Patches and discussion for Ensoniq VFX family

I was just readding the posts and someone asked "Is it time to put my 
VFX out to pasture?"

This is something I am struggling with. I love the VFX, but 
incresingly I use it as a controller for other synthesizers, like an 
MR Rack and a Korg Analog modeler and, sad to say a Yamaha XG type 
synth. The whole rig is getting to be a hassle to pack up. So I have 
been toying with getting another "all-in-one" synth. At 21 voices, 
the stealing gets to be a real problem, thus the rack mounted stuff.

Here's what I like to play: Rhodes, Hammond, Synthy Layered patches, 
Clavi's, analog leads and Bass. I don't like a weighted board. I like 
the realtime accessibility of patches that the VFX has. I typically 
layer multiple synths by double clicking and use splits. My group 
does a lot of improv, so I move on to new sounds frequently.

Has anyone augmented their VFX with something a little more modern? 
How so you like it? I see the whole world of pros playing Motifs and 
Tritons, but, can you get to new sounds on the fly with these things?

Food for response....Thanks

Dan

--- gottamakethings <gottamakethings@...> wrote:


> 
> Has anyone augmented their VFX with something a
> little more modern? 

ya, I recently replaced my SD1 with a VK-1000 and kept
the K2000 as the other main board. I've loved the
Ensoniq sound for years, but time for a new flavour on
the plate...cheers, Keith



		
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Dan,

It's hard to find anything more versatile than a VFX or VFX-SD.  However,  
I find myself in a similar situation.  I'm currently playing an Alesis  
QS6.1 in a band setting, but it's very hard to get around in a hurry.   
Lots of great sounds, though.

I'm thinking at this point that if I had it to do again (the more modern  
synth, that is), I'd've got a Kurzweil K2000 or K2VX.  When I get some  
money again, I may try to pick one up on eBay.

-Geren

On 5 Oct 2004 17:06:11 -0000, <Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

>

>
> Message: 1
>    Date: Mon, 04 Oct 2004 17:15:57 -0000
>    From: "gottamakethings" <gottamakethings@...>
> Subject: Blasphemy
>
>
> I was just readding the posts and someone asked "Is it time to put my
> VFX out to pasture?"
>
> This is something I am struggling with. I love the VFX, but
> incresingly I use it as a controller for other synthesizers, like an
> MR Rack and a Korg Analog modeler and, sad to say a Yamaha XG type
> synth. The whole rig is getting to be a hassle to pack up. So I have
> been toying with getting another "all-in-one" synth. At 21 voices,
> the stealing gets to be a real problem, thus the rack mounted stuff.
>
> Here's what I like to play: Rhodes, Hammond, Synthy Layered patches,
> Clavi's, analog leads and Bass. I don't like a weighted board. I like
> the realtime accessibility of patches that the VFX has. I typically
> layer multiple synths by double clicking and use splits. My group
> does a lot of improv, so I move on to new sounds frequently.
>
> Has anyone augmented their VFX with something a little more modern?
> How so you like it? I see the whole world of pros playing Motifs and
> Tritons, but, can you get to new sounds on the fly with these things?
>
> Food for response....Thanks
>
> Dan
>
>


-- 
Geren W. Mortensen, Jr.
Columbia, Maryland USA

http://gerenm.net
http://gerenm.net/onceaday

Visit the Central Maryland Photographers' Guild
http://www.cmpg.org

I have augmented my setup for a number of years, because I really 
like the layered sound of having multiple keyboards.
I also just got my VFX after many years of looking for one at the 
right price.
After the VFX went away in the early 90's, I bought an SQ2 32-voice, 
so I could still have the Ensoniq sound in my rig and it worked for 
many sounds.
My rig was mostly at that point the Ensoniq, Korg X5, Roland JV880 
and Yamaha TG33 for live stuff.  Then the Ensoniq got too heavy to 
bring on gigs and I bought an Alesis QS6 and used that and the Korg 
on gigs.
In my studio (on both my albums and other client's albums), I used 
everything I had in the studio, but my main piano type sound was the 
Ensoniq Piano and Strings sound (very similar to the 'In Concert' 
sound on the VFX), my Roland JV880 Digital Rhodes and a moving patch 
(using vector controls) on the Yamaha called RainNite.
When I incorproated the Alesis into the studio, there was an EP & 
Oohs sound that was added for a very thick, layered sound.

Now, I use a custom piano patch on the Roland XP-60, a string type 
patch on the E-Mu PK6 (got it last year), and the EP & Oohs 
(sometimes) on the Alesis.  I mainly use the SQ2 as a controller.

Now that I have the VFX, I resurrected the 'In Concert' Patch, and 
may use that in live situations.

My live rig now consists of the Roland XP60(my band uses extensive 
sequencing), Alesis QS6 (for drums and bass to augment the drums and 
bass on the XP60), the E-Mu (for pads) and the Yamaha TG33 (for pads).
I will also incorporate the VFX into the live mix and use it for the 
moving patches and leads.  I also use it in the preset mode and run a 
custom kick/snare patch with a bass track too to augment the already 
existing drum/bass thing happening with the other boards.  It should 
prove to work well, not to mention look cool onstage to have 5 
keyboards up there.....

I tried to use just one or two synths live since moving to a new 
state, and I never had enough sounds.  I firmly believe that 
augmenting sounds with multiple synths is the way to go, not to 
mention having an extra physical board to solo on.

If you are looking for anoyher synth or something to augment the VFX 
sound, look at the Kurzweil KME series or the new Roland Juno-D.  
They are low priced synths with great reviews and sounds.  You may 
also want to look at the Yamah S03, synth the bread and butter sounds 
are there.

It is really too bad that Ensoniq is no longer in business, because 
their sounds were truly standouts in the industry.  Maybe they will 
rise again one day and make more killer synths.

I have been looking at the new Neko synth (the really expensive 
computer-synth with a keybed.....I would slap a wireless card in 
there and surf the Internet during those long guitar solos.....

Thank you, 

Harry Ebbeson III
Ebbeson Management Group
www.geocities.com/ebbrecords