I'm thinking about trading my Virus Ti Keyboard in for an A6.

I'm a bit bored of the virus sound and if I really need it, I can just buy the powercore plug.

I haven't really had a lot of time with an A6 so I would like some advice from people who own it on if I am making a big big mistake or not.

thanks

I have a Andromeda and have used the Virus TI many times at other studios. U wont have as many presets as the TI but the A6 sounds way better in my opinion. Ofcourse if its possible u should keep the virus and just save up to get the Andromeda, but if i had to choose 1 it would be the A6

Have both, like both, and use both. I tend to use each for different types of sounds but can't imagine doing without either synth at this point. I'm not much help, eh?

I have both.

The Andro's sound is nice - its user interface sucks - badly. With a new OS this could be the king of synths...but sadly they are not developing it all anymore. Its sound palette is also fairly limited to "traditional" synth sounds.

I have considered sampling it and selling it because its interface annoys me so much!

Virus is completely different (as said earlier)...and still being developed. I think you would miss the virus if you sold it.

I recommend: Reaktor.

I own both TI and A6, both very different. The TI has a better interface overall...but sound?


Toss a coin

Ill buy the Virus off you if the price is right...let me know.

The Andromeda destroys all current VAs easily and some older analogs too. Interface is super cool, some people think it's too difficult because it actually has lots of things to understand - it's deep. It might take sometime to coax the sound you're after but when it's done you are going to go ...

I own the T1, , a ton of synths, MANY analogue and almost never sell a keyboard...

The A6 was out the door

Man, if you want a new analogue synth, there are so so SO many better options... and I'd say go for a few used.

If you want to go new, The Prophet 08 is a great choice.

If you want to go used, you gotta go for a Jupiter 8 or Jupiter 6 or a Prophet 5!

And then cheap, pick up an Oberheim Matrix 1000 (a Jupiter and Oberheim will give you so a great diverse pallette.

IMO, the A6 is plastic sounding... it's analogue, but man, it sounds worse than many virtuals out there, blech

-andrews

I don't want to be an ass here, but plastic sounding is the last thing the Andromeda is. Do you want an URL with a comparison (plus files) between a Minimoog and an Andromeda? You will be surprised how many got it wrong...

Oh well, it's all a matter of preference so ...

that guy is constantly hammering the andromeda... it gets to the point you might think hes justifying to himself why he sold it...

If you think it sounds anything like VA (at least when you have programmed it and also made sure you never touch the effects) I dont know how your ears are configured.

The A6 interface is deep but easy, I thought personally too.

So true.

As has been said the Andy is a different beast to the virus and so much more 'REAL' sounding.

The Presets SUCK so don't be put off by them. There is incredible depth to this synth but its takes time to get your head round its workings. Simple things can make a big difference to the sounds.

As far as being better or worse than the competition ( Omega8 and Prophet8 ) - I think it holds it own considering its price and modulation options.

And to cloth-ears who said it sounds like a softsynth: Just take any patch on the Andy and press the little button marked 'Unison X' - dial up just half of the voices into unison and show me a softsynth that can punch through concrete like that sort of sound !

A6 over virus, but as said better yet A6 AND virus. There is territory virus covers A6 cannot (for me). The virus can really howl and I have been unable to program the A6 to do so--it may be possible, to be honest I haven't really tried very hard.

Yes, SOME of the A6 presets are plastic soft synth in a box. BUT it is SO programmable, and so much fun to program (I think anyway), and so easy to do wild stuff, whatever. And, I would dare say--even the plastic presets (of which there are really only a few) are better then most vi's. 16 sequences! 16 arps! 16 mono patches! Simultaneously!

Also, one of the better written manuals, so I found it more accessible then say most roland gear.

Can you bypass that shit FX unit in it yet?
Not the snappiest on envelopes either. OK for pads and atmosphere but there is better synths for the loot.

Want analog go analog and not add a cheap FX unit.

theres a clearly marked button that turns the fx on and off which i presume has always been there. mine is ALWAYS switched off. of course, when you program your own patches you can just opt not to include any effects in the patch. which i do. no point in slating the andromeda just because it has a bad effects unit, just turn it off and use your own effects, which is what Id do in pretty much any synth.

