digital vs analogue

Geren W. Mortensen, Jr. gcmhobbies at earthlink.net
Tue Apr 13 16:59:28 CEST 1999


> I've subsicribed to the list just a few hours ago. I hope it's not 
> all analogue you want to discuss. However my problems with the new VA
> Synths got me here.
>
>
> My opinion; the virtual analog hype (VA) has showed it's downsides.
> As a purist I changed my perspective; If your mind/ear can't make any
> difference between emulated or true analog synthesis why bother. Only
> those va's don't give what the purist want; 1. analogue sound 2. good
> parametre input.
>
> Solutions; 1. create better models of the reality: propellerheads
> have showed us that a good emulation is possible.
> 2. Don't use the midi standards for your parametre input; 24bits is
> much but sufficient for most, if not all, obvious analogue
> parametres  e.g. changing osc frequency 20-20000 Hz.
>
> Now the practical problems I would like to discuss; 1. With the help
> of the internet community, could we make a good emultaion of say a
> moog 24db/oct filter? 2. Can the hightech computer boards used in
> todays synthesizers be modified by users with not so hightech
> equipment?
>
> Why is it that after I bought myself a VA synth (nordlead 1) I
> stumbled after 3 days on it's faults? Even after I (a poor student)
> had studied numerous articles and tests of all the "great magazines"
> we all know? I felt rather betrayed by the bloody hype. But I can't
> blame the public; at least 80% of the musicians I spoke to never had
> heard of the problems with the VAS's even when the owned several.
>
> I hope I've finally found the right discussion group.
>
>
> Paul
>
Paul,

Perhaps it would be helpful to detail what you consider the Nord Lead 1's
faults.  What I read here sounds like "buyer's remorse."

An example:

Some years ago, I bought an Ensoniq VFXsdII keyboard workstation.  For the
first three or four days, I loved it.  Then, as I started to move deeper
into its use and programming, I became disenchanted.  But, I kept fooling
around with it.  I even went out and purchased another book on using and
programming the thing.  I was going to give it every chance.  After several
weeks, I finally got the hang of it.  After that, it very quickly became my
favorite musical tool.

Several years later, I traded the old VFX in on a new instrument - a Korg
X-series (I believe a 2).  This time, I went prepared.  I purchased the
third party manual at the same time I bought the synth.  Again, for the
first week, I loved it.  Sadly, even after months of poking and prodding, I
never did learn to love the Korg as much as that old VFX.

The point of this rambling is:  Give the Nord a little time.  You may
discover that it really has a lot going for it.  If not, ship it here, and
I'll be glad to try to love it!

Geren W Mortensen, Jr.

--
Keyboardist/Synthesist/Psuedo-guitarist - Ugota Wanit

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