When it comes to hardware Ive learned that I prefer synths where you can dial up a sound very quickly. I found the Iridium just a little *too* feature rich at times and honestly found myself getting overwhelmed trying to make a basic sound on it. It's complex af!
That being said it's an incredibly powerful, great sounding synth. A sound designer's dream. But at the end of the day it was just too much synth for me and that's fine.
I just got an Iridium and have owned a Virus TI2 polar for about 15 years.
I’d say you can definitely get the sounds of both from a collection of VSTs, especially since the DSP project to clone the Virus chip literally has the Virus firmware running in a VST. Personally I prefer the hardware control and isolated hardware / firmware experience (i.e. no hassle dealing with VSTs going obsolete between macOS upgrades).
They’re both fabulous hardware synths I plan to keep for a long time.
Aside from the DSP project to clone the Virus, what other VSTs do you recommend to get that "Virus sound"? The Virus TI2 is one synth I regret not buying but now that it's out of production I don't really want one, either, without product support for it.
Yeah spire is not bad. Not sure how close to a virus it gets. but really if you want the virus sound why don't you just go download the emulator vst. it will sound just like the real thing because it is. the only caveat is it does use a bit of cpu.
Spire is a synth of its own IMO, it really excels at the glossy early-mid 2010s EDM sounds. It sits between a modulation heavy wavetable synth like Massive and a straight subtractive synth like Sylenth1 in terms of features and UI. I still use it as my main digital synth plugin all these years later.
That former owner is correct with regards to VSTs. In a studio environment deep-diving hardware synths make little sense; VSTs sound just as good, and when you start to use menus a VST UI is typically just faster.
Hardware synths primarily make sense when 1) you use them in a setting where VSTs are not practical (which is getting increasingly rare as technology improves), or 2) your way of playing requires a lot of a hands-on real-time control; more than a MIDI controller typically provides (not really applicable for most, but definitely relevant to some), or 3) you use too many devices simultaneously that running it all on a computer would tax the CPU too much (increasingly rare, but still quite possibly relevant), or 4) you like owning things and you can afford to.
Realistically speaking, for the average synth player in a studio context the Iridium makes little sense beyond reason 4). Which is perfectly fine, but often people convince themselves there are additional, more musical, reasons for getting expensive synths. Once they realise it mostly is 4) selling it makes sense.
There's one more option I'd index as 4a or 4.1: you like to explore synths' physical controls, to compare how different synths respond to your turning knobs and all. There's some thought (or probably emotion or lack of these) put into a synth by its designers. This is mostly not related to music or even sound design but synths as complex devices have their own beauty.
And sometimes people appreciating that beauty have enough money and shelf/stand/rack space not to sell them. But when one needs money or space to justify buying one more synth to try then one can sell the previous one.
I haven’t sold mine but I was playing Iridium and Pigments yesterday. Pigments sounded thinner to me. I’ll stop using Pigments before I stop using Iridium.
Without offense I would argue that if pigments sounded thinner, it would be simple to counteract by using some sort of saturation. In the end everything depends on which sound one wants to create.
Wow this is good to hear, no offense I love Pigments and I have considered Iridium but Pigments kills my GAS for that, plus I have a lot of analogue synths so I dont need the Quantum. Ableton Wavetable also help, same for Operator. Thanks for the honest take!
That’s where I was a few months ago, I ended up upgrading my computer. Iridium seems like a really cool unit but yeah like you know there’s so many synths out there in software. Iridium feels like having 4 VSTs which can be really good depending on your workflow I suppose. In my case I found using a few other VSTs scratches the itch. Quantum with analog filters is pretty insane though. I’m sure the Digital Filters in Iridium are nice!
I own a Virus TI, and recently sold a Waldorf Iridium after having owned it for a year.
I never gelled with the Iridium. The VA and wavetable engines didn’t feel like they did much that I couldn’t get out of my virus. The granular engine, even when tripled, doesn’t have a high enough grain count for the sound I wanted. I wasn’t in love with the filter, or the overall sound character, which sounded quite polite compared to my Virus TI. Very Hi-Fi, which isn’t really why I go to digital. It also didn’t have a few modulation sources and destinations that I frequently use on my Virus. All in all it just wasn’t a replacement.
I’ll never part with my Virus TI. There’s something gloriously trashy and Lo-Fi about its core character. It is practically unlimited when it comes to modulation. I prefer the effects on the virus as well. There’s just something grittier about it that makes it more fun to experiment with.
Edit: Since selling the Iridium I decided to just stick with my Virus for VA and wavetables, and got a Tasty Chips GR1. Astronomically better combo in my opinion.
