Patches and discussion for Ensoniq VFX family

Layering?  Splitting?  Parts against parts?  what do you mean?
If "Compliment" means "using with, but not sounding the same", I'd go for
just about ANYTHING.

Wavestation AD is always good.  Pads like nothing else.  Sounds nothing like
your SD1.  Every patch is a winner.

Or, something as cheap and easy as a D-50 Roland (or D-550 rack) or M1(R)
Korg.
Jillions out there, cheap to find, have a wide range of sounds.

Even an unassuming little module like a Roland U-220 or a teensy little Korg
half-rack X-model all have lots of presets to layer and pad with.  All
depends whatcher lookin' for.

To me, that's what I hear you asking about in your definition of
"compliment".

But if you simply wanna fatten things up even MORE, then an Oberheim Matrix
1000.  Fattest of the fat in a 1U package.  Get the blackface model... still
cheap.  Again, every patch a winner.

Heck, even some of the FM Yamaha modules would help add some sparkle... if
that's what you're looking for.  Lots of times some of that otherwise
annoying FM bite is just what a tired old saw needs.

All that can be had on the cheap... all of that on the "old but not vintage"
list, therefore still dependably WORKING, too ;-)  Maybe need a battery in
the memory.

Otherwise, just shop around and get what the budget allows on the new
market.  

Because building pads is a funny thing.  There are at least 100 ways to skin
the cat.  What sounds good to your ears will be great for live work while
the Praise Band is playing or the speaker is having at it.  But what sounds
good to your ears might sound AWFUL trying to lay in the mix back at the
studio -- so back to the drawing board.  I've built essentially IDENTICAL
pads using Yamaha gear and Moog gear (how dissimilar can you get?) for
exactly those reasons -- one that sounds good and one that lays in the mix
real well.

One of my go-to modules for pad work is the often-overlooked ESQ-m.  It
never had the juice of the "lead-synth" crew like the fashionable Arps and
Moogs, and it didn't have the name cachet of the Oberheim (nor designer
price), so you don't hear it much on big budget recordings.  But it's such a
COMFORTABLE sound.  Very much like old blue jeans, IMO.  But the trade-off
is that it doesn't layer very well. It kinda needs a lotta elbow room to
sound right.  

Your "very good for pads" may not match mine, but as you can see, the
options are plenty -- just narrow down what you want.

L.

 

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com 
> [mailto:Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of River Of Life
> Sent: Monday, April 11, 2011 7:03 PM
> To: Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [Ensoniq-VFX-SD] Re: Pads
> 
> Hi Guys,
> 
> I am thinking of getting keyboard or rack unit that is very good for 
> pads that would compliment the SD-1. I have some of the Syntaur 
> Sounds libraries and am looking for better sounding pads. Any 
> suggestions would be welcomed.
> 
> 
> 
> Your Servant in Christ,
> 
> Vince Perna
> The River Of Life
> Discount Christian Bookstore
> http://www.riveroflifecbs.com
>