From:


http://www.rolandus.com/products/details/1074






"It’s basically a 37-note virtual analogue subtractive synthesizer aimed at the mid-market."



What does that mean?


I know what most all of the words mean. I know what subtractive synthesis is.




Is this just another digital synth?




I'm thinking of getting one of these as a toy for Christmas:








And I thought maybe Roland had something comparable but when I went to go look I got confused.


Any ideas?




best regards,
mike

The words "virtual analogue" are marketing speak for "digital".


Otherwise they'd just call it "analogue" :-)

The Arturia actually sounds pretty good, going by samples I've heard, and it has some interesting features.

I've been considering getting one for a while, but (UK) retailers with stock and me with spare cash haven't coincided yet. No idea what the build quality is like though.

The minibrute is analog - a mono synth. 

@

The Roland is like a "VSTi" with a host, knobs and a keyboard. The Arturia has an analogue signal path. The real test would hearing them side by side. On paper the Roland is a lot more capable so it would be down to if the Arturia's genuine analogue sounded better.

My analogue fantasies take me here http://www.synthesizers.com/  Download the synth invent application, its porn for analogue fans.

Thanks a bunch.

I learned a lot yesterday.

I'm thinking I'd like something hands on and I'd really like the knob indictators to visually reflect the settings.

It seems like a lot of the controllers have great knob layouts but when you combine that with digital preset management the knobs end up being input devices rather than providing both input and indication.

I'd like to find something affordable that allows visitors to sit down and operate the basics right there... a item that they can connect with just by ear and touch... something that doesn't require the extra step of mental juggling where you have to more or less visualize a menu hierarchy.


I am finding that my old fashioned visitors do not like sitting at any of the fantastic VSTis I have. They may like doing that at their house but they seem hesitant at my place. I think I'd feel the same way, and I think it's because the DAW isn't placed where they want to sit and be creative.

So I am thinking maybe a few things that are very, tangible, if you will. Something where a person can simply dial up a sound by instinct and sit over by the other musicians.

I think I may have to have a Mini Brute.

The new Moog Minatuar has got me interested as well.

The Mopho and the Prophet 8 seem super cool... but the digital front ends are contrary to the reason I want something like this... so I think my attraction to them is simple G.A.S.

The stuff at synthesizers.com is super cool... you never know where you'll end up.

Thanks.


best regards,
mike
 

I think its way cool.  I also do not think, "this is a vst in a box."  1st off:  You can use it as an audio interface.  2nd off:  Software has not replaced hands on control.  3rd off:  You are going to get so much polyphony out of it, and you will get a sound quality that is matched only by, "the very, very, very best software synths."

and you will get a sound quality that is matched only by, "the very, very, very best software synths.

FWIW, The GAIA is ok sounding... but it's certainly not at the top of current hardware VA options (or course... the price reflects that).   


IMO, Sylenth1 sounds better than GAIA.

FWIW -

M-Audio Venom just went on sale at Sweetwater (limited time) for $199!!

My sales rep confirms it IS starting to be phased out, but will be fully suppported by Sweetwater & M-Audio for at least a couple more years...

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Venom
 
.
On order - early Christmas present to me 
 
I have a Moog Minitaur (saw it was mentioned in a post above) and a couple of Moogerfoogers ~
VERY cool, pure knob-tweaking analog in a small but powerful package!! 
  
 

Have fun with it!!!

:-)

Wow..  Sweetwater is out of stock on the Venom now.   I saw it @ guitarcenter today, its still full price.   Its a nice keyboard.

I went to guitarcenter because I am dying for a new controller, and I am so not sure what I want!!  I almost, "do not want just a controller, but also a synth."

I thought about this Casio: http://forum.cakewalk.com/tm.aspx?m=2728021

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/XWG1

--

I was not too impressed with the Casio!!   Maybe I am just so used to making music with all computer software, that dumpster diving for settings, with a those tiny little lcd screens is not going to work for me.

The Casio also felt a little cheap, but in its defense!! I didn't really get a chance to play with it.   After all, its xmas season, and there was a lot of noise in the store.

I felt the Venom though..  Felt like a good synth..   It was on a shelf directly below the Roland 101 that this thread is about..   That Roland is a very cool synth..   I didn't get a chance to explore its sound, but its get more buttons and dials that nearly anything around it!!   Its got some fun stuff in there.

Ok..   Well, I keep looking than, to see what I am going to buy


Cheers