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In-depth Feature:  Kenton Plugstation
Yamaha SWG PLG Expansion Player
Trevor Curwen writes: .

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Sounds
Sound wise, the output from the Plugstation's analogue outputs was clear and clean with the sounds emerging in their full glory from each channel of the connected desk. The main thrust of this review is comment on the capabilities of the host Plugstation but it would be remiss not to add a few words on the nature of the Yamaha sounds themselves. It has to be said that with the four cards, (AN, DX, PF and VL), installed there was such an immense array of sounds on offer from altogether different methods of synthesis that few synth users would fail to be impressed.

The AN card's digitally modeled synth sounds are excellent - you could be listening to a real analogue synth only without any tuning or other associated problems. With two VCOs, VCF and VCA plus loads of waveforms and filter types there is loads of scope for a full range of sounds with the option of adding in some cool distortion. Swap its 5 note polyphony for unison mode and the stacked up monophonic fatness on offer is a pleasure to behold. With the DX card you get a virtual DX7, a 6-operator FM synth producing a striking array of metallic timbres and brittle distorted textures with a characteristic hard electronic edginess that provides a very real contrast to the AN's analogue flavour, and what’s more, with the editing software there's none of that fiddly button-pushing editing found on a physical DX7. Way to go.

The VL sounds will be familiar to anyone who has come across Yamaha's virtual acoustic technology in the VL70m. There is a real expressiveness on offer here, and although there is no breath control input, the sounds respond beautifully to controller data. Finally the PF card adds all the pianos you'll need and a few more, with polyphony to spare and onboard effects.

Verdict
The Kenton Plugstation is one darn good idea, it's cheaper and takes up space estate than the equivalent hardware synths and although it may be more expensive than the software equivalents there are no compromises in performance and your CPU power can be put to more fruitful use. Considering for a moment the fully-stuffed version, with AN, DX, PF and VL cards - four very different synths for under a grand has to be a bargain, but if you can't afford it all at once you can buy the unit and add more cards as and when the funds allow. This is a practical solution for the SW1000G user who wants to expand their system and an elegant way for the rest of us to get access to all these sounds.

More Resources              Articles - full listing
  • Kenton's Website
  • PLG Cards@zZounds
  • DX200 review @ Sonic State
  • AN200 review @ Sonic State
  • Plugstation OS Updates

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