I appreciate everyone’s feedback and ideas so far!
Would anyone ever consider going in the Opsix / Hydrasynth / Minilogue XD direction over a Virus?
Surely those 3 synths cover more sonic range / possibilities than the Virus. Of course, REALLY learning how to use 3 synths would take a hell of a lot of time.
I’ve spent a decent amount of time with a Minilogue XD, and loved the way it sounded and felt.
I’ve played around with a Hydrasynth on 2 occasions and had a lot of fun.
I’ve never seen / heard an Opsix in person, but some of the demos I’ve heard reveal a super unique-sounding synth.
One thing I will add, since you say you want to keep working in the box. Not sure if I’d go for a Virus in that case. It’s fantastic if you want an all in one solution for DAWless electronic music making.
However, there’s a reason so many use the VST plugin. The interface is in my opinion a huge pain in the ass. It’s why I don’t have one anymore and for modern EDM-y sounds like bass stabs and supersaws I use Vital.
I’m actually not sure on that. I recall reading somewhere that patches work across different iterations of the Virus, some better than others, depending on how far apart they are. I’m probably just spreading BS though - I’m sure someone else here knows.
The Virus can do everything you need in a track, and due to its multitimbrality, it can do it all at once.
The OPSIX might be a good choice with a Blofeld. Hydrasynth is monotimbral and people seem divided on whether or not they love its sound. Whatever other complaints people have about the Virus, I can’t recall anyone making a serious complaint about how amazing it sounds. If anything, the Virus puts “real” analog synths to shame.
If $2500 represents your big spend over the next few years, I’d suggest getting a desktop Virus of some kind now, and then add in less expensive synths over time for flavor. But if you are comfortable dropping $1k on synths several times throughout the year, odds are good that you can pick up a cheap Virus with a bit of patience.
Back when I worked more in the box, I would usually prefer Massive over the Virus TI VST. A decade later, I’m using a Desktop Virus and the only time I use VSTs is to put some reverb on the Lyra-8.
I hear what you’re saying. I would say that I’m probably not really going for a more classic trance-type of sound with my music. I do certainly like to get a little vintage-sounding, particularly going in a subtle 80’s direction with some sounds. But definitely not classic trance per say.
Would you say a Virus is relevant for more current-sounding, clubby trance and progressive? I guess generally speaking, my music is sort of Anjuna-esque. New school trance music, I would say.
I’m big on layering, and in my head, was picturing myself using this synth for
high / mid bass layers (My Sub 37 covers everything bass, especially sub bass sounds)
dreamy (sometimes driving) arps / sequences, - - big (but not cheesy) chord pads
smooth, sustained 80’s-style leads.
Atmospheric, almost background layers (not super complex)
Not my experience with the TI2 at all. Menu diving galore. Multiple seconds to switch between patches. Generally felt just a bit laggy in use. Too many options that weren’t meaningfully different from eachother. Shift functions everywhere. Entire envelopes hidden in the menu somewhere because they added them in an update.
I think if mutlitimbrality isn’t a must a Peak is a much better option. More versatile and a much better interface.
I instantly thought… what does the OP do for drums? Everything ITB? I was thinking Alpha Base or Rytm MKII plus Minilogue XD.
So many good suggestions though… OB-6 desktop, Virus (though I’d use the recent VST emulation of a Virus C myself instead), Peak, Pro-3, Iridium (if you can do it)… any of these would be fantastic.
Nothing ‘wrong’ with ITB drums at all and honestly that’s probably the best route for most people, but there’s just something about hardware drums machines even if they’re digital or sample based. I’m a sucker for them anyway.
You might want to check out the Modor NF-1. It’s kind of an overlooked gem from a tiny company that does digital but in an idiosyncratic way. It has 4 loopable envs that are a little more complex than ADSRs, dual filters, lots of knobs dedicated to mod amounts for making the most important tweaks, plus a 7 slot general purpose mod matrix. The mod amounts of all 7 matrix slots can be controlled via MIDI cc .
I’m a little all over the map to be honest. I like weird electronic stuff with interesting rhythms and textures, covering the whole range from sleepy ambient to insane beats. I mostly play a modular synth and a drum machine; the OB-6 is my most recent pickup (got it 4 or 5 months ago) so I’d say I’m still learning my way around it and how to incorporate it, but I already love the sound/feel/everything about it.
This thread is all over the map… Many different sound profiles and ways of working. I think you need to ask yourself why you want a OTB synth. Is there a sound you want to get more easily? It is it interface and experience? That will help narrow it down. But if you know you want a Virus and want it to be your everything synth, then maybe that’s what you should get.
For me, the whole point of hardware is interface and the idea of a coherent instrument. I figure I can get perfectly good sounds ITB but it is a hell of a lot less fun for me. I am currently in a honeymoon with an UDO Super 6 desktop, but I will be the first to admit it’s not for everybody.
If you’re not completely thinking of going OTB, buying something all digital seems pointless to me. Especially the Virus which has the exact same sound as the emulator version. Go analog or at least hybrid.
If you’re looking to multi-track with one synth to rule them all, the Access fans are probably pointing you in the right direction. If you’re looking to jam or perform, your other options are going to give you much more to work with.
Sequencing live the Minilogue XD + Opsix + Hydrasynth along with your existing Moog could be awesome, if that’s something that appeals to you. Otherwise, just one powerful module (be it the Virus, a Peak, or a Hydrasynth desktop) would have you more than covered for recording.
Agree with all of this. Since getting my Sub 37, I am now obsessed with the idea of being able to physically interact with hardware, as opposed to being ITB. It’s just a much more fun and satisfying experience, and I think I can be more creative and efficient this way as well. Additionally, my Sub 37 has the ability to create sounds that my vst’s really can’t. That’s huge for me as well.
I guess, for this new hypothetical synth(s) I am looking for the same thing, but I want a poly to widen the sonic range I can get out of my set up.
Again, I produce music that straddles the line between new-school trance and progressive house. In addition to the above, I’m looking for a synth, or synths, that are capable in those genres. I know that a lot of that will come down to me though.
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for a year. If you don’t know exactly what to pick, you don’t need it really.