This is a really interesting discussion. Unlike the usual "influencers", haters, marketing speaches...This is a balanced point of vue. Many thanks, I encourage you to do the same for other pieces of gear.
After spending US$ 50,000 in software for the last 5 years, I started to buy hardware again. Less install, reinstall, updates and upgrades. The feeling to have a hardware synth, for me, is phenomenal. I like both. But when I want to sit and play, a good hardware makes some difference.
I have stopped using software as well. The constant upgrading, incompatibility, need to configure MIDI controllers to map to software to all the joy out of making music. I now have a Gaia 2, and MC-707, a Blofeld, Hydrasynth Explorer, a JunoX and a Zoom R8 recorder. I'mmaking significantly more quality output in the last 9 months than I did with in 3 years with Analog Lab V, my NI suite, and a whole bunch of $20-$40 subscriptions to software and loop libraries. My idols were OMD, New Order, Depeche Mode, Kraftwerk, and the Human League. I can do everything they produced on my hardware and the limitations are actually freeing.
I actually think the Gaia 2 is getting somewhat overly harsh treatment. It's intuitive and fun to play which is exactly what hardware is for. If you were to compare it to other digital synths like the minifreak or the wavestate that sound great but are easier to use as plugins with amidi controller I think this excels as a piece of hardware
Hardware is for the hands-on control (and never going away, nor paying for subscription BS). Digital or Analog considerations are waste of time. And not just know, that analog modelling means the difference is only self-delusion ("I can clearly hear it") and falls down on blind testing. Lots of classic synths are digital (DX7 or D50 for example), same for classic drum machines (e.g. the classic Alesis unit, or the Roland one Autechre and Aphex were fond of).
Great review. The SH-101 model is very useful. Effects are great. The rest of synth maybe not immediately inspiring but I think I need more time with it to judge. Sequencer is very easy to use. I like this synth.
One thing is certain , the novelty of analog emulation (programmed randomization , acb emulation) tires very fast on the ears , when digital is used for abstract sounds is when this stuf works best
I think people are nuts. It doesn’t have the “prestige” of offerings from other company’s, but it sounds good and seems fun to use. I regret not getting the original Gaia as my first synth. Price maybe a little high but everything is jacked up right now.
I have gone through the hardware to software journey three times. Every time it started with me realizing that most of the sounds in my music were made with software synths. After selling off my hardware, it then ended with me realizing that working entirely inside the computer doesn’t give me enjoyment to make music any more. I have come to the conclusion that hardware synths are inspiration generators.
I have to disagree with some of this…paraphrase: “my digital synth has a digital filter that sounds digital” - This is a wavetable synth first and foremost, not a virtual analog synth trying to sound analog. But I don’t blame you for the assessment because Roland calls it VA in the marketing. That’s where the trouble starts, Roland sending the wrong message about what the synth is. There is nothing remotely Analog about wave table synthesis… Even Dave’s wave table oscillator is digital. But let’s not go comparing a $2800 synth to a $750 synth. This Gaia (😅) is supposed to sound like a VST, with the added benefit of knobs.
Both Gaia's have taken hits on quality sound, but it has always been extremely rare to get physical control of digital synths. JD800, JP8000, Gaia, some Boutiques, and now the Gaia2. Roland is there for us, other manufacturers don't even try. The best synth in the world isn't much good if you don't want to sound design on it. My studio has both analog and digital, using both to their greatest strengths. Do I want to sound design on a computer or menu synth, absolutely not. Do I want to be stuck with limited sound design and voices of analog, certainly not. When I want to include an acoustic piano sound, I not reaching for an analog synth or some cheap digital horrible sound, I'm using a Roland RD-2000 V-Piano for action and sound quality. My studio is 100% hardware, no computer and a hardware 24track SD recorder. I like instruments, true instruments, software can never be an instrument, just a temporary sound until OS/hardware or manufacturers stops supporting it. No synth is used for a solo synth recording, they are orchestrated with many other instruments, so the pure big sound of analog is not needed or wanted unless you are composing music that's just synth/beat box. (or a "Switched on Bach" music release :)
It's actually a mixture. The overall architecture of Zen-Core/Zenology is analogue-style subtractive, and the oscillators have a VA mode, but they also make use of sample-based PCM, particularly for a lot of the vintage-inspired sounds and those that aren't traditional 'synth' tones.
