For discussion about setting up your studio and advice on the gear and equipment within it.
By objektivone Mon Jan 26, 2009 12:51 pm
bridgealantee wrote:
objektivone wrote:I really don't think Reason compares to an analog synth.... or even most hardware synths.


In what way? I own a little phatty a dave smith evolver a microkorg and reason. They all have their own character, but I turn to Reason as much or more than my other synths because I can get the sound I want out of it. They certainly don't compare in terms of hands on tweakage, but as far as sound goes they all sound different and complement each other. My official stand on reason is if you think it sounds bad you need to improve your sound design and engineering skills.


So your personal stand on Reason is insulting me. Thanks. Trust me I understand subtractive and additive synthesis and do some sound design for a living. So that being said, I personally don't think it sounds as good. I used Reason for 6 years and enjoyed it but love the fullness and body in the sound a piece of hardware creates. Sorry I have an opinion and do not worship your obviously superior knowledge of all things synthesized.
By MJH Mon Jan 26, 2009 2:31 pm
tvent wrote:I have owned a lot of keyboards and in my experience/opinion the yamaha's motifs seem to have the best sounds. I also like the way it spells out the bank info in the voicing screen when working in multi-timbral mode - helps when I want to keep the voice info in the MPC so it automatically selects it next time.

You can pick up Motifs and MotifESs pretty cheaply now too since everyone seems to be crazy about the XS's. My ES sounds are just as good (to me) as a friend's XS and my ES has an output expansion that gives it 10 ANALOG outputs which is great (to me). The XS does not have this option at all. If you want to do it all in one machine though, the XS might be a better option (but if that is what you were wanting then you wouldn't be here.)


Some great info here. After checking out some videos on youtube, I'm def thinking bout copping an ES-6 in the near future. Thanks for the detailed info, man. :D

Who else here has had some experience with the Motif keyboards?
By objektivone Mon Jan 26, 2009 2:45 pm
MJH wrote:
tvent wrote:I have owned a lot of keyboards and in my experience/opinion the yamaha's motifs seem to have the best sounds. I also like the way it spells out the bank info in the voicing screen when working in multi-timbral mode - helps when I want to keep the voice info in the MPC so it automatically selects it next time.

You can pick up Motifs and MotifESs pretty cheaply now too since everyone seems to be crazy about the XS's. My ES sounds are just as good (to me) as a friend's XS and my ES has an output expansion that gives it 10 ANALOG outputs which is great (to me). The XS does not have this option at all. If you want to do it all in one machine though, the XS might be a better option (but if that is what you were wanting then you wouldn't be here.)


Some great info here. After checking out some videos on youtube, I'm def thinking bout copping an ES-6 in the near future. Thanks for the detailed info, man. :D

Who else here has had some experience with the Motif keyboards?


I have never used one, but can tell you that when I bought my Nord Lead that is the other keyboard I wanted. Everything I have heard from the Motif sounds really great usually.
User avatar
By v00d00ppl Tue Jan 27, 2009 12:38 am
novation x station series of synths are cool because you have every knob and slider you need to design things with sutractive synthesis. This synth does have an 8 voice limitation and not the best sound in the world, but if you want to master subtractive synthesis in a hands on manner, then jump on the x station bandwagon.
Bybridgealantee Tue Jan 27, 2009 1:19 am
objektivone wrote:
bridgealantee wrote:
objektivone wrote:I really don't think Reason compares to an analog synth.... or even most hardware synths.


In what way? I own a little phatty a dave smith evolver a microkorg and reason. They all have their own character, but I turn to Reason as much or more than my other synths because I can get the sound I want out of it. They certainly don't compare in terms of hands on tweakage, but as far as sound goes they all sound different and complement each other. My official stand on reason is if you think it sounds bad you need to improve your sound design and engineering skills.


So your personal stand on Reason is insulting me. Thanks. Trust me I understand subtractive and additive synthesis and do some sound design for a living. So that being said, I personally don't think it sounds as good. I used Reason for 6 years and enjoyed it but love the fullness and body in the sound a piece of hardware creates. Sorry I have an opinion and do not worship your obviously superior knowledge of all things synthesized.



Sorry, wasnt supposed to come off as an insult. Its also just my opinion that you can make reason sound hot, you seem to think not. Guess we just have different ears.
User avatar
By mr_debauch Tue Jan 27, 2009 1:36 am
objektivone wrote:
bridgealantee wrote:
objektivone wrote:I really don't think Reason compares to an analog synth.... or even most hardware synths.


In what way? I own a little phatty a dave smith evolver a microkorg and reason. They all have their own character, but I turn to Reason as much or more than my other synths because I can get the sound I want out of it. They certainly don't compare in terms of hands on tweakage, but as far as sound goes they all sound different and complement each other. My official stand on reason is if you think it sounds bad you need to improve your sound design and engineering skills.


