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M-Audio Venom
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Fredglass Fredglass

«  Totally dependent on publisher »

Published on 11/16/13 at 02:26
I owned the Venom transiently for three months (I traded against a rack then resell). I knew from the reviews what I was getting into and that this synth would not meet me too. I will try to be as objective as possible in my criticism, the goal is not to "break" this instrument has (arguably) its qualities and defects.

Well, when already discovered this synth (I got mine in a totally new state), which is obvious is its appearance. It looks like it is in the remains of a glossy Ikea kitchen type. It is smooth, shining here. Cà plastoc is, of course, but below is a striated gray plastic shell and above all white inspires confidence, strength with a nice design. The quality of the knobs is honorable. For cons, the visual a little afraid: registration of the facade were made in gray and light gray background of the screen is a bright green / fluo you take off the retina (!). Positive: the headphone jack has been presented. For me who plays that headphone is cool. Cà avoid having the thread returns to the keyboard.

Connection "modern" and very complete on the back of the machine with USB, MIDI and the whole gang. See previous opinions.

Venom has four banks of 127 sounds each. Following is a synth ... It is not the number of factory that counts but the possibilities of transforming sounds. For this there is the matrix facade is a simple and implacable logic. The problem is that this matrix is ​​incomplete ... making itself incomplete synth. Venom is not, however limited, I think the word is wrong. Limited mean that this synth has limited opportunities and / or that they are only slightly advanced. No, the problem, if it still looks the same matrix, it lacks features that the Venom can be considered a real synth. To give an example, it is not possible to change the waveform oscillators via the front of the machine! It's a shame because it is usually by where you start but if we learned to program a synth linearly (old!). In short, it lacks a lot of stuff and it's frustrating.

UTILIZATION

In terms of editing sounds and if we stick only to Venom hardware is necessarily easy since there is not much.

For a more detailed and complete edition, the Venom is totally dependent on the computer via the Vyzex editor (or Vysex, I do not know). Otherwise, the sound editing is not easier or more difficult than any other synth.

SOUNDS

Sounds, for the most part are very typical aggressive. Cà hard! Venom really stands out and has a recognizable grain. So even if some sounds are not really in the fine (but may work after all) you can not blame the designers Venom have wanted to stand out and avoid the pitfall of synth-style "supermarket tones in 1960 to the present day. "

OVERALL OPINION

I had the Venom three months. Maybe this is not enough to judge this instrument. However, I have not really had the impression of having a synth hands as the instrument is limited without the use of Vysex editor. For me, a synth is an autonomous instrument capable of doing everything by himself. In short, a synth should be able to use only hardware and just about everywhere. Maybe this is a sign that I'm totally has-beens! But that for this or that thing must reconnect to the Venom odri and launch the application, it's boring! If you want a synth that lights up and the program is (just) and what is not Venom you.

Hence the question: Venom can it really be called a synth?

After that, for 200 euros it is true that we have a master keyboard with an integrated sound card and some functions synths front + banks integrated sound. For player / designer studio with a computer always provided it is true that this is not bad, I must admit! For "old" players who pass and swear by the hardware, it is beyond comprehension! This was therefore the opinion and scoring a musician under the latter category.