That is my biggest complaint. I wish it had more keys and PolyAT. It's a shame because the keybed is quite nice, but I keep running out of notes and also trying to do articulations on the keys. But, on the bright side, I do love the control it has through the interface.
I would like to remind everyone that the only way anyone can ve objective, is if money is not involved in any way or form. Forget these guys, their content depends on money. And they might ague and try prove that there's no sponsoring going on, whatever. Just remember there's always interest.
No sample or waveform import which makes this less future proof. Why no mod matrix? And those wheels are too small. These are the compromises. Cool sounds, but it’s sorta a digital ice chainsaw.
I think software synths took the life and breath away from music. As do platforms like Spotify. Thee we say is coming when everything in the cloud will disappear whereas hardware has much more staying power. The Gaia especially now its price has dropped to £600 is a real bargain for what it does.
bla bla bla...gaia 2 is simply a fantastic alround synth...the gaia 1 on stereoids. And it's NOT yeat another zen core thing, but actually a new developed engine
It's tragic that all Roland seem interested in these days, are plugins in a box. Where's the innovative leader from the 80s? They seem stuck in a retro tribute simulation hell.
I have a Hydrasynth and love it, but frankly it's just a plugin in a box too. That's not a hot take - it's a fact. The entire Minilogue, Wavestate, and OpSix are also on linux boards. Just plugins running an OS in a box. When did putting a clever synth on your computer in a physical format become a crime?
This is a really interesting discussion. Unlike the usual "influencers", haters, marketing speaches...This is a balanced point of vue. Many thanks, I encourage you to do the same for other pieces of gear.
After spending US$ 50,000 in software for the last 5 years, I started to buy hardware again. Less install, reinstall, updates and upgrades. The feeling to have a hardware synth, for me, is phenomenal. I like both. But when I want to sit and play, a good hardware makes some difference.
I have stopped using software as well. The constant upgrading, incompatibility, need to configure MIDI controllers to map to software to all the joy out of making music. I now have a Gaia 2, and MC-707, a Blofeld, Hydrasynth Explorer, a JunoX and a Zoom R8 recorder. I'mmaking significantly more quality output in the last 9 months than I did with in 3 years with Analog Lab V, my NI suite, and a whole bunch of $20-$40 subscriptions to software and loop libraries. My idols were OMD, New Order, Depeche Mode, Kraftwerk, and the Human League. I can do everything they produced on my hardware and the limitations are actually freeing.
I've been using computers for my graphic designs since the 1980s, but for music not at all. 100% hardware for my music studio.
I actually think the Gaia 2 is getting somewhat overly harsh treatment. It's intuitive and fun to play which is exactly what hardware is for. If you were to compare it to other digital synths like the minifreak or the wavestate that sound great but are easier to use as plugins with amidi controller I think this excels as a piece of hardware
Hardware is for the hands-on control (and never going away, nor paying for subscription BS). Digital or Analog considerations are waste of time. And not just know, that analog modelling means the difference is only self-delusion ("I can clearly hear it") and falls down on blind testing. Lots of classic synths are digital (DX7 or D50 for example), same for classic drum machines (e.g. the classic Alesis unit, or the Roland one Autechre and Aphex were fond of).
Great review. The SH-101 model is very useful. Effects are great. The rest of synth maybe not immediately inspiring but I think I need more time with it to judge. Sequencer is very easy to use. I like this synth.
One thing is certain , the novelty of analog emulation (programmed randomization , acb emulation) tires very fast on the ears , when digital is used for abstract sounds is when this stuf works best
Is digital hardware a waste of money? If it floats your boat, I don't see why it should be a waste of money =D
I think people are nuts. It doesn’t have the “prestige” of offerings from other company’s, but it sounds good and seems fun to use. I regret not getting the original Gaia as my first synth. Price maybe a little high but everything is jacked up right now.
I have gone through the hardware to software journey three times. Every time it started with me realizing that most of the sounds in my music were made with software synths. After selling off my hardware, it then ended with me realizing that working entirely inside the computer doesn’t give me enjoyment to make music any more. I have come to the conclusion that hardware synths are inspiration generators.
