EXB-Radias vs RADIAS

[cminor]

I am interested in buying a EXB-Radias for my M3.
My question is if the EXB-Radias is very different as sounds as Radias Module ?
I am not using arpeggiators, only as sounds I am interested.
And can someone please, put some demos here (on youtube I can't figureout the real tone, theuy have only mids and highs, it's not a "quuality sound".
Thank you.

[X-Trade]

There is already a topic on the forum of EXB versues Radias Rack.

The EXB has eight virtual modulation slots, whereas the standalone version has six. However, the standalone synth has its own PCM samples including strings, guitars, EPs, synth choir, etc, before it goes on to the DWGS waves, whereas the EXB only has DWGS waves (but more of them. In the standalone you can consider some of the DWGS waves are replaced by actual samples).
You can easily argue though that the PCM samples are redundant due to superior samples with EDS on the M3 already. However, I have made some nice sounds using the built in samples on the radias - lots of fun can be had passing a string section through the variable filter and waveshaping, which you won't be able to do on the EXB because you can't use the samples in the EXB's voice architecture.

The most important part is the effects though. Effects make up a big part of a KORG sound, and on the standalone Radias you have two insert effects per timbre, plus a master effect over the whole thing! The routing isn't as flexible as a workstation, but that's already nine effects! Then there is a per-timbre two band EQ.

In the EXB on the M3 you have to route your sounds through the M3's internal effects and share those with your EDS programs too. And of course the per-timbre three band EQ on the M3. The EXB adds no extra effect processing functionality other than the ability to route sounds internally through the radias for processing with the filters, waveshapers etc.

Also on the standalone Radias you get a 16-part drum synthesizer. There are drum PCM samples but you also get to use the entire synth architecture per drum! so you have two oscillators, two filters, two LFOs, three EGs, a waveshaper/driver per drum sound. Very powerful if you are into electronic drums. For sampled drums though, as you can imagine it would be redundant on the EXB because you have drum kits on the M3 with EDS.

Obviously the EXB integrates much more nicely with the M3 where you just select a radias program for a timbre (you can have up to four Radias programs in a combination) and off you go. The Radias standalone synthesizer on the other hand has all four timbres as part of a program - they aren't referenced like in a combi mode. Each can respond to its own MIDI channel and be keysplit if you like, and you can select timbres from templates or from other programs to start with, but still then be able to tweak them within that program only without affecting the original. The two insert effects will be copied over too.


You can hear some of my recordings which use strictly Radias (except for a bit of piano in one, and drums in the other are from an ES1 but sampled from the Radias)
Ambiart (Radias Rack + TR for Piano only)
Modnight Bassience (Radias Rack + ES-1 mkII sampled Radias drums)

AFAIK they should sound more or less the same, except for the fact that they have completely different presets. There are however more sounds available to download for the standalone, mainly because the presets were rubbish more like demo songs and showoff material rather than actual usable sounds.
Particularly there are the presets converted from R3, MicroKorg XL, MicroKorg & MS2000, that I don't think you can get for the EXB. I may be wrong about that though - it would be nice.


Don't forget you get all the knobs for tweaking too! which you just won't get with the EXB and you're more likely to stick to presets or other people's sounds. I'm currently working with someone to get some of my previous and as yet unreleased Radias sounds converted for the EXB too.

[gdh]

great reply X! I am now trying to decide whether to pick up an EMX-1 or Roland MC505 or 909 just to lay down some quick drum tracks. Those Rolands have dropped so much in price that they are very tempting.

[cminor]

Many thanks X-Trade.
I only want to know if I can find some good Lead Synths.
On the M3 I didn't find anything to like.
Can you put some demos with leads, please, I want the RADIAS only for solo , power synths.
I don't want arpegiators, noise cut-gates, or something like that.
I want to play power , lead solo's (not only monophonic, as poly too).
So I am taking in balance:
to get the EXB-M256 and user sampled sounds
or to get the EXB-Radias and use internal sounds.
I can't buy both right now...

[X-Trade]

Did you listen to my Ambiart track? That has a nice 'digital guitar' kind of lead.

I'm really busy at the moment, otherwise I'd record a few lead examples for you.


Of course still the main advantage of the Radias module is that you'll have a completely different set of effects which will give you a lot more flexibility with your sound, especially if you're working a lot in sequencer and combi modes.

Aside from that though, the EXB will give you better presets straight off and less complication as far as integration into your setup.

[cminor]

thanks x-trade.
yes I did listen, but I am searching for let's say, more Depeche, Prodigy, Daft Punk sounds.

[tpantano]

thanks x-trade.
yes I did listen, but I am searching for let's say, more Depeche, Prodigy, Daft Punk sounds.

Daft punk?
Well,
these are all R3 and thus recreatable on radias (and possibly with EXB, I'm not sure):

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1715217/Somethi ... sCover.mp3 (besides drums, although u can prob. do drums on radias)

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1715217/aerodynamic_r3.mp3 not perfect, but could be with work

[Synthoid]

Don't forget you get all the knobs for tweaking too! which you just won't get with the EXB .

That's why I bought the keyboard version of the Radias--love it.

[synthguy]

Many thanks X-Trade.
I only want to know if I can find some good Lead Synths.
On the M3 I didn't find anything to like.
Can you put some demos with leads, please, I want the RADIAS only for solo , power synths.
I don't want arpegiators, noise cut-gates, or something like that.
I want to play power , lead solo's (not only monophonic, as poly too).
So I am taking in balance:
to get the EXB-M256 and user sampled sounds
or to get the EXB-Radias and use internal sounds.
I can't buy both right now...

The EXB-Radias is much more useful, because you can create an endless stream of new sounds with it, and will be much more expressive because the oscillators aren't static sample waves. Although you can make really huge sounds in Combis because you can layer the EXB with itself or other M3 patches. At least, that's my recommendation. I'd still suggest you get the M256 expansion at some point.

The Radias is about the best VA I've come across, because it can sound digital or analog, or something in-between very easily. Power leads, basses, synths and interesting pads can be made on that thing endlessly.

[cminor]

thanks
This is exactly the way I want to use it, in Combis for live gig with power leads, pads, and future synths.

[tpantano]

thanks
This is exactly the way I want to use it, in Combis for live gig with power leads, pads, and future synths.

the daft punk sounds to your liking? if you give me a specific sound from a specific song ill see if I can emulate it.

[cminor]

So, from The Prodigy: the acid leads.
From Daft Punk: the vocoders .
From DM: the short sounds from arpegiators.
I hope this weekend to have the EXB-Radias home and see if I spend the money right

[HUBA]

I have made some nice sounds using the built in samples on the radias - lots of fun can be had passing a string section through the variable filter and waveshaping, which you won't be able to do on the EXB because you can't use the samples in the EXB's voice architecture.

The EXB adds no extra effect processing functionality other than the ability to route sounds internally through the radias for processing with the filters, waveshapers etc.

What's the difference between these two scenarios?

Let's say you sample the built in Radias samples to use within the M3. If I understand the above correctly then you CAN route these samples through the EXB, presumably even with the option of playing both the EDS program containing the Radias sample routed into the EXB engine AND the EXB program itself with the keyboard at the same time(?)

What kind of processing then was X-Trade likely thinking of that the Radias would allow for in such situation that the EXB wouldn't?

I suppose pitch modulation would be difficult from within the EXB engine itself but, if desired, that could be done from within the EDS program instead, no?