DCAM Synth Squad
OK, let’s get this out of the way right up front. I work for FXpansion so you can take this entire blog post with as big a pinch of salt as you feel is necessary…
DCAM Synth Squad is right around the corner. It’s been in development for something like 8 years, not in the form it is now of course, but the underlying technology (DCAM – Discrete Component Analog Modeling) has, and it’s culmination is about to be unleashed on the software world. I’m excited. Really.
The reason I’m excited is because it’s a kick arse product. I’ve always felt that software synthesizers lacked a certain character, a wildness that real analog synths have in spades. They did the job of course, but using a virtual synthesizer always felt a bit like drinking instant coffee. It does the job, but it’s no Jamaican Blue Mountain. (EDIT: Damn, that sounded pretentious!)
Synth Squad is different. Really.
I’m hugely proud to have been involved in the Synth Squad story. You can get a good impression of it by watching the tutorial videos and checking out the demos on synthsquad.com.
If you’re into synths, I think you’re going to love Synth Squad. I know I work for FXpansion, but I’m speaking as Rozzer. And I wouldn’t write anything on this blog that I didn’t mean. Just check em out.
Comments
Have any softsynths approached this kick-arseness of Synthsquad? I’ve always loved Imposcar.
ps the Jamaican Blue Mountain stuff is naff, but better than instant
Hey Arp, yeah Imposcar is lovely too. I don’t think anything approaches SS in terms of ‘analogness’ but there are plenty of interesting digital synths. I’m a big fan of Camelaudio’s Alchemy for example.
Can you recommend some good coffee then? I thought the JMB was pretty damn fine.
I checked out all the demos last night and I agree that it sounds REALLY good. Is there any more info online on the thought process behind it? Any idea on cost yet?
The closest relation I can think of is Korg’s Legacy collection with fresh, new, inspiring instruments. I still like the Korg Legacy stuff but I loathe the fact that I need a dongle to even demo it.
Regarding coffee: some relatives of ours brought back some Blue Mountain from Jamaica and I was pretty excited as I’m an inveterate coffee enthusiast. It was undoubtedly the smoothest coffee I’ve ever had, but it lacked any flavor or body. Basically, smoothness was its one and only characteristic. My preference has always been towards stronger flavors (plus I never have mine with milk), and my favorites have been organic Mexican & organic Costa Rican dark roasts. I currently live in Costa Rica and get freshly roasted organic coffee direct from the farmer every week
Holy crap – the price is RIGHT!
Glad you like the price. Would love to hear what you think, if you purchase.
On the coffee front, I guess the smoothness of Blue Mountain was what I liked. I’m not a fan of strong coffee so I tend to avoid things described as having ‘lots of body’. Also, I like milk in my coffee, so that excludes me from the real hardcore camp. Will see if I can procure some Costa Rican dark roast thought, thanks for the recommendation
I’m definitely considering purchasing, but it’s in the pack with my want for Zebra, Imposcar and now Synplant (my son (6) wants to play with Synplant – can’t turn down a chance to bring another music geek into the fold
)
If you’re not into strong coffee, then finding a good medium roast of organic Costa Rican would fit the bill. Coffee should have *some* flavor. Of course, this is coming from someone who likes his tea on the strong side too (except I do have milk in my tea).