Yeah, I like them both for totally different uses.

Could you explain the "call home" sub routine? Similar to Roland cloud? So if Roli goes belly up we lose Equator 2 or do we lose everything?

That's the thing. They don't mention it, so i don't know, but you open the vst and instead of launching, you get an error screen saying something like, 'we don't know if you're licensed to use equator, please launch roli connect'
It's happened to me once, and i've read some posts saying this is going to occur every month or so.


I've posted a question on their official forum about it. They're pretty slow to respond, if at all. My previous questions about bluetooth for windows were even ghosted.

What basics are you looking for? Equator2 has loads of basic patches that can function as starting point, from simple acoustic sounds, hybrid sounds, synth leads, nice workhorse basses, to pads that use for example only the Juno-6 samples, or OBXa, or Super Jupiter as a starting pads that capture the tone of the original synth. etc.

What do you wish was included in the browser in order to have a better experience when using it?


We've added loads of both types, acoustic and vintage analog samples (and specific sample content that is meant to be used in the granular engine).

Here is the overview content list:

BRASS instruments:
Trombone - Attack
Trombone - Sustain
Trumpet - Bucket Mute Staccato
Trumpet - Bucket Mute Sustain
Trumpet - Harmon Mute Staccato
Trumpet - Mute Sustain
Trumpet - Staccato
Trumpet - Sustain
Tuba Staccato
Tuba - Sustain

EFFECT
Waterphone - Pluck 1 (tuned)
Waterphone - Pluck 2 (tuned)
Waterphone - Scrape texture 1
Waterphone - Scrape texture 2
Waterphone - Scrape Texture 3 (tuned)
Waterphone - Scrape texure 4 (tuned)

KEYS
Accordion - Staccato
Accordion - Sustain
Baby Grand Piano (4 versions)
Hammond Jazz - Fast Leslie
Hammond Jazz - Slow Leslie
Hammond Jazz 2 - Fast Leslie
Hammond Jazz 2 - Slow Leslie
Harmonium - bellows
Harmonium - Sustain
Rhodes
Upright Piano - Feedbacker
Upright Piano - Vintage
Wurlitzer - Classic
Wurlitzer - DI
Wurlitzer - Vintage


STRING based instruments:
Cello - Bow Taps
Cello - Piziccato
cello - Spiccato
Cello Sustain
Double Bass ( three versions)
Dulcimer - Hit
Dulcimer - Runs
Dulcimer - Scrapes
Dulcimer - Trill
Harp
Hurdy Gurdy - Keypress
Jurdy Gurdy - Sustain
Koto- Fingered
Koto Plectrum
Nylon Guitar - Harmonics
Nylon Guitar - Muted
Nylon Guitar - Pluck
Santoor
Sitar
Steel Guitar
Stringray Bass - Amped
Stingray Bass - DI
String Quartet - Pizz
String Quartet - Spiccato
String Quartet - Sustain
String Ensemble (a new hybrid, ie: layered strings ensemble)
Viloin - Pizz
Violin - Spiccato
Violin - Sustain
Yangqin - Latex Hammer
Yangqin - Latex hammer Bac
Yangqin - Trill

Woodwinds:
Basson - Staccato
Basson - Sustain
Calrinet
Concert Flute - Attack
Concert Flute - Sustain
Nadaswaram - Sustain
Oboe - Sustain


All of the above can be used/mixed/layered with Equator1 samples like some of the very lush orchestral samples.


And to complete the new content list here is a list of sampled analogue synths:

Arp Solina
Juno-6
MS20
Mini700
Boomstar5089
OBXa
Pro-One
SH-2
Super Jupiter
System-100
VP-330

Then, there is a huge selection of new samples specifically made for the granular engine. These live under the Granular folder tab, with the following themes:

Granular - Abstract
Granular - Acoustic
Granular - Cinematic
Granular - Foley
Granular - Synthetic
Granular - Textures
Granular - Vocoder



Most of the new samples use round-robin, even the analogue ones.