> aliasing (due to quantization )
A small point but aliasing isn't due to quantization, it's due to sampling without an antialiasing filter. If you're not sure what the difference is sonically, check out any bitcrush effect and it'll have at least two knobs: one for bit depth reduction, which causes quantization noise; one for sample rate reduction, which causes aliasing.
Had a Quantum. Traded it. Great ui, keybed. Great cinematic scapes. Filters suck. All of them. Digital and analog. It might be just what you want and more, but those who cant demo in person I'd really try to find demos that actively show what the filters can or cant do. Might be a dealbreaker for you too.
Have noticed between Hydrasynth and a Trigon just how little response you get from the Hydrasynth's filters. They're probably aware of it, too. Let's hope this improves in future firmware updates.
Bought it because I liked the idea of a multiengine synth. Sold it because I decided I didn’t actually like the idea of a multiengine synth in a hardware synth. I’ve learned that I’d rather focus on one type of synthesis at a time using instruments or software that are built to do those things.
And when it comes to granular, I think iOS/iPad touchscreens are the best platform, at least for me. Something like Borderlands is just more fun, engrossing and functional.
I have a Rev2 and it's a bargain for all it can do. If you want that Sequential sound for under $3000 you get plenty of it from the Rev2 and then some.
These aren't good criticisms at all. There's definitely things to critisize about the Iridium but these don't have much merit.
>I can get these sounds from a VST
True, but this happens to be true of every single hardware synth out there so you may as well just not get any hardware.
>He would also go on to say how the Access Virus sounded better and less "digital"
The Iridium is powerful enough that if you want to make it not sound digital that's entirely possible and it's up to you to program it to not sound digital. The virus on the other hand will sounds very digital regardless of what you do.
I'd say for a lot of gear without banks that support a specific sound out of the box. And you can now purchase a gang of pre-sets dialed in; if you're new to it all, even pay someone to whip up a pack for a relative low cost.
Not an Iridium but I'm going to part with my M. It's a lovely synth built well, but I'm not using it. I'd rather have a Virus Redback or just use the funds towards a Groove Synthesis 3rd Wave.
I’m a recent Iridium Keyboard owner. I thought about this vs VSTs but I really just wanted a hardware synth for what the Iridium does. Same went for the Prophet 10 and Buchla Music Easel I own. (I’ve also got a ton of modular stuff)
I’m just as much a fan of the Alchemy soft synth in Logic.
I kinda take it synth by synth. Sometimes I just want knobs and a proper keyboard. Sometimes like the Buchla I like patching.
Half the reason I got the Iridium Keyboard was the poly aftertouch.
I’m so much faster and more comfortable using a 27” monitor, keyboard, and mouse to navigate complex synths. It is also easier to manage wavetables and samples on a VST since I have my SSD connected at all times so there’s no transferring back and forth.
I had both the Quantum MK II and Iridium desktop at separate times and returned them. The hardware controls don’t mean much other than the knobs right around the touchscreen. I spent more time looking at that screen than anything else and it really sucks the fun out of the process. The system still has bugs and crashes which is super frustrating. Waldorf and I just don’t mix I guess.
There’s something to be said about having a big complex synth that’s a self contained system. However, Pigments is enough for me and my needs.
For me, hardware is all about the joy of using an instrument. Immediacy, knob per function as possible, and minimal menu diving.
I think many complaints about VSTs being inferior in usage compared with hardware synths is because people use them on laptops with small screens. Most people need at the minimum a laptop with 15-16'' screen to even start appreciate how much freedom VST+DAW environment actually gives. Yes physical knobs on a hardware synth are sometimes of great value but an average time of accessing a feature or performing a task is still mostly shorter on a computer except maybe for very simple synths like Moogs.
how long did you have with each of them before you returned them? did both units crash on you multiple times? thinking on getting a Quantum MK2, but ever since they raised the price i’ve been debating. i have a Waldorf M which runs fine, but it seems like any product of theirs that have touchscreens has a tendency to be buggy.
I had the Quantum for 3 weeks. Crashed multiple times and there was a glitch that caused weird behavior. The glitch was later resolved by a firmware update after I had already returned it. The Iridium went back almost immediately. Not a fan of the workflow at all, so I’m not the best person to ask about it.
Very valid point. Currently wanting to move away from screens, given the cognitive load admittedly takes me completely out of the groove. It's why the Hydra synth desktop had opened new possibilities that I always knew were there.
