Okay, a standard opinion/experience/comparison thread…
I’m looking at multi-timbral V/A synths with some drum synthesis capabilities to expand my MnM’s midi sequencer.
Budget is a concern… $400-$600 range. I was pretty well set on a Blofeld, especially considering the SL sample option capabilities, but I always come back to the Virus series when researching multi-timbral synths.
As I understand it, the last Virus B OS effectively gives it the 3rd OSC capability of the Virus C. So the comparison to Blofled was closer than I thought.
I’m seeing Virus B & Virus Classics going for $500-$600.
I’m wanting to add 3 to 4 digital drum voices, and a couple polyphonic patches (pads, atmosphere, strings, chords) in a multi mode, on top of MnM’s FM synthesis.
I think Blofeld could handle this with the Attack drum patch pack, and limiting voice eating features like comb filters and wavetables. Virus B won’t have sample import, but the synthesis seems good enough for digital drums.
Which of these two would you choose for expanding on the Monomachine’s sequencing capabilities with digital drums and polyphonic sounds, and why?
Looking specifically toward digital V/As, as I already have analog timbres covered with other gear.
I’ve owned a Virus and everything about it sounded AMAZING. I sold it because the menu diving was a major buzz kill!
I can’t speak for the Blofeld, but I thought I’ve seen you write about getting an OT at some point. It’s not a synth but between the sampling, FX and midi sequencer it may be the answer albeit out of your stated price range. I feel like the OT can take any sound and turn it into something special. What I’m saying is, you can make drums and synth sounds with it, or free up other Elektrons for more of all that.
I just can’t fade the diving which is why I gave up on entertaining anything that’s not an Elektron, except for Volcas.
Well, the interface, for one. It would be nice to program a synth with more than 10 knobs.
Also, the 2nd hand price for what you get, at least on paper, looks good. But that’s why I am asking you folks. It looks good on paper, but how capable is that multi-mode, especially when receiving midi program change of multi’s on stage? These questions can only be answered by those with experience.
So, is the Virus B unstable (or less stable than Blofeld) in multi-mode?
Also, I’m a synthesist, at heart. A multi-timbral synth with 3 OSC + sub, 3 LFO, and 2 filters per voice is exactly the feature set that I am attracted to.
I have no interest in the TI.
I mean, of course the TI interests me somewhat with the deeper modulation, but a few MnM midi LFOs into a $500 Virus Classic (B) would be a smarter buy for me at the moment.
Hopefully using just 6 of 16 parts in the multi will have the stability I need?
i never tried a boll but i use virus ti with mono machine and i love it!!!
lot of knobs, separate output, great filters, 3lfo, a powerfull matrix, excellent effects, best reverb i ve ever heard, nice delay great polyphony! lots of bank of preset and user preset…
I have a Virus B and it’s a great as a multitimbral synth. The sounds are great but what makes it great as a multitimbral synth is the 3 sets of stereo outputs.
One of my biggest beef with the A4 is, it only has one stereo output. That’s OK if you are only using it in the studio, but I always have to play with the filters when using a kit with sounds that vary greatly (Bass patch, drums, bell sounds, pad etc…) when playing live to get the mix right.
It’s workable but it’s much easier having multi outputs when using it live.
I have a Blofeld and MNM and I use the Blofeld KB in single Voice Mode never really liked the multi mode that much. Not sure if the Virus is better laid out that way for Multi Use but the fact I never use it on the Blofeld says allot.
.
The Blofeld does not have the 4 slot buttons like you have in a Nord or even on my older Micro Q. You need to access the voices via menu diving.
The Multi mode is all menu diving and also I think the patches are not stored in the Multi so if you edit them outside the Multi you are screwed. Try before you buy I guess. Otherwise the Blofeld is a great synth for a wide range of sounds. I find for me that it is best used for those sounds that are hard to describe. Gritty, hard, bit crushed, Pads with random noises and modulated madness. Virus might be more useable with more Info and user base?
I hear people say, frequently, that the Virus is not a drum synth. Neither is A4, yet it synthesizes far more interesting drum sounds than my Rytm.
I just came across a set of Virus B (and later) drum synth patches.
Kind of like Nord Drum meets Waldorf Attack. Is there a reason that the Virus is dismissed for drums that I am unaware of?
SH-32? Not a usual recommendation, but I’ll definitely entertain it.
I owned and toured with a JP-8080 for a number of years. I’m somewhat ambivalent to the Roland V/A sound, but it can be a solid solution and I’m looking to fill gaps, so why not?
So looking at the specs, the 4 part timbrality is of initial concern, but 1 part is the entire drum section and there is max 32 total voices (16 voices when dual OSC), so it’s capable of the same amount of voices I would use on Virus/Blofeld, just arranged a little different.
No points off, there.
I like the size. 12"x9". Smaller footprint than Virus B, so a better fit in the backpack. Points!
It’s the most affordable option mentioned yet. Points for that.
“Performance” (Multi) Mode responds to midi program change. Check.
Synth is a bit limited. 2 OSC + 2 SUB, 1 multi mode filter, 2 LFOs with only a few destinations. Points subtracted…
Difficult to tell from the midi implementation PDF if the individual drum sounds can be altered, or if parameters are global (similar to MnM DigiPro BBOX). The SOS review from 2002 says “setting the pitch, filter and amplifier settings for each” drum sound is possible. But hopefully there are corresponding midi CCs for MnM parameter locks.
If anyone knows and can chime in on that, please do.
So, SH-32… an unlikely contender. But now under consideration… to be continued…
People just like to label and categorize gear to a certain function or certain genre. Virus is known as a “Trance machine” and it can certainly excel at that but it can do so much more than just arpeggiated trance lines. The pads can sound huge and evolving and e some of bass patches are also very good.
I really like some of the percussion sounds I can get out of the box. With added effects, you can get some unique drum sounds out of the box.