Roland V-Synth GT vs. Access Virus TI

Well, Radias and TI are very close in capabilities - Radias for the most part doubles the features of the Virus, even though it has it's own sound. Why do you ask us to give you any suggestions? You buy gear at your own will anyway. We already suggested you get a V-Synth, you did not listen

Anyway, if you're into film sound design, getting a VA synth for that is, well, inappropriate as to me. You need a synth which will allow to create a much greater variety of sounds, not just "instruments" that you play. V-Synth is THE tool of choice if you want effects, atmospheres, sounds that turn still images into moving pictures.

I can send you a few demos of the stuff that I made for the V in the field of special effects. Or I can publish them in this thread, let me know.

Artemio:

Yeah, I know, you told me—I just couldn't help myself. I suppose I could still return the Virus, but how could I? It's so . . . COOL! I could also sell the Radias on Ebay, where I bought it (they seem to sell fast there), but, crap! It's so FUN, and it was only a $1,000! But that Virus . . . when I heard it, I just HAD to have it. I just love that thing—it's so deep and textured. I guess, I really should have tried to audition a V-Synth in person before I went f'n CRAZY. I'm still not sure what happened. I bought my Fantom after much research, and even trying out a Motif at home for a week, and then returning it. And I've been VERY happy with my Fantom ever since. But then, I really wanted to balance my mix with some VA sounds. And then I went NUTS!

It's been a weird time for me (I'm also off work for this week). I'm also spending a lot of money right now remodeling my house, so I figured, what the hell? I'll get cheaper kitchen cabinets ($2,000 Ikea, instead of $10,000 Venicia), and get more synthesizers instead!

Would love to hear your FX and atmosphereic V-Synth stuff, Artemio. Please, post away! I'm afraid your demos will surely convince me to HAVE to buy yet ANOTHER synth, and it'll probably HAVE to be the GT. But THAT'S IT! NO MORE! And . . . I MEAN IT THIS TIME!!!

At least until next year's NAMM . . .

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• Roland Fantom-X8 2.10 SRX04/SRX06/SRX09 1GB DIMM
• Access Virus TI Polar 2.0.5
• Korg Radias 1.7

Rez, you crazy person... =D

What Art says is true, HOWEVER... If you have both the Virus and the Radius you cover the complete spectrum of sound frequencies. The Radius has been known to sound shrill with lots of upper frequencies, while the Virus is known for dark lower register sounds. In my opinion, owning both is only "semi" overdoing it.

I also feel that Art is correct that the V-Synth would be better for atmospheric textures and out of this world sounds. I'm sure there would be people that would disagree with me, but you can't deny that the V-Synth can import samples. While the TI has a great selection of sounds, you are stuck with what is there.

If you have read my previous threads you know I am honkering (is that a word) for a Virus TI Polar. Keep in mind that I don't really have a fully fleshed out VA (SH-201 and V-Synth fall short in a number of areas for pure VA abilities). I feel the Virus would be perfect for my setup as I also want it's darker textures. Think Steve Roach and Kevin Braheny.

As for you, you will have to make that decision on your own. My personal opinion? You are buying stuff way too fast. Calm down and start using what you have. See what it can do for you. It is quite possible that you could do everything you want with the tools at your disposal.

You're telling me! Sh*t yeah, I'm buying stuff way too fast! I was planning to wait until NAMM to make my next purchase BEFORE I bought the Virus! But I couldn't help it! V-Synth GT . . . oooohhh yeeaaahhhhh!!!!!

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• Roland Fantom-X8 2.10 SRX04/SRX06/SRX09 1GB DIMM
• Access Virus TI Polar 2.0.5
• Korg Radias 1.7

There are synths that I can say I like. But they are not many that I'd say I want to work with, in terms of what and how they do and what and how you do. Once you understand the difference, you will stop wasting your money.

Artemio:

I don't feel like I'm wasting my money at all—I have three really great machines, and they all sound different, and each does different things. The reason I bought the Virus, is yeah, I liked it. I liked it a lot! Once I'm able to evaluate a V-Synth GT, I may get that as well, mainly for its sampling capability. Will there be some overlap? Probably. But I'll have four great synths, from three different manufacturers, and I'll be able to benefit from the efforts of the various engineers and sound designers who designed those products, each of whom worked from a diverse spectrum of product concept and design philosophies and technologies. I think that's a good thing!

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• Roland Fantom-X8 2.10 SRX04/SRX06/SRX09 1GB DIMM
• Access Virus TI Polar 2.0.5
• Korg Radias 1.7

Well, at least, I HOPE I didn't waste my money . . . here's MORE rationalization for my rapid "over-synthing" binge.

• Roland Fantom-X8
Boy, I really can't say enough about this machine. I really think it's great, and I'm really happy I bought it!. And I just love the sounds from my my SRX boards. The Fantom's ease-of-use is really unmatched, IMO. Its pads are rich, full, and ready-to-wear. The Fantom is the centerpiece of my set-up. It's my recording studio. It's my 88-key master controller. It's my Swiss-army-knife workstation, and it's GREAT!