So your personal stand on Reason is insulting me. Thanks. Trust me I understand subtractive and additive synthesis and do some sound design for a living. So that being said, I personally don't think it sounds as good. I used Reason for 6 years and enjoyed it but love the fullness and body in the sound a piece of hardware creates. Sorry I have an opinion and do not worship your obviously superior knowledge of all things synthesized.



Sorry, wasnt supposed to come off as an insult. Its also just my opinion that you can make reason sound hot, you seem to think not. Guess we just have different ears.[/quote]


or different soundcards!
User avatar
By cyrus Tue Jan 27, 2009 4:25 am
yeah,

what lampdog and aero are sayin is true. Also, im really liking the sh201 and thinking about getting one.........I dont really need it, but it seems fun.

the one thing im not too sure about are the lack of knobs on the microkorg. i know it sounds good, but no knobs seems wack.
User avatar
By Oprah Winfrey Tue Jan 27, 2009 5:42 am
cyrus wrote:yeah,

what lampdog and aero are sayin is true. Also, im really liking the sh201 and thinking about getting one.........I dont really need it, but it seems fun.

the one thing im not too sure about are the lack of knobs on the microkorg. i know it sounds good, but no knobs seems wack.


I gotta go check out the SH201. I havent been 2 guitar center in AGES. Once the one on 83rd and Cicero closed and they fired all the workers who would HOOK YOU UP I called it 1. Plus I got a set up that's comfortable.

Concerning the Microkorg, it does have "knobs" the user interface is cool once you understand it. I always recommend this page: ( they took it down but here is the info:
http://www.korg.com/Tech_Tips/microarticle2.htm
Last time around, I covered the basics of editing and creating a program using an initialized program and the edit matrix. Before you try out this new tip, spend a few minutes going through the first microKORG tip, “Demystifying the Edit Matrix”, and then come on back to this one!

This time we will use a few advanced editing tips to create entirely new sounds, based off of a few of the factory programs. One of the features of the microKORG that I dig is the built in FX section. The Chorus/Flange and Phaser effects are great for twisting sounds, so first, let’s work with the FX:

1. For this example select Program B12 in the TRANCE Bank.
2. Now access the MOD FX using the EDIT SELECT 2 knob, and then select “FL9” (flange) as the type of effect, using knob 1/CUTOFF. You can adjust the LFO Speed and Effect Depth using knobs 2 and 3, respectively. For this example, I set knob 2 to a value of “41” and knob 3 to a value of “120”.
3. Try out some of the other MOD FX like Ensemble and Phaser.

I also use the BPM synced stereo delay along with the arpeggiator to create interesting rhythmic patterns.

1. For this example, select Program A63 in the RETRO Bank.
2. Now select a “L – r” (Left – Right) delay using the EDIT SELECT 2 and 1/CUTOFF knobs.
3. Set TEMPO SYNC “on” using knob 2, set the DELAY TIME to “3.16” using knob 3, and then set the DELAY DEPTH to “100” using knob 4.
4. Now adjust the arpeggiator to change the pattern and octave. Select "ARPEG.A" using the EDIT SELECT 2 knob, set the GATE to “0” using knob 3 and set the RANGE to “1” using knob 5.
5. Now change the arp pattern using the PROGRAM NUMBER keys. Press the 2, 3, 5 and 6 keys so that they are flashing, and play some keys on the keyboard.

You can also create some very interesting sounds using the Virtual Patch function. Virtual Patch is like having the sound design capabilities of a mini modular synthesizer built-in. You can use any of eight different modulation sources to modify any of eight different destinations, with up to four different “patches” at the same time. This allows for some pretty twisted sonic possibilities.

For this example we are going to use an initialized program:

1. To initialize a program, press and hold the SHIFT key and then press the PROGRAM NUMBER 3 key twice. Now assign LFO2 to modulate pitch by selecting PATCH 1, using the EDIT SELECT 2 knob.
2. Select “LF.2” using knob 1, then “Ptc” using knob 2 and then select a MOD INT value of “63” using knob 3. It should sound like this.
3. Now use LFO 1 to modulate the cutoff by selecting PATCH 2. Select “LF.1” using knob 1, then “Cut” using knob 2 and then select a MOD INT value of “-63” using knob 3. It should sound like this.
4. Next use LFO2 to also modulate panning by selecting PATCH 3. Using knob 1 select “LF.2”, then select “Pan” using knob 2 and then set the MOD INT to a value of “-62” using knob 3. It should sound like this.
5. Now let’s get a little nutty and also modulate pitch using LFO1! Select PATCH 4 and then “LF.1” using knob 1, then select “Ptc” using knob 2 and then set the MOD INT to “-63” using knob 3. It should sound like this.

In addition to suggesting that you download the microkorg editor. It tons of help if u know how to prog. a synth.
User avatar
By IMNICE Tue Jan 27, 2009 3:13 pm
I would say get a triton or motif or fantom and a moog. I have a triton, but I resampled all the patches I used most into my 4000 and made KG's. I use the moog the most as far as using another piece of gear.