When you list them it is quite impressive, and it also shows the browser part could be improved since i found it hard to find all of these.

i'm just saying that the browser system somehow seems to be more difficult to me to find presets in the direction i'm looking for than other party vst's. in part it's also the layout/visual look of this menu.
I really like the Omnisphere approach, for example. with selecteable, optional tags and mood descriptions, and clear categories.
In the sample browsing menu of the soundsources, i have the same problem, and even a bit more. Here there isn't even a way to sort by category. Some sounds i only found cause i knew they were in the equator 1 library.

With basic patches, i mean stuff like:
basic flute1
basic flute2
simple bell1
simple piano1
cello solo
cello ensemble

etc. with only one or two soundsource slots loaded, and a rudimentary set of modulation routings. Macro's and FX not filled to the brim.

on suggestions for additional acoustic samples, might i suggest:

kalimba
bass kalimba
sansulla
marimba
vibraphone
general acoustic bell & bowl recordings,
sleighbell, windchimes, etc.
gong
steeldrum
udu

saxophone
tenor saxophone
bass saxophone
euphonium
ney
kaval
bansuri
sakuhachi
fujara
melodica

kora
ngoni
oud
cumbus
saz
monochord
shamishen
jews harp
mandolin

toy piano
clavinet
harp flageolets
prepared piano
electric guitar

a few different character guitars and piano's, since these instruments vary so much in character
etc.

It's nice to see you people have a presence on this forum.
Could you possibly expand on the reason for the call-home routine in the recent Equator2 software?
i've asked this question on the official forum, but somehow it doesn't seem to get posted online.

Just thought I'd jump back in to say how much I'm liking Equator2. Very rich and expressive sounds, with or without using MPE.

And it runs fine in 10.13 ( the specs say 10.14 and up ). $99 upgrade is definitely worth it.

I've been checking out Equator 2, but I also noticed that all the Seaboards are out of stock. When was the last time they were in stock? Anyone have any insight onto the future of Roli?

Check other uk based companies. Covid and Brexit causing shipping delays for everything including food.

100% this is what we expect from ROLI and nothing less! I mean, with 15y old NI's massive I have created far more complex sounds than the ones included in Equator's presets. The difficult part is to emulate expressive instruments like trumpets, viola etc. This is why 5D invented. Unfortunately ROLI still counts in its previous failed recipe with fantasy cheesy reverb sounds.

Equator2 is full of expressive sounds. From single very playable solo sounds like in the first demo below, to very complex multilayer sounds that Massive can only dream about. Equator2 does not lack the sounds, but it lacks people's patience in learning how to find them and play them.

(the first three sounds are hybrid, the last is purely based on samples)

Pay attention to the sound from 0:41sec to 1:44min.

But, Equator2 is not designed to specialise in the type of sounds that maybe the SWAM engine can provide. Equator2 is designed to be a very comprehensive 'uber' synth that covers a lot of ground. If you desire realistic acoustic sounds, then I recommend the SWAM instruments. You will love them.

Speaking of Massive, let's have Massive do this sound, which is based on a single oscillator (that is, what you hear is only a single oscillator. I wonder if you can comprehend the power that is being shown here):




But then, personally, I like understated sounds, sounds with a lot of nuance and exquisite depth. Played on RISE 49:


The complexity of what's going on here in terms of MPE (demo above). Can you hear it? It's not about fireworks and some explosive saxophone solo, but fine control of many layers that you express with SLIDE, GLIDE, PRESS on the Seaboard. A guitar pluck, granular layers, string ensemble drone/layers that come in and out, granulated Sitar strums...yeah, your Massive can do that...when it smokes a fat joint in year 2050.


Equator2 has a huge selection of very expressive sounds...all you need to do is learn how to play them. Fighting words! I know, but that is the truth, people simply can not play what is offered here.


Try some percussive sounds for a change:




MPE/5D sounds are very difficult to make. That is, playable and musical MPE sounds are difficult to make. Try to spend some time with a preset and learn it like a real instrument, this is the key to success and your enjoyment. If you don't like big, multi-layered 'reverberant; sounds, try some of the brass, woodwinds, hybrid solo sounds on offer. Try to learn them, before giving up.

