the motif, or more simple alternatives?

**2nice** · 01-12-2005

so ive been saving up, and im tryin to get an analog-style synth and a synth that models acoustic sounds well. for the analog-style synth ive pretty much decided on the virus. but for the other synth, the type with organic sounds (sounds that model live instruments), im confused...

ive been thinking of getting the motif rack. thing is, i already have a sampler (eps-16+), i already have a mixing and fx unit (pro tools + plugins), a sequencing platform (pro tools midi seq plus a roland r-5 for drum midi-sequencing), and i have an analog synth (novation bass station) plus im getting the virus for more analog-type functionality. i've heard that the motif combines all this in one, but all i need is a grab-bag of acoustic-style sounds (strings, winds, organs, etc). so my questions are... A: how are these sounds on the motif? professional grade? B: if all i need is a grab-bag of sounds, am i throwing too much cash into the motif for a bunch of extra features that i already have (sampling, analog synth sounds, fx, sequencing, mixing)?

if that is the case, are there synths with comparable sounds that don't have all the extra features and thus might cost less? all i want is the sounds, i don't really need the extra functionality.... but then again if NOTHING that costs less compares to the motif sounds, then i might as well go with the motif.

**sensorium** · 01-12-2005

I think it would be a far stretch to find anything with sounds that compare to the clarity/realism of the Motif.....
at least for now.

**Cruel Hoax** · 01-12-2005

The Motif does sound great, especially for pianos and e-pianos.

But its user interface is actively hostile to the human brain. Seriously, it's a pain in the ass to use, and makes no sense. I'm not a stupid guy, and it gives me fits.

The Fantom XR sounds quite good, and is much easier to use. Takes Roland expansions, too, which are widely regarded as the best (at least as far as breadth and depth of different usable sound goes.)

The Triton is very easy to use and can give good results quickly. Its sound engine is beginning to show its age, though.

If you're a heterosexual man or a gay woman:

The Motif is the ice queen, coldly beautiful and icily cruel. Strange things writhe behind her eyes. She will read a new book and become a wholly different character, as far as you can tell. Men dedicate their lives in hopes of finding the code to decipher her wants and needs, but they perish in the process. Their journals become guides to the next wave of hopefuls. If only you could learn just what makes her tick...

The Fantom is the cute girl who curls up on the couch next to you. She sometimes smokes these weird cigarettes, and wants to get into deep metaphysical discussions, but you generally have a good time as long as you keep things light. Once in a while, you'll dive in to the well of weirdness lurking in her and come out feeling oddly fulfilled, yet having no clue how you got to feeling that way. She learns readily from books and movies, and you often find that she's got new tricks after she's seen something new.

The Triton is your buddy's girl. She's let herself go this last year or two, and is getting a little belly on her. You don't mind, though, because she's always so responsive, and seems to have such a good time. You need only hint at what you want, and she's already partly there. You know exactly what to do to make her laugh, or yell. Your buddy doesn't mind you fooling around, because he's already been there, and can't believe you haven't experienced her before. You know that you can always turn to her in a drunken moment and count on her making sense.

Speaking of drunken moments... this is my impression of the Big Three expressed in terms of women. Feel free to ignore.

-Hoax

**mungo** · 01-12-2005

You could always get a tone module, probably a little less realistic than those modern workstations but only very slighlty.

**Mastermindzz** · 01-13-2005

Originally posted by Cruel Hoax
The Motif does sound great, especially for pianos and e-pianos.

But its user interface is actively hostile to the human brain. Seriously, it's a pain in the ass to use, and makes no sense. I'm not a stupid guy, and it gives me fits.

The Fantom XR sounds quite good, and is much easier to use. Takes Roland expansions, too, which are widely regarded as the best (at least as far as breadth and depth of different usable sound goes.)

The Triton is very easy to use and can give good results quickly. Its sound engine is beginning to show its age, though.

If you're a heterosexual man or a gay woman:

The Motif is the ice queen, coldly beautiful and icily cruel. Strange things writhe behind her eyes. She will read a new book and become a wholly different character, as far as you can tell. Men dedicate their lives in hopes of finding the code to decipher her wants and needs, but they perish in the process. Their journals become guides to the next wave of hopefuls. If only you could learn just what makes her tick...

