Hardware synths..

rhek · Post by **rhek** » Thu May 28, 2009 1:23 pm

Who here uses outboard hardware synths? If so have you found it worthwhile?

Basicly im considerin buyin a virus polar 2nd hand, still a lot of money..

I just want something that easy for modulation tempo syncing instead of fuckin about with softsynth automation which, lets face it, is a pile of gash.

Anyone used the polar before?

yellowhighlighter · Post by **yellowhighlighter** » Thu May 28, 2009 3:30 pm

some people will tell you hardware is great but honestly i find it almost useless now except for certain situations. ask yourself are you going to be playing live. if not then don't bother with hardware synths. just stick with software.

if you like experimenting with synth noise then yeah hardware synths are good but apart from that hardware is dying fast. for the price of a good VA synth i can have an entire virtual studio.

FSTZ1 · Post by **FSTZ1** » Thu May 28, 2009 3:32 pm

do it

you will not regret it

the TI Polar can be used just like a VST

test_recordings · Post by **test_recordings** » Thu May 28, 2009 4:51 pm

DO IT! It's infinity more versatile than VST, potentially better quality and is real so you can get your hands on it! I'm gonna build a modular BEAST when I've got the cash

rhek · Post by **rhek** » Thu May 28, 2009 5:29 pm

TEST RECORDINGS wrote:DO IT! It's infinity more versatile than VST, potentially better quality and is real so you can get your hands on it! I'm gonna build a modular BEAST when I've got the cash

Xaaactly! I love being hands on with synths. Only really got to know the Korg DX7 (which has some wicked filters) and the MS2000 but the Polar just sounds like the right synth for me.

Trying it out tonight

. I've seen some pretty sweet Modular creations before, sounds tasty.

whineo · Post by **whineo** » Thu May 28, 2009 5:43 pm

yellowhighlighter wrote: ask yourself are you going to be playing live. if not then don't bother with hardware synths. just stick with software.

This really isn't a question you need to ask yourself when thinking of buying a synth for (bedroom) music production.

It boils down to workflow in my opinion
If you have a slick workflow which allows you to get your ideas down quickly the buying hardware is a spanner in the works. Its kind of like learning a new DAW.
If you don't setup you DAW with a template to control and record external instruments from the offset you will debate using it each time you have a tune rolling.
If it not within arms reach there is a danger of it gathering dust
I bought a few Hardware instruments a while ago used them on a couple of tracks (which sounded a lot more organic and warmer tbh) and then continued with my old vst ways.
Recently reorganised my setup - set up ll the ins and outs on my soundcard with quality cables - set up a template in logic - put everything with in arms reach -and now Im incoporating my hardware whenever possible.
If your looking at the Virus Polar - it sounds awesome - and yeah - you wont regret it.

Also just make sure you sample stuff when ever your playing around with it

Sharmaji · Post by **Sharmaji** » Thu May 28, 2009 6:03 pm

Whineo wrote:
yellowhighlighter wrote: ask yourself are you going to be playing live. if not then don't bother with hardware synths. just stick with software.
This really isn't a question you need to ask yourself when thinking of buying a synth for (bedroom) music production.

It boils down to workflow in my opinion
If you have a slick workflow which allows you to get your ideas down quickly the buying hardware is a spanner in the works. Its kind of like learning a new DAW.
If you don't setup you DAW with a template to control and record external instruments from the offset you will debate using it each time you have a tune rolling.
If it not within arms reach there is a danger of it gathering dust
I bought a few Hardware instruments a while ago used them on a couple of tracks (which sounded a lot more organic and warmer tbh) and then continued with my old vst ways.
Recently reorganised my setup - set up ll the ins and outs on my soundcard with quality cables - set up a template in logic - put everything with in arms reach -and now Im incoporating my hardware whenever possible.
If your looking at the Virus Polar - it sounds awesome - and yeah - you wont regret it.

