pthelo's Reviews

90's Acid Trance is alive and well!

This little box sounds amazing. While I've never used a TD-303, I've heard plenty on records, and I'd say this is super close right out of the box!

A few points: 1) The TD-3 sounds like 90% of the original TB-303, but lacks some of the original's squelchier tones. However, with the TD-3's included distortion circuit, it makes up for it and can covers more, albeit different, sonic ground than the TB-303.

2) It's just as hard to program as the original, but with using the free Behringer SynthTribe software, it becomes much easier– the software includes an intuitive visual sequencer.

3) The TD-3 will create random patterns, too– something the TB-303 didn't offer (afaik). In addition, there is a convenient and free website: https://303patterns.com/#initial-setup that offers a visual sequencer as well as random pattern generator.

Bottom line – Is it worth it? YES! For $109-149, depending, the TD-3 is well worth the price, and in an improvement on the original– it's available in a rainbow of colors!

BOOM BAP! It's all that!

The RD-8 sounds outstanding– and for the price, it offers an amazing value as an instrument. The Bass Drum is punchy throughout the tuning range, and totally fills out when increasing the duration. All the percussion is punchy and clear, but still manages to have a natural analogue grittiness. Whether running the whole mix out of the one MONO output or using one of the ELEVEN separate outputs for individual tracking, panning and processing, programmed beats sound full yet uncluttered and naturally groove. From my experience, the RD-8 completely covers the sonic range of the original, but also offers new sonic potentials with the built in Wave Designer and Analogue Filter (LPF/HPF), easily assignable to one or multiple tracks, while adding convenience of USB MIDI and increased reliability– especially compared with trying to find one of the original 12000 vintage units produced +38 years ago– with current (3.3.2021) prices on Reverb.com starting at $6000! A few of the more advanced pattern programming features took time to get used to, but the sounds are so good, I enjoyed spending the time with the machine figuring them out. This thing rocks, and I'm beyond satisfied with my purchase.

Sounds like it costs at least twice its price, and better than many plugins!

I needed a new compressor to use for my WASP and Pro~1 synth clones. I was using a Focusrite TwinTrak Pro, but it runs hot and has more features designed for microphones than line level sources. I was considering getting another 2xPreSous Studio Channels, but at half the price and after reading many positive reviews of the ART Pro VLA II, I decided to give it a try.

Wow! I am more than pleasantly surprised with the sound quality of the ART PRO VLA II. It provides compression from subtle and transparent to thick and saturated. It also has the best metering of any device in the studio– analog VU meters for switchable input or output metering, and digital LED meters for gain reduction and output level. I don't know how they produce a device with this quality at this price, but I'm glad I gave it a try. If you want a flexible dual channel/stereo hardware tube compressor, the ART PRO VLA II is absolutely worth your time.