All user reviews of 4/5 for the M-Audio Venom

I will not go on the characteristics of the machine, everything is said in the test. Skepticism about the longevity of the synth because of the publisher and the lack of updates, I have only to remark: given the current price of the synth, to dedicate a basic netbook for edition does not seem inconsistent.

UTILIZATION

Everything is perfectly clear, it does not mean that it is easy to master if not the bases in terms of synthesis. I think alot have bought promo, but have not had the courage to put their hands in the camboui ... For them, the banks found interesting as that provided free of charge with alternate editor Venomed:
http://mkdr.net/m/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=60&Itemid=28

These sounds can be used as bases and then go into the unfathomable depths of modular synthesis, provided not drown. The real problem is, if everything is clear ...

SOUNDS

I love its texture, its aggressive side. The sound panel is awesome, unique even considering the price, considering that once the bank can be made without problems be used alone. In fact, I do not see any other synth also affordable which allows, after edition, boarding such a sonic palette without lugging a laptop. A tablet? It will change range and overcomes the keyboard ... So yes, the anxiety of not being able to edit away from soft ... 'm Finally going to bother to program once and enter a whole live set, I find the concept rather well thought out. Especially the visual editor works well, and it is still easier to make complex cross-references to a screen on a 2-line LCD. The ion was also the editor for that.

It is true that the filter is not effective, that the knobs are molassons ... I want to forgive him for all that it offers in return: master keyboard with sound card (even if it is extra), midi interface, its capabilities with arpeggiator ... Even the drum kit is cool, mostly used as a basic ingredient for the new sound material ...

OVERALL OPINION

I've had about 1 year, I do not use it every day it is. This is ptete my geek side but I love his face ... And when I see it and I'm out of ideas, it is a real pleasure to me the editor paste in a screen and experiment with stuff. It is placed next to my tenori, and like him I think he has a single hand, extraordinary both in sound and in its design. It makes you want to taffer sound otherwise, even if ergonomics is not perfect.

I think everything has been said here about the Venom, but it ruffles my hair to see people complain at the price or it is currently sold ... Like I said, I think many do not see their creative potential, in addition to its sound color. I had not much to add to the test, but I wanted to do it justice. If Psycraft could finish updating the app, it would be cool. Otherwise, the alternative program I linké above (which requires a VST host by against) is also rather well done.

Long live the Venom!

Hallucinatory features next to the recently practiced rate:
- 49-key keyboard
- USB audio interface
- Synth virtual analog polyphonic 12 voice multitimbral 4
- USB midi interface - master keyboard
- Embedded effects for treating external signal
- Digital filter for treating external signal
- Arpeggiator
- Waveforms percussion

UTILIZATION

Very good, which made me rejoice:
- Well what does not always very musical and rather aggressive results (> Venom aptly named), the synthesis is powerful, flexible and extremely modular. The soft editor (essential for editing in depth) is pretty much done in this regard.
- Amazing Versatility (see features) it can process external signals via its effects and filter with a good command of gains Wet / Dry (Direct potentiometer especially when the Line In is used; via USB, the gain must be controlled in the DAW). Strangely, effects and filters are controlled (start / stop) from the keyboard, but after all, why not: my karaoke application with compressor and delay on the microphone positioned-ce-ce-ce ... triggered at the right time and total synchronism with the tap tempo. It is also used to personalize the delivery of MP3 background music (DJ).
- Powerful arpeggiator, used to launch musical sentences for example the use of a complete arranger damage patterns that are limited to two measures ...
- Audio Quality honest USB interface
- Quality of effects far from professional level, they are nevertheless sufficient for auxiliary applications

Very bad that made me scream:
- Mainly due to the editor and saving your edits, all is buggy and complicated by two editing modes offered by the device, I will specifically on this issue. After a week of use, trying to understand the philosophy of backup soft / hard, I maliciously planted Venom, and I almost returned to the distributor everything with the word "resume your m ... is not allowed to release a product also yielded little on the market ". But finally I was able to recover with the most radical form of reset, and I kept it. To be continued ...

SOUNDS

To be continued ...

OVERALL OPINION

To be continued ...

