Media giants Avid have launched their first M-Audio product since the company’s acquisition. This hype driven release comes at you in the form of the new Venom synthesizer, another first for M-Audio. Their bold leap into the deadly realm of hardware synths has been highly calculated from both a practical and a market viewpoint in order to give us the best for the price.
The Venom is a 49-key, 12 voice, multi-timbral, virtual analogue synthesizer with audio interface and the Vyzex integrated software editor to give you comprehensive control and patch management. Its design and appearance is unmistakably reminiscent of the legendary Virus TI Polar virtual analogue synth from Access music with an all-white-with-grey-knobs scheme, taking the modern rather than the vintage aesthetic approach. The sound engine, on the contrary allows you to choose from 94 oscillation waveforms from some of the greatest true analogue synthesizers in history, allowing purists to get their fix of warmth and texture regardless of their budget. I/O options include 1/4” main outs and mic and instrument inputs, stereo RCA inputs, expression and sustain pedals, MIDI I/O and USB as well as a phones out on the front panel. The Venom’s main console is focused around the 4 performance control knobs with which 30 parameters on the 3 envelopes, 4 LFOs and 16 node mod-matrix may be accessed.
As a live instrument the Venom proves very powerful indeed. The two modes of operation(512 single and 256 multi patches) along with the in-depth Vyzex software will allow you to easily design your sounds and setup multi-timbral performance patches. The Venom is also equipped with a mutli mode arpeggiator with tap tempo making it even more suited to live use. The Venom’s versatility presents a number of options when playing live. As it is both an interface and a controller its integration with Ableton Live would allow access to the Vyzex plugin as well as provide assignable MIDI controls for further hands on operation. The 4 part multi mode also allows you to use the Venom as the entire rhythm section of your band with 4 layers of latched arpeggiation possible and a great range of drums and rhythmic sounds to select from.
Use the Venom as an effects processor for guitar or vocals on stage or simply as a very powerful standalone synth keyboard with the ability to tap tempo and layer sounds while playing. The Vyzex editor also gives you the power to preload and assign 2 bar MIDI sequences which can then be triggered live as part of your set. The easy and rather appealing interface will quickly become part of your musical makeup rather than just another accessory.
Every musician, regardless of their discipline searches for character of sound when choosing an instrument. This tends to be very difficult when dealing outside of the 20k upwards price bracket, which makes the Venom a formidable contender as it is by far the most versatile in its price range. The true power of the instrument lies in its sound. A great deal has gone into the analogue modelling sound engine to ensure its great tonal characteristics and the filter really does have it’s very own feel to it. The patches, combined with the sound creation capabilities of the Vyzex editor allows one to not only create styles of pop and dance music, but the edge to delve into slightly darker genres too. The smooth warmth of the analogue with a bright digital sheen, the aggressive mod and glide controls enable one to achieve snappy, up-close and personal direct sounds and anything in between. A huge effort has been made to streamline this instrument into a powerhouse of synthetic sound and inspiration.
Despite being a so-called entry level synth I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised to hear the Venom on new record releases or even on tour with the likes of Nine Inch Nails.
Pros:
- Bang for the buck.12-voices.
- 4-part multi-timbral.
- Powerful, full-featured synth engine.
- Can process incoming audio through internal effects.
- 30 synth parameters available through performance control matrix.
- Separate volume controls for mic and instrument gain.
- Arpeggiator with tap tempo.
Cons:
- Mic input is 1/4-inch, rather than XLR.
- Audio interface limited to 44.1 kHz.
Suggested Retail Price: R 7,599.00 incl. 14% VAT (estimated)
Supplier: Midi Music
Tel: (011) 417 3400 | (031) 564 3886
Written By : Stefan Wyeth
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