Product Reviews by KVR Members
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Angelina
Reviewed By Illusionist [all]
September 5th, 2002
Version reviewed: latest on Windows
When I finally could download Angelina I was sold right away. It’s a so called one trick pony, cause it’s made for one purpose: Creating lovely, spacious dreamy pads. If you happen to know the classic album ‘Intrucion Dimension’ from F.U.S.E (Richie Hawtin), you now the sound I mean. Big Tick is very generous by making the demo almost full. The only things disabled are automation and patch saving.
I have searched for this sound for years, but always were stuck with samples. Big Tick made an an unique sounding synth with Angelina, I haven’t heard those sounds in a vsti up to date. The sound is so professional you could trick lots 'o' people by saying it’s a hardware synth (while only listening ofcourse :). That is also because the filter is not your standard low pass, but made out of formants. oooh, aaah, uuuh sounding choirs..(I don't know if I explain it the right way here, but that's how I see this synths structure) With the XY controller you can make very ‘living’ soundscapes.
So much for the sound: I found it absolutley great. But if you don’t like the choir-like basic sound, Angelina is not made for you. If you search for pads, check it out!
The two things on the interface I really like are the envelope and the XY controller. The envelope is easy to control and makes it able to make a long evolving pad. In combination with the XY controller you get massive control over time/sound. And this all in a beautifull interface...
Hmmm negative things? I can’t really think of one. Maybe more presets could be included in the full version.. Also the manual could be more detailed.Read Review
I have searched for this sound for years, but always were stuck with samples. Big Tick made an an unique sounding synth with Angelina, I haven’t heard those sounds in a vsti up to date. The sound is so professional you could trick lots 'o' people by saying it’s a hardware synth (while only listening ofcourse :). That is also because the filter is not your standard low pass, but made out of formants. oooh, aaah, uuuh sounding choirs..(I don't know if I explain it the right way here, but that's how I see this synths structure) With the XY controller you can make very ‘living’ soundscapes.
So much for the sound: I found it absolutley great. But if you don’t like the choir-like basic sound, Angelina is not made for you. If you search for pads, check it out!
The two things on the interface I really like are the envelope and the XY controller. The envelope is easy to control and makes it able to make a long evolving pad. In combination with the XY controller you get massive control over time/sound. And this all in a beautifull interface...
Hmmm negative things? I can’t really think of one. Maybe more presets could be included in the full version.. Also the manual could be more detailed.Read Review
JX10
Reviewed By Illusionist [all]
November 17th, 2001
Version reviewed: 1 on Windows
This must be the freewaresynth with the best soundquality. It's a reasonable basic synth with not too many features, but it's sound is really convincing. I'm very impressed by the broad number and versatile presets on this softsynth. I have nothing else to say but: 'Try it and you'll love it!'Read Review
Triangle I
Reviewed By Illusionist [all]
November 17th, 2001
Version reviewed: 1.1 on Windows
This is one of the best freewaresynths available. I personally don't like the GUI, but that is richly compensated by the broad amount of features, the good sound and the 64 presets. And after tweaking around you will understand quickly how this synth works.Read Review
SynC Modular
Reviewed By Illusionist [all]
September 10th, 2001
Version reviewed: 208b.005 on Windows
When you think Reaktor is too expensive, but want to try your paths on modular synthesis, than this is the program you want! It's cheap, the sound is great and it's very, very flexible.
If you just want a lot of synths, you've also found the right program, cause there are dozens of free and high-quality ensembles available for Sync.Read Review
If you just want a lot of synths, you've also found the right program, cause there are dozens of free and high-quality ensembles available for Sync.Read Review
ePiano
Reviewed By Illusionist [all]
September 8th, 2001
Version reviewed: 1.0 on Windows
I've been playing with this instrument for two days now and I still can't believe that it's free.
The sound is great: It's dynamic and versatile. As I recall (from old jazz recordings) the sound is more like an early Rhodes Suitcase piano than a Stagepiano.
Enough parameters to tweak the sound to your own wishes. It's great for playing chords deep in the mix, but also for solowork this instrument fits perfectly.
If you want to convince yourself of the quality, try downloading one of the thousends available midijazzfiles on the internet and connect the mda epiano to the pianoparts of the song. You will be stunned what this software sounds like when played by a decent pianoplayer.
Try this thing with effects like Blue Phaser and a delay and your takin' off to be the next Herbie Hancock :)
The only thing that has 'bothered' me is that the hammerstrokes are sometimes too loud compared to the pianosound.
Read Review
The sound is great: It's dynamic and versatile. As I recall (from old jazz recordings) the sound is more like an early Rhodes Suitcase piano than a Stagepiano.
Enough parameters to tweak the sound to your own wishes. It's great for playing chords deep in the mix, but also for solowork this instrument fits perfectly.
If you want to convince yourself of the quality, try downloading one of the thousends available midijazzfiles on the internet and connect the mda epiano to the pianoparts of the song. You will be stunned what this software sounds like when played by a decent pianoplayer.
Try this thing with effects like Blue Phaser and a delay and your takin' off to be the next Herbie Hancock :)
The only thing that has 'bothered' me is that the hammerstrokes are sometimes too loud compared to the pianosound.
Read Review
Piano
Reviewed By Illusionist [all]
September 6th, 2001
Version reviewed: ? on Windows
When I record piano in my music, this vsti is my #1 choice.
When you are in search for a concertpiano, this may not be what you looking for (altough some reverb does the trick very well).
I want old and dirty sounding piano's and for that MDA piano is absolutely a must (free!) download. With the muffle/hardness function you can make mda piano sound 'dusty' and with another function it sounds like a piano that's not been tuned for a while.
Try the preset 'broken piano' and you'll know what I mean :)
I think it's also great to actually hear the strokes from the hammer hitting the pianosnares in some presets.Read Review
When you are in search for a concertpiano, this may not be what you looking for (altough some reverb does the trick very well).
I want old and dirty sounding piano's and for that MDA piano is absolutely a must (free!) download. With the muffle/hardness function you can make mda piano sound 'dusty' and with another function it sounds like a piano that's not been tuned for a while.
Try the preset 'broken piano' and you'll know what I mean :)
I think it's also great to actually hear the strokes from the hammer hitting the pianosnares in some presets.Read Review