Lastly, Equator2 can do what all modern wavetable synths can do:



Equator2: granular, wavetable, FM, VA, FM, sample-playback (with a huge selection of acoustic and vintage analog samples) all under one roof with 6 oscillators. Forget your Massive synth and compare it to Omnisphere. That's where it's at.

Strang to See so much hate. Tp me at first look, this seems like the ideal modern day synth. The workflow looks absolutely perfect.
Has all the kinds of modulations you want for modern production, well laid out.
6 oscillators that do practically all the kinds of synthesis you are going to use in modern production.

I personally have found FXpansion practises to be a little annoying in the past (a long line of abandonware and uncertainty over a products lifespan) so in that sense I get it. But just as a standalone product, this looks fantastic.

It is absolutely insane that there is no demo - they will lose themselves countless sale because of this, but the synth looks great.

It cannot be compared to serum or an analog emu synth. This does a hell of a lot more than those.

Very tempted indeed. With studio ones recent MPE implementation (and seamless integration with Roli products) it might finally be time.
I just hope the products are around long enough.....are the FXpansion things going to be abandoned now that stuff is being put out under Roli?

Are these acoustic presets "realistic" sounding SWAM product-like virtual instruments or of the joke like presets you don't do nothing with if you respect yourself and your ears?

Regards,
Frustrated Roli user since Seaboard launch.

..One who cannot afford SWAM-suite ATM but thought was buying SWAM like-suite with the product at the time purchasing( the Seaboard)...

...Whom is feeling now they are doing the same "hoax" again, and are justifying the upgrade price with the high fullprice whilst in practice you get nothing new.

...Wtf is Equator2 even if its not compatible with (/MADE FOR) 1st gen Seaboards... Some marketing hype for the new hardwares they have made --again-- to take money out of new peoples pockets.

I hear songs/sounds in my head while I'm awake and in my dreams, I compose. I love playing realistic virtual instruments of my liking and making full songs out of these performances. MPE is a must to make the playing "playing" like and not musical coding in a dark room of misery. That is why I bought Seaboard, as I thought then that it's just to play flutes and whatever comes to mind with this instrument...

For example like this (not my video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFdXXJSe5SU

Yeah right ������‍♂️ Not happening. I have been "coding" Kontakt instruments and trying to code some others too. With massive amount of work and no fun I have made some Bansuris sound like in the video (or some trumpets etc real instuments) and used them in some productions. But nothing like Marco Parisi playing Jimi Hendrix with his electric quitar presets in earlier marketing videos.. those presets that was not included with the Seaboard.. (lol?)

I got some marketing about Equator2 and was like, **** yeah now Roli must have made some SWAM bundle or whatever so I can just play stuff with my Seaboard, but I spent the day reading and found out that this is the same **** all over again?

(Please prove me wrong, I hope I'm wrong. Obfuscated knowledge at Roli site about Equator2 didn't showcase any realistic new instruments but showcased a Equator synth with new UI)


I would pay f.ex 400€ for some decent fully MPE ---out of the box--- instruments. For many even 700€. But 90€ just for a upgrade of nothing for the old users? Thanks a lot Roli!


PS, shoutout;

Someone please showout realistic instruments if they are present in Equator2. Can't find 'em so I believe they are not there.

I will stop wasting my time researching this. I was really exited about Equator2 when I got the marketing emails, as I was when I first heard of Seaboard back in the days. After years of using Seaboard and waiting for better times/content, it just feels like one of the most sad purchases I have ever made.

Which of these are realistic/of good quality? (SWAM type, of the new added sounds compared to Equator1 (and the added extended Equator1 libary and india library f.ex) ) Your earlier post had some examples of insruments but not of these acoustic ones. Even Marco Parisi didn't show case these in his marketing videos I found.

Could you or somebody else please showcase these, would be highly appreciated and praised upon..?

Not to state the obvious . . . but have you considered just buying a couple of the SWAM offerings?

