i have demoed the Novation series and they do sound wonderful, and whatever you play on them sounds exactly like what you hear on the radio! Amazing, and the keys feel pretty solid too! But i still have to hear the nord and virus especially to make a proper comparison tho....
<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font size=-1>Quote:</font><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT SIZE=-1><BLOCKQUOTE>Don´t go for Nord Lead, it´s not meant for Trance.</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR></TD></TR></TABLE>
Ok.
<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font size=-1>Quote:</font><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT SIZE=-1><BLOCKQUOTE>Personally, i don´t have that kind of $$, so i just use a Yamaha CS2x mixed with a Boss VF-1. You can really make a lot happen even without the best synth, a lot of Trance is sound mixing, which relies on the ear! Well, if you got the $$, go for it anyway. </BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR></TD></TR></TABLE>
Been there. I started with cheapo casio CZ synths, Kawais then progressed to Korgs n Rolands now. Hardware based mostly, can´t wait to see what softsynths have to offer tho.
<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font size=-1>Quote:</font><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT SIZE=-1><BLOCKQUOTE>Besides that, maybe you´ll try opting for a drum machine and a sampler as well. Check out the Roland models on those, they´ll the best!
The Triton´s in built sampler is pretty good but not the fastest thing to load up. Had some TR series drum machines from d 80´s. What Rolands do you recommend?
1) There is no suitable synth for trance. The trick is in the programming and effects (lots of it).
2) Trance is very bass and rhythm based. So you will need good synths/samples in these areas. If you believe what you read on the net, the Waldorf Pulse is the best.
3) If you do uplifting stuff (as per current trend), you will also need a good rompler pad synth. I think the Triton and XV series excel in this area. Layering with a VA synth would thick the sound.
4) The Nord Lead may not be popular because it has no effects. As I pointed earlier, effects play a great part in Trance. Contrast this with prog rock or retro 80s songs which use much less effects. It doesn´t take a rocket scientist to guess where most of the Nords end up.
5) The SH-32 has great drum sounds on it (really in your face type of sound). There a nice trance demo on it as well, so even the SH-32 can be used for trance.
6) Having said all that, you may also want to check out the Korg Z1 at City Music; it´s a old but good VA machine too but it´s not too popular.
7) For drums sounds, my advice is to use samples. Spending big bucks on a vintage 808 or 909 seems so wasteful as well as restrictive. In the wrong hands, the 909 always seem to end up in Ah Beng techno songs. You could also do a "Depeche Mode" and synthesize your own drum sounds.
1) There is no suitable synth for trance. The trick is in the programming and effects (lots of it).</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR></TD></TR></TABLE>
Yes i kinda figured that out a long time ago. I can get pretty close to the sound of most trance songs with some simple tweaking of a filter here, an EG there. However, there is a difference in d actual sound that i want to get close to, and in particular, Ferry Corsten´s sound. I agree about useing lots of efx part, esp reverb!
<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font size=-1>Quote:</font><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT SIZE=-1><BLOCKQUOTE>2) Trance is very bass and rhythm based. So you will need good synths/samples in these areas. If you believe what you read on the net, the Waldorf Pulse is the best.</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR></TD></TR></TABLE>
Thanx, im checking out the links you gave me below. Thanx man.
<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font size=-1>Quote:</font><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT SIZE=-1><BLOCKQUOTE>3) If you do uplifting stuff (as per current trend), you will also need a good rompler pad synth. I think the Triton and XV series excel in this area. Layering with a VA synth would thick the sound.</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR></TD></TR></TABLE>
I have the Triton.
<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font size=-1>Quote:</font><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT SIZE=-1><BLOCKQUOTE>4) The Nord Lead may not be popular because it has no effects. As I pointed earlier, effects play a great part in Trance. Contrast this with prog rock or retro 80s songs which use much less effects. It doesn´t take a rocket scientist to guess where most of the Nords end up.</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR></TD></TR></TABLE>
i never thought about that.... no wonder so many nord leads in those rock bands. Duh!
<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font size=-1>Quote:</font><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT SIZE=-1><BLOCKQUOTE>6) Having said all that, you may also want to check out the Korg Z1 at City Music; it´s a old but good VA machine too but it´s not too popular. </BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR></TD></TR></TABLE>
Actually, u shouldnt have said that.... cos the Z1 is a beautiful looking synth and it would look rather fetching next to my Triton! (drool....[img]images/forum/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] )
Are they still selling it at CityMusic? I hope you´re not referring to that old demo rustbucket that they´ve been trying to get rid off for ages! how much do you know?
<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font size=-1>Quote:</font><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT SIZE=-1><BLOCKQUOTE>7) For drums sounds, my advice is to use samples. Spending big bucks on a vintage 808 or 909 seems so wasteful as well as restrictive. In the wrong hands, the 909 always seem to end up in Ah Beng techno songs. You could also do a "Depeche Mode" and synthesize your own drum sounds.
Yes, i wouldn´t get a 909 or 808 just to make music, altho i wouldn´t mind getting them if d price was right , just for history sake y´know ie "look kids, this is a TR 909 drum machine. Every dance record ever made was done on this thing.... and over here is the DX7, all the records from 1983 to 1987 was made with that, and over here is......"
So, you´re into DM too eh? I do like the idea of making my own analog drum sounds and sampling them to make a kit. Did you read about DM on Keyboard? They used softsynths mostly for the sounds! And i love the ´preciseness´ of their latest album. LONG LIVE DEPECHE MODE!
thanx for the link. Price is cheap compared to original price but still a tad expensive for me. 1k would be nice. They r a little slow on the K2000r ($999) as this is no longer available, much to d regret of my friend who was saving enuf to buy one.
However, the Kaoss pad looks like a good bargain. Only 252 (1/2 price) and used by the likes of the Chemical Brothers! Yum! Now let´s see how much i have left in my piggy bank....
TRANCE : VIRUS , NORD or NOVATION?
