Soft To Hard?
Soft To Hard? Posted on: 25.05.2012 by Monserrate Rupnow Blog post time! This one talks a bit about working with hardware to write your music, as opposed to strictly a software workflow.http://tarekith.com/soft-to-hard/ | |
| Georgina Schatzman 06.06.2012 |
Originally Posted by RockingClub
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| Romelia Stankard 05.06.2012 |
Originally Posted by mostapha
The minibrute doesn't completely respond to midi though like that. Personally I would rather have a minitaur, if I was going to get a limited function analog synth I would rather it be really good at one thing rather than just a basic analog 1 osc + sub osc synth. |
| Sylvia Greener 31.05.2012 |
Originally Posted by Xonetacular
http://community .moogmusic.com/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=13241 (need to scroll down a bit) |
| Romelia Stankard 31.05.2012 |
Originally Posted by RockingClub
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| Dorie Scelzo 07.06.2012 | Yeah. And it has a USB midi interface, which means it'd probably be plugged in most of the time anyway. I'm just really wondering when I'm going to run out of USB bandwidth……I believe I have like 12 devices off one USB port and my audio interface off the other right now. Switching to a FW or TB interface will help that, which is going to happen eventually……but it's still kinda crazy. |
| Georgina Schatzman 07.06.2012 | Just by it self, you have all the practical controls you need to play it live, the software just allows you to go more in depth for studio use it seems. So instead of trying to add all the features on the box itself and raise the price they kept it down to the basics and fundamentals while the FREE software allows access to more features. Seems like a win/win to me to be honest |
| Dorie Scelzo 07.06.2012 | So, I actually watched the video. I'm slightly frustrated. Apparently not everything it can do is available from the hardware (filter keytracking was one thing I noticed…as well as the LFO free/sync control). But I like that it's just an editor/librarian app as opposed to being more like the TI plugin. Plus, with it being an app, I don't have to worry about whether it's VST only or if they released an RTAS as well. Ugh. Stupid features. I'm probably still going to get one, but the thought of a computer-free studio seems like more and more of a pipe dream every day. |
| Georgina Schatzman 06.06.2012 | Don't forget that the Slim Phatty was originally made for touring artists as well. Wasn't really meant to be used in the studio per se for sound design stuff and getting really deep into it. |
| Georgina Schatzman 06.06.2012 |
Originally Posted by RockingClub
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| Dorie Scelzo 06.06.2012 | I played with a slim phatty (well…a little phatty) at the same time as the minitaur. It's a huge PITA and not like using hardware. The knobs are knobs, not encoders, an it does value scaling pickups for all the values. It does tell you (with an LED) where they are, but it feels like a joke. I know it can do more, and I know people like it. But I have soft synths that can do more than any hardware synth out there…it's not about that, and we've established that I'm a bit vehement about what hardware would make me pay its premium (when/if i have it). I'd never buy a slim/little phatty over a minitaur. @xone: That's kinda cool…it'd make it easier to get automation working…but meh. Do you know if it can snapshot the hardware or if you actually have to program it from the VST for it to work? Somehow, I'm less annoyed at that than the Virus TI plugin……probably because it seems like it's just a shortcut to something I'd do anyway instead of something that I might as well do with a soft synth……I believe I'd still rather run the audio through some colored preamps, though, even if the plugin does audio. |
| Sylvia Greener 06.06.2012 | I just wondered why nobody mentionned the Slim Phatty when criticizing the Mintaur for it limits. Or is it just too old to be part of the discussion at the moment? Nord Rack 2x either sounds quite decent in my opinion! |
| Romelia Stankard 05.06.2012 |
Originally Posted by mostapha
The minibrute doesn't completely respond to midi though like that. Personally I would rather have a minitaur, if I was going to get a limited function analog synth I would rather it be really good at one thing rather than just a basic analog 1 osc + sub osc synth. |