I'm back on features, just visit the site. Building level and given the number of negative reviews, I was expecting much worse ... It's all ok but correctly assembled plastic, rigid, easy to carry with a clean keyboard but surely not as bad as can be read everywhere. The knobs are light but good on my Novation is not necessarily better and talk synth less than 500 euros (bought for my part 195). After the issue of the orange label reviewer must not exaggerate, just use gasoline f and it takes in 1 minute chrono ... Short keyboard honorably built and considering the price it is even an achievement. I bought it for a mixed-use, PC controller and also to play with of course. I said that I currently have a AN1x (plastic frame there really fragile but fantastic VA) and a handy XioSynth and before Modular Clavia frankly difficult to program a Evolver I loved in another register, as a hot Micron a tombstone and finally a Blofeld who scored all possible problems (faulty knobs, which crashed OS, USB random and so on).

UTILIZATION

What decided me is of course the price but first its peculiar tone color (the starting price of 500 euros I had hesitated anyway) and that at least looks like nothing. Yes it is aggressive, besides the guys at M-Audio describe it as such, so it is more comfortable in the acute than in the bass, so the presets are very average. But the soft editing is well done and there can get their hands dirty. So it does not sound like a virus or a Clavia but remind me the price? Turning to the problem of stability: ben me after dozens of hours on it, I had to freeze 2 or 3 times max ... I remember my Micro Modular Clavia who planted each transfer ... and I even talking about the Blofeld, a horror ... Not the same price though right ...

SOUNDS

As I write more, presets are almost all to review. Ouhhhhh bad synth you say me and I will answer you: oh yeah like about 80% sold synths, presets are often either too bad oriented musical style. Apart Kurzweil and Access is not always whopping either (Microkorg users do not smile ...). What concerns is that it is primarily a super easy to use synth, no attempt for hours different functions, and if indeed the access of surface parameters is limited, it can already s to amuse and then passes through the soft sounds to deepen. Besides, the engine sound is quite full, and at no discount, I would even say that the synthesis can be very sharp. It is true that lack of roundness, smoothness of the filters, but it is not sold for that. At least he stands out from the competition and can still show versatile, excellent in the lead and crystal clear sound, decent pads, only the bass is back and lack smoothness. The balance is generally very good for me and better for me than that Micron sounds great cold or a Microkorg more limited.

OVERALL OPINION

Anyway I really do not understand those who criticize this machine as much as it does not deserve all this reputation and at this price it is a bargain to be a small set. We're not all professional musicians so a bit of objectivity sometimes do not hurt ...
I think a lot of negative reviews for this machine are really from a usage summary and related psychological factor in the price, not to mention the fact that M-Audio abandons monitoring ... This machine sounds good in its register, it is special, after we like it or do not like but can not say whether it is a bad synth. I do not regret this purchase at all, quite the contrary, it is a machine that leaves no one indifferent, offering several levels of use depending on your investment and grow with you.

Already said!

UTILIZATION

Big surprise we can not change the waveform from the oscillator
front of the synth heavy black spot for those who loves me aside
the computer and focus on music. But the company is very well done
I do not even open the manual in two months of use.
Modifiable parameters are easy to access and the handling is almost immediate.
I would not recommend using it as sound card I'm testing for several weeks and it crashes very often.

SOUNDS

For the style of music I would agree that ca to all those who want to have synth sound in their productions. There are many waveforms and 3 oscillators.
The filter is horrible too fast and dry, but I must say that this is part of the charm of this synth.
There are a few typical Oberheim sounds but the heat did not really there. If you want to do with low back without treatment go your way you do any serious punch.
Another flaw I noticed there is a click when this filter begins to open up this little well be disturbing.

OVERALL OPINION

Despite a lot of negative point I must say that I really like this synth, it sounds that kind of common for the price (between 100 and 120 € Used) I think it's worth it. I use it mainly to make electro pop. With the experience I would do this choice without hesitation he bring color to my productions.

Already said and repeated.

UTILIZATION

Use not too complicated, being myself and not a scratch as synthesis. In mobile, taking advantage of the audio interface is nice: A pair of small speakers, a laptop, a guitar, a microphone and can maquetter carefree.

