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04-13-2008, 10:25 AM
(This post was last modified: 03-12-2011, 02:32 AM by lataste.)
Hey Everyone,
Right now I am strictly using Logic plugins and a couple of soft synths. I was forcing myself to learn the DAW before I would get frustrated with it, blame my subpar producing skills on Logic and buy something else. I think that I have a pretty good handle on it now and am ready for some more gear.
A previous discussion the other day regarding the Virus TI has kept me up late at night fiending for a fix. In my quest to get gear that I will be happy with for a long time, I ran across the new X8 powercore. All in all, it sounds like a good deal. It has great plugins which I am missing and the ability to run the Virus plugin. It is about 1500 or slightly cheaper which is more affordable than the desktop TI but, there are of course limitations.
I would like to hear your opinions about what I should do about my delimma. Should I just get the desktop TI and be happy for years to come, or try to get an all in one Powercore Firewire X8......
Andre
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Buy Grinder
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Hi Andre,
It depends on what you need. If you want pure hands on synthesis that is well versed and versatile, get the Virus TI. If you want to add DSP horsepower to your setup, the Powercore X8 may be a better option in terms of effects and plugins.
I must confess that I have a Scope and 2 Pulsar II cards from Creamware/Sonic Core, so I'm sorted on the DSP end. Possibly sharing with you why I got the DSP cards may help your decision. I built a DAW based on a single core processor when I first got started years ago. My research at the time told me that I would max out the CPU pretty quickly, therefore I looked into a PCI DSP solution, namely one Pulsar II, to offload some audio processing duties from the CPU.
Also, computer based plugins at the time lacked the fidelity of those available today, because developers cut a few corners to allow them to run on lesser machines. That is no longer the case.
Nowadays, a fast computer can basically hang with a DSP setup, to a certain extent. With my 3 cards I have 26 Analog Devices 60MHz SHARC DSP's at my disposal, but quite frankly I never really tax the system anymore. What I do like about the Scope cards are the number of I/O's and the routing window.
Maybe if you can also answer the following questions, that may give you an idea which product is best for you:
1. Do I have sufficient native (CPU based) plugins in terms of effects, or do I need extra choices in this area?
2. Do I want the flexibility to purchase new effects or synths that are outside of the basic package, as they become available?
3. Am I maxing out my CPU on a fully loaded project?
The Powercore X8 comes with some really sweet effects, no doubt about that, but the Virus plugin you would need to purchase, in addition to the premium effects, like Oxford line.
Hope that helps. Let us know what your decision is when you make it.
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Andre,
What kind of moniters do you have?
Other than those and a fast computer you don't need anything else. I'd focus more on finding skills that will last you a long time, not gear.
The Powercore has some nice looking plugs but there's just as many native ones that will do the job just as well. You've already got a quad computer so you don't need the power. Shift your questions from gear to technique and you'll be a lot better off. My mantra now is do the best I can with the least amount possible.
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Jesse makes a good point, Andre. I went under the assumption that you were set on buying one or the other, but beware of the 'fever' as I call it.
It usually manifests itself as an uncontrollable urge to buy shiny studio objects...
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04-14-2008, 08:52 AM
(This post was last modified: 03-12-2011, 02:32 AM by lataste.)
Jesse and Sven,
My original plan was to satisfy my desire for the Virus and get some cool plugins to go along with it. I'm not set on buying anything yet...except the imposcar
Currently I have the following equipment:
Tapco S-8 Monitors
Novation 37SL controller
Motu Ultralite
Sony MDR-7506 headphones
PC Running:
Logic 8
Reaktor
Blue
Native Instruments Synths
Phatmatik
That's about it, all of my plugins come from logic. I too am trying to keep it simple. You are right though, more stuff isn't always better. I usually mix with my headphones and then A-B with my monitors (this keeps the noise complaints down). I won't doubt that my skills are lacking but, it seems like I have exhausted my options with Logic plugins. I could be wrong though, I just finished my arrangement for a new track. I'll post it so that you can critique it for me.
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BEST PORTABLE VAPORIZER
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Hey, unrelated question, but how do you like the Novation Controller? I have a 25 key version coming.
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04-14-2008, 09:37 AM
(This post was last modified: 03-12-2011, 02:32 AM by lataste.)
I like it, I never use the pads but everything else is usefull. I was thinking of getting a logic controller but this works great and it does everything that I need it to do.
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Rolling A Joint
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Nice, good to hear. About the gear, I'm not saying don't get it, but the thing I like about the Virus TI is the hands on interface. You can probably get that feel from the Novation controller with the automap function. I don't dig mousing around all the time. Sometimes it's ok.
Jesse has the benefit of a lot of experience so he can do more with less easily. I'm on an a particular timeline/schedule, so I tend to spend a little on gear. Not saying that gear = experience, but the Virus did open up my sound a bit. So there is some benefit to better gear, but you inevitably have to learn how to use it right to get the most out of it.
In the end, it's your cash so you must determine how to spend it.
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Andre,
Hi, the powercore is going to introduce latency into your system, and if you dont want frustration then I would stay away from it. Like the boys said, their are native plug ins that are just as good if not even better than the powercore ones.
I'd go with the Virus TI or even the snow, I understand that its the same as the TI but in a smaller shell, and its cheaper. I dont know what latency issues there are, with the Virus streaming audio to your computer, but its still proly not as much latency as you would get with the powercore. Unless theyve worked on the latency issues on this new generation of powercores. If latency has been improved, I stand corrected.
In either case Id still go with the virus its a sick synth. I do know that the virus powercore version is based on the older models and doesnt have the features of the new virus engine, so its basically a virtual analog. The TI or snow on the other hand is capable of different types of synthesis, if im not mistaken.
Hope that help a bit.
Rambunkcious
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Andre,
Reaktor on it's own is enough, I could easily write tracks with just that, especially with the Electronic Instruments 2 addon.
If you got say Zebra and one of the Arturia synths like the Minimoog you're more than set. Add a few Audio Damage plugs and then either URS or Sonnox for eq and compression ans you're set.
You've already got delays and verbs in Logic that will be fine.
As much as I like the TI the hands on part I don't really care for now a days. And their VST plug implementation is still a little quirky for me. The sound of it is very inspiring though.
It also might help if you posted some examples of the stuff you're trying to make as far as synth choice.
Jesse
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