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hi there! 1) VALUE i don't understand people who complain about the price of this jewel of analog technology. in fact it's the nords, waldorfs and other supernovas which are rediculously expensive in comparison. just watch the autotune routine and you will understand the complexity of analog equipment in comparison to "computer in a box" synhs.
it is true that ist is just not the same to program some software run on a DSP which calculates some waveform, then converted to audio and to design complex analog circuits, control them through a microprocessor an a comprehensive user-interface. the latter is a much much more complicated task and definitely worth it!!
CRAFTMANSHIP Well, it certainly is of the same subjective quality as the Vas. At least. The knobs don’t feel as solid as on the old moogs, i have to admit. But there again, the synth is much cheaper in real terms than the old analogs when they came out. let’s be fair. And there are a lot more knobs an buttons… would you be prepared to pay more than 4000 US for an A6 with better buttons… ?
2) POSIIBILITIES the A6 is truely made with love by people who must have been absolutely enthousiastic for what they did. the amount of parametres and the control you have over the sound is truely stunning. it comes very close to a analog modular in termes of flexibility and on some respects goes much further.as an example you can control all the elements of the bandpass and notch filters and modify it's characteristics and route it parralel or in series to the 24db filter. Apply FM to all you want, use SYNC and RING-MOD… incredible. this yields stunning sonic diversity even with only one OSC on. vintage synths can't compete. they might sound different but are NOT as versatile. The only thing that might come close ist the oberheim MATRIX 12 but its envelopes are slow in comparison to the A6’s.
3) SOUND i own a lot of stuff. I personnally find that the sound IS very powerful and really has nothing to do with VA’s. i tested the NORD II, III, Q etc. and i really think you connot compare them to the A6 which stands way above them.( The virus sounds well, too.) It can sound very fat, thin or anything between. And its sound is not agressive to your ears ! ! the filters sound very good, especially the 12db mutimode. The 24db is not like the minimoogs but you can produce quite convincing bass drums with it. The only thing on my wish list would be the auto-calibration of the VCA’s to allow high VCO FM without sound differences between the voices. But this is a minor point because high FM sounds are very rarely indeed used in poly.
CONCLUSION This synth is the most powerful analog ever produced. If you don’t know analog or don’t need an instrument with a soul, that is alive pass on to VA. But all the others who appreciate the difference, it makes a great addition to your samplers, and digital stuff ! it is the real thing ! and, beleive me, it IS EXCELLENT VALUE FOR MONEY.
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