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The
Mixer
function is performed by the MOTU 828 MK3
and Alesis ADAT interface. This replaced a traditional rack mixer and has much improved sonic quality and S/N as the hardware instruments are brought straight into the digital domain!
This is even better for the XV5080 as the signel never goes analogue as I run a SPDIF optical cable straight into the MOTU for the primary outputs.
Plugin signals such as the Virus and Massive never even leave the computer. There is still flexibility to take signals out via analogue for processing and that is how the audio FX units now connect. I think I need to produce a circuit diagram to illustrate how all this hangs together now!
The
much prized Juno 106. My first bit of analogue kit
with midi, its already
inspired a couple of tracks. The XV 5080 is bedding in well, finally
taking over from the old 1080. I still heavily use the Access Virus TI
(Total integration) synth. This beast is totally
full of really lovely usable sounds. There are knobs and controls
everywhere and a nicely pulsating set of LEDs on the front :) The TI
means it can integrate with the DAW on USB, looking like a VSTi in
Cubase or whatever. Very powerful.
I have also started using pure plugin VSTis for sound creation a bit more, mainly due to some of the evil monstrosities that Massive produces :)
The
Korg Z1 produces such lovely sounds which are rich
and powerful and can be varied in so many ways in real time. I don't use the Z1 alot these days
and it tends to get saved for real sounding instruments or whacky inspiration sounds. I almost always record the parts
to
audio on VST for playback allowing me to use the full FX designated
with
the presets. This would not be necessary with Trinity. I also use the
Z1 as a controller keyboard.
The Korg 01/W The Korg 01/W was the first 'professional' piece of eqipment I used and though it was very infuential in my early music, is these days hardly used.
The Roland XV5080 The JV1080 was used mostly as a 'bread and butter' machine with the Techno and house cards being essential additions. Now she is all but retired and replaced with the XV5080. I have expanded mine with the techno collection, the hip hop collection, drums and basses, the house collection and the world SRX board giving a massive and widely varying library of dance related sounds. Lovely :)
The Novation Bass Station Bought at the same time as the JV1080 is now rarely used. The Bass station marked a turning point for my music. For years I had struggled trying to produce analogue sounds using digital synths, including the Casio CZ101, VZ10M and I even built my own analogue filter and suddenly I could control all the sound parameters by MIDI! The Novation has added it's characteristic sound to many of my songs - no surprise there. Now however, the resonant filter on the Juno is proving too hard to resist LOL :D