by Neotrope » Fri Jul 31, 2009 9:44 am
I already have enough rack gear, software, vintage stuff, and two Open Lab NeKos (TSE and G5-XXL - the latter just arrived, haven't even taken it out of the box).
My interest in the JB project is the tremendous user interface which is kind of like, but not at all like, a cross between my Matrix 12 and Hartman Neuron. But it also has some of the things I like about my Kurzweil, with the playable features.
I think this synth is geared to the folks who want to PLAY a keyboard, not simply make noise and bleep-ab-bloop, bleep-ah-bloop and open the filter (yawn). Ribbon controller, check! Joystick, check! Pitch/mod to left of keyboard for normal players, not afterthought up top on the panel... check! Direct feedback of chosen parameters, check. I think John has done a great job of taking the idea of a software plugin instrument and then building that into a virtual instrument with interface, but which uses a lot of DSP to provide a more "organic" and "analog" feel to a digital instrument. Compare the feel of the old Supernova II keyboard playability with the Access Virus keyboard, and it's no comparison. On paper, the Virus Ti (I have one) kicks the Supernova's butt. However for a player, when you sit down and want to "resonate" in a human way with your instrument (by that I mean musical instrument you sick puppies), the overall feel and interface makes the day. Desktop unit? NAH.
I have to say, by comparison, I don't find myself "going to" my Access Virus Ti desktop/rack unit in the same way I did the POLAR keyboard. The POLAR just made you want to play with it. The rack unit, although laid out the same, not so much.
Simply, there is a "disconnect" both literally and figuratively with many things when made into desktop models. With the JB Solaris, I think the feel of the thing would be entirely different without the entire package.
Perhaps a later instrument, the "Solarin" which is a lighter weight and less complex device, and in the Prophet08 price range might be in the future, but I think this flagship model, will be that, the flagship. This is John's modern Prophet 10, or Matrix 12, or Wavestation 2, and a bit of all of these.
Oh ... you just wanted a vote? (LOL) ... that would be no.
I already have enough rack gear, software, vintage stuff, and two Open Lab NeKos (TSE and G5-XXL - the latter just arrived, haven't even taken it out of the box).
My interest in the JB project is the tremendous user interface which is kind of like, but not at all like, a cross between my Matrix 12 and Hartman Neuron. But it also has some of the things I like about my Kurzweil, with the playable features.
I think this synth is geared to the folks who want to PLAY a keyboard, not simply make noise and bleep-ab-bloop, bleep-ah-bloop and open the filter (yawn). Ribbon controller, check! Joystick, check! Pitch/mod to left of keyboard for normal players, not afterthought up top on the panel... check! Direct feedback of chosen parameters, check. I think John has done a great job of taking the idea of a software plugin instrument and then building that into a virtual instrument with interface, but which uses a lot of DSP to provide a more "organic" and "analog" feel to a digital instrument. Compare the feel of the old Supernova II keyboard playability with the Access Virus keyboard, and it's no comparison. On paper, the Virus Ti (I have one) kicks the Supernova's butt. However for a player, when you sit down and want to "resonate" in a human way with your instrument (by that I mean musical instrument you sick puppies), the overall feel and interface makes the day. Desktop unit? NAH.
I have to say, by comparison, I don't find myself "going to" my Access Virus Ti desktop/rack unit in the same way I did the POLAR keyboard. The POLAR just made you want to play with it. The rack unit, although laid out the same, not so much.
Simply, there is a "disconnect" both literally and figuratively with many things when made into desktop models. With the JB Solaris, I think the feel of the thing would be entirely different without the entire package.
Perhaps a later instrument, the "Solarin" which is a lighter weight and less complex device, and in the Prophet08 price range might be in the future, but I think this flagship model, will be that, the flagship. This is John's modern Prophet 10, or Matrix 12, or Wavestation 2, and a bit of all of these.
Oh ... you just wanted a vote? (LOL) ... that would be no. :P