The Fantom is the cute girl who curls up on the couch next to you. She sometimes smokes these weird cigarettes, and wants to get into deep metaphysical discussions, but you generally have a good time as long as you keep things light. Once in a while, you'll dive in to the well of weirdness lurking in her and come out feeling oddly fulfilled, yet having no clue how you got to feeling that way. She learns readily from books and movies, and you often find that she's got new tricks after she's seen something new.

The Triton is your buddy's girl. She's let herself go this last year or two, and is getting a little belly on her. You don't mind, though, because she's always so responsive, and seems to have such a good time. You need only hint at what you want, and she's already partly there. You know exactly what to do to make her laugh, or yell. Your buddy doesn't mind you fooling around, because he's already been there, and can't believe you haven't experienced her before. You know that you can always turn to her in a drunken moment and count on her making sense.

Speaking of drunken moments... this is my impression of the Big Three expressed in terms of women. Feel free to ignore.

-Hoax

Damn Hoax, if you feel that way about those workstations, what do you think of women, LOL

Good post !!

**SaltyDawg** · 01-13-2005

Originally posted by Cruel Hoax
The Motif is the ice queen, coldly beautiful and icily cruel. Strange things writhe behind her eyes. She will read a new book and become a wholly different character, as far as you can tell. Men dedicate their lives in hopes of finding the code to decipher her wants and needs, but they perish in the process. Their journals become guides to the next wave of hopefuls. If only you could learn just what makes her tick...

The Fantom is the cute girl who curls up on the couch next to you. She sometimes smokes these weird cigarettes, and wants to get into deep metaphysical discussions, but you generally have a good time as long as you keep things light. Once in a while, you'll dive in to the well of weirdness lurking in her and come out feeling oddly fulfilled, yet having no clue how you got to feeling that way. She learns readily from books and movies, and you often find that she's got new tricks after she's seen something new.

The Triton is your buddy's girl. She's let herself go this last year or two, and is getting a little belly on her. You don't mind, though, because she's always so responsive, and seems to have such a good time. You need only hint at what you want, and she's already partly there. You know exactly what to do to make her laugh, or yell. Your buddy doesn't mind you fooling around, because he's already been there, and can't believe you haven't experienced her before. You know that you can always turn to her in a drunken moment and count on her making sense.

LOL!!!! This has to be the best post in a LONG time. Nice work man.

**matocaster** · 01-13-2005

I will have to totally disagree with the idea that motif es interface is difficult to use. I've had my motif for a little more than year and haven't had any major problems getting around on this machine. It's so easy to sequence tracks and to sample. I personally think that all of those extra's on the fantom and tritons interface would take away from the simplicity of my workflow. I only need to refer to the manual when I need to do something new and there is so much support on the motifator forums that there will always be a solution.

**fivestar** · 01-13-2005

Originally posted by Cruel Hoax
The Motif does sound great, especially for pianos and e-pianos.

But its user interface is actively hostile to the human brain. Seriously, it's a pain in the ass to use, and makes no sense. I'm not a stupid guy, and it gives me fits.

The Fantom XR sounds quite good, and is much easier to use. Takes Roland expansions, too, which are widely regarded as the best (at least as far as breadth and depth of different usable sound goes.)

The Triton is very easy to use and can give good results quickly. Its sound engine is beginning to show its age, though.

If you're a heterosexual man or a gay woman:

The Motif is the ice queen, coldly beautiful and icily cruel. Strange things writhe behind her eyes. She will read a new book and become a wholly different character, as far as you can tell. Men dedicate their lives in hopes of finding the code to decipher her wants and needs, but they perish in the process. Their journals become guides to the next wave of hopefuls. If only you could learn just what makes her tick...

The Fantom is the cute girl who curls up on the couch next to you. She sometimes smokes these weird cigarettes, and wants to get into deep metaphysical discussions, but you generally have a good time as long as you keep things light. Once in a while, you'll dive in to the well of weirdness lurking in her and come out feeling oddly fulfilled, yet having no clue how you got to feeling that way. She learns readily from books and movies, and you often find that she's got new tricks after she's seen something new.

The Triton is your buddy's girl. She's let herself go this last year or two, and is getting a little belly on her. You don't mind, though, because she's always so responsive, and seems to have such a good time. You need only hint at what you want, and she's already partly there. You know exactly what to do to make her laugh, or yell. Your buddy doesn't mind you fooling around, because he's already been there, and can't believe you haven't experienced her before. You know that you can always turn to her in a drunken moment and count on her making sense.

Speaking of drunken moments... this is my impression of the Big Three expressed in terms of women. Feel free to ignore.

-Hoax