PlanetZ forums - scopeusers.com

Hello,

I am seriously thinking of trading in my Korg Triton Rack and Ensoniq DP4+ to buy the Roland V Synth Rack XT ( I love the sound by the way). Am I doing the right thing? I would get 650 euros for the Korg and 250 euros for the DP4+. I am happy enough to get what I was offered for the Korg, not so for the DP4+, but I rarely use it as I tend to use software effects (yet I know the unit is a classic-supposedly). But, can Reaktor do what the V Synth can? If so, then maybe I shouldn't buy.

Any opinions?

There are so many factors to consider aside from just the main 'tricks' that a synth can perform. For the people here to really give you an effective answer or discussion, you should perhaps discuss your working methods and where you might like to grow with your setup & skills.

The 'playability' of V-Synth even in Rack form is going to vary a lot less from setup to setup than the responsiveness & sound quality of reaktor, which will depend on the system they're hosted in as well.

Both of your current synths are hardware rack, which means you're either using a master controller to play them (software through or directly connected) or some might even just drive the synths directly from software editing, especially using FLstudio or MAX or something that uses paradigms that go beyond key input.

You might be making progressive trance or punk country disco, we don't know. You might be after the ultimate programming device for all your own custom patchwork in the future, or you might be more interested in the largest library of quality presets you can get in a device.

Also if you're mixing externally on a mixer and have enough outboard gear to do what you want the XT might very well make a great choice, however if you find you record everything track by track just so you can engineer it better, then you might prefer softsynths? Then there's the whole sound quality debate which you may or may not care about...

in short, more details please

I have demo'd that particular unit. It is up to Roland to release more content 4 it. It does have an awesome D50 set, but the synths are weak as usual. That rack has so much potential, but you are at Rolands mercy, as they won't release more content until they think that the sales warrant it.
And that's too bad. I would love one of those, but they have a record of leaving their wounded on the field of battle. That is totally unacceptable to me in this day and age, where proprietary formats are so dated.
But that could be an awesome rack if they would only support it.

I still have the Ensoniq also, 15 years ago it was the rack to have. It's chorus choices are supreme, but easily reproduced in software.

Good Luck,

JV

I would definitely go with Reactor because of its wide range of instruments and features. I am not particularly found of its characteristic sound, but I realised this is due to the presets included with it. You can do your own, and you’ll find an infinite potential in it. Go software… software is going to be bigger and bigger, as computers… You can bet that you will easily do everything with Reaktor, that you can do with the synths you mention anyway.

The only problem I can see, is time… as getting ready your patches, constructing your own instruments, effects, etc., it’s a heavy job, but well… there is your job.

Another important point is that you can upgrade Reaktor “and” your computer, but unfortunately, you cannot upgrade your Roland V Synth Rack XT, sooner or later it will become obsolete…

My answer, despite the fact that I don’t know your style of music, is:

Go Software!

Nestor wrote:I would definitely go with Reactor because of its wide range of instruments and features. I am not particularly found of its characteristic sound, but I realised this is due to the presets included with it. You can do your own, and you’ll find an infinite potential in it. Go software… software is going to be bigger and bigger, as computers… You can bet that you will easily do everything with Reaktor, that you can do with the synths you mention anyway.

The only problem I can see, is time… as getting ready your patches, constructing your own instruments, effects, etc., it’s a heavy job, but well… there is your job.

Another important point is that you can upgrade Reaktor “and” your computer, but unfortunately, you cannot upgrade your Roland V Synth Rack XT, sooner or later it will become obsolete…

My answer, despite the fact that I don’t know your style of music, is:

Go Software!

Despite the fact that I love the sound of the V-Synth, I believe you are right Nestor. Software is far more flexible, future proof and cheaper. I prefer the convenience of software. I doubt if Reaktor could emulate the V-Synth. I wouldn't like to try to create it. My brain would probably melt. I thought though that 650 Euros wasn't a bad trade in price for the Korg Triton, however after playing around with it to double check if I really want to trade it in, I decided that actually, it is not a bad unit. The same goes for the Ensoniq DP 4+ (though I would never sell for 250 euros-it is worth far more). Even though I hardly use them, I'll hang on to them. I'll use the DP4+ connected to an ADAT interface and incorporate it into my Scope setup.

good sounds never go bad or become useless. software is no better than hardware or vice versa. it's all about getting the sound you want. often software is more convienient and cheaper, but not always....

if you have a useful piece of gear, don't sell it just for a new thing unless the new thing is really an improvement...use the gear that makes the sounds you need and fits your workflow/physical realities. the music is more important than the stuff, no matter what any marketing department says.

I just invested about €3000,- to get my hands on (what was I saying) a Machinedrum/sampler edition and a Monomachine, by Elektron.
What did I wrong, it feels as one of the best investments of my life

Together with my old Virus-A I have enough reasons to stay away from Cubase as much as possible...

garyb wrote:good sounds never go bad or become useless. software is no better than hardware or vice versa. it's all about getting the sound you want. often software is more convienient and cheaper, but not always....

if you have a useful piece of gear, don't sell it just for a new thing unless the new thing is really an improvement...use the gear that makes the sounds you need and fits your workflow/physical realities. the music is more important than the stuff, no matter what any marketing department says.

I second your words as they make perfect sense to me Gary, they are wise.