V-Synth GT vs. 2 second hand V-Synths

[Krisser]

Hello everyone, my first post here, but hopefully not my last.

I wonder if anyone actually owns the GT yet? It's out here in Belgium and I almost bought one myself - but hesistated at the last moment for the same reason I think everyone here is thinking twice or thrice about this machine.

Namely, what does it actually offer above and beyond the XT to justify it's big price?

Recent posts pointing out that you can't use AP with your own samples, and the lack of communication between vocal designer and variphrase, have made me wonder: why would anyone buy this machine rather than two XTs second hand, or perhaps even more potently, a V-Synth and an XT. I'm seeing some cheap prices on Ebay, and it's clear you could pick up either of these combinations for less than a single GT.

Sure, you'd miss out on the AP synthesis, but having demoed this in the store, I would say this really is no big deal - the violin sounded nice, but not any better than some good samples I've tried out elsewhere. And the fact you can't use your own waves as I had presumed- well, it's just not what it should be.

But if you went with two machines, you'd get 48 notes poly, extra effects and so on.

I want to prefer the GT solution, but I'm finding it a bit tricky... Maybe someone can help me understand why I should?

Thanks for your thoughts, Kristian

[Igglethorpe]

My thoughts on the GT so far is that it is more of an evolution rather than a revolution in V-Synth technology. I'm going to sit this one out.

Sure would be nice to demo one, but my local Guitar Center will never have one due to it being a smaller store in the middle of the US.

I personally like the idea of going with a V-Synth and XT for what you said -- polyphony. I'd say go for it.

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Fantom X8 (2.10) 512MB
Fantom XR (2.02) 512MB
V-Synth XT (2.02)
SH-201

[Artemiy]

Well Roland did not say if the stated polyphony is per whole engine or per part (lower and upper).

[Krisser]

Well, the way I understand it is that the GT has a maxiumum of 28 note polyphony - that's what the specification states in the user manual in stark black and white.

I think we can be fairly confident that if the total polyphony was actually twice this, Roland would have made this clear. Afterall, for many V-Synth users, the increase to 56 note polyphony would be by far and away the keyboards biggest selling point.

So unfortunately I think we are pretty safe to assume that 28 notes is all we're going to get... Which is why I am sadly beginning to think it would be pretty mad to not buy a used V-Synth/XT combo instead of the GT...
K

[MarkShovel]

I've got two V-Synths with a VC-1 and VC-2. I still think the V-Synth GT is a killer solution.

Mark

[Krisser]

Mark, could you please tell me why you view the GT as a killer solution as opposed to your own set-up? I would be very interested to know, thanks.
k

[stevie]

Sorry for butting in, but my £0.02 - I'm confused, I can't see who Roland are aiming the GT at - since it doesn't seem to have any new sound creation possibilities other than AP which seems extremely limited, people who already have an XT or a V synth with VC2 aren't really going to gain anything except for a very big hole in their pocket where their wallet once was.

If your a new convert without any V's, then the GT is a no brainer and 'the solution' IF you can afford it - but then how many new converts are there? What's even more difficult now is weighing up a second hand XT or V board against a new GT - your effectively buying exactly the same technology - even a VP9000 or Varios would still be worth a look if you want variphrase at a fraction of the cost of a GT, hmmmmmmm.....

Steve

EDIT: and the VP9000 can have 128MB of RAM ;¬)

[MarkShovel]

The V-Synth GT has a dual engine with keyboard split functions. One of my favorite aspects of the V-Synth are the mono basses and mono leads. The dual engine/keyboard split will allow two hands to be used for bass and lead.

The V-Synth (w/VC-2) and V-Synth XT have to be rebooted for the Vocal Designer. The GT has it integrated with no reboot required.

The AP synthesis feature is new.

The color touch screen seems like a nice bonus. I've got a Fantom X8 and enjoy the color display.

[DodgingRain]

There are a few things that the GT speeds up workflow-wise but I really don't see the point either, it isn't a big enough jump. While it would be nice to have to not reboot there really isn't enough parts supported in the GT for that to be much of an advantage. If I could run 6 instances I'd be all over it but 2 isn't much.

AP is a waste if it can't be used with any sample.

I suppose though if you look at the varaphrase so far it's really been about incremental upgrades with the original v-synth really being the only exception.

[Krisser]

In reply to Stevie, I agree that the GT isn't a particularly compelling proposition. But I would go further and say that, even if you can afford it without hesistation, it is far from a no-brainer when compared to a v-synth/XT combo.

Mark, is it not the case that you could set up a two way keyboard split with a v-synth and an XT? If not, then surely you could if you added an appropriate controler keyboard.

As for the problem of rebooting XT to use Vocal Designer, again I can't see this as much of an issue if you've got a V-Synth/XT combo. Just boot up the XT in Vocal Designer mode and midi it too a V-Synth booted in variphrase mood.

Ok, so if you want to have both v-synths running variphrase one moment and one running Vocal Designer next, there will be a short time delay issue. But surely this pale's into insignificance compared to doubling your polyphony, effects and memory - all for the same or even cheaper price?

As for the colour screen, you get one of those on the XT. And AP, well it's value is a highly subjective issue. But as someone who has spent an hour playing with it (not much time I admit) I just wasn't impressed, even though I wanted to be. It just felt like a new idea that hadn't yet been properly implemented - tacked on as an afterthought in order to make the GT seem more like a realistic proposition. Again, the violin sounded nice, but no way of using it to process your own samples - I bet that will be addressed by another Roland instrument sometime in the future.

I really want to like the GT, but I can feel it slipping away...
K

[DodgingRain]

An even less costly solution is to pick up a varios to run the cards with a v-synth. It's not hard to find a varios these days for around $300 or less.

[Shimky]

Hi everyone,

I ordered a GT about a month ago; ETA is end of July. I am very excited! However, this will be my first stab at sound programming, so it's going to take me a long time to get anywhere.

I doubt, as a GT owner, I will be able to give you any useful input regarding my experiences. Any great sounds I create will almost certainly be by chance rather than on purpose but I will try my best to be as informative as possible.

Of course, I want to make the most out of the new beast and the only way will be to get educated in sound design. I'll need to learn about oscillators and envelopes and squares and all that other mumbo-jumbo. Can someone please recommend a good reference for beginners?

Warm greetings,
Shimky.

[beatrunner]

Hi Shimky

You ask: Can someone please recommend a good reference for beginners?

Only possible answer: sure, look for / buy artemios V-Synth Tweak Book. He will give you "compressed" info about sound design and specially about the synthesis-possibilities of the "old" v-synth! and you should find also info which will serve you using your new GT-Beast!

cheers

[henrybob]

Hey Krisser,

just read tour thread.
Wanted you to know i'm selling my V-Synth in new condition for 1.000€.
Have a whole list here
http://www.synthforum.nl/forums/showthread.php?t=89084

and i live in Zomergem, (that's Belgium) guess you speak flemish too.

all the best,
marc

[Artemiy]

henrybob:

Please always post such information in our "Marketplace" section.