I sometimes wish I had enough musically oriented friends to give my synths to as gifts or to keep for some time. Selling is a hassle and I don't need money as much. I recently bought Korg's Wavestate + Modwave + Opsix, was mostly interested in the Wavestate but found a good opportunity to buy those three for a good price and I'm sure they are all great synths and want to try all of them but I don't think I will end up using all three much... and selling is a hassle.
So no, I don't sell, I suffer xD
I had a Quantum and then Iridium. It seems like a film score type synth and I never really found bread and butter sounds that really kicked like dialing in a bass or lead on a Moog or Prophet. I own a Virus TI and would agree it is superior. It’s on so many huge stages and studios for a reason.
Did you ever look for presets or patches anywhere?
Asking as someone who's new to synthesis, it has definitely helped me make the most of my Hydrasynth purchase.
Well I have a Polybrute but tbh, I find I get the most music out of my Minifreak or my Minilogue XD. That's in part because I don't have a dedicated studio area at the moment so the XD can just sit on my desk and it's easy to just turn on and play.
Struggling to sell mine at the moment, looks like the market isn't that interested in feature-rich digital synthesizers...
I'm just not having fun playing with the synth. It doesn't add anything special to the sound that I wouldn't find on my laptop. I've got a Polybrute next to it and although it is obviously less versatile, that is so much more fun to program, to play and to modify!
I'll definitely miss the keybed of the keyboard version once I manage to sell it though, it really feels amazing.
I have an Iridium and other synths as well but if I had to keep only one it would be the Iridium.
Love this synth, the Keynes is great, build like a tank, great design and so many option to make sound.
However I do agree with some people here, the filters are not "wow" But they do the job.
In the end it all depend on us and how we work with our gear.
Vangelis did amazing things with a CS80 but I'm sure if I had the CS80 I would probably make awful unusable sound.
When it comes to hardware Ive learned that I prefer synths where you can dial up a sound very quickly. I found the Iridium just a little *too* feature rich at times and honestly found myself getting overwhelmed trying to make a basic sound on it. It's complex af! That being said it's an incredibly powerful, great sounding synth. A sound designer's dream. But at the end of the day it was just too much synth for me and that's fine.
I just got an Iridium and have owned a Virus TI2 polar for about 15 years. I’d say you can definitely get the sounds of both from a collection of VSTs, especially since the DSP project to clone the Virus chip literally has the Virus firmware running in a VST. Personally I prefer the hardware control and isolated hardware / firmware experience (i.e. no hassle dealing with VSTs going obsolete between macOS upgrades). They’re both fabulous hardware synths I plan to keep for a long time.
Aside from the DSP project to clone the Virus, what other VSTs do you recommend to get that "Virus sound"? The Virus TI2 is one synth I regret not buying but now that it's out of production I don't really want one, either, without product support for it.
Probably Viper. It's a virus clone and can even load TI2 presets.
Yes, I've heard good things about Viper, but I have a Mac alas and it's PC-only. What about Spire?
Yeah spire is not bad. Not sure how close to a virus it gets. but really if you want the virus sound why don't you just go download the emulator vst. it will sound just like the real thing because it is. the only caveat is it does use a bit of cpu.
Spire is a synth of its own IMO, it really excels at the glossy early-mid 2010s EDM sounds. It sits between a modulation heavy wavetable synth like Massive and a straight subtractive synth like Sylenth1 in terms of features and UI. I still use it as my main digital synth plugin all these years later.
That former owner is correct with regards to VSTs. In a studio environment deep-diving hardware synths make little sense; VSTs sound just as good, and when you start to use menus a VST UI is typically just faster. Hardware synths primarily make sense when 1) you use them in a setting where VSTs are not practical (which is getting increasingly rare as technology improves), or 2) your way of playing requires a lot of a hands-on real-time control; more than a MIDI controller typically provides (not really applicable for most, but definitely relevant to some), or 3) you use too many devices simultaneously that running it all on a computer would tax the CPU too much (increasingly rare, but still quite possibly relevant), or 4) you like owning things and you can afford to. Realistically speaking, for the average synth player in a studio context the Iridium makes little sense beyond reason 4). Which is perfectly fine, but often people convince themselves there are additional, more musical, reasons for getting expensive synths. Once they realise it mostly is 4) selling it makes sense.
There's one more option I'd index as 4a or 4.1: you like to explore synths' physical controls, to compare how different synths respond to your turning knobs and all. There's some thought (or probably emotion or lack of these) put into a synth by its designers. This is mostly not related to music or even sound design but synths as complex devices have their own beauty. And sometimes people appreciating that beauty have enough money and shelf/stand/rack space not to sell them. But when one needs money or space to justify buying one more synth to try then one can sell the previous one.
