Advice about a Radias

Totty · Post by **Totty** » Fri Nov 02, 2007 1:22 pm

Hi guys, I'm Mike, hope everyone is well.

I'm currently running mainly a Virus TI and an old G4 1.5 Powerbook. I'm in a bit of a quandry..!!

I have for a change 2 grand to spend on some gear. With that I need to get a new computer because my old Laptop is feeling the strain bigtime. Whilst I have some soft synths, a JP8080 and a few older synths, I was wondering whether I should plumb all that money and get a Mac Pro.

Alternatively the Radias sounds like a real sonic playground, so I could get the Rack and get a new Macbook Pro (just about...). The Virus is great but I find it very dark sounding and I'd like something that really cuts through.

I guess I'm confused, Do you guys think a Radias would be better than a Mac with NI Massive or something?

Many thanks

Mike

SynthAntonius · Post by **SynthAntonius** » Fri Nov 02, 2007 3:08 pm

I'm not a Virus TI user, but it seems that there are lot of people who use both of them, and find them both very good, but in different ways.

I have Radias, and I can say that it's an awesome synth. But I never use soft synths - hardware all the way!

Radias is a good investement, especially for a live performer.

Totty · Post by **Totty** » Fri Nov 02, 2007 4:03 pm

Thanks mate,

Just out of interest, do use hardware because you perform, or is it becuase of sound quality?

lcmorley · Post by **lcmorley** » Fri Nov 02, 2007 4:45 pm

I had a Virus TI until about two months ago when I had to sell it to fund a house move. I really wish I didn't because I really loved that machine.

I now have the M3, with the Radias expansion installed. I would say that the Virus still beats the Radias in some areas including the Hypersaw etc. However, the Radias still seems to be able to hold it's own.

I would not recommend getting rid of your Virus, because like me, you would probably regret it. So if you have both in your arsnel, you should not go too far wrong.

As regards the soft synths, like many others here, I only tend to use hardware anyway, so cannot really comment on that side.

Totty · Post by **Totty** » Fri Nov 02, 2007 5:10 pm

Thanks mate, yes I don't think I'd get rid of the Virus as it is an amazing machine. Is everyone here mainly Hardware based for a reason ie: live performing..

Hmmmm descisions!! I just like the sound of the Radias from the demos I've heard, but I did try an R3 the other day, but I'm put off by lack of step sequencers and curves on envs.

Many thanks for the input

SynthAntonius · Post by **SynthAntonius** » Fri Nov 02, 2007 6:18 pm

I don't have much experience with softsynths, but to me it seems highly improbable that a computer can beat a dedicated synthesizer.
Yes, I use hardware because I'm more live based musician. However, Softsynths/plugins are more flexible for studio use (computer based studios).

I've worked with computers for many years, and I can say - they are not reliable! (well, I can't say anything about Mac)

Besides - using hardware is much more stylish than a midi-controller with a laptop

Totty · Post by **Totty** » Fri Nov 02, 2007 9:16 pm

SynthAntonius,

Thanks for your input, much appreciated. I am more of a studio guy, but I hear what you are saying. It's funny softsynths promise so much, but you're right, not many deliver. There are a few however, but I have been trying to use more of a soft approach for sometime now, but I am always suffering from lack of cpu. Macs in my experience can be very stable and much more immediate for creativity, but like anything they still suffer from issues.

I very much like being able to sit down to a synth with physical controls and create. Many times my mac can be distractive, but this is probably lack of discipline!! It's funny though when I had my old Pentium and just a Korg X5, my songs seemed to be so much more personal; I think computer based power requires you to be very controlled in how you work but at the same time exploit the strengths.

Kind regards

slammah2012 · Post by **slammah2012** » Sat Nov 03, 2007 3:19 am

Totty wrote:SynthAntonius,

Thanks for your input, much appreciated. I am more of a studio guy, but I hear what you are saying. It's funny softsynths promise so much, but you're right, not many deliver. There are a few however, but I have been trying to use more of a soft approach for sometime now, but I am always suffering from lack of cpu. Macs in my experience can be very stable and much more immediate for creativity, but like anything they still suffer from issues.

I very much like being able to sit down to a synth with physical controls and create. Many times my mac can be distractive, but this is probably lack of discipline!! It's funny though when I had my old Pentium and just a Korg X5, my songs seemed to be so much more personal; I think computer based power requires you to be very controlled in how you work but at the same time exploit the strengths.

Kind regards

If you want softsynths in a hardware form, you could go with the "Muse" Receptor

http://www.museresearch.com/receptor.php