I started about 5 years ago with the Indigo 2 which I really loved - talk about a tank! Then the TI came out so I sold the Indigo for the TI Keyboard. Had that for a few years and then sold it in the past 6 months or so because I was trying to downsize and figured I needed a break from the Virus sound.
Well, one thing leads to another and I started hearing some of the Elektron users (of which I am one) using the Virus and the Blofeld in unique ways that I wanted to explore. Since I already knew what the Virus had to offer I decided to go with the Blo - big mistake for me. The one I got had trouble from minute 1 - USB didn't work at all - MIDI barely worked - I was completely bummed and uninspired by it so the helpful chap at Nova Musik took it back and I told him to send me the Snow instead. Got it just a few days ago and have been blown away since - I know the Virus sound and architecture but am even more impressed with it all this time around. Not to mention the packaging and the entire presentation of the hardware was miles above the Blo. Not to start any arguments - I've heard wonderful things from the Blo - but I was turned off by it maybe due to bad luck - anyway - here I am...
Since I'm messing more with the Elektron boxes with the Snow and avoiding playing it with a keyboard controller I find I'm enjoying hitting it from this other angle - not stuck playing prog synth riffs on it anymore but instead exploring new sonic territory via the audio inputs and Elektron-sequenced lines controlling it. I'm amazed at how well they all sound together and the depth that the Virus adds to this setup - couldn't be happier with the Snow - even the 4 part limitation doesn't bother me - The Elektrons have taught me that limits are good. Some might argue that those same things that are considered limits are the very thing that allow you to stretch and explore alternative methods to extend an instrument beyond themselves.
Thanks Timo, Marc and everyone else behind this great product...