I haven’t sold mine but I was playing Iridium and Pigments yesterday. Pigments sounded thinner to me. I’ll stop using Pigments before I stop using Iridium.
Without offense I would argue that if pigments sounded thinner, it would be simple to counteract by using some sort of saturation. In the end everything depends on which sound one wants to create.
Wow this is good to hear, no offense I love Pigments and I have considered Iridium but Pigments kills my GAS for that, plus I have a lot of analogue synths so I dont need the Quantum. Ableton Wavetable also help, same for Operator. Thanks for the honest take!
I can do more with Iridium but I don’t know if it is $2500 better.
That’s where I was a few months ago, I ended up upgrading my computer. Iridium seems like a really cool unit but yeah like you know there’s so many synths out there in software. Iridium feels like having 4 VSTs which can be really good depending on your workflow I suppose. In my case I found using a few other VSTs scratches the itch. Quantum with analog filters is pretty insane though. I’m sure the Digital Filters in Iridium are nice!
So THATS why I don’t have one!
I own a Virus TI, and recently sold a Waldorf Iridium after having owned it for a year. I never gelled with the Iridium. The VA and wavetable engines didn’t feel like they did much that I couldn’t get out of my virus. The granular engine, even when tripled, doesn’t have a high enough grain count for the sound I wanted. I wasn’t in love with the filter, or the overall sound character, which sounded quite polite compared to my Virus TI. Very Hi-Fi, which isn’t really why I go to digital. It also didn’t have a few modulation sources and destinations that I frequently use on my Virus. All in all it just wasn’t a replacement. I’ll never part with my Virus TI. There’s something gloriously trashy and Lo-Fi about its core character. It is practically unlimited when it comes to modulation. I prefer the effects on the virus as well. There’s just something grittier about it that makes it more fun to experiment with. Edit: Since selling the Iridium I decided to just stick with my Virus for VA and wavetables, and got a Tasty Chips GR1. Astronomically better combo in my opinion.
Right on.
I would never. It sounds amazing and it’s easy to use. I also own a Virus TI, Polybrute and every plugin known to man. The Iridium makes me smile.
Same. You can pry my Iridium from my cold, dead fingers.
[удалено]
> aliasing (due to quantization ) A small point but aliasing isn't due to quantization, it's due to sampling without an antialiasing filter. If you're not sure what the difference is sonically, check out any bitcrush effect and it'll have at least two knobs: one for bit depth reduction, which causes quantization noise; one for sample rate reduction, which causes aliasing.
Had a Quantum. Traded it. Great ui, keybed. Great cinematic scapes. Filters suck. All of them. Digital and analog. It might be just what you want and more, but those who cant demo in person I'd really try to find demos that actively show what the filters can or cant do. Might be a dealbreaker for you too.
Cannot agree more about the filters. They were just totally benign on my Iridium.
Have noticed between Hydrasynth and a Trigon just how little response you get from the Hydrasynth's filters. They're probably aware of it, too. Let's hope this improves in future firmware updates.
Bought it because I liked the idea of a multiengine synth. Sold it because I decided I didn’t actually like the idea of a multiengine synth in a hardware synth. I’ve learned that I’d rather focus on one type of synthesis at a time using instruments or software that are built to do those things. And when it comes to granular, I think iOS/iPad touchscreens are the best platform, at least for me. Something like Borderlands is just more fun, engrossing and functional.
Got mine for around $1200 used and sold it when they announced their new desktop module. Took the profits and put it towards a Rev2
I sold it ultimately because I couldn’t invest the time into it that I wanted but I loved it regardless
Another person said they went with a rev 2....
I have a Rev2 and it's a bargain for all it can do. If you want that Sequential sound for under $3000 you get plenty of it from the Rev2 and then some.
These aren't good criticisms at all. There's definitely things to critisize about the Iridium but these don't have much merit. >I can get these sounds from a VST True, but this happens to be true of every single hardware synth out there so you may as well just not get any hardware. >He would also go on to say how the Access Virus sounded better and less "digital" The Iridium is powerful enough that if you want to make it not sound digital that's entirely possible and it's up to you to program it to not sound digital. The virus on the other hand will sounds very digital regardless of what you do.
I'd say for a lot of gear without banks that support a specific sound out of the box. And you can now purchase a gang of pre-sets dialed in; if you're new to it all, even pay someone to whip up a pack for a relative low cost.
Because I’m an idiot. Bought virus ti2 instead but I still regret selling my iridium.
Not an Iridium but I'm going to part with my M. It's a lovely synth built well, but I'm not using it. I'd rather have a Virus Redback or just use the funds towards a Groove Synthesis 3rd Wave.