I have to disagree with some of this…paraphrase: “my digital synth has a digital filter that sounds digital” - This is a wavetable synth first and foremost, not a virtual analog synth trying to sound analog. But I don’t blame you for the assessment because Roland calls it VA in the marketing. That’s where the trouble starts, Roland sending the wrong message about what the synth is. There is nothing remotely Analog about wave table synthesis… Even Dave’s wave table oscillator is digital. But let’s not go comparing a $2800 synth to a $750 synth. This Gaia (😅) is supposed to sound like a VST, with the added benefit of knobs.
Both Gaia's have taken hits on quality sound, but it has always been extremely rare to get physical control of digital synths. JD800, JP8000, Gaia, some Boutiques, and now the Gaia2. Roland is there for us, other manufacturers don't even try. The best synth in the world isn't much good if you don't want to sound design on it. My studio has both analog and digital, using both to their greatest strengths. Do I want to sound design on a computer or menu synth, absolutely not. Do I want to be stuck with limited sound design and voices of analog, certainly not. When I want to include an acoustic piano sound, I not reaching for an analog synth or some cheap digital horrible sound, I'm using a Roland RD-2000 V-Piano for action and sound quality. My studio is 100% hardware, no computer and a hardware 24track SD recorder. I like instruments, true instruments, software can never be an instrument, just a temporary sound until OS/hardware or manufacturers stops supporting it. No synth is used for a solo synth recording, they are orchestrated with many other instruments, so the pure big sound of analog is not needed or wanted unless you are composing music that's just synth/beat box. (or a "Switched on Bach" music release :)
Analog and Digital hardware synths have their place (and if I had the funds that place would be in my collection).
If having a "Plug-in" in a box helps avoid CPU overloads, then yes! I'd rather have a digital hardware synthesizer.
Modern cpus can handle a lot, and the price of this synth can pay for a decent computer upgrade
@monomorte nothing in software can replace the hands-on interface that hardware provides
Zencore is not sample based OSCs. Its VA
It's actually a mixture. The overall architecture of Zen-Core/Zenology is analogue-style subtractive, and the oscillators have a VA mode, but they also make use of sample-based PCM, particularly for a lot of the vintage-inspired sounds and those that aren't traditional 'synth' tones.
Be nice to have a Stage version instead of table top studio model
That is my biggest complaint. I wish it had more keys and PolyAT. It's a shame because the keybed is quite nice, but I keep running out of notes and also trying to do articulations on the keys. But, on the bright side, I do love the control it has through the interface.
I would like to remind everyone that the only way anyone can ve objective, is if money is not involved in any way or form. Forget these guys, their content depends on money. And they might ague and try prove that there's no sponsoring going on, whatever. Just remember there's always interest.
No sample or waveform import which makes this less future proof. Why no mod matrix? And those wheels are too small. These are the compromises. Cool sounds, but it’s sorta a digital ice chainsaw.
Personally I think the modulation system is incredibly powerful, elegant and easy to use. It's way too negative the way you are spinning it.
I think software synths took the life and breath away from music. As do platforms like Spotify. Thee we say is coming when everything in the cloud will disappear whereas hardware has much more staying power. The Gaia especially now its price has dropped to £600 is a real bargain for what it does.
bla bla bla...gaia 2 is simply a fantastic alround synth...the gaia 1 on stereoids. And it's NOT yeat another zen core thing, but actually a new developed engine
It's tragic that all Roland seem interested in these days, are plugins in a box. Where's the innovative leader from the 80s? They seem stuck in a retro tribute simulation hell.
I have a Hydrasynth and love it, but frankly it's just a plugin in a box too. That's not a hot take - it's a fact. The entire Minilogue, Wavestate, and OpSix are also on linux boards. Just plugins running an OS in a box. When did putting a clever synth on your computer in a physical format become a crime?
People should stop trying to make RnB with this and stick to what this is meant for, EDM.
I am a player who doesn't spend time with sound design because IMO it's NOT a, "...lazy and talentless..." task
He picked his nose then smeared the keys.
What a load of bull. Of course hardware synths are no a waste of money.
HORRIBLE diction - left side guy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Stoped at 1.35. NO WAY!
Stoped?
Boring
I desperately want to snuggle with Simon. 😇
Please stop constantly picking your nose throughout the video. If you nervous just drink a cup of alcoholic drink before shooting the review hahah
"Bad Gear" did a video on this synth this week. Hilarious and insightful.
People who use “so” as their crutch word 🤢
It beats the American bad habit of misusing the word literally. 😉