From dougsyolists@aol.com Wed Apr 16 11:28:16 2003
Subject:Re: analog or analog modeling synths

In a message dated 4/16/2003 10:19:31 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
ynottnaro@yahoo.com writes:

> Hey guys....
>
> I'm looking to purchase an analog or Analog modeling
> synth. What are your feelings if any on the Roland
> JP8000, NordLead2, and Access Virus stuff? I feel
> like the rack stuff probably isn't the way to go, if
> not for the "lead" feel of the keyboard, then at least
> for access to tweakability. But any thoughts
> concerning those issues is appreciated. Anyone who
> has dealt with any of these models, or even better
> more than one, please give me a holler...

I had a Nord Lead 2 for about a month... I really liked it, but it was an
income tax refund splurge. I decided not to keep when I realized I was
spending WAY more time with software synths than a nice-sounding hardware
one. Between the Hammond and the softsynths, I'd played the Nord 3x since the
day I brought it home. Was kinda a dumb purchase, but oh well... I didn't
lose too much on it.

They get good reviews... 49 synth-style keys, 16 note polyphony, 4 part
multitimbral, splittable/layerable keyboard.You shop around, you can find
them on EBay pretty cheap. There's a Lead 2 Rack for $599 (BIN $699) this
moment. The Lead 2 has been replaced by the Lead 2X, biggest diff is it comes
with memory card built in rather than PCMCIA - a competitive measure - that's
why lots of places are running them cheap.

I can think of one person that didn't like it, he plays in a Jarre tribute
band - he preferred the Access Virus, thought the Lead 2 was overrated. Virii
go for a bit more on EBay right now, tho.

Virtual analog synths are getting pretty cheap, I saw a "budget" Red Sound
Dark Star XP for $199 at Guitar Center the other day, tabletop unit, 8 note
polyphony, monotimbral.

Doug

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