FUQ (eff -yu - cue) - FAQ's with an EDGE

Tagged As: Virtual Moog

Question:
I was not very impressed after trying out a few virtual analogues (Nord lead & Access virus) and after hearing some other demo tracks from the Supernova (sounded like a cheaper Polymorph,) none of these seemed to sound like the analogue sounds on the old prog. rock albums I've got, although the Nord & Quasimidi sounded the best of those I tried. Ignoring authenticity I prefered the prophecy style Korg sounds (and the MOSS sounds, woah ..) and the soft synth VAZ produces some really chunky timbres. I do not want to buy a second hand moog or such like, so now I'm considereing a module from studio electronics. The SE1 looks as though it has enough controls to do a good imitation of a moog. The Omega range has polyphony, but appears more limited in real time controls, or is there more under its bonnet? Are there any alternative new true analogues with MIDI & memories on the market and available in the UK now?

Answer:
I have one of the Nord modular things and I think it's kind of weedy-sounding. Useful, but not always as satisfying as it should be. Lately, I have had a lot better luck with soft-synths. In particular, Reaktor by Native Instruments in Germany is just unbelievable. This package provides a library of synthesizers, and many of them are just terrific and quite analog sounding. More so than the Nord or any other DSP-based things I've tried. In particular, Reaktor's MiniMoog and S.E.M. clones simply have to be heard to be believed. From a sound design point of view, it's possible to do a lot more with something like Reaktor too. I urge you to give their free demo a listen. It was a real ear-opener for me. For me, Reaktor is no compromise!