Novation Ultranova VS M-Audio Venom

[GameChanger]

Two new digital compact synths aimed at the same market. Haven't tried either of them. What do yall think?

[garranimal]

I've messed w/ both, although the Venom way more than Ultranova. I went w/ Venom, here are a few reasons.
- After a demo of both, and editing some sounds, the Venom just lends itself well to the kind of music I'm doing right now and it feels right.
- I sold my Supernova II some time ago. It was capable of some really cool sounds, but listening to my older tracks it sounded too commercial trance to me. After trying the Ultranova, although different, reminded me a bit of Supernova which is a good thing in a lot of ways - but not for me.
- Obviously, price
- I've already got Wave 2.V for wavetables
- Don't need a vocoder
- Ultranova Editor Software is a plug-in that requires a DAW. I don't want to open my DAW every time I want to mess w/ some sounds. Vyzex is stand-alone. BUT this is also a disadvantage because someday I may want to control Vyzex software from my DAW and to do so will require upgrade which isn't available yet AFAIK. Until then I can control the Venom w/ DAW.

[GameChanger]

Thanks for the reply. Yea it seems like the Venom has more character from the demos Ive heard too, which is kind of tough to find in new compact VA's. Surprised M-Audio Came out with it. Out of all companys. haha

From the demos Ive heard I'm not very mpressed with the ultranova so far, but can't say that 100% until I try it out myself.

[Rick N Boogie]

I was playing with a Venom just yesterday. Very impressed with the quality overall, and some great sounds to boot. Between those 2, the venom would be my choice as well.

[smoothcriminal]

I apologize for commenting without having played either of these synthesizers (I'm not willing to judge the sounds from Youtube vids), but the Ultranova appears to have a much better front-panel programming interface and some interesting features such as a built-in 2-input USB/audio interface and touch-sensitive knobs.

edit- despite what i just said about youtube demos, here's the best one I've found

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[Nannerfan]

Wow.. the M-Audio Venom is the rawest/best V/A I've ever heard.