| Dorie Scelzo 05.06.2012 | I assume you mean minitaur. Yeah…it apparently only understands up to C3, but the second oscillator will go above that. It's very limited compared to the mini brute, but it was hard to make it sound bad. And you can coax higher tones out of it. The resonance will easily push into self-oscillation and the filter frequency will supposedly respond to MIDI (like every other control, I believe…at least, I read that somewhere)…which means that you could store patches (with DAW automation) and still have all the control you want. But, yeah…I thought I'd like the minibrute better too. I do want a basic mono at some point, and both seem like good choices for the price (NIB for not much more than an SH-201 and with more controls than a mopho or things like it). Now, I just need to hear the arturia. |
| Monserrate Rupnow 06.06.2012 | Well that was my point, the Minibrute really is only a bass synth, and I would have thought people would want something that could also do higher octaves. |
| Georgina Schatzman 06.06.2012 | What kind of range did the Moog Taurus have? They really are just bass synths from everything I've read. |
| Monserrate Rupnow 06.06.2012 | I'm curious about both as I haven't tried either yet. The SOS review of the Minitaur sounded good, but I'd be a bit bummed about the limitations on what notes it can play myself. Still, lots of fun little analog synths coming out lately, so it could be worse, like not having enough choices! |
| Georgina Schatzman 06.06.2012 | A couple of my co-workers went to NAMM show back in Jan, and these guys are hardcore synth junkies. They owned and used every synth you can believe of. When we first got word of the Minibrute they were so excited about it and wanted it to be good, but after seeing it they were very disappointed. They all said if you're willing to plop down the money for it you'd be better off saving a bit more and getting something that's actually good. The one thing they all were excited about was the Vortex from MacBeth. Might be something to look into. |
| Monserrate Rupnow 06.06.2012 | Surprised so many people are going with the Minitaur given the Minibrute is so close to release. I'd have thought the Minibrute would be the one everyone would jump since it's more flexible. |
| Dorie Scelzo 06.06.2012 | I got my hands on a minitaur at my local GC yesterday. I'm sold. One of them will find its way to me at some point, probably before a VA. Also, I might have heard a rumor that they've got a pile of MiniBrutes in the back that they can't put on display because Arturia is telling them to hold off for some reason……but the guy who totally didn't say that is a bit unreliable and a career sales guy who always agrees with you, so who knows? |
| Sylvia Greener 31.05.2012 |
Originally Posted by Xonetacular
http://community .moogmusic.com/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=13241 (need to scroll down a bit) |
| Romelia Stankard 31.05.2012 |
Originally Posted by RockingClub
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| Sylvia Greener 31.05.2012 | Quite like the minitaur. The only thing I really miss is, that (as far as I know) it's not rack-able |
| Romelia Stankard 31.05.2012 | I'm pretty sure given the community someone just wanted to buy one to mess around with for a bit, got bored, and wanted to buy some new modules instead. |
| Georgina Schatzman 31.05.2012 | Or could be buyers remorse. I couldn't tell you how many times we had people return stuff like a TI Virus, Moog Voyager, Dave Smith Tempest and so on. People seem to believe that getting a nice piece of hardware is going to write the music for them. If you were writing bad songs before, you're still going to write bad songs afterwards. |
| Dorie Scelzo 31.05.2012 |
Originally Posted by JasonBay
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| Romelia Stankard 31.05.2012 |
Originally Posted by mostapha
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| Georgina Schatzman 30.05.2012 | They already shipped back in April (Pre-Sales). Some one probably decided it's not for them and is trying to ditch it. |
| Dorie Scelzo 30.05.2012 | Wait, really? I mean…they're actually shipping now, but……really? |
| Romelia Stankard 29.05.2012 | Damn, someone is selling a minitaur for $450 and I have to pay rent tomorrow. |
