Funny, I took exactly the opposite path. The Kurzweil VAST architecture
in the K2X00 and Native Instrument's Reaktor revived my interest in
modular synthesis. VAST has excellent programmability. I once created a
patch that played diatonic scales from the modulation wheel and
sequences from the keyboard. But eventually you hit a brick wall in
resources.
Reaktor is more promising because resources are essentially unlimited as
long as you have CPU processing power. However, version 2.3 broke my
system for 9 months due to an obscure sound card driver problem. Every
software update or OS update or sound card change or CPU upgrade
basically risks something else breaking. The latest I've heard is that
the Pentium IV has a floating point problem when calculating small
values in reverbs and delays. Other stuff: It's difficult to map the
control surface to something that's readily useable and comprehensible.
And doing "chaos" type patches with multiple feedback paths crashes
Reaktor. It just can't handle it no matter how many tweaks or delays
you put in the path to fix it.
On the other hand, I bought a Serge panel from a guy who said he was
going all digital. When I went through the box I found he had only
opened 6-8 of 20 patch cords for his panel. He was not a real power
user, in my opinion. So maybe that's the people you're talking about.
John Loffink
jloffink@...
in the K2X00 and Native Instrument's Reaktor revived my interest in
modular synthesis. VAST has excellent programmability. I once created a
patch that played diatonic scales from the modulation wheel and
sequences from the keyboard. But eventually you hit a brick wall in
resources.
Reaktor is more promising because resources are essentially unlimited as
long as you have CPU processing power. However, version 2.3 broke my
system for 9 months due to an obscure sound card driver problem. Every
software update or OS update or sound card change or CPU upgrade
basically risks something else breaking. The latest I've heard is that
the Pentium IV has a floating point problem when calculating small
values in reverbs and delays. Other stuff: It's difficult to map the
control surface to something that's readily useable and comprehensible.
And doing "chaos" type patches with multiple feedback paths crashes
Reaktor. It just can't handle it no matter how many tweaks or delays
you put in the path to fix it.
On the other hand, I bought a Serge panel from a guy who said he was
going all digital. When I went through the box I found he had only
opened 6-8 of 20 patch cords for his panel. He was not a real power
user, in my opinion. So maybe that's the people you're talking about.
John Loffink
jloffink@...
> -----Original Message-----lately
> From: Junger Joerg [mailto:Joerg.Junger@...]
> Sent: Wednesday, June 12, 2002 6:31 AM
> To: 'SergeModular@yahoogroups.com'
> Subject: AW: [SergeModular] Re: Alot of serge panels up for auction
>of
> hm.
>
> there may be another reason why more systems show up recently: a lot
> people go back to digital. with all the sound generation softwareof
> available
> today (max/msp, reactor etc) and very powerful computers going for
> relatively cheap. then it's tempting to sell gear that represent a lot
> money and that you feel you will not use anymore. maybe a bit like the
> situation in the 80ties.
>
> joerg
>
>