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I am really interested in this. I really love the wonderful sounds that an analog machine can make. And I am interested if I can make something similar on the R3, Since I heard it might can do so.

For example, Could it replicate any sounds that Aphex twin uses in his songs?

Can it replicate any sound from this song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzMu65kuSLs

[I'm really interested in getting such sound (That bass and pad are totally awesome)]

Or the bass from this song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ku8tw30P8I

Or ANYTHING from this song (it's my fav one):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0YyBp8Z ... re=related

Needless to say, Aphex Twin got really many genius pieces, in wich he made many insanely awesome sounds, And if you listen to him, you should know what sounds I would be looking to make.

And I know that the R3 Got a pretty neat mod sequencer, close to the analog ones. (I also heard that it's much better on the Radias, and I would like to know why) And was wondering if it could create something like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wTl-wYL0-k
(I mean Modulation like this, and being able to make this sound would be even more awesome)


And also, I'm really really interested how good is the Radias engine at FM.
I'm really into FM sounds, They are really awesome. I wonder if I can make some nice FM sounds (like the DX1/DX7 ones, and Sega Megadrive/Genesis ones [Yamaha YM2612 Chip, or close to that])

I don't even really know how FM works on the Radias engine or how do you use the interface to make them. Do you have to use the Sound editor? Since it's much more complex than the interface, and FM is quite complicated.

What about being able to make the sounds from this song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_ik9St7 ... re=related

Many thanks for reading. I really seek answers.

Depending on where you're coming from, there are many anwers to those questions.

The Radias was created as a Virtual Analog (VA for short) synthesizer, meaning it is not built on samples (like many current "synthesizers"/workstations/keyboards) but it uses mathematical formulas to simulate analog equipment. It sounds and behaves a lot more "analog" than most workstations, arrangers, or other sample playing keyboards. Compared to actual (vintage?) analog synths, there will be a difference in sound, yes. But no two analog synths are the same either. The Radias has many features that make it interesting compared to real analog synths. For instance, as you mentioned, it has a built in mod sequencer. It also has an extensive array of built in fx, which no analog synth does, a built in vocoder, basic fm and many other perks.

The purists will still tell you that a real analog like a Moog will sound better for certain bass or lead sounds. But the Radias can make many sounds many analogs can not. Yes, it can match or approximate most of the sounds you linked to. Will it sound identical? Probably not. And assuming from your post that you're just starting out with synthesis it'll definitely take you a while to know which knobs to twist to get it to sound like you want to.

SanderXpander wrote:Depending on where you're coming from, there are many anwers to those questions.

The Radias was created as a Virtual Analog (VA for short) synthesizer, meaning it is not built on samples (like many current "synthesizers"/workstations/keyboards) but it uses mathematical formulas to simulate analog equipment. It sounds and behaves a lot more "analog" than most workstations, arrangers, or other sample playing keyboards. Compared to actual (vintage?) analog synths, there will be a difference in sound, yes. But no two analog synths are the same either. The Radias has many features that make it interesting compared to real analog synths. For instance, as you mentioned, it has a built in mod sequencer. It also has an extensive array of built in fx, which no analog synth does, a built in vocoder, basic fm and many other perks.

The purists will still tell you that a real analog like a Moog will sound better for certain bass or lead sounds. But the Radias can make many sounds many analogs can not. Yes, it can match or approximate most of the sounds you linked to. Will it sound identical? Probably not. And assuming from your post that you're just starting out with synthesis it'll definitely take you a while to know which knobs to twist to get it to sound like you want to.

You're right. I am a begginer. Many thanks for replying. Even though I know what every knobs does, that's true. I'll look onwards buying an R3 or Radias (though the Radias is much more expensive and harder to find, atleast here)

In my humble opinion, the Radias is worth the extra unless you plan to do all your programming via the computer editor. The R3 has too few knobs and too many menus to make sound design intuitive.

The R3 isn't bad if you know what you're doing. The menus are printed on the synth, and each menu page gives you four knobs with a screen showing out what is what. I used to have an Alpha Juno and can honestly say that it's a million times easier to program than half of the "analog" synths I've messed with. I recently was messing with an Akai AX-80 since I was considering buying it and even that is more difficult to program than the R3.

I have an Alpha Juno. It's easy enough to program and understand if you already are familiar with synthesis. But it isn't anything close to intuitive. I think having a dedicated button or knob for most important functions is very helpful to understand and get familiar with synthesis. Not to mention it helps to get a physical overview of the synth you're programming. The R3 computer editor helps a lot with this though.
Just my opinion, YMMV.

Like Re-Member said, it's a good synth if you know what you're doing. I have been mastering the R3 by using the editor and with the aid of Welsch's Synthesizer Cookbook. I recommend that book to anyone that is serious about creating your own patches and also having a solid foundation on digital and analog synthesis, or subtractive and additive;)
It explains in depth but without too much theory and jargon. Helped me understand modulation better and definitely helped my understanding of filters. You can YouTube all that stuff but most of the vids aren't very comprehensive or entertaining.
The R3 is my first real synth, other than the EMX-1, but I feel like it's great. Just make sure to save your patches every few tweaks. I had some real banger bass lines cooked up only to forget to save the setting before powering down. Buzz kill.