Hi,

I was in the market for some new sound libararies to work on some new composing projects.  I've been using virtual instrument plugins mostly for the past several years now, but I'd heard about this new sound module from Roland called the Integra 7, and it seems to be a one-stop-shop for a ton of great sounds to use for all kinds of projects.

So now I'm trying to weigh the options of getting something like this versus buy more Virtual Intrument plugins.

I'm just wondering if anyone else out there is using this sound module and how it is working with Sonar.

I'd be interested to know:
- how do you like the sounds?  do the strings and orchestra stuff compare with something such as East West Quantumm Leap in terms of quality of sounds?
-  is the integration working pretty well with Sonar in terms of saving your sounds, editing your sounds, etc, from within Sonar?
-  is the workflow pretty easy so that it saves you time in setting up new projects so that you can get going quickly, etc

This seems to be a great piece of gear.  Just wondering if I should make this kind of investment, or go with more Virtual Instrument plugins.

Thanks for any feedback on this,
--Jim 

I demo'd one for a good few hours, cash in the pockets etc ready to buy. I declined because....

1) most of the sounds are just re hashes of old roland synths and expansion cards. A jv2080 is a tenth of the price and sounds fuller to my ears, but doesn't have the jupiter sounds on it.
2) no editor for pc at the time. That may have been rectified by now. Otherwise is iPad only. There is a vsti editor for sonar but only for surround sound is my understanding of it. So no saves or editing in sonar.

For the money you could fill a rack with all sorts of juicy digital and analog hardware goodness. Jv2080, matrix 1000, akai s3000, jd990, Waldorf pulse? 

If its samples you are after, komplete 8 is worth a look. You may have that already, in which case... The spitfire sample libraries are staggeringly good for film stuff and orchestras.

Also have you tried the uhe plugins? I highly recommend diva if you have a big powerful pc.

Just some thoughts. I have been spending recently and did look at the integra as an initial no brainer..  but when you look at what it actually is (old synths packed into a rack) and no pc editor, only on iPad. It doesn't make much sense. Sonically I prefer the jv2080 which is a tenth of the price and covers a fair amount of what the integra does.

Swiller


I demo'd one for a good few hours, cash in the pockets etc ready to buy. I declined because....

1) most of the sounds are just re hashes of old roland synths and expansion cards. A jv2080 is a tenth of the price and sounds fuller to my ears, but doesn't have the jupiter sounds on it.
2) no editor for pc at the time. That may have been rectified by now. Otherwise is iPad only. There is a vsti editor for sonar but only for surround sound is my understanding of it. So no saves or editing in sonar.

For the money you could fill a rack with all sorts of juicy digital and analog hardware goodness. Jv2080, matrix 1000, akai s3000, jd990, Waldorf pulse? 

If its samples you are after, komplete 8 is worth a look. You may have that already, in which case... The spitfire sample libraries are staggeringly good for film stuff and orchestras.

Also have you tried the uhe plugins? I highly recommend diva if you have a big powerful pc.

Just some thoughts. I have been spending recently and did look at the integra as an initial no brainer..  but when you look at what it actually is (old synths packed into a rack) and no pc editor, only on iPad. It doesn't make much sense. Sonically I prefer the jv2080 which is a tenth of the price and covers a fair amount of what the integra does.

Good to know. I have the 2080 and use it when composing. I do find myself replacing more and more of the sounds with Omnisphere or Kontakt samples, but that's just the nature of the beast. I still love the 2080 because, well, zero latency and zero CPU utilization.
 
I was wondering about the Integra as well...
 
Regards,
Dan

thanks swiller, that is valuable feedback.

i had an eye on the unit but wasn't quite sure whether to give it a try ... i feel quite save to cross it off my list and try something else

There is a thread about the integra at the PG music (band in a box) forum if you want some more to read. Thread title is "new sound module".

would you be so kind and post the link?

Heres the link
 
http://www.pgmusic.com/forums/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=375892&an=0&page=2#Post375892

Writing off getting a module purely based on someone's opinion is not such a smart thing to do. Really you should check it out for yourself ultimately. That is the only way you are going to really find out how it sounds and whether that particular module is good for you.

Swiller says it is not as good as a JV2080 but in his signature I see that he is not using a 2080 right now so the question remains did he have the two side by side or was he trying to remember how the 2080 sounds. He may be right of course but then again he may also be wrong and the Integra sounds might be identical to a 2080 or better!

To me it looks like an amazing module packed with a lot of power and sounds and probably more internal sounds than any synth they have ever made previously. It looks like it does a lot for just a two rack space unit.

And also to Swiller the JD800 sounds better than the JD990 IMO. I have had those two side by side and there is a definite difference there. I have got a JD800 on loan right now and I must admit it is one of the best sounding Roland synths I have ever heard and I have had them all! There is something rather special about that baby.

If the ideas and the music are great then any module is going to deliver.

I have ordered and paid for mine along with the A88 keyboard... but I have a two month waiting list here in Norway.  Will let you know when they arrive.
The V-700 studio arrived OK on time..  but I could not buy the console only.. had to buy the full set.

Agree with most of that jeff. Especially trying it out yourself. I kind of assumed the op was a grown adult. And still do as it happens. 
My siggy is a bit out of date... Ucx ,jv2080 , minubrute recent additions. Scarlett 8i6, xv5050 out. Disgraceful I agree, I will attend to it immediately. My sincere apologies detective jeff. 

I got the jist from the op and his reply was that integration with sonar was one of his key requirements, which sadly does not appear to be evident in the integra.   Maybe that's swayed his decision more than mine or anyones rants about the sounds. And the op was asking what do you think of its sounds.


of course it's all opinions re sound, hence "to my ears" etc. like I said in my post just some thoughts.

And with you on the jd800 , that's one of the reasons why I have one. But it isn't a rack, which again I assumed what the op was looking for. And just some examples jeff. That's what opinions are about.

Proper friendly place this can be at times eh lol.

So what do you think about the integra sounds and integration with sonar then jeff?  Are you going to sell the jd800 and go and get one?