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Originally Posted by Hollowcell
but what are your initial impressions?
comparisons?
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The first thing is that Modular isn't that intuitive and instant to program than basic VA (of course), unless you use a previously stored program as basis. You can create patches on PC and assing the knobs to different module knobs so you can create easily tweakable little synths that you can program patches without the PC. For example building Nord Lead 2 is fairly easy. Only probelm is that there are only 18 knobs so you can't get complete non-PC control for more complex patches, but that's very minor "flaw".
But what about the sound then. My ears got used to Virus filters so Clavia's filters sound odd. The tone is a bit different. Seems like Clavia's filters give better bass response. I can even say that the filters sound better than ones on my kB. Very nice. And the best part is that there's insane number of filters: Constant -6dB static HP and LP, 12dB static multimode, 12dB multimode, 24dB/12dB LP/HP/BP/BR, 12dB/18dB/24dB Classic, vocal filter, filter bank and EQ's. And of course you get a whole universe of filters when you start combining them. For example one monophonic patch can eat up about fifteen filters if you wish.
The oscillators are also nice offering wide variety of modulating possibilities (FM, AM, sync). There are also few interesting special oscillators like formant, spectral and drum/percussion oscillators. Also the sound manipulation modules are very nice, like wave wrapper and others. The phaser isn't that good as on Virus, but sounds ok.
The thing I like most is that control data and audio data can be mixed up. You can control with audio and you can use control data as audio. This way you can get very interesting results by being creatively mad like controlling filters and/or osc pitch with mic inputs.
What I can say right now is that with replacing easy programming of Virus with a bit more complex system and reducing the multitimbrality you get hilarious super VA. I can hardly wait to feed my Modular basses and leads through a tube amp.