The ideal keyboard for lush 'Pads'

[EJ2]

I have a Fantom S and the V-synth XT. They are a great combination. Works for me.

As with you, I lust for the new OASYS. However, I just put out over 2.5 grand CND on the XT. The "Big O" is going to have to wait.
Cheers,
Eric

Check out EJ2's Gallery of Sounds at http://2ej2.tripod.com/

[craigo]

set up one of those electronic drum kits,

maybe it'll work, midi capable, I'm guessing surely.

[synthguy]

Uhm... yeah. ;D

I just recently (yesterday) got my beloved Fantom X7 along with a Korg Karma which I had been lusting after for four years. What a combination!

Best synth for doing pads... that's a tough question. I looked into all of the synths out there, and when I can get my hands on them, I mean open up the synth engine and effects and look at EVERYTHING. Yamaha and Korg are effect happy, and every patch uses WAY too much EQ. The Korg synth engine does sound a little dull, so some high EQ or enhancer does help it out, but man, they get carried away. I do have to say tho that Korg has the best patches. And ditto on the Wavestation, it's the best pad and "motion" synth ever made! I love that thing! It gets sounds no other synth can.

The Rolands and Yamahas do sound more "hifi," with a clearer synth engine. Why Yamaha overuses EQ is puzzling.

I doubt that anything you play will disappoint you as far as pads go. All of them have good filters and a nice assortment of synth waves, tho I think Korg and Roland still beat Yamaha in the wide selection of synth waves, especially with their expansion roms. The Wavestation will give you unorthodox synth sounds that never end, but I will say that the Fantom X covers all the sound bases extremely well, including pad patches, and you'll never exhaust the soundmaking power of that beast.

If you can afford a Korg Oasys tho, all bets are off, that thing is a monster! ;D

I love the future

[Jost]

synthguy, thanks for your reply. This Korg Wavestation keeps cropping up lots lately - I am looking out for one but so far I haven't found one. Must be a rare Synth.
I have two questions please:
Have you compared the Wavestation with Spectrasonics Atmosphere?
Pardon my ignorance, but is the Wavestation an analog Synth?

[Krokodilen]

Hi Jost,

Take a look at this: Korg Legacy

Don't have the X6 .. yet ..

[Jost]

Krokodilen, thanks for the tip. Oh yes, I had a serious look at the Korg Legacy when it came out. But I am a not a friend of soft synths - I prefer the feel, touch and editing ability of the Hardware.

[EJ2]

I just recently (yesterday) got my beloved Fantom X7 along with a Korg Karma which I had been lusting after for four years. What a combination!

Hi SG,
I have the Karma as well. Awesome, isn't it. Check out my Blog on combi sets for the Maroon Monster.
Cheers,
Eric

EJ2 - Double EJ Projects BLOG
http://spaces.msn.com/members/EJ2/

[Jost]

Hi EJ2, I'd love to hear why you love the Karma-Fantom combination.
I always toyed with the Karma, but I never worked with one.

[sambasevam]

With the karma software, wont the triton get the same karma functionality?



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[tcplugin]

Jost, the Wavestation is a digital wave ROM synth (rompler) from 1990. It's unique features are vector synthesis which Korg got from Sequenctial Circuits (Prophet VS) and wave sequences. I solds mine 1 month ago, it's synthesis capabilities are excellent but soundwise it's an oldy, it produces quite some hum and noise. Any recent rompler like a Fantom, Motif or Triton sounds much better

Sjaak - Fantom X7,SRX-679

[Jost]

tcplugin, thanks for your reply, your words confirmed my concern that the Wavestation is a bit outdated by now.

I have tried a lot of keyboards lately in my search for the ideal 'Pads' synthesizer and I came to the conclusion that it is the Fantom. It may needs the occasional 'help' from a VA, such as the Novation, but overall I believe the Fantom produces the nicest and warmest Pads.

Once again, the Fantom is a winner.

[tcplugin]

Jost, I personally use the Fantom in combination with a Nord Lead 3 and a Yamaha FS1-R (=DX7) to create pads. For example:
- Fantom: D-50 like pad
- FSR-1: DX-7 glassy pad
- Nord Lead 3: warm resonating analog pad

Some tips: You can create pulsating pads when you sync the LFO's of multiple synts over midi. A nice thing of the Nord Lead 3 is that you can set 1 LFO in repeat mode. So with some creative programming you can create continiously evolving pads which reminds you of a Wavestation

Sjaak - Fantom X7,SRX-679

[Jost]

tcplugin, your tip sounds very interesting. I never had a Nord Lead 3 (I've got Access Virus KC and Supernova), but I hear very often that the Nord Lead 3 is the warmest of all VA's. What are your thoughts on that?

[tcplugin]

Jost, the NL3 uses different D/A converters than the NL2 and "they say " a NL3 sounds warmer than a Nord Lead 2 or Access Virus. My opinion:

The NL3 is an allround VA rich of features other synths don't have, especialy in the area of filters, real time modulation (morphing) and FM synthese. So it's sonic range goes far beyond most other VA's. It can produce screaming leads, DX-7 type of sounds, detuned supersaw strings, warm pads, analog drum sounds etc.

I would expect that an Access Virus should be able to produce warm pads as well if I look at the price but I have never compared it directly with a Nord Lead 3. I have my doubts about Novation, that's more a budget synth.

Sjaak - Fantom X7,SRX-679

[Jost]

tcplugin, I wouldn't call the Access Virus a 'warm' VA, its more on the 'industrial' side of music - a metal blade/saw that chops every mix to pieces.

Regarding the Novation - there is the Supernova II and the K series. I wouldn't call the Supernova II a budget VA, however the K series is budget orientated (but still quite powerful).

The NL3 begins to interest me... its the only VA I never had the pleasure of working/playing with.

By the way, I checked your website and I had a listen to your demos. You make some really great music, I hope other Fantom members also have a listen to your demos