| Sylvia Greener 27.05.2012 | At the moment I don't really own hardware. I only own a Maschine which is not far from being real hardware and I've fallen in deep love with it. Yesterday I used it for more than an hour without staring at my computer screen only once. It actually helped me to achieve to goals at once: Enhance my workflow and dramatically improve my musical output. Now that I am really convinced that "hardware" works much better for me than just using the computer with keyboard and mouse I am having a look at lots of possibilities for further investments (probably GAS-infected ). Here are some of my ideas: Arturia Analog Experience The Laboratory 61, Icon Qcon Pro, BCR 2000 to controll some Soft-Synths (mapping needed for sure), RME Fireface UC with Rode mic and last but not least: Lexicon MX 400. If winning in the lottery the Moog Slim Phatty and/or Clavia Nord Rack 2x would be really interesting pieces of gear as well! Synth-enthusiast's paradise: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTFpM...ideo&lr=1&ob=4 |
| Celestine Porebski 27.05.2012 | Nice article as usual, T. Could have maybe put a bit more emphasis on the paragraph talking about it being a good bit harder to create full songs from loops (at least when talking grooveboxes, which is the only hardware I'm familiar with myself). My Electribes are awesome for creating ideas and dishing out loops quickly. Yet I do struggle when trying to extend the loops to a full track. Of course this might be due to the fact that I'm still somewhat to lazy to start recording the individual parts into a DAW (which is probably necessary to do a proper mixdown - but of course would take some of the spontanity and hands-on-fun out of the equation). Oh, and for your EMX recommendation. I believe this really depends a lot on what kind of music you want to make. For me - aiming at rather percussive deep/tech house - the ESX is loads more fun than the EMX. Being able to load up your own drum sounds and most of all manipulate the drum sounds a bit further (especially the filter which you can only use for synth parts on the EMX) is quite important, imo. The EMX probably complements it well, but I have not really come to terms with it yet. But sound design is my biiiiiiiig weakness in general, so again this might not say all too much. |
| Dorie Scelzo 27.05.2012 |
Originally Posted by Xonetacular
Originally Posted by Tarekith
At this point, I'd stick with Dune over a Virus TI. But a C/Classic or a Nord Lead would be a huge step up.
Originally Posted by elio_xh
They're finicky, harder to work with, big, require more cabling, require "bigger" audio interfaces, and are generally less convenient all around……except when you're playing them…which is the important part. I'm done buying software. But by the end of the year, I'm probably going to own a Taurus and either a VA or an all-hardware groove box. I planned on doing it this summer, but alas…life keeps getting in the way. |
| Christel Croak 26.05.2012 | I wish I could afford hardware gear, but at times it's hard to justify the cost. For example a Virus Ti would rack me around 1500, which is still almost 500 more than I've spent on all my software gear to date. But if money was not the issue, I'd definitely get a modcan modular system. Love the freedom to pick whatever you like, and if you have more money, just add more! |
| Monserrate Rupnow 25.05.2012 | Unfortunately, there are some aspects of the TI range you can only access from the plug in. |
| Romelia Stankard 25.05.2012 |
Originally Posted by Tarekith
edit: nevermind see what you mean |
| Monserrate Rupnow 25.05.2012 | Cheers guys, glad you liked it. Ironically, it was the Virus TI's reliance on the software angle for many things (arp editing, etc) that made me dislike it. I like the C and earlier versions more since everything could be done from the front panel. Starting to believe I'm just weird like that though |
| Random X 25.05.2012 | Thanks for another great article T! |
| Romelia Stankard 25.05.2012 | I believe I'm going to build some of the modules from kits too. Something about soldering the circuits and physically building the modules your sounds are running through seems really cool and it will save some money.
Originally Posted by mostapha
For synths I either would want something totally hands on and easy to program and if it has some menu diving I would want a good editor for it too but it should still be simple enough to use standalone. |
| Dorie Scelzo 25.05.2012 |
Originally Posted by AllDay
Did you read the article? You should. T's a decent writer with more experience than most.
Originally Posted by JasonBay
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| Dorie Scelzo 25.05.2012 |
Originally Posted by AllDay
Did you read the article? You should. T's a decent writer with more experience than most.
Originally Posted by JasonBay
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