Pads Synth?

The Analog Organist · Post by **The Analog Organist** » Mon Oct 05, 2009 12:10 am

Subtronik -

I'd be interested to hear more about your impression of the Poly Evolver Keyboard. I've often considered buying one as slight foray into digital synthesis.

Subtronik · Post by **Subtronik** » Mon Oct 05, 2009 12:22 am

It has some massive editing capabilities, but in the end I was disappointed with the sound overall. Thin and cold is the way I heard it.

I'm guessing that if you ran it through a warmer of some kind it could be a real contender.

eXode · Post by **eXode** » Mon Oct 05, 2009 1:35 am

If you're thinking of the Waldorf Q then you should check out Blofeld, esp as the box is quite cheap. Also for pads depening on what 'type' of pads I would recommend FM synthesis. The Yamaha FS1R comes to mind, but maybe FM is blasphemy in here?

Also as someone else mentioned, the tetra do a good job even though polyphony might be too low for some peoples taste.

Prime NL · Post by **Prime NL** » Mon Oct 05, 2009 3:15 am

Subtronik wrote:
Prime NL wrote:Virus TI
I'm interested in the Virus series. Have you owned any other good pads synth to compare?

I have owned a Waldorf Blofeld and a AN1X before the Virus for pads....but i think the Virus TI has the most warm and various pads of them all.
The editing options and the Saw made all the differences to me.

Started with a Virus TI Snow...but due to it's limited knobs sold it for a good price and bought a Desktop which i still have.
Best synth i bought in times for me.

ozy · Post by **ozy** » Mon Oct 05, 2009 4:44 am

my solution is:

layering

DSI TETR4 = 800 usd, brand new

+

Korg M1R = 200 usd, used

You get prophet-t8-like strings [using suboscillators, they could fill a water reservoir and still something would spill out],

plus you can use the korg m1 for some digital sparkles [try the "Palamine" preset, less the strings].

And you will get beautiful pads which fill but don't intrude with your moog's solos.

Or, if you want something more "produced" for soundtracks and the like

use the same tertr4

plus a cheap korg wavestation SR (250 usd, used)

some thousands ìf swirling pads, layered to the tetr4 horns, or strings

Subtronik · Post by **Subtronik** » Mon Oct 05, 2009 6:46 am

eXode wrote:If you're thinking of the Waldorf Q then you should check out Blofeld, esp as the box is quite cheap. Also for pads depening on what 'type' of pads I would recommend FM synthesis.

I'll see if my local music store can get a blofeld in for me to try out. FM pads aren't as milky as I'd like.

ozy wrote:you will get beautiful pads which fill but don't intrude with your moog's solos.

Really that's the most important issue for me. I need the synths pads to blend together perfectly with the Voyager.

ozy · Post by **ozy** » Mon Oct 05, 2009 7:53 am

subtronic " I need the synths pads to blend together perfectly with the Voyager"

that's all in the KIND of music you do.

I play in a Weather Report/Zawinul Syndicate tribute band, and would never use pads which are "too smart" [bells, whistles, ringing chimes, ethereal vocals singing gregorianus].

My voyager sounds at times like a 2600, at times like a fat prophet bass, at times like a 2-pole filtered hammond, msot of time like an harmonica or a clarinet,

so an analog strings carpet, sometimes vocodered, with a subtle digital layer for phrasing clarity, is the pad I use the most.

Of course if on the contrary your voyager sounds like a sledgehammer beating on a steel plate, IE if you go for industrial noise (or, worse, chemical industry noise),

you could like better the Access, Blofeld, Q, etc pads.

Analog synths are about making the sounds you hear in your head, so there's where you should ask for counsel

Subtronik · Post by **Subtronik** » Mon Oct 05, 2009 8:02 am

I do breakbeat, industrial type stuff and use the Voyager for big aggressive basses and crunchy leads.

I'd like to compliment those biting sounds with some lush silky pads.

ozy · Post by **ozy** » Mon Oct 05, 2009 8:15 am

uhm...

in that case you MAY want something different than the Tetr4.

It does one heck of a "strings machine played two fists" impression, but if you like some pieces of glass, needles and pins in your drink, maybe the Access range is better for you.

Prime NL · Post by **Prime NL** » Mon Oct 05, 2009 8:22 am

I do DnB/Breakbeat/Dubstep....tried different stuff...but the Virus is the best choice for your kind of music Subtronik.

Subtronik · Post by **Subtronik** » Mon Oct 05, 2009 8:42 am

Just checked out your stuff Prime, dark and funky, very nice work.

I think I'll eventually own a DSI, but the Virus just sounds right for what I need atm.

ikazlar · Post by **ikazlar** » Mon Oct 05, 2009 8:51 am

If you get a P08 make sure you don't get the encoder version.

Subtronik · Post by **Subtronik** » Mon Oct 05, 2009 8:53 am

ikazlar wrote:If you get a P08 make sure you don't get the encoder version.

Can you qualify that please?

ikazlar · Post by **ikazlar** » Mon Oct 05, 2009 8:58 am

The P08 comes in two versions, one has encoders, the other doesn't. There have been millions of complaints with the encoders, they are terrible.

You want a full cutoff spin? The encoder version will make you have wrist problems after a while. It might take 2 or 3 spins to get the maximum value. Moreover, they feel cheap and wiggle a little. My advice is to get the Pot edition and not the Encoder edition.

ozy · Post by **ozy** » Mon Oct 05, 2009 9:04 am

I agree with the P8/encoder recommendation.

That's one of the reason why I suggested the Tetr4, which has real pots, not encoders, for filter control.

I own both the P8 rack, the mopho and the tetr4, and the pots make a lot of difference.

On the p8 you have the solution of using a pedal, though.

If anybody here wants to join my petition to DSI for a RACK release of the pot edition, be welcome.

They upgrade to pots the keyboard version, but ot the rack version...