Virtual Analogues

[Asho]

While i was looking for a synth i began to notice how expensive virtual analogues (Nords, Virus TI ETC) were.

Whats the best value for money out of these beasts? One day (when i steal the money) im hoping to get a analogue modelling card for the S90 ES, or a seperate rack/keyboard to expaned my sound palette. Any suggestions for that distant date?

[losmusicanos]

Access Virus Rack XL is a Virus C (or B I don't remember) in a 1-U module. Great sounds, doesn't take much space, and not too expensive 2nd hand.

Or Alesis ION... Although I'd prefer to have at least some reverbs and delays. On stage it's painful to need a separate FX module on which you'd still have a switch between patches depending on your sounds. Though for the studio I record without reverbs & delays (to add them when I mix) so it's not a big problem since I never use my ION on stage.

Alesis Micron has reverbs & delays. Roland SH201 seems quite nice, very easy and fun to use, though I'd still prefer to buy a 2nd hand JP8000.

[Omega Monkey]

I dont think you could really beat the PLG-150AN for price/value ratio. For about $150 you get 10(? Its either 5 or 10 I dont remember) voices basically of Prophet 5/CS80 emulation that sounds really nice and sits in the palm of your hand. If the polyphony isnt enough, just buy another 1 (or 2), and its doubled (or tripled).

[Luca_Capozzi]

Best value/money: alesis ion
Best sound/quality: Clavia Nord Lead 3


Cheers,
Luca

[Grey Loki]

Oberheim OB12? Sounds nice, really cheap, useful interface, and it looks soooo damn cool.

[Asho]

The PLG-150AN is $800 AUD.... and was my first option, but then i saw some guy selling a Nord Lead 2 for the same price, and thought i might be worth checking round to see if there are other options about.

Finding 2nd hand synths in Australia has been a rather annoying process, especially since i live on the only island state in the country:tongue:

I saw a Korg MS-2000R for $600 though, but i hear it isnt very good.

[Omega Monkey]

The PLG-150AN is $800 AUD.... .

OR, you could go on ebay and get one for like I said $150 US, plus shipping and whatever bullshit tariffs they put on it, which should still be less than half of that.

EDIT: I just checked ebay.com.au and found a PLG board in Melbourne (the AP not the AN, but they all go for about the same price usually) for $200 aussie. So Im sure you can get an AN for WAY less than $800 (which is insane, and no one would ever pay that unless the market is just ridiculously inflated over there).

If they really were $800, that would mean they are 4x as much, which seems unlikely. And if the PLG board costs that much, I dont see why everything else wouldnt be similarly inflated. Although a Nord 2 for $800 AUD seems like a decent price. Easier to edit too.

[jeebustrain]

Oberheim OB12? Sounds nice, really cheap, useful interface, and it looks soooo damn cool.


if you're looking for something ballsy, this is not the board for you. It excels at things like strings, pads, brass, and effect sounds, but if you're looking to build a screaming lead, it's pretty tough.


my personal recommendation would be a Korg MS2000. It's cheap, easy to program, and sounds great. I probably use it more than any of my other VAs.

[Asho]

If they really were $800, that would mean they are 4x as much, which seems unlikely.

http://www.yamahamusic.com.au/products/musicproduction/plg/150AN.asp

Ok maybe not $800 as i was told buy my local music store, but damn close to it.

Whats those Rolands like? the JP-8000 and the SH201? they dont seem to bad.

[jeebustrain]

http://www.yamahamusic.com.au/products/musicproduction/plg/150AN.asp

Ok maybe not $800 as i was told buy my local music store, but damn close to it.

Whats those Rolands like? the JP-8000 and the SH201? they dont seem to bad.


I paid $200 for my PLG-150AN card. Went in with no problem. You slide the card in and connect a cable and fire up the board. That's it. Then, if you want, you can load the updated default bankset.

I don't use mine much these days though. It's kind of a pain to program via the Motif (my guess it'll be about the same in any other board) and I don't mess with the software editor very much. I did come up with a few sounds though that have made it worth it's value. I made the lead sound for this song with it and I'm pretty happy with the sound I got.
http://www.viralmatrix.net/GlitchFactor%20-%20Epitome%20-10272005%20mix.mp3
(solo starts around 2:25)