TRANCE : VIRUS , NORD or NOVATION?

[parablue74]

Heaven knows when i ever can afford it. But between the two, i seem to prefer the Novation though. I think i like it´s fat sound and it seems smaller. But mostly, maybe i like it´s color and design most though.

But i´m really looking to find another way out, Headhunter, you know of any arpeggiator machine. My CS2x seems so laggin in arpeggio capabilities, if i can chain it to an arpeggiator + VF-1 MultiFX, believe i can get Novation and Virusindigo sounds.

 

[headhunter]

parablue,

I´m not so expert at arpeggiators (having diffuiculty spelling them even). The Triton has 2 good ones that i don´t use that often. While they are fun to play around with and get a basic idea down, i don´t really think they are good enough for recording into a song without editing d notes 1st. I would normally sequence in step time any arpeggiatorish parts. I also have a Juno60 with a basic arp but other than that i can´t think of any. Sorry dude, but do try step entry sequencing those notes into your song.

 

[parablue74]

If i ever have the time, i would fix an arpeggiator that anyone can jus play a chord riff and set it as an arpeggio. Change tempo, ADSR, LFO, key whatever on it. But that would take ages looking through DIY schematics. I would *Yawn*!!

 

[headhunter]

Actually, the arpegiator on the Juno 60 is like that! Just play a chord and it plays and you can change the lfo and adsr in real time! I got mine quite cheap 250 bucks. Or try to find a similar old keyboard to do that.

 

[parablue74]

Yep, and so i read Juno60 is used in techno and trance. Only prob with synths is that the arpeggios can be used only with the sound patch from the synth itself. Meaning, if you have another sound from another synth, and you really like it. But that synth doesn´t have the arpeggio you want, you can´t use the arpeggion from Juno60 to use that sound patch. MIDI if you local off Juno60 to use the patch from the other synth, u lose the arp. And vice versa, you would lose the synth patch to attempt to use the arp.

Howz the sound of the Juno60?

 

[headhunter]

SOund of the Juno60 is ok. It´s a bit thicker/warmer than the Juno106 (so all those things i read in other forums is true... hmmmmf). But only slightly. Having said that, i prefer the sound of my JX8P even tho it´s more fiddly to program, it´s more versatile with 2 osc and 2 adsr for amp and filter. whereas the Juno only has one Osc for both. For me, Juno60 is good for basses and strings, altho the the anthemic trance stabs on the JX were much better. So, while very useful still and very easy to change sounds on the fly, the Juno is not the be and end all of analogue synths.



I tried the Virus recently and the sound was nice, almost the same as the waldorf? But it´s not as easy to program even with those knobs on! But then, i only spent an hour with it and it´s much much deeper than a Juno!

<font size=1>[ This message was edited by: headhunter on 21-07-2003 19:36 ]</font>

 

[parablue74]

I think Virus have 2 models or something. Remember going to the shop once, I think one is the grey model Virus Invertigo and the other is the red model Virus Access. Both seem absolutely awesome and deep.

Really wonder if they are sampling keyboards as well. Those are really cool for vocal automation and tricks!

Roland models are good, i personally like the Roland sound. Never tried the famous TB-303 sound, but i think the MC-303 i have has the same type of sounds. Got so fascinated with the Roland Groove Keyboard, but that piece itself is $3500.

 

[headhunter]

Yes i tried both the Virus Indigo 2 and the Virus C. Both sound d same but the Indigo 2 has a little keyboard on. Sorry to inform you that neither has any sampling abilities tho. They are strictly Virtual Analogue synthesizers and in my opinion, better value than say the Nord Lead 3 because of 2 important reasons.

1. It´s multi-timbral

2. It´s got built in efx like delay, reverb,etc



The Roland Groove Keyboard, is that the Fantom? Or the V-synth that just came out?

 

[parablue74]

That´s the Roland JX-305 Groovesynth. Wrote it in page 2 of this topic.

Tested it, the sound was great. Can actually do a whole song with it since it has arpeggios and many drum sounds as well. Can loop continously and record in different tracks. Never saw it here in Singa though.

 

[parablue74]

That´s the Roland JX-305 Groovesynth. Wrote it in page 2 of this topic.

Tested it, the sound was great. Can actually do a whole song with it since it has arpeggios and many drum sounds as well. Can loop continously and record in different tracks. Never saw it here in Singa though.

 

[headhunter]

sometimes it´s good to have a machine made purely for dance music instead of say a workstation synth that is suitable for all kinds of music. For eg my Triton is good for almost all genres of music and while possible to do trance with it, theres a lot more work involved. Sometimes, it´s too flexible for me, too many options! I´m actually considering getting a groovebox actually, just to get some ideas down quickly.

 

[parablue74]

I already have a groovebox and a dance sampler. Unfortunately, my synth is not too dance worthy. The sampler has been givin´ me much headaches as for it´s limited size import/export. There´s a laggin function of memory dumping and saving/loading is extremely slow.

