which synth for fattening up guitars and sound

[katano]

Hi everyone

Our band is changing more and more into an instrumental one. Our bass player left, I'm playing bass now and so no one's singing anymore, as I can't do all at the same time as a complete bass newbie

So it's definitely time to add some fatness and melodies to our sound for supporting the guitars (like nice warm and full stereo pads or leads), or even replace the bass with a synth. As most of you out there are synth fanatics, I'm quite sure you can recommend me something fat. for the ones who don't know me and my music, have a listen here to get an impression (live recording from a jam lately, it's raw, don't blame me for the quality

http://www.alterhistory.com/music/alterhistory-jam1.mp3
http://www.alterhistory.com/music/alterhistory-jam2.mp3
old Songs: http://www.mx3.ch/artist/alter_history

I tried all synths from my library but wasn't quite pleased with them, they just don't really sit well in our music. Ah, I've got all synths except the ones from John Bowen... And as it's christmas sales now, i'd maybe go for a Bowen one. Which one would you recommend?

Any input appreciated!

Cheers
Roman

[nightscope]

Which one would you recommend?

Solaris. One synff to rule them all.

ns

[katano]

Thanks

Is there a good manual for the solaris and are some nice presets included? I fear the functionality of solaris, a bit. I'm not really used to synths with all these filters and mods and envelops and so on, so maybe it's not the best one to start with? what about the orion?

Cheers
Roman

[pollux]

Hi,

the manual is very good, and there are tons of presets for one to get kickstarted

Cheers!

[astroman]

... I'm not really used to synths with all these filters and mods and envelops and so on, so maybe it's not the best one to start with? what about the orion? ...

no way - even John Bowen is someone who constantly learns (one of his virtues, if I may say so...).
His older synths are part of what eventually lead to Solaris, but they are just that, steps on a way
your destination is Solaris or ProWave
As mentioned there are tons of excellent presets for Solaris.
No need to worry about complexity - you don't need to switch on all options - not even Jimmy V has enough DSPs to really try that ...

cheers, Tom

[katano]

Seems like Solaris is the way to go, then. Hmm, I reduced my DSPs from 45 to 30 DSPs a half a year ago, thinking that xite will be out in sommer

My mixing projects are quite maxing out this 30 DSPs. So if Solaris works with 5 I'll give it a go...

Thanks for the replies

Cheers
Roman

[dawman]

I use Solaris for a Bass / Lead combo w/ lot's of Filters/Osc.'s.
That needs 2 instances of 1 voice each which is similar to a 4 or 5 voice preset due to the double load.
Solaris on a single 15DSP card, version 5.0 on a 4 Osc preset gets about 5 voices depending on the complexity of the routing.
For recording no problemos on your rig.
But if you are using w/ a sequencer live it could do the bass backing lead thing no sweat.

The AlienHistory has a cool U2 type of groove .....sounds good RAW.

I did a quick little taste of live/split thing, and a preset where the analog PolyGlide seperate Oscillator thing can be heard.

[nightscope]

No need to worry about complexity - you don't need to switch on all options - not even Jimmy V has enough DSPs to really try that ...

Tell me about it!! I switched all the buttons on once and plunged Manchester into total darkness for 3 1/2 minutes.

What does this ProWave you speak of do that other synffs do not? I am curious. Is it more DX7-like?

ns

[nightscope]

Prowave is unique cause it allows to have own wav snippets as OSCs, the waldorf wavetables and the prohet oscs.
All in this synth with the beautifuk prohet filter.

I have the Solaris and Ambient(&RD) and these have the wave oscs, do they not. I guess I should ask John for a demo and see for myself. I am just getting into these synffs recently. Scopites are blessed with the finest synff makers on the Planet. I had to laugh at the UAD wallahs getting all worked up about the MoogerFugger, or whatever it was.

Mehdi's synths are extremely cool, too. And last, but not least, the C4T Monosynth. Extremely porky.

'N Flexor. The list is endless.

Blessed, indeed.

ns

[dawman]

Here's a Snippy of a synff.

It's SpaceF's Jaws Oscillator
JBowens WAVE OSC II from the RD II Modules Series.

[nightscope]

a Snippy

And with the speed of nine antelopes via the miracle of the intertube..... Thanks, Jimmy. Me like mucho, lots of sparkly tops. I shall ask JB for a demo. This could be what I'm after. I was thinking of checking out the Prodyssey but this looks good....

And.....

It's on a WINTER SPECIAL!!

ns

[nightscope]

We have the demo from JB.

We have the technology.

We can rebuild 'em.

Going in.....



ns

[dawman]

Don't forget about the RD II Modules, and SpaceF Oscillators too.

[katano]

Thanks all and thanks Jimmy for the nice snippets!

[katano]

hmm, i just wanted to place an order for the solaris, but there's a shipping fee of 40 Euros via USPS?? Isn't Solaris distributed digitally from Soniccore, confused I am This is just not the way to go, 40 euros shipping costs for a software plugin, a real show stopper

[Shroomz~>]

Are you sure you tried to order the software Solaris & not the hardware?

Mark

[katano]

Well, the hardware isn't on winter special for 200 bugs, is it?

[Shroomz~>]

No it isn't AFAIK, but if it is then please point me to it...

[katano]

i'm in contact with the keymaster, they'll sort it out, it's a bug...

well, not the hardware solaris for 200 bugs of course

[kylie]

Hmmm strange. I always downloaded solaris from alink in a John Bowen email.

because you bought them via shareit, didn't you? apart from the old stuff in the S|C shop, solaris and friends were available only from john directly, before the winterspecial.
but I'd expect those plugins soon in the 3rd_party folder on the ftpserver...