The pdf manual is not the most developed, but hey, it's a synth tamed by fiddling ...

SOUNDS

The presets are a bit repetitive, armored delays & reverbs, very techno oriented musics. So I would say the first glance is a bit disappointing.
Say that when we already have big banks and other vsti synth side, Venom is not encouraging because the sounds are very typical and very usable.
But the highlight of the device is its editing (fairly extensive) via an editor pc & mac comes with. And then we can all edit, save, grind. In short, it is the kitchen. So, this is a machine that is "endearing" but requires that some attention ...
The arpeggiator is formidable in addition to being assignable to all sounds and drum kits!

OVERALL OPINION

I bought it in the month of August when Thomann has his breaking price. Since I use each time a little more about my titles, in pubs, etc ...

But do the math: For € 195 you,

- A 49-key master keyboard really correct
- A polyphonic synth and important multitimbral 4 channels.
- A USB sound card

So overall, to have as complete at this price, it is mission impossible.
It lacks a 48v power supply and XLR in but ...

Keyboard 49 keys, synth-type, no aftertouch (but sound engine supports it).
4 bank of 128 patches in single and 2 bank of 128 patches in multiplayer mode, quickly accessibleqs. Matrix editing that allows access to only 30 parameters, the other (many) parameters are accessible only by the PC editor. The rest of the controllers classical pitch and modulation wheels.
12 voice polyphony and multi-timbral 4 parts.
Connectivity level audio output jacks left to right, a microphone input (jack in) input instruments (bass & quitare), a stereo line input (CAR), and a headphone output intelligently placed on the front of the synth. Management of different audio volumes directly on the panel of the synth with knobs, practice.
Other connectors: power, USB that allows the transfer of audio and south, and sustain pedal input. An input midi output.
An original design, not too heavy synth without toy.

UTILIZATION

The configuration is quite simple, install drivers, firmware update has no problem with me (Windows 7 32bit).
The manual? I only used for installation, and it is sufficient. For programming, I have not used it, but I usually VA synths.
Editing sounds is the black dot for me. It is indeed necessary to have a PC to edit the Venom with the supplied software (thankfully).
Audio interface mode, it is very well, I used one with Studio free version to record sounds, make music only with Venom and the ASIO driver has not been a problem. To see the long term for those who wish to make a primary audio interface.

SOUNDS

The sounds are very specific, and the originality of this synth. We like it or not, it's hard not to be categorically against such a character.
For my part, I find to my taste, I enjoy using the filter sounds, distortions in insert. The modulation matrix is ​​provided, and can give life to the ground, and sounds "FX".
Level oscillators, we can stack 3, each with a list of impressive waveform, including battery kits.
The arps combined with the multiplayer mode, you can create complete music pattern with the Venom. I imagine very well on stage with other musicians. Above the keyboard is a good size, and you can assign different parts to areas of the keyboard.
Effects "to" are simple (Reverd delay), but sufficient. In insert, there are interesting distortion, a compressor is used on almost all presets and sound swells. If other effects, especially Wahwah are not at the top.
The expression is good, but still lacks aftertouch on the keyboard. Yet the sound engine capability.

OVERALL OPINION

I was attracted first by its sonorities places. I wanted to bring freshness in my set up, and finally, the price drop has convinced me to buy. I used it a month back, I tried to shot the maximum.
The problem is really in publishing. I am someone who works in hardware, because I spend my days already at work in front of a PC. So I like to find myself in the evening with my machines, and knobs. With Venom, I am on my hunger, when I start a beat, I look for sounds, I love being able to change anything on my synths without having to think. I have or have had a lot of VA (Ti Virus, Blofeld, Ultranova, Korg R3, Nord Rack 2X ...), and the one I was really frustrated because it has a huge sound, but is not possible to "tweak" in depth.
I class this synth in a category "hybrid", a mixture of synth used in stand alone, with an audio interface and midi controller. I recomend the Maoist and those who live without the need to access the deep edition. It can be fun first synth, or to make configuration combined with a trip computer and a DAW with VST, it has everything on hand!
With experience, I would do this choice not because it is not suitable for my use.