Radias for evolving pad sounds? Opinion please.

stephenj · Post by **stephenj** » Mon Apr 05, 2010 10:35 am

Hi, I have a Korg SV-1 and since it has limitations on layers etc, I really wanted to buy an extra module that would give me access to some pad sounds that are editable live, on the fly.

I have yet tried out a Radias, but wondered if you guys thought this was a good option?

It's looks highly editable, clearly has great sounds, but I don't need trance and electro sounds for what I do - which is mostly piano and evocative pad sounds.

Thoughts?

Be kind, I'm new to all this

X-Trade · Post by **X-Trade** » Mon Apr 05, 2010 2:55 pm

There aren't many presets that cover this, but then the Radias is a synth - you can design your own sounds, or download mine!

It is absolutely THE machine for evolving pad sounds. the modulation sequencer (different to the note-based polyphonic step sequencer) and massive effect processing potential makes this great, in addition to the possibility for polyphonic flanging and phasing from the comb and inbetween filter settings, waveshaping, all modulatable from the three envelopes, two LFOs, three mod sequencers...

Then there's the VPM, X-Mod (all FM like modulation), Ringsync, etc... again all totally modulatable. String and synth choir PCM samples, all to be modulated with the above filter and shaping stages (but not VPM, XM). Supersaw like 5-stage for basic waveforms on osc1, unison with stereo spread.

mbncp · Post by **mbncp** » Mon Apr 05, 2010 4:12 pm

You may also want to try a blofeld as it may be more suited than the radias, and it comes already with a lot of really nice pads and atmos.

It's 16 part multitimbral (up to 25 voices) so you can create pretty interesting stuff.
The arp is also more sophiticated than the radias.
And you can also load your own samples (optional on the desktop version).

http://www.waldorfmusic.de/en/products/ ... ifications

Synthoid · Post by **Synthoid** » Mon Apr 05, 2010 6:09 pm

mbncp wrote:You may also want to try a blofeld as it may be more suited than the radias, and it comes already with a lot of really nice pads and atmos.

Make sure you play both first before making a decision. The Blofeld may offer some interesting possibilities, but it has very few front panel controls... making it more difficult to program.

Hugo · Post by **Hugo** » Mon Apr 05, 2010 6:53 pm

Synthoid wrote:
mbncp wrote:You may also want to try a blofeld as it may be more suited than the radias, and it comes already with a lot of really nice pads and atmos.
Make sure you play both first before making a decision. The Blofeld may offer some interesting possibilities, but it has very few front panel controls... making it more difficult to program.

That's true, it is however very intuituive and easy to understand, esp due to the great display.
Effects are (much) better in the Radias, the efx section in the Blofeld is very limited, with few parameters pr effect. Having said that, they do perform their task, and it's no big concern tbh, as the engine itself is so deep. Filters are also great; it has 3 lfo's pr voice, a great programmable arpeggiator etc.

On the other hand, all the knobs on the Radias are very, very cool.

mbncp · Post by **mbncp** » Mon Apr 05, 2010 7:48 pm

Knobs junkies

Now I would sell the m3,radias, v-synth and even the ti to get this one -> http://www.waldorfmusic.de/en/products/stromberg

Anyway make sure to try before you buy (not like me).
Actually I'm not too crazy about the radias sounds, I prefer the Virus TI. And then I like the blofeld even more, sounds very organic to me, but it's not every ones cup of tea.
If you have a decent pc/mac you may try the one month Largo demo, it's pretty close to the Blofeld.

Synthoid · Post by **Synthoid** » Mon Apr 05, 2010 8:24 pm

mbncp wrote:Now I would sell the m3,radias, v-synth and even the ti to get this one -> http://www.waldorfmusic.de/en/products/stromberg

Read the last sentence above "General Features" on that page.

Release date not yet determined.

Waldorf vaporware...

mbncp · Post by **mbncp** » Mon Apr 05, 2010 9:00 pm

Synthoid wrote:
mbncp wrote:Now I would sell the m3,radias, v-synth and even the ti to get this one -> http://www.waldorfmusic.de/en/products/stromberg
Read the last sentence above "General Features" on that page.

Release date not yet determined.

Waldorf vaporware...

That's why I wrote "I would"

Waldorf vaporware...

Probably, but at least they seem to have some dreams left ...

axxim · Post by **axxim** » Mon Apr 05, 2010 9:41 pm

X-Trade has pointed it. For Pads and E-Pianos the Radias is one of the ones. Its a good VA-synth with a pretty good effect section, which is an essential ingredient for any pad.

X-Trade · Post by **X-Trade** » Mon Apr 05, 2010 9:50 pm

axxim wrote:X-Trade has pointed it. For Pads and E-Pianos the Radias is one of the ones. Its a good VA-synth with a pretty good effect section, which is an essential ingredient for any pad.

Actually, my point was that it goes way beyond most other 'VA' synths, it does lots of digital and other crazy stuff too that you won't find anywhere else. The inbetween filter settings can sound like a phaser (around 48 to 51) or go completely different places. The waveshaping and VPM can also make pads that evolve in more exciting ways than just opening up a filter.
And tons of modulation sources to do it with too - mainly the modulation sequencers which are quite like a very powerful trio of LFOs.

But yes - the effects, particularly the polysix style ensemble, are very useful in pad creation too. A lot of the other effects like the ring mod, filter, grain processor, etc, all have a variety of modulatable parameters beyond just assigning the knobs in the effects section too, usually with built in LFO and fixed modes.

Synthoid · Post by **Synthoid** » Mon Apr 05, 2010 10:10 pm

mbncp wrote:
Waldorf vaporware...
Probably, but at least they seem to have some dreams left ...

True.

Waldorf introduced the Stromberg @ NAMM several years ago (a non-working unit), but still haven't produced any for sale. The Blofeld came to market within a reasonable time, so I'm not sure why the Stromberg still remains "on the drawing board".

mbncp · Post by **mbncp** » Mon Apr 05, 2010 10:36 pm

Synthoid wrote:
mbncp wrote:
Waldorf vaporware...
Probably, but at least they seem to have some dreams left ...
True.

Waldorf introduced the Stromberg @ NAMM several years ago (a non-working unit), but still haven't produced any for sale. The Blofeld came to market within a reasonable time, so I'm not sure why the Stromberg still remains "on the drawing board".

I would guess that money has something to do with it

They will probably end up looking for the toy market like most others

axxim · Post by **axxim** » Mon Apr 05, 2010 10:55 pm

I think that the main problem of creating such a synth is the user interface. Since the actual (scalable) DSP and µC power is enough to process any kind of sound modelling or synthesis we can imagine, it would be very useless if you don't get a simple and effective interface to the user in a form he can reach his goals. A synth based only on mathematical formulas and algorithms without a simple way of programming it, would find a very small number of users. Even if it comes precharged with thousands of nice presets, every sample player with a massive library would be more (cost) effective.

mbncp · Post by **mbncp** » Tue Apr 06, 2010 12:57 pm

@ the OP

I forgot to mention the Virus TI (the snow being the cheapest) as it has also some really nice pads, fx,.. With the latest OS you can now use the arp as modulator.

When I'm looking for pads, atmos, ambiant stuff I usually go for the TI or the Blodfeld and sometimes the V-Synth but almost never for the radias, it's better at other stuff.

stephenj · Post by **stephenj** » Tue Apr 06, 2010 3:52 pm

Thank you ALL for such informed and balanced responses to my question.

I'd never thought of the Blofeld and actually I think it'll suit my needs perfectly and save a little bit of money at the same time.

Really appreciate it.