Whatz the best way you go about arranging your dance tracks, headhunter? Do you think it´s advisable to DJ spin the tracks to get the right arrangement or jus solely work it out in Cubase,Sonar etc?

 

[headhunter]

para, i don´t really know much about DJing i always assumed it was mixing together of other peoples´ records on the turntable during a live show? That would be good if you want to mix say a compilation album of tracks into an album.



But to make your own music, i guess you would have to start from scratch dude hehe.... What i usually do is i put a basic drum pattern on 1st, then fiddle around on the synth until i get a good ´riff´ and then build on that.

Are you using sample dump to save your samples? That would be slow. Does your sampler have SCSI?

 

[parablue74]

There is SCSI connected to mine SU700. But i´m at the moment still having import/export problems, since it´s import/export is only based on floppy, long samples are a no no! So, i´m still figuring out how to access mine SCSI drives to extract long samples and import. It´s kind of dodgy to me now, since i´m new to it. Sometimes it behave rather weirdly and can´t read certain data. It can´t seem to read one of mine SCSI harddisk at all.

As for arrangement, it´s kinda what i´m talking about is arranging on PC. When i do that, i find the arrangement tend to be more band-like, with short repetitions and more abrupt changes, not really like the club/trance longer repetition arrangement. But when i´m playing with mine drum machine(which is groove based), the music is more tranceatic. Thatz why i wonder whether the "dragging longer repetitions well" club arrangement has anything to do with learning to spin.

 

[headhunter]

Well i kinda lost you there para. I just discovered the joys of softsynths with Rebirth and Carbon! Wow, those things sound really good. Can´t wait to get into Reason.

 

[parablue74]

Hiya! Sorry, took awhile, been kinda busy lately.

Softsynth huh! Haven´t got much chance to play with that yet, actually, i´ve been playing with softsamplers. Actually, watz the diff between the two. Right now, i´m toying with Fruityloops, soon i´ll be playing with Nemesys Gigasampler. Been playing with FX samples too, there are pretty some sites out there that is givin´ free FX samples for download. Kinda cute funny FX, horses galloping, waves, wind blowing, whale, crowd applause etc.

Howz Reason & Rebirth? Are they good? I have the program Reaktor, really cool functions and very complicating. Can´t seem to find the manual anywhere though, any ideas?

 

[headhunter]

well rebirth is cool indeed. Sounds like my 303 that is just sitting gathering dust on my bedroom floor! And the best thing is there´s 2 of them in Rebirth plus a 808 and 909 and as far as i can tell they sound like the real thing too! I still have to try REAKTOR tho. Maybe you can try their website to download a manual?

I haven´t tried any sequencing programs yet tho, just individual softsynths but like i said i can´t wait to get into FL and REASON soon. Let me know how you go....

 

[bongman]

is it too late ???

err.... seems like I caught on to
the bandwagon rather late?
how is everybody doing ???
is this thread still active ???

This thread is so informative!
Anymore posting ???

Where can I go and trial play a Clavi LORD LEAD ?
Who are distributing Access Virus and Novation ?


.john

 

[lowjk]

Re: is it too late ???

err.... seems like I caught on to
the bandwagon rather late?
how is everybody doing ???
is this thread still active ???

This thread is so informative!
Anymore posting ???

Where can I go and trial play a Clavi LORD LEAD ?
Who are distributing Access Virus and Novation ?


.john

For the Nord, try Daxco (you can find their website on the dealer's list on this website).

For the Access and the Novation, Ming's Enterprise is the one carrying them.
http://home.pacific.net.sg/~mings_sons

(note: Sean Lai's email on the website may be wrong; try removeing the "_" from his email address).

If you are looking for a shop that allows you to test the keyboards until your finger drops off, try Turnkey @ Charing Cross if you are visitng London. They are expensive (because of the strong pound) but they have such a huge range of 'boards that you might want to spend 1/2 a day in their shop - The Alesis Ion, Micro, Clavia Nord 2,3 & the new G Series, Access Virus, Triton Extreme, Novation stuff and all sorts of Roland & Yamaha boards are there. So was the Moog Voyager. All under one roof. And you haven't even listened to their sample library yet.

I didn't have time so I did not check if their softsynths were installed for customers to try.

Alternatively, you could take at face value what I think of each synth
1. Virus - most modern sounding. Bass moderately strong. Sharp cutting sounds. Unstoppable arps. Probably best for trance.

2. Novation - thinnest sounding but good for pads. Weak Bass. Good for ? rock and trance pads.

3. Clavia - "creamiest" sounds. Rich with fat bass. Very in the face but has no effects. Very good for rock and retro 80's synth sounds.

I've tried them all .....

 

[bongman]

thanks

hi LOW,

thanks for the info,
just wondering - are you full time into music ?
i.e. FULL TIME MUSICIAN/SOUND ENGR/PRODUCER ?