Virtual Analog: What do you reccomend?

[The Box Drone]

So I'm looking to eventually pick up a VA to compliment my F-Xa. I rented a microKorg for a few months before I got my Fantom, and really liked it... but I'm curious if there are any other VA's in or around the same price range that I might want to check out first.

Thanks!

[plasmis]

I have heard good things about the Alesis ION, I have no hands-on experience though.

____________________________________
There is no such thing as a stupid question.

[ProgressiveD]

The other VA in the Microkorg pricerange is Alesis Micron, check it out.

At last, I'm part of the gang !

[Jost]

Hi Box Drone,

check out the X-Station from Novation. It's almost the same price but much better keyboard feel and heaps more knobs and sliders - 26 knobs, 9 sliders and 55 buttons to be precise.

I've got this beast and it rocks - in-particular I like the fact that its easy to carry around and battery operated. Here in Australia the 25 key version is in similar price range to the microKorg.

The X-Station also acts as a soundcard and midi controller with around 40 templates. check it out: www.novationmusic.com

http://www.jostsauer.com
"When one is not expressing himself, he is not free." - Bruce Lee

[melnikov_project]

If U lookin for a real analog synth.
go with the virus ti it almost the best analog synth made until today and it integrates with software ,can be used as a vsti to control the module+u can use it as a control keybord.
hear the demos on their site..

"The Essense Of Trance"

[Jost]

Hi meinikov,

the Virus is virtual analog (VA), despite the fact that it sounds phatt, mean, warm and full. There are only three real analog Synth on the market: Andromeda, Moog and the newest analog invention 'Dave Smith Poly Evolver Keyboard'.

Visit the Evolver on internet, but be warned, its a very expensive Keyboard www.davesmithinstruments.com

http://www.jostsauer.com
"When one is not expressing himself, he is not free." - Bruce Lee

[Artemiy]

Jost:

Actually there are lots of fully-analogue synths, not just the three you mentioned. I recon there is SRS Aurora, plus stuff from Vermona (MARS, DRM, Perfourmer).

[Jost]

Artemio, I never heard of these keyboards, are they in the same league as Alesis or Moog?

http://www.jostsauer.com
"When one is not expressing himself, he is not free." - Bruce Lee

[Artemiy]

Well, Vermona has very cool synths, and they are priced so much lower than Andromeda and Voyager. For example, MARS is a 1U synth module with completely analogue circuitry but with digital control. It's a monosynth with 2 oscs, 4 sub-oscs, ring mod or sync, -24 dB/oct filter and classic envelopes/LFOs (envelopes are very fast/snappy, LFO is up to 25 Hz). Sounds very fat and rich. It also has an LCD, patch memory, and MIDI/SysEx control.

http://www.vermona.com/en/produkte/mars/mars.html

I myself would get this one, but I'd like it as a desktop/knobbed version. Then they have this Perfourmer which is 4 monosynths in one, and each can do FM with it's brother (neat!).

http://www.vermona.com/en/produkte/per4mer/per4mer.html

[Jost]

Thanks for the link Artemio. The Vermona truly sounds interesting, but its a pity that they don't have a keyboard version. So in this regard it appears to be correct that there are only three RA (Real Analog) keyboards on the market.

To me, the Poly Evolver Keyboard (PEK) is the ultimate keyboard (unfortunately you can't get it in Australia). Check it out:

http://www.davesmithinstruments.com

http://www.jostsauer.com
"When one is not expressing himself, he is not free." - Bruce Lee