• Korg Radias
I've actually relegated my Radias to the role of being a really "full-featured" rhythm machine. Although I know it's capable of much more, I really like the Radias as a drum and "funny sound" rhythm machine (bleeps and pops and clicks and stuff), since the arps and sequencer are so quick and easy to program on the Radias.

• Access Virus TI Polar
The Virus is just awesome sounding. Its sounds are really edgy and cool. Its patches just sound so organic and richly complex. The frequency dynamic range just seems endless, and much "larger" than than anything else I've ever heard. I imagine the V-Synth to be amazing as well, and that's why I've been soliciting comparison commentary on the forums from those who have played both (which oddly, are few and far between).

• Roland V-Synth GT
The V-Synth GT will take on all the exotic sound-crunching duties. Although it's certainly also capable of many other "regular" synth duties. Of course, it will also just HAVE play a huge part in performing leads, thanks to its unique and impressive AP synthesis.

So there you have it. I bought what I "liked." It's all I had to go on. Sure, I'm a programming neophyte, but I'll learn as I go. In the meantime, at least I have some decent presets in the Virus to use (the Radias presets are pretty poor, IMO).

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• Roland Fantom-X8 2.10 SRX04/SRX06/SRX09 1GB DIMM
• Access Virus TI Polar 2.0.5
• Korg Radias 1.7

Calm down, I am just a bit jealous

However, I am just warning you that with so many synths purchased in a short period, you won't be able to spend enough time learning each one in good depths. I have been learning the V for 3 years now, and I know I can learn even more.

Oh, sorry, Artemio! Now, I can't say that I don't feel a little guilty about all this. But it's been a long time coming (I bought my last synth 15 years ago), and darnit, I deserve to have some fun! I bought my first Moog when I was 14. But, I've never really had a decent DAW or a decent synth set-up—I've had only the crudest, pre-DAW, computer-based MIDI controllers (anyone remember the Amiga?), and only one keyboard at any given time. I didn't have the space, inclination, or money before, but, NOW . . . the time has come . . . finally.

True, with so many complex synths to learn, I'm sure that I've bitten off way more than I can chew. Had I ONLY bought a Radias, I'm sure that I would be spending night after night learning the RADIAS and ONLY the Radias. And I would probably then really learn it. But now, with so many options, I'm sure I'm going to give the Radias a bit less attention to its programming potential than it deserves. But each night since I've gotten them, I take one manual to bed with me and read through the chapters. So . . . someday, with a little sweat and persistence, I'll may REALLY know the "difference!"

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• Roland Fantom-X8 2.10 SRX04/SRX06/SRX09 1GB DIMM
• Access Virus TI Polar 2.0.5
• Korg Radias 1.7

Rez, my heart bleeds for you. What with you having too much on your plate, I feel - as a fellow human being - that it's my obligation to help you out of your dilemna.

Send me your Virus.

:O)

Congradulation on the gear binge!

Life is short, play hard!

Mark

Thanks, Mark! Yup . . . life IS short. And, the Virus just happened to arrive at my door EXACTLY on my birthday, a complete coincidence—one more year closer to that age where you become invisible to hot chicks.

Thanks for your kind offer, shimky, but I think I'll live with the guilt and hang on to my Virus!

Igglethorpe:

You wrote, "If you have read my previous threads you know I am honkering (is that a word) for a Virus TI Polar. Keep in mind that I don't really have a fully fleshed out VA (SH-201 and V-Synth fall short in a number of areas for pure VA abilities). I feel the Virus would be perfect for my setup as I also want it's darker textures . . ."

I feel your pain. I felt it the moment I heard the Virus—only hours after I had committed to buying my Radias. I think the word you're searching for is "hankering," which I believe is a particularly American colloquialism (slang). Because I have the same "hankering" for a GT now. It sounds like it WILL sound different from the Virus, based on your comments. I find it interesting that you say that you don't have a "fully fleshed out VA" in either your SH-201 or your V-Synth. Makes me think that the Virus DOES sound different from a V-Synth. And yes, the V-Synth's sampling ability is an EXTREMELY attractive feature. I can just imagine myself going out and collecting the weirdest real-world sounds using a portable 1-bit digital recorder and a good stereo mic. I also have a huge commercial library of professionally recorded sound effects, and those will be excellent fodder for the GT as well. Like I said . . . just ONE more, and I'm DONE.

And as you mentioned, I think I'm being only semi-nuts. I've got the Fantom as my rompler/string/orchestra machine. The Radias for rhythms. The Virus for those dark, edgy VA sounds. The GT for sampling real-world sounds to twist, stretch, distort, and crunch . . . (plus, those awesome AP synthesis violin leads). Each machine has its own forté, and for a decent sound design studio, I think it's an excellent array of tools, without (hopefully) an excess amount of overlap.

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• Roland Fantom-X8 2.10 SRX04/SRX06/SRX09 1GB DIMM
• Access Virus TI Polar 2.0.5
• Korg Radias 1.7

GAME OVER.

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• Roland Fantom-X8 2.10 SRX04/SRX06/SRX09 1GB DIMM
• Roland V-Synth GT
• Access Virus TI Polar 2.0.5
• Korg Radias 1.7