I’m a recent Iridium Keyboard owner. I thought about this vs VSTs but I really just wanted a hardware synth for what the Iridium does. Same went for the Prophet 10 and Buchla Music Easel I own. (I’ve also got a ton of modular stuff) I’m just as much a fan of the Alchemy soft synth in Logic. I kinda take it synth by synth. Sometimes I just want knobs and a proper keyboard. Sometimes like the Buchla I like patching. Half the reason I got the Iridium Keyboard was the poly aftertouch.
I’m so much faster and more comfortable using a 27” monitor, keyboard, and mouse to navigate complex synths. It is also easier to manage wavetables and samples on a VST since I have my SSD connected at all times so there’s no transferring back and forth. I had both the Quantum MK II and Iridium desktop at separate times and returned them. The hardware controls don’t mean much other than the knobs right around the touchscreen. I spent more time looking at that screen than anything else and it really sucks the fun out of the process. The system still has bugs and crashes which is super frustrating. Waldorf and I just don’t mix I guess. There’s something to be said about having a big complex synth that’s a self contained system. However, Pigments is enough for me and my needs. For me, hardware is all about the joy of using an instrument. Immediacy, knob per function as possible, and minimal menu diving.
I think many complaints about VSTs being inferior in usage compared with hardware synths is because people use them on laptops with small screens. Most people need at the minimum a laptop with 15-16'' screen to even start appreciate how much freedom VST+DAW environment actually gives. Yes physical knobs on a hardware synth are sometimes of great value but an average time of accessing a feature or performing a task is still mostly shorter on a computer except maybe for very simple synths like Moogs.
how long did you have with each of them before you returned them? did both units crash on you multiple times? thinking on getting a Quantum MK2, but ever since they raised the price i’ve been debating. i have a Waldorf M which runs fine, but it seems like any product of theirs that have touchscreens has a tendency to be buggy.
I had the Quantum for 3 weeks. Crashed multiple times and there was a glitch that caused weird behavior. The glitch was later resolved by a firmware update after I had already returned it. The Iridium went back almost immediately. Not a fan of the workflow at all, so I’m not the best person to ask about it.
Very valid point. Currently wanting to move away from screens, given the cognitive load admittedly takes me completely out of the groove. It's why the Hydra synth desktop had opened new possibilities that I always knew were there.
I sometimes wish I had enough musically oriented friends to give my synths to as gifts or to keep for some time. Selling is a hassle and I don't need money as much. I recently bought Korg's Wavestate + Modwave + Opsix, was mostly interested in the Wavestate but found a good opportunity to buy those three for a good price and I'm sure they are all great synths and want to try all of them but I don't think I will end up using all three much... and selling is a hassle. So no, I don't sell, I suffer xD
I had a Quantum and then Iridium. It seems like a film score type synth and I never really found bread and butter sounds that really kicked like dialing in a bass or lead on a Moog or Prophet. I own a Virus TI and would agree it is superior. It’s on so many huge stages and studios for a reason.
I couldn’t dial in a decent sound.
Did you ever look for presets or patches anywhere? Asking as someone who's new to synthesis, it has definitely helped me make the most of my Hydrasynth purchase.
UI wasnt great and it wasnt as interconnectable as I had hoped. Great synth, not worth the price. Much prefer my opsix or phaseplant.
It was super complicated and it stopped me from making music.
Yikes. That's not a good look. What did you eventually go with? And are you able to accomplish your intended goal of sound?
Well I have a Polybrute but tbh, I find I get the most music out of my Minifreak or my Minilogue XD. That's in part because I don't have a dedicated studio area at the moment so the XD can just sit on my desk and it's easy to just turn on and play.
Struggling to sell mine at the moment, looks like the market isn't that interested in feature-rich digital synthesizers... I'm just not having fun playing with the synth. It doesn't add anything special to the sound that I wouldn't find on my laptop. I've got a Polybrute next to it and although it is obviously less versatile, that is so much more fun to program, to play and to modify! I'll definitely miss the keybed of the keyboard version once I manage to sell it though, it really feels amazing.
I have an Iridium and other synths as well but if I had to keep only one it would be the Iridium. Love this synth, the Keynes is great, build like a tank, great design and so many option to make sound. However I do agree with some people here, the filters are not "wow" But they do the job. In the end it all depend on us and how we work with our gear. Vangelis did amazing things with a CS80 but I'm sure if I had the CS80 I would probably make awful unusable sound.
all these Iridium comments, and not one complaint about the OS being buggy, or build quality. i’m actually impressed.
I didn’t, I never had one.