Korg R3 Vs Novation Ultranova Synth.

ravenmek · Post by **ravenmek** » Sat Oct 08, 2011 5:47 am

oh yes, prices in south america are like that. That's the love we get for using foreign technology (even though there are no companies from my country making instruments).

ON TOPIC: you could use a midi controller, like behringer bcr2000 (or something like that). If you liked the sound of the akai miniak, why don't you look for an Alesis Ion?

CharlesFerraro · Post by **CharlesFerraro** » Sat Oct 08, 2011 10:02 am

richardw wrote:It sounds very gooood, just a pain to program patches. I tried one out at my local GC, and found it difficult to modify sounds (one dial programming makes it step-by-step SLOW. That's why I am looking for something with more controls to work with (at a beginners price point).

There is an Akai MINIAK editor: http://www.hypersynth.com/miniak-editor.html
Works as a VST plug-in too.

Morshu · Post by **Morshu** » Sat Oct 08, 2011 11:41 am

i personally think if you buy anything from akai your making a bad decision. go with alesis ion/micron or microkorg xl/r3 or dx7 or ms2000 if you want something worth while. akai is too cheap

SanderXpander · Post by **SanderXpander** » Sat Oct 08, 2011 11:53 am

Based on what? My rock-solid, APC40 and their long and famous line of MPCs?

X-Trade · Post by **X-Trade** » Sat Oct 08, 2011 12:58 pm

The MS2000 is a great hands-on synth. I've been playing one this weekend.

in comparison, the R3 and microKorg are relatively difficult to tweak and play.
The MS2000 and original microKorg also have a great aggressive and seemingly analog sound, although sometimes a bit muffled and lo-fi.
Great for bass and leads.

Pastor-of-Muppets · Post by **Pastor-of-Muppets** » Sat Oct 08, 2011 1:56 pm

SanderXpander wrote:Based on what? My rock-solid, APC40 and their long and famous line of MPCs?

the modern Akai company is not the same as the one that made the classic MPC models, and the MPC1000 is infamous for hardware problems with faulty pads and tact switches

that said, I've had no problems with my mpc1000, which is the newer model

Morshu · Post by **Morshu** » Sat Oct 08, 2011 3:44 pm

id say the radias ms2000 and virus ti snow would be quite a good arsenal togethor. 2 synths have 4 timbres and one has two and is good for bass. also they are both digital and the ms2000, is too, but it can sound analog.

X-Trade · Post by **X-Trade** » Sat Oct 08, 2011 3:48 pm

Morshu wrote:id say the radias ms2000 and virus ti snow would be quite a good arsenal togethor. 2 synths have 4 timbres and one has two and is good for bass. also they are both digital and the ms2000, is too, but it can sound analog.

They all can sound analog. Radias I can get some pretty analog stuff out of it. Unfortunately I haven't used it much since I racked it, think I'll have to build some custom keybed for it like the MS2000 design.

I don't really think the Virus is necessary next to the Radias or vice versa. If you wanted to get a good mix of brands, Virus + MS2K would be good. Otherwise, Radias + MS2K is also a good combination.
Virus and Radias are similar enough in programming potential not to need both, IMHO...

richardw · Post by **richardw** » Sat Oct 08, 2011 11:40 pm

Regarding the use of a HyperSynth editor for the Akai Miniak, I have what might seem to be a dumb question--Is there built-in protection against saving patches in the wrong memory areas of the synth OS? I ask this because this software is provided by someone other than Akai, and if a problem occurs, I can imagine the finger-pointing if the synth's memory became corrupted.

I ask this question because I assume that if the same company supplies both hardware and software, there is probably some level of integration that "goof-proofs" the system. As an example, the Korg R3 has its own editor supplied by Korg. It should be stable and reliable. Am I thinking correctly?

The idea of using a Miniak with an editor would be ideal if it works well.

SanderXpander · Post by **SanderXpander** » Sun Oct 09, 2011 2:18 am

Pastor-of-Muppets wrote:
SanderXpander wrote:Based on what? My rock-solid, APC40 and their long and famous line of MPCs?
the modern Akai company is not the same as the one that made the classic MPC models, and the MPC1000 is infamous for hardware problems with faulty pads and tact switches

that said, I've had no problems with my mpc1000, which is the newer model

That still doesn't justify the comment "akai is too cheap". My APC40 feels really solid, by the way, and I haven't had any problems with it.
Morshu likes to speak in generalisations - "VSTis are crap", "Akai is too cheap", "everything else in the price range you have sucks so get the r3".
I don't mind someone giving his opinion, and I can filter the bullshit from truth, but in a thread started by someone specifically looking for buying advice I feel the need to point it out however many times it crops up. Sometimes it's just too easy to voice an opinion on the internet and suggest it has any value.

