What's the deal with these Creamware synths?

synthetic88 · Post by **synthetic88** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 3:24 pm

Creamware got bought by Sonicore and are back in business. Check out the Planet Z forums for Creamware/Scope fans. I just got a Scope card to run through some of the synths and I am very impressed. I've never liked a VA but Minimax blew me away.

Bitexion · Post by **Bitexion** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 7:53 pm

God damn, I changed from a MIDI keyboard to the Juno-106 as midi controller yesterday. Then I mixed the two..my GOD what a gorgeous fat sound! I mixed chorused juno strings with sharp Minimax poly sounds, or strings upon strings..fantastic sounding. Even the bare oscillators sounded great together.

3 mini squares+juno square+suboscillator=5 oscillator grinding MADNESS. Damn!

SWAN · Post by **SWAN** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 8:15 pm

Wow thats interesting - so it seems people of vintage synth are giving the VA minimoog the thumbs up?

sentientprogram · Post by **sentientprogram** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 8:36 pm

Antonin wrote:there are some wavefiles here, comparing the creamware pro-one (not 12) to the original, and the minimax to a moog, if it's of any use to someone...?

http://www1.keyboards.de/magazine/m0404/404022wp.html

Nice find! I was intrested in hearing the waldorf plug-ins in a side-by-side.

Post by **Zarith** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 9:09 pm

ChasIII wrote:Do you have any knowledge of the CreamWare Klangbox's? Are they the same but without the User Interface?
Also how do you like your Ion compared to the Creamware synths?
Thanks.

The Klanboxes are rack versions of the ASBs. The sound engine is exactly the same. You have to control everything with the software controller. As the price of the ASBs is really low now (around $600) there's no reason anymore to get the rack versions...

The Ion is a multi-purpose digital synth, it can generate a wide range of sounds. The Creamware ASBs are very specific synths, made to emulate classic analog synths. If you love the Minimoog, the Prophet or the Odyssey sound, but can't afford one, then get an ASB! They are cheap, solid (metal and wood) and reliable.

I have a Minimax. The sound is massive, raw, sharp. Full of energy.

Cheers

j3rk · Post by **j3rk** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 9:34 pm

I had a Scope setup for a while. (only reason I don't now is that I run all 64 bit OSes) I would highly recommend all things Creamware (except maybe a Scope board and a 64 bit OS)

All of the synths sound amazing.

I wish they'd take a subset of modules from Modular III and Flexor, and make a patchable ASB.

MrFrodo · Post by **MrFrodo** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 9:59 pm

I hope the Prodyssey comes to Sam Ash or Guitar Center in Indianapolis, soon. If it and I are both there at the same time, I' plan to spend a pretty amount of time with it to see how close it comes to the classic.

crystalmsc · Post by **crystalmsc** » Fri May 11, 2007 1:03 pm

synthetic88 wrote:Creamware got bought by Sonicore and are back in business.

this is great news..we need such an innovative company, to keep the price down and the quality jump 8)

SWAN · Post by **SWAN** » Fri May 11, 2007 2:14 pm

I just tried out a Minmax I it was good fun. I have to say the poly certainly opens up loads of possibilities. I thinkk it sounds pretty phat but unless the headphones I was using were c**p-and they did look cheap-I still found it to be a little digital sounding......It would be a toss up for me between one of those and an MFB-which is analogue after all........

DocT · Post by **DocT** » Fri May 11, 2007 3:22 pm

Just for the sake of completeness, my MiniMax soundexamples again:

http://www.trippler.net/music/MiniMax_A ... x_asb.html

For those who own one, there is a bank with some 170 sounds on the page too.

MrFrodo · Post by **MrFrodo** » Fri May 11, 2007 3:34 pm

DocT wrote:Just for the sake of completeness, my MiniMax soundexamples again:

http://www.trippler.net/music/MiniMax_A ... x_asb.html

For those who own one, there is a bank with some 170 sounds on the page too.

It seems as if you prefer using the MiniMax in solo mode muchmore than in polymode. The bulk of that lead stuff sounds fantastic!!

DocT · Post by **DocT** » Fri May 11, 2007 5:24 pm

Imho the MiniMax is a rather good Moog emulation, and moogish sounds seduce to play moogish leads or basses

I'll try to make a more sophisticated track with pads and smoother sounds in the future.

SWAN · Post by **SWAN** » Fri May 11, 2007 6:02 pm

Doc T - what does the Minimax sound like alongside the Little Phatty which I see you also own?

MarkM · Post by **MarkM** » Fri May 11, 2007 6:31 pm

Doc,
MaxinDaHouse is wonderful. Great, catchy tune! Very Moogish.

miket156 · Post by **miket156** » Fri May 11, 2007 8:25 pm

Quote by Calyx93:

"Are there any P5 owners out there - very in tune to what their Prophet sounds like (and very reluctant to let it go, because of that sound) - that would ditch the originals for the Pro-12? How about any Odyssey owers? Mini owners? I know we, as synth enthusiasts, place a lot of value in the entire "package" of a vintage synth, but with a good controller and with your eyes closed... anyone?"

Cal, I own a Prophet 5, an Arp Odyssey (Model III), and a Moog source. I've owned Oberheims, 2 Mini Moogs, etc. I've been looking at the Creamware VA's, but I would never sell off any of my vintage gear and replace them with a VA. I would however, buy another VA in addition to my vintage boards. I already own an Alesis ION and use that for gigging along with my Motif ES8. I'm pretty satisfied with the ION for vintage sounds, front panel controls, and low price. I'd like to check out the Creamware synths if I could ever find a place that carries them within driving distance of where I live. The Prophet clone would be something I would be interested in hearing first hand.

I am concerned about the reports of poor quality though. I realize they're no terribly expensive, but I don't want to buy a bottom feeder and have it fail on a gig.

Mike T.