Also just make sure you sample stuff when ever your playing around with it

all this is key. it's certainly doable w/ other DAW's but logic's shining moment is when it's working w/ outboard gear, be it tape machines, synths, etc-- you have an unbelievable amount of control. My jv1080 and microkorg sit across the room from me, i rarely even look at them but i have complete control over patch names, routing, processing, parameters, etc in logic.

any setup-- especially one that incorporates hardware synths, outboard processing, etc-- needs to be acutely setup and fine-tuned. in a writing/inspiration moment, There's no benefit in anything if you have to spend 30 minutes setting it up and routing it. Flip a switch and go go go!

deadly_habit · Post by **deadly_habit** » Thu May 28, 2009 6:09 pm

do it

rhek · Post by **rhek** » Thu May 28, 2009 6:35 pm

Wicked comments guys, Cheers!

. I don't find my workflow slick at all at the moment and thats without Hardware.

I use Cubase 5 so i geuss setting and tuning would just be getting a nice signal path and MIDI Set up (I'd be using USB..). As far as a template goes do you mean just syncing up the controls? I've never done much extensive outboard MIDI work. Im sort of assuming all the controls will automatically be set up for read and write automation.. I don't know, im sure i'll figure one out..

Ive got a sweet desk set up so itl always be right within reach. Pretty fkin excited

. Just gotta sort my moneys..

bass hertz · Post by **bass hertz** » Thu May 28, 2009 6:51 pm

i'm still rocking my old school Roland D20. 8 track sequencer, multi timbral, linear synth, drum machine. 3.5 drive, bend/mod wheel ,etc. and yes. very late 80's tangerine dream style dubstep. nothing worth posting yet.

would love to get the new Prophet, though.

whineo · Post by **whineo** » Thu May 28, 2009 7:03 pm

bass hertz wrote: would love to get the new Prophet, though.

yeah im just about to go down the Dave Smith route - probably evolver tho
or may save some pennies (and space) and get a Mopho

darkartois · Post by **darkartois** » Thu May 28, 2009 8:35 pm

DO IT DO IT DO IT. I've was using ARP 2600 softsynth, Massive, and Albino for the longest time and then had a play of a Nord Lead 2 then knew hardware is the way forward. I got a Moog Little Phatty Stage II and can get the foundation of a tune down 10 times quicker. I simply won't touch anything else now, there is no soft synth out there that can match the warmth of analog. Most of the time I have no real need to layer my basslines for the desired result. It's expensive but worth every penny IMO. Sherman Filter Bank is next then an Access Virus or Moog Voyager.

I strongly recommend a Little Phatty. 11/10

contakt321 · Post by **contakt321** » Thu May 28, 2009 8:38 pm

bass hertz wrote:late 80's tangerine dream style dubstep.

OT: This sounds amazing, please post when you do!

mico viejo · Post by **mico viejo** » Fri May 29, 2009 7:42 am

contakt321 wrote:
bass hertz wrote:late 80's tangerine dream style dubstep.
OT: This sounds amazing, please post when you do!

yeah, also interested in hearing this. got to be better than all the stock-out-the-box-wobble shit.

rhek · Post by **rhek** » Fri May 29, 2009 10:51 am

Got a problem already, gah. Trying to sync virus to the tempo in cubase. Got it connected via usb. i can manually set the tempo but obviously it isn't syncing with the triggering in cubase..

I've found a config on the actual Polar and set it to sync with host but still no luck... Any ideas/ I've asked on the virus forum but nothing...

dougd · Post by **dougd** » Fri May 29, 2009 3:43 pm

Maybe call Access customer support?

Sharmaji · Post by **Sharmaji** » Fri May 29, 2009 3:55 pm

Rhek wrote:Got a problem already, gah. Trying to sync virus to the tempo in cubase. Got it connected via usb. i can manually set the tempo but obviously it isn't syncing with the triggering in cubase..

I've found a config on the actual Polar and set it to sync with host but still no luck... Any ideas/ I've asked on the virus forum but nothing...

midi channels all set? if the virus isn't in omni mode, and if cubase isn't sending midi info in omni mode (it's happened to me in logic), then cubase might just not be sending the right info on the right channel.

whet · Post by **whet** » Mon Jun 01, 2009 7:17 pm

Setup Cubase to send a Midi Clock Signal to the Virus. Read the Manual for detailed instructions.

hurlingdervish · Post by **hurlingdervish** » Mon Jun 01, 2009 8:18 pm

woops he already bought it. post deleted

_boring · Post by **_boring** » Tue Jun 02, 2009 6:10 am

u can always sell it

Hardware synths..

Hardware synths..

Who is online