....And how come no trial/tryout? And howcome no decent videos/articles of the featured virtual instruments/presets in the new humongous mega equator2hyper ultra super big dick flying carpet..?


At Roli site they say "we are working on it" etc. Yeah right, lol. It's really hard for a software company to make a trial version of the finished product. If the product is good, firms tend give it for free at the beginning for a limited time as the good product sells itself. If it's not, you have to buy it first

It's super easy to make marketing videos/content at 2021 and give tryouts for new software with practically no cost.

And then again there is the community around the products who will do it for free or for example with a free edition of the (digital(!))product marketed..

Yeah I have, but like I said, don't have the money right now for that, or the will, and I'm still busy with all other stuff in my life. I would just see that this product -should- bundle up with "SWAM", like they have already, but in a wider sense.. (or make the realistic instruments themselves (and make a lot of money offering them at a reasonable price bundled with their hardware) ).

These are digital products after all with zero manufacturing costs etc after they are done.

Point being, these things are not all there is to me in production, but would be my favourite things ever in production if they would be there. Like as a owner of Komplete Ultimate and my serious MPE coding skills ( :D ) I have made use of the Seaboard, but it's sad and a waste of time.

I have had like 20 people all stoked about the rubberpiano at my homestudio and when I have shown how to play it etc how it works they all fall asleep and hate music production and then get antidepressants.




PS (edit)
So they made Seaboard Block to make things less sad and easy for common people to use with their phone etc whatever for the reasons I descibed in the message.. And then offered their SWAM presets to only these users. Facepalm...

PPS
And yeah, what I remember even purchasing SWAM products requires this "coding" and they are not out of the box playable

They're not presets. There are just samples. I don't think they're meant to compete with SWAM. They are more there for basis of sound design. Equator2 is best at really off the wall expressive sounds. Don't buy it if you want to have a classical symphony at your fingers.

You may want to ask if they have any extras.

I asked but they had consumed all of them and turned in to mindless scientist zombies. :,( So no luck there.

Hi,
If I understand you correctly, I think you are making a conceptual mistake.

If "acoustic" or "real instrument" presets sound like the real ones, it is mainly due to the artist's playing.
I don't think Parisi needs a special preset to sound like he's playing a real guitar. It is his extraordinary playing.

I don't think one can assume that one can sound like a real instrumentalist with some magical presets without knowing and understanding the necessary skills on the real instrument and learning to transfer it to the simulated one.

If I understand you correctly ...

Best regards

Actually I like Equator but there are a couple of problems:
1. It has a GUI bug in Studio One (on Windows. It's somehow related to Windows scaling)
2. It's impossible to change the default library folder and it takes a lot of space on the system drive

I poked around for an Equator1 thread but don't see it, so I'll post this here . . .

Recently, I returned to Equator1 to consider upgrading to Equator2. But I'm having a hell of a time with the filters. Listen to this:

LP12 Swept with LFO
https://voca.ro/1n6LUB9r3x5v

LP12 Swept with Envelope
https://vocaroo.com/1cvMbW1HgPvI

Holy stepping! These are just saw waves with the LP12 filter. First one sweeps it with an LFO, second with an envelope. There's no resonance on either and no other modulations.

Did Equator1 always sound like this? Does Equator2?

Still no AAX support in the end of 2021

Fine by me, I've dropped AAX support myself Anyway Pro Tools has no MPE support and the workaround is horrific.

I'm still pretty pissed about the fact i've payed for this program, but it only works like a subscription-roland like-thing. When i'm not unline it says my version is unregistered and wil not work. Essentially making it totally useless because of reliability or for live performances. They really need to fix this.

Also, i've noticed one of the best string sample layers that was in there and in equator 2 has now mysteriously dissapeared (giving an error message it doesn't exist)
and at the same time, they announce a nice new addon pack for equator2 of strings!!
That is not a coincindence and a pretty shitty move.

actually, I like it. but I would really like it if the developers would add the ability to change the location of the content folder. it is inconvenient to put everything only on the system disk.

Hey Roli, how about an answer on this? I would advise no one buy this software the way it sits now.