what VA blends better with the voyager sound?

kcabdeef · Post by **kcabdeef** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 1:52 am

I'm considering a VA for going together with the voyager. Now, I've noticed that the moog has a very distinct sound so I'm looking something that will blend well with it without many post processing tweaks.

Is there any that you find that particularly blends well with the voyager?

It'll mainly be used for ambiences/fx. Bass/leads will be taken care by the moog.

Also, any drum machine that blends well with it's massive bass? jomox? machinedrum?

Any inputs are welcome since this is hard to test in a store.

StefanH · Post by **StefanH** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 4:54 am

Hi!
I got some VA's, and i would recommend the NL3.
or an used Waldorf. My Favourite is the Microwave (which is NOT a VA).
The Nordlead got one of the best Interfaces i ever saw...

To decide between Machinedrum and the Jomox XBase09 or 999 is very easy!
Take both!
This is the same like comparing the Voyager with an Digital Synth.
I have both drummachines (and the MBase01) and love this setup very much. both are fantastic machines and sound great, but both machines are still expencieve...
(also i own the Jomox SunSyn, great analog Polysynth)

I can offer you to buy my XBase09 after i recieved the XBase999

ikazlar · Post by **ikazlar** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 4:56 am

Hi there

check out something from Roland. Maybe a V-synth. For drums, again, I would suggest some Roland drum machine or an Akai MPC.

MarkM · Post by **MarkM** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 11:04 am

The Waldorf Microwave would be excellent or the Ion. Both are aggressive sounding and can do pads and have arps. I think any VA could do the trick. It depends on what you need. Sometimes it's nice to have a smooth, delicate digital pad behind an aggessive Moog sound. A Novation could handle that pretty well or a rich-sounding Waldorf Q.

kcabdeef · Post by **kcabdeef** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 12:19 pm

thanks!

I'm considering a waldorf Q actually, specially because of it's vast arquitecture and double filters. i like flexibility and modulatioon options in a synth. My fear is that it may sound too digital and won't blend well with the voyager. My other possibility is an access virus. Any thoughts on this one?

monads · Post by **monads** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 2:19 pm

For ambient types of sounds I would look hard at the Nord Lead 3. Alot of peeps say the G2 engine is even better but I just don't like the computer interface part because you can't design patches straight from the synth itself. A V-synth is not a bad option either.

Drums...Machinedrum is the way to go. Though I can't wait to hear that XBase999. I think Stefan is right, gotta have both to wet your percussion needs

OysterRock · Post by **OysterRock** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 2:39 pm

I think my next synth is going to be the Elektron Monomachine. I'm drawn to unique gear like that.

http://www.monomachine.com/

Its kind of like the anti-Voyager. It embraces its digital-ness. I like contrast

MarkM · Post by **MarkM** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 2:42 pm

kcabdeef wrote:thanks!

I'm considering a waldorf Q actually, specially because of it's vast arquitecture and double filters. i like flexibility and modulatioon options in a synth. My fear is that it may sound too digital and won't blend well with the voyager. My other possibility is an access virus. Any thoughts on this one?

I use a Q rack with my Voyager. I find that they complement each other very well. It can sound digital, but what's wrong with that? I like having synths that have different sound characteristics. The Q can come up with some really smooth pads. Plus the arp and sequencer are useful and the midi can be sent to the Voyager. The Q can also come up with some insane aggressive tones as well. Those two wave tables can really come up with some evolving sounds. I've not tried a Virus, but they look pretty good.

musicnonstop · Post by **musicnonstop** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 5:40 pm

I use a nord lead 2x with my moog and they go together just fine.

the nord is a gritty abrasive sounding tool and the moog complements it perfectly....

suthnear · Post by **suthnear** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 4:19 am

kcabdeef wrote:It'll mainly be used for ambiences/fx.

Since that's the case, it'll need to be a synth with effects, which rules out all the nords other than the g2. Because the g2 is modular it is easily the best VA for ambiences and fx, but this (and the computer interface) is also what puts some people off. Fortunately, of all VAs it is the easiest to test for yourself. Go to http://www.clavia.se/products/nordmodular/demo.htm and you can d/l an almost fully functional g2 demo (it's monophonic, though) and test it for yourself on your computer. It'll also give you a good idea of the basic clavia sound (there are plenty of patches for the demo that emulate the nl2 and nl3).

If you don't like the g2, for whatever reason, I think you you should look for a waldorf synth - either the q or the microwave xt - they sound quite distinct from the moogs and are very good at ambientish sounds.

If you're not absolutely stuck on a VA, another possibility is one of the evolver range, which are also very capable effects machines...

kcabdeef wrote:Also, any drum machine that blends well with it's massive bass? jomox? machinedrum?

The g2 can be a very capable drum machine as well.

suthnear · Post by **suthnear** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 4:25 am

monads wrote:Alot of peeps say the G2 engine is even better but I just don't like the computer interface part because you can't design patches straight from the synth itself.

The editing from the synth itself is pretty fully featured: every parameter can be assigned to a knob. So you can expose as many or as few controls as you want. What you can't do from the keyboard itself is patching, but then you can't do that in the nl2 or nl3 either (given that they're fixed architecture synths).

analoghaze · Post by **analoghaze** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 12:14 pm

Along with the Voyager, I use:
Waldorf Q+
Waldorf MicroWave XT
Future Retro 777
Nord Modular G2 Engine

One thing to consider is that you can no longer purchase Waldorf new. I do love their synths though.

The g2 is simply amazing. I would say it is the best digital piece avaible today. I use it as a drum machine very often too. I also has 4 inputs.

I used to own a MonoMachine, and although cool, it just didn't fit in with what I am doing. It seemed kind of limited to itself. I tried to like it, but it always fell short of my needs.

If you haven't already dl the demo of the G2 and see if it is what you want.

monads · Post by **monads** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 12:58 pm

suthnear wrote:The editing from the synth itself is pretty fully featured: every parameter can be assigned to a knob. So you can expose as many or as few controls as you want. What you can't do from the keyboard itself is patching, but then you can't do that in the nl2 or nl3 either (given that they're fixed architecture synths).

True. But perhaps some sort of fixed architecture (pre-patched) would have helped which you can over-ride with the G2 editor if need be. I just don't like being tied to the editor. Reminds me of a patchable softsynth. And if I never gig with it using it only in the studio what would be the advantage of assigning features to the knobs if I can do it all from the editor? I don't want to be clicking with a mouse here to patch. But you can't please them all. It's just not for me.

theglyph · Post by **theglyph** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 2:20 pm

My Voyager complements my Waldorf Q very nicely. I feel like I have the best of both worlds. I've seen some on ebay for reasonable prices.

Lengai · Post by **Lengai** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 3:18 pm

I use a Waldorf Q, a Nord Lead, and a Virus with my Voyager. I would actually recommend you get a Korg Wavestation for the type of sound you are describing. VA sound digital used with the Voyager. Any of them are good and have a different sound so you can't go wrong. I'd look into the Wavestation as a strong choice too.

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what VA blends better with the voyager sound?

what VA blends better with the voyager sound?

Re: what VA blends better with the voyager sound?