If I had to choose only 1 synth, it would be the Andromeda. It is definitely not limited to basic sounds. It has so many features compared to any other analog synth, or even virtual analog synths. It can produce rich and beautiful sounds which are alive, not static like all VA synths. It has only 2 oscillators + 2 sub oscillators but all of the main oscillator waveforms can be mixed to make more complex waveforms. Then there are fm, sync, ringmod, noise, 2 powerful filters, 3 lfo's etc. By using all of its features you can make very unique sounds.

Bypassing the Andromeda's FX unit is definitely an option - of course it's always there to give you a rough idea if you want it.

Using the Aux outputs provides a cleaner and a little louder signal. Use the Aux or Vox outputs + an external FX unit.

Snappy envelopes? Sure. OS version 1.40.13 (beta) is supposed to marginally improve envelope times BUT i had no problem programming snappy sounds. You definitely need to delve deeper, use the predelay in envelope sections, disable envelope modulation as these are 10ms whereas hardware mods are 2ms - or better use no modulation at all. I *insist* that one must delve into this monster to coax out its true potential.

I had two people the other day in my studio, played an otherworldly sound - it literally gave them goose bumps. And that was with the very so-so FX on. Imagine running it through an Eventide H-8000FW (I am expecting mine soon ) or a Massive Passive to warm the mids a little more... Oooopps there we go...

I have a TI also and have to agree. My TI is just a workhorse. I have heard too many bad things about the Andromeda to want to drop hard cash on one and demos didn't impress me. Andrews made some great recommendations. If you can't afford to have both, a Nordlead2 complements my TI nicely.

Everyone has a right to defend their flagship synths, but can lead to some nasty remarks and a moot discussions. Beermaster made some good points on programming, makes me put it on my "to do" list of girlfriends. Ultimately you have to choose what will inspire your createivity the most. If the A6 will do this, then get one and make some kick-a** music.

Thats the thing , I only have room for 1 master keyboard.
Since they don't do the A6 in rack form I'm having to get shut of the Ti.

If I miss the Ti, I'll get another in rack form.

My plan is to have a full analogue setup and do a hard acid/trance type music. This is something that Ive struggled with with the Ti and my supernova 2 rack.

anyway , Ad is on SOS site clasifieds if anyone is interested..

Im also after a 303 or good clone...

Clusterchord posted some nice demos of his A6 running through an Eventide Orville in this old thread;

https://gearspace.com/board/electron...y-hit-off.html

Should pick up one soon as they have been discontinued.

I have a Moog Voyager and Im about to pick up an A6... I played with one a few days ago for the first time and I loved it... I will be getting rid of a Virus C and Supernova to get it though.... good move?

Get it before they disappear. In a few years, it WILL be a classic - prices will go - it's not a perfect synthesizer but after all there is no such thing. Get it and program your own sounds. Give it patience and it WILL reward you.

Once I get the H-8000FW (it should be here in 3 weeks) I am going to run the Voyager and the Andromeda through it.

Anyone interested for some samples?

When? Link? Thanks!

i agree. as for the interface, who could argue with a panel layout that makes the filter knobs huge enough that you can dance around the room like a maniac while pumping the filter cutoff? beats the living shite out of my old Q, which had all-identically sized knobs laid out in a precise grid. good 'n cerebral, whereas the A6 is pure body-music, fat 'n nasty.

a virus and nord pairing is a match made in heaven. i felt the same way about my rig when i had a Q and nord lead 2. very nicely complementary. the nord brings something apart from the virus/Q sounds to any party.

they're frequently seen secondhand on ebay, though.

incidentally, for those seeking decent andromeda sounds, ferry corsten has used his to great effect on several albums now. i liked "sublime" - always thought it was minimoog, etc. but it's an A6. surprising.

Can you share the link?

Start from here, it was originally an AH post, I had to cross-post it at Moog because I found it relevant:

Moog Music Forum :: View topic - Trust Your Ears

Unfortunately I cannot find the files anymore - I think they removed them to save space.

Read it, however. It may give a lesson or two.

my demos all suck or I would post them.

I guess part of the A6 mojo is the warm feeling one gets knowing that its all analog baby. Though it should be about the sound, I dunno, the A6 is very exciting to me. It can't really do hypersaw, but that unison-x button is a trancer's / hardcore dream. Any basic mono patch goes into outerspace...I get the ti comparisons, they are very similar. But folks who think softsynths sound better? Maybe I need to listen to more softsynths.

anyway, the A6, to me anyway, is like someone took all my requests and made me the perfect keyboard. There are some things it doesn't do spectacularly well, and I understand why people don't like them. But for me--man, hand meet glove.