Quote:
Originally Posted by MBTC
I seem to recall reading that somewhere else here. Seems like kind of a cumbersome way to get non-linear settings, although I can see how it might have needed to be implemented that way on a hardware synth (especially pre-TI models where the display on the board itself is all you have). A visual of the line goes a long way (not sure if Virus Control for the TI offers that or not -- they should be able to add it easily enough if not).
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I think that hey didn't already because it's possible to do it with recursive modulation and because of patch compatibility with older models - the features that were present in earlier models are left intact on the TI.
but the thing is: why would anyone buy a synthesizer whose sound one doesn't like? there are plenty of second hand nord leads out there for a bit over half the price of a Virus C, so...
because I totally get why anyone looking for the Nord sound would feel frustrated with the Virus - and the other way around. even though they're both VA, they're totally different beasts and the main difference is in the character: the virus sounds warm and grittier while the Nord sounds clean and crisp - there's no way around that fact!
funny enough, the Novation's synths sound somewhat similar do the Nord: it's got a very liquid and smooth sound on the highs, less crisp and harsh but still a lot of presence that easily cuts through the mix. I think Novation's sound sits somewhere between the Nord and Roland - it's got some roundness to the sound. While, for example, the Waldorf's sound much more edgier and with tons of ear piercing highs on them.
I don't think any of these is better. it's just different: many people have one of each and find a place for them on their mixes.
someone said here: nord and virus do complement each other quite nicely! that's exactly how I see it!
plus, I'm inclined to say: spend a little more time programming the Virus and you'll see it can get you very crisp sounds. the recipe above is about that: when you want to get close to Nord sound (without considering actually buying one, of course), turn off everything that isn't present on the Lead. It's got no effects, it only has one filter whose envelope can't be inverted, so forth and so on... but then... the FM on the Lead sounds a lot different to the Virus, for some "classic" sounds, it's the Nord that provides them. for others, the Virus is much more capable! also, if you modulate pitch with a sine wave LFO on the Lead or on the Virus, the results are different in sound even with very similar settings. they don't even have similar maximum frequencies on them...
so what can I say? grab a Lead. take more time programming your Virus to! if you boost the highs and do the opposite in the lows and low mids, you get much more presence (the gain structure across the spectrum changes)... once you move the filters, though, it might not sound as you want. so make the EQ follow the filter movement instead: assign a soft knob (or mod wheel or whatever) to make the EQ band's frequency move with the filter cuttoff (sort like EQ key tracking, made with modulation! handy uh?) if it doesn't sound pleasant enough yet, then keep on fine tunning it: the boost in the EQ could decrease or increase as filter cutoff gets higher, or the other way around. pretty easy to set up on the Matrix.
thinking like this you can overcome many of the apparent limitations a given synthesizer (not just the Virus!) seems to have when it comes down to "the way it sounds". with plenty of modulation options (that are not exactly "standard", I give you that) there's not much to complain about. be relentless. experiment experiment experiment