just wanted to start a thread and see what everyone does and doesn't like about each instrument.

similarities and differences...etc.

Thor is very mighty and my 1st choice synth, but there are a few point, that I don´t like:
1. The state variable filter (the simple LP-,HP-,BP-,Notch-Filter) sounds so thin, that I always have to use an external filter device to get a good BP-filter. When I turn on the SVF as an BP, sometimes there´s quite no difference at the output! Then you have to raise the Reso extremely, which still doesn´t lead to a well sounding BP result, but suddenly adds a sine tone with the cutoff freq.
2. The FM-osc is useless, because you cannot choose the waveform and you cannot set the key-parameter for main pitch and FM-Frequency-pitch independently. If you wanna do cool sounding FM, use the mod-matrix and select 1 OSC as Source and Pitch of another OSC as Dest. Then it´s like the Subtractor FM which is cool.
3. The Phasemod-OSC always sounds like a steady wave. They could have just cut it down and store the most characteristic waveforms into the wavetable-OSC. This leads to point 4.
4. The Wavetable-OSC has insufficient waves. Malström had much more and much more versatile waves. And there should be more controls for movement and index (i am not sure now, if there is a index-parameter).
In most cases, I don´t benefit from these OSCs. But the Multi-OSC, Analog and Noise are very good. Of course the mod matrix is a killer and the possibility of routing audio INTO the Thor and use it for modulation is very cool!

For simpler tasks I still use Subtractor. I still love this device.

I like Thor because of it's sheer brilliance. It's just so powerful, it's like a moog and a korg were getting funky.

The subtractor is okay for basses and stuff like that, but the interface in the rack is hard to get used to, and not as good as the Malstrom, which is way easier to engineer and cahnge filters, oscilation, modulators etc.

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I find myself going for maelstrom and subtractor first. Not really sure why. I guess cause I haven't really dug into Thor yet and I know the interface of those two pretty well.

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ma.ne @ Virb.com

the thor is the best digital interface reason has ever made. it is simply incredible the dynamic range of the piece of equipment, all the functions and different capabilities put all the other synths to shame. Personally, if i'm working on something:

1. Thor (combines everything that is amazing in the three synths following this one. Basses sound great! Rythmic section can make you sound so much better than you really are. Leads can be versatile, thick and full as well as thin and airy. And then all the cool signature patches you can get into, not to mention the tweakage!!!!)
2. Maelstrom (good leads, nice pads, tweak control)
3. NNXT (load in samples, some nice basses, good piano fills, cool leads such as the mini popcorn. I like to run matrix patterns off the nnxt leads.)
4. Subtractor (nice bass samples and some cool fx sounds. decent pads)

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www.myspace.com/spencerneale