What "Synth" to go with my OASYS?, any suggestions

[curvebender]

With my Virus C, I originally felt like Curvebender did. Then I started playing with it and downloading other soundsets, compiling my favorites. Having the "playable" sounds together in bank A made a huge difference. I sold it to partially pay for the OASYS, but I had an empty spot.....

That's EXACTLY what I did with the Virus TI!!!

It took me a few days to go over the many factory presets, and make a Favourite bank or two.

But, when I got the Oasys fever, it wasn't a hard decision to let it go..

[Daz]

But my main concerns with the TI are the parameters and what their limitations are. Like if your creating a Dual Oscillator Program, can you combine a Formant Oscillator AND a Granular Oscillator and modulate them?

Yes, you can set the types of OSC1 and OSC2 to any available type independently.

Do you have individual LFO's per Oscillator, or do you have to share an LFO?

The oscillators, LFOs and EG's are all shared resources in the same program or patch. A single program has 2 full tilt oscillators, a third oscillator that has less options, an suboscillator (available only when OSC1/OSC2 in certain modes), 3 LFOs and 2 EGs. There is a noise generator, ring modulator (presented in the same way as AL-1), and the option to using various FM variants between OSC1 and OSC2.

And what about the Filter Section? Can you combine different Filters and modulate them or are you limited to ONE Filter for BOTH Oscillators? Those are my biggest concerns and the main reason why I'm holding back on getting the TI when I get the cash.

You can route the mix of all the oscillators mentioned above into a series or parallel configuration of the 2 available filters, or you can run the filters in "Individual Mode" where OSC1 is routed through filter 1 and OSC2 is routed through filter 2.

Your question makes it sound like you imagine the TI being structured like HD-1 ... it's not structured that way, it's more like a single AL-1 instance.

The TI has a rich modulation matrix that lets you create some very advanced modulation routings, including modulating the effects parameters. So you can modulate all those things you mentioned individually and many more. The Waldorf gear offers more in terms of LFOs and EGs and a similarly rich modulation matrix.

Check this out too :

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/aug04/a ... ustips.htm

Daz.

[Daz]

...or you can run the filters in "Individual Mode" where OSC1 is routed through filter 1 and OSC2 is routed through filter 2.

Actually that is called "Split Mode" ... try and get it right Mr Daz !

[Daz]

What I'm looking for is a Synthesizer (not a workstation), to go with my OASYS ...

Just out of curiosity, what is it about the Oasys that makes you feel you need a Synthesizer (specifically) to accompany it ? Is is simply a case of broadening your sound palette ?

Daz.

[AnthonyB]

Just out of curiosity, what is it about the Oasys that makes you feel you need a Synthesizer (specifically) to accompany it ? Is is simply a case of broadening your sound palette ?

Daz.

Well sort of, yes. Its just that the Triton doesn't have anything to offer (I don't think) now I have an OASYS, sound-wise, and it is a workstation with very similar functions (sequencer ) to the OASYS - but lesser. So a Synth (possibly sometyhing like the V-synth) may not only offer me more of a sound pallete, but something totally different, instead of just a few banks of synth patches, that I (probably) couldn't tell the difference from the OASYS Engine ones (Mod-7/AL1/LAC) and so forth.

Also, if the Triton is not being used, I would rather trade in for a Synth, rather than just "not use it", and let it devaluate over time...


Anthony

[Synthia]

Anthony,

You don't have to spend a fortune on the new GT,just get the classic V-Synth which is still very powerful.They are going pretty cheap on the second hand market now.
In fact I had both my V-Synth and the GT side by side and both V-Synths sounded great.
The V-Synth is so different to your OASYS and they are very good together.Try to get the vocal designer card with a V-Synth then you are in synth heaven,believe me

Good luck!!!

[KingJ]

I'm going out in left field here, but I'd have to say the best synth to go with an Oasys is an old NED Synclavier. That thing could do FM and additive, and no other synth out there can touch that, not even the Oasys. Also, if you get the sampling option, you can sample at any rate from 0 to 100 KHZ. Also, the resynthesis option is pretty cool. However, Synclaviers are still very expensive even on the used market, and the cheapest I've ever heard of anyone paying for a used one was $4000.00. However, it's a killer synth, and it has it's own very unique and distinct sound.

[vEddY]

Well sort of, yes. Its just that the Triton doesn't have anything to offer (I don't think) now I have an OASYS, sound-wise, and it is a workstation with very similar functions (sequencer ) to the OASYS - but lesser. So a Synth (possibly sometyhing like the V-synth) may not only offer me more of a sound pallete, but something totally different, instead of just a few banks of synth patches, that I (probably) couldn't tell the difference from the OASYS Engine ones (Mod-7/AL1/LAC) and so forth.
Anthony

Now here's what I was thinking right now, a completely different approach, if you will. Although I still feel that going with V-S or the G would also be cool.

So you have the OASYS, which kind of makes it easier. Find something that you think could be better on the OASYS and focus on that. Maybe a sample library (EW, etc.). But here's another thing that just went through my mind. I've found that the most perfect combination of KORG keyboards is OASYS with a Trinity. Where OASYS rips your speakers, Trinity makes it "richer" with its "darker" sound. They just sound fantastic "in pair" Trinity is cheap these days, especially the rack version. That would still leave you some money for other stuff. BFD, Spectrasonics stuff, whatnot.

Just my 2c.

[MrT-Man]

On a related topic, does anyone here plan on buying the Virus Snow? Seems pretty sweet.