CharlesFerraro · Post by **CharlesFerraro** » Sun Oct 09, 2011 3:21 am

I think you'll be fine RW. note that the editor does cost $35.

The Miniak is a hell of a synth. Its the ion/micron with a dedicated xlr input and more memory. built rock solid. definitely going to need that editor though.

X-Trade · Post by **X-Trade** » Sun Oct 09, 2011 9:21 am

richardw wrote:Regarding the use of a HyperSynth editor for the Akai Miniak, I have what might seem to be a dumb question--Is there built-in protection against saving patches in the wrong memory areas of the synth OS? I ask this because this software is provided by someone other than Akai, and if a problem occurs, I can imagine the finger-pointing if the synth's memory became corrupted.

I ask this question because I assume that if the same company supplies both hardware and software, there is probably some level of integration that "goof-proofs" the system. As an example, the Korg R3 has its own editor supplied by Korg. It should be stable and reliable. Am I thinking correctly?

The idea of using a Miniak with an editor would be ideal if it works well.

All of the communication in the R3 and many other editors happens purely over MIDI. It's not actually dumping straight to the devices storage area. It is more like it is programming the patch for you and then saving it, very quickly.

Morshu · Post by **Morshu** » Sun Oct 09, 2011 12:46 pm

the ion/micron is more capable than the akai, but the akai has better presets. still, its easier to program the micron/ion. akai is good at making controllers, but im yet to see a legendary synth from them.

SanderXpander · Post by **SanderXpander** » Sun Oct 09, 2011 3:28 pm

Why is the Ion/Micron more capable? How are the Akai presets better? Have you owned both of these synths for a period of time or are you repeating what you read elsewhere?

I'm not trying to be an ass, I appreciate that you're trying to give real feedback. You seem to have some theoretical knowledge, and you can help people with that. Just don't make it sound as if you've spent the last ten years in the studio A/B-ing all budget VAs. Sometimes you have to realize that you actually simply don't really know, apart from hearsay. If that means you can't offer your opinion in a way that adds anything to the discussion, don't offer it. Or at least say "I haven't actually used either, but from the demos online it seems..." or something of the kind.

I haven't actually used either, for instance. Except for trying the Micron briefly during a convention a good while back. I understand it's quite versatile, but from what I could see the interface doesn't really encourage editing. Personally, I like VAs with a lot of knobs and sliders for direct editing, because it encourages creativity and looking for new sounds, which is part of the fun with those synths. In that sense, perhaps a slightly older second-hand synth like the JP8000 might be a cool option, if it can be found for a similar price. It has somewhat low voice count (8/4 depending on the patch) but is very inspiring to play and inviting to program. I am not familiar with the MiniAk, but with comments like "the editor is a must have" I'd get a bit nervous. Just my opinion of course, YMMV as always.

Morshu · Post by **Morshu** » Sun Oct 09, 2011 3:54 pm

i have tried all the said synths at guitarcenter - and samash and i go there on a regular basis to see if they have anything new, and to get used to the synths that i dont understand how to manipulate as well. I spend many hours doing this, so i think i have fairly good knowledge on this.

but, i personally have to say the akai miniak isn't a particularly good synth, it doesnt get great ratings, its essentially an alesis micron with sounds that are twice as plasticy. any sound or thing you can do with the akai(or at least 9/10 of the things) you can do with the micron better.

the microkorg xl sounds alot better than the akai too, you just dont realize it. The akai sounds like software, not like hardware, even a good programmer can't make the akai not sound plasticy.

Do me a favor, dont buy the akai. If you want something thats like an akai but better, get the micron/ion.

But even those aren't really my prime choice.

I would go back to that list i posted and look at that if you want to know what some of the best choices for you are.

Although I forgot to mention one synth... the Korg M1. if you can get your hands on one, you'll be thanking me.

Oh and JP8000 is a great choice, however, you might want to find a Similar related roland from the same time period. Because there are indeed a few that are better than it, i just cant remmember what the name of it is. alpha juno 1 and 2 are pretty good though(albiet older)