[medusaland]

for me are the best second Synth after Oasys a Moog Voyager

[danatkorg]

I'm going out in left field here, but I'd have to say the best synth to go with an Oasys is an old NED Synclavier. That thing could do FM and additive, and no other synth out there can touch that, not even the Oasys. Also, if you get the sampling option, you can sample at any rate from 0 to 100 KHZ. Also, the resynthesis option is pretty cool. However, Synclaviers are still very expensive even on the used market, and the cheapest I've ever heard of anyone paying for a used one was $4000.00. However, it's a killer synth, and it has it's own very unique and distinct sound.

This thread is old, but I just read this and had to respond.
I owned an FM Synclavier for a couple of years. It was no doubt fantastic when it was first released, in the 1970's. However, by modern standards, it's extremely basic, and I think its reputation exceeds its reality. It had no filters (for FM or samples), only a single LFO, simple FM pairs only (no complex FM algorithms), no modulation to speak of, etc. The "additive" part was interesting, and certainly made it possible to get a lot more out of FM, but it's not really "additive" the way that we use the term today. Instead, it allowed you to define a single-cycle waveform for the FM modulator, specified by the levels of (if memory serves) 24 partials, as an alternative to a sine wave. My system didn't support resynthesis, but from my reading, this was done by analyzing the sample, breaking it down into a series of single-cycle additive waveforms, and then crossfading between the waveforms - much like a Wave Sequence.

The Synclavier was groundbreaking and, for its time, very powerful - but I fear that anyone who buys one today would be somewhat underwhelmed by its synthesis capabilities.

Best regards,

Dan

[tcornishmn]

If you're just looking for additive synthesis, then a Kawai K5000 would be a heck of a lot cheaper than a Synclavier. The Oasys already covers FM.

Dan, it's interesting to hear your thoughts as a former owner. I've done a lot of reading about the Synclavier and the Fairlights over the years, and while their impact has been unmistakable on the music world, I think it would have to be quite a labor of love to have and maintain one now, though I certainly wanted one or both of them in the past.

Spending $4000 to $5000 to get a 25-30 year old (basically) computer whose parts are a lot more expensive and harder to find than other typical vintage instruments that people restore like Moogs and Prophets is quite a commitment.

I think it's like the real Mellotrons - people that didn't use the real ones romanticize about them today, but everybody that used to gig with the real thing has gone the clone route, because they are reliable and don't weigh 200lbs, and sound really, REALLY good.

I've looked at some of the Synclavier fan pages and the guys that try to keep them running. Adding any sort of reasonable polyphony and other options quickly makes the cost go up.


Here's Herbie Hancock demonstrating the Fairlight CMI on Sesame Street. This was my first introduction to synthesizers and what got me the bug about electronic music.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gn1LW3wyRrc

[dhjdhj]

I thought this was a very interesting question because I'm struggling with this issue right now. I'm trying to decide whether I can live without some of the other keyboards I am using now that I have the Oasys (my band members would really love me to be using less space).

The Oasys will be replacing my Kurzweil SP2X (which I just listed on ebay) but I have three other keyboards and I am not convinced that ANY of them are replaceable. It's not really a question of broadening my sound palette. If that was my main concern, then a few controllers hooked up either to a laptop with MainStage and soft synths or to a Muse Receptor would provide for every contingency.

The main reason I bought the Oasys was for its playability --- it's definitely an inspirational instrument, both in sounds and in its playability. There are very few electronic instruments for which that's completely true. But there are some:

I also play a Minimoog --- and even if the LAC could really match it for sound, (which it doesn't, but it does have its own niche), you don't get the playability that comes from the lighter keyboard and the direct hand-on control of all parameters - there's just nothing like turning those knobs!

Then there's the Hammond. Between dual manuals, waterfall keys, and the drawbars, you can't REALLY play hammond style on the Oasys, even though it's got a darn good tonewheel implementation. Again, it's not JUST about the sound.

I was very interested to read the interview with Tony Banks on how he used the Oasys on his last tour. I did go to one of those concerts and noticed he had an Oasys but I didn't know much about it at the time. I read however that he was using it as his main engine with just a few other controllers hooked into it. I thought that was interesting but I did wonder if he would have been happy with that setup if he was playing a lot of the good stuff that they did just before Gabriel left.


David

Just out of curiosity, what is it about the Oasys that makes you feel you need a Synthesizer (specifically) to accompany it ? Is is simply a case of broadening your sound palette ?

[Mixingboard]

Dusting off an old thread....

I just got the Virus Ti Desktop, and it fits perfectly in the right corner of the Oasys. I think its a great partner to the Oasys (Total Integration plugin, great Arp, easily tweakable parameters etc.)

I was thinking about getting the Virus snow, but for $300 more I got the TI desktop. The Ti desktop parameters are more accessible. There are tons of great patches available online to get you started.

If you like composing electronic, techno styles of music I highly recommend it.

The Oasys and Virus I think really compliment each other.

I would also check out the Waldorf Blofeld. Future Music gave it a great review, and the low price is really tempting. It might just fit in the left corner of the Oasys.

[sirCombatWombat]

I thought at first to create a new thread, but this is such a good thread.

I'm thinking of exchanging my Supernova II ProX to the Andromeda A6, does anyone have experience on both? They are quite different beasts I recon so I thought to have them both, but I'm a bit short on space here. The OASYS does quite nice analog stuff, but can't compete with a real analog, or can it? I have not owned any real analog hardware before, so your thoughts would be most welcome.