-=[THE SYNTH ZONE]=-

does the PSS use an internal battery?

oh, it has that option but I use mains power. Definitely something wrong with its storage though, the chord memory function doesn't work either. Never miiiiind.

now that i finally got the midi in + audio out set up for my Volca Keys, i'm really happy with it. noticed something weird though...after i took an audio track of chords that i recorded with it and pitched it down an octave, there was a super unpleasant high frequency hum in there that made it unusable.

the original pitch version sounds just fine, although maybe there's something in it that's higher than i can hear?

Possibly the delay:
http://audiocookbook.org/korg-volca-keys-delay-circuit-noise/

oooh thanks! i'm sure that's it...i was definitely using a sound with a low cutoff and i wasn't entirely sure how to turn off the delay entirely. i guess you do that by turning the feedback all the way down? the manual says "FEEDBACK knob: This knob sets the amount of delay feedback as well as the mix level of
the effect and dry sounds."

The Blofeld is tons of fun... I don't have the Sampling License but there is a free Wavetable Editor for it and I've been transferring my Microbrute's waves to the Blo.. interesting, especially with the huge amount of options this synth has. Almost modular-esque.

i obtain microbrute

have spent last 20 minutes grooving on 'I feel love' sequence; went all 'patrick cowley remix' for a bit

So we have a Moog Prodigy at our studio, and I LOVE the crazy filter modulation that I can get out of it. Is there ANY modern synth that can sound like that, or should I just start saving my bucks for my own Prodigy? Wondering if maybe the Novation Bass Station II can match it...

Everyone needs to have a Moog in their life once. Often copied, never matched.

But what exactly do you mean with crazy filter modulation? Assigning the LFO to the filter cutoff and then setting the LFO speed so fast that it's audible and changing the sound?

Every (good) analog synthesizer should be able to do that (like the Microbrute)

No, I mean assigning something in the filter (Contour? Not sure exactly what is going on - or maybe it's modding an oscillator?) to the mod wheel, and riding it. It gets these crazy braaaps and squelches. When I try to do something similar with a software synth (I know, I know), it sounds all wimpy and lame.

Sorry, I think I was actually using the PITCH wheel to modify the second oscillator sync. I'll have to look more closely.

Yep.Like this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCY28P-rgN8

Sounds like you can do it with the bass station 2 (needs 2 oscillators, so maybe not with the microbrute).

Sounds like something only a Moog could pull off well. However, both Microbrute and Bass Station II have the ability to distort the filter which should give you similar squelchy results.

Looks like the bass station 2 allows you to oscillator sync, and then control the second oscillator pitch with the mod wheel, which is the sound I was looking for! Now to save my $$... Maybe I should just trade my Retina iPad Mini for one. Anyone want to do that trade?

Your post gave me two good reasons why I should own a Bass Station II.. now if I had one... hnnnnnnng (<- sound of Synth Desire)

speaking of Synth Desire, can anyone tell me if the Oberheim OB-12 is any good?

also should I get a foot pedal?

i'd never even heard of one before! xpost

Yeah, the OB-12 has been widely decried by synth geeks because it's a VA synth made by Viscout, that Italian company that bought Oberheim and it had huge OS bugs when it was released. I don't care. It looks beautiful and has IMO one of the best interfaces I've seen. But - does it sound good and does it work well nowadays? Hmmmmmm?

Viscount*

lucky it was the n and not the o

Heh

I think I'll pass on the OB-12 and save up for an used Mopho X4. Or maybe I'll buy a second AN1x (lol).

But I definitely want a foot pedal. I basically just want a MIDI expression pedal so I can use it as a second modulation wheel. Does anyone have recommendations?

On the analog ones, can't you just plug them into a CV input?

I use the one from Moog with my Nord electro to act as a volume/wah-wah pedal: http://www.moogmusic.com/products/accessories/ep-3-expression-pedal

Yeah, I realized basically all expression pedals don't use MIDI but a CV/audio jack. So that's what I'm looking for.

Does the EP-3 also register/transmit subtle presses?

Yep, and it has a scale knob so you can adjust how sensitive it is (though usually you get a similar thing on the digital side). I had one from Roland, but it was shittier, and died after a year or so (of not that much use).

That sounds great! BOUGHT

worked out DAF 'der mussolini' sequence, then just played it endlessly doing gabi delgado impression. wonder what the neighbours think?

haha awesome

Haaaaa, so good.

Check out this Waldorf product announcement. Imagine if this thing would initiate a renaissance of string synthesizers... that would be GNARLY

Last sentence was gramatically incorrect, but I don't care. String synths.

BTW my Moog expression pedal arrived and, damn, it's huge (never had an expression pedal before) but awesome and helpful. THX schwantz!!!

i was interested until "bus powered"

Glad you like the pedal (x-post)! Just heading to the studio with my new Bass Station II! This thing sounds huge.

Dis is cute

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLJXDMQGkcI

So I played a bunch more with my Bass Station 2. Sounds incredible. Best synth for the money ($425 at GC), IMO. Two oscillators (plus subs , noise, ring mod, osc sync) and tons of routing options. The DCO aspect makes it a little less buttery-smooth than a real VCO synth, but it means I can store patches, etc. (and I imagine it makes all of the routing a bit easier). LOVING IT!

For those who care, here's a sound demo of the Streichfett:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZUDxfWwNCc

That ensemble setting sounds OK!

I'm always looking for Solina substitutes and that thing sounds comparable from the demo

THREAD, I need your opinions. I finally want to fulfill my Synth Dream of getting an analog polysynth. In the beginning of this thread I stated that my Dream Synth would be the Prophet 12... Well, I found out it uses digital/wavetable oscillators with an analog filter. I can pull that shit off with my Blofeld + Microbrute.
So now I'm still looking for a bread-and-butter analog polysynth. I don't care about sequencing, but about a nice sound and many modulation options. To cut a long story short, I want a Prophet 08. The sound demos have convinced me, but there are other alternatives out there. And since I actually trust you more than the people on, let's say, Gearslutz, I ask thou: Does/Did someone own the Prophet 08 and is it actually WORTH IT? Or should I go for the Vermona PerFOURmer? Or the Elektron Analog Four?

Just for reference: An used Prophet 08 rack costs less than the Per4mer/Analog 4 in new condition where I live

The Analog Four is a fantastic little machine, but it's not what you want if, as you say, bread-and-butter polysynth sounds are what you're after. Would you prefer for all of the parameters to be accessible from the front panel? If so, go for the P08 or look for a Juno-106.

the 08 is definitely the best of those three choices. i kinda expected to be really impressed by the vermona but was not

"definitely" ha. i mean imo

The latter day DSI synths have lousy sounding filters, drifty knobs and are of limited use. I use a P08 all the time and I hate it. Preferable to the P08 imo is the Tetra; cheaper, poly-timbral, and features sequencers. I have never tried a Prophet 12 but Caribou Dan got one and doesn't like it at all.

My dream is for a mini Korg PS-3100 but I doubt it will ever happen :(

If you're planning on touring your new synth I'd really recommend sticking with virtual analog. If not, I'd get a 106

it seems like a bit of a wasteland for truly great polys out there right now. i'd almost reckon it would be worth waiting for a v5 mks80 rack

Thank you for all your opinions. To clarify: I definitely prefer knobby/slidery over slick synths because you can have this beautiful workflow on them. Like, you just fuck around with the knobs, and voila - new patch. Every synthesizer should be like that. That's also why I was eyeing on the P8 and not the Tetra because the Tetra's interface looks like a nightmare compared to the P8. But since the P8 is apparently lame for its price I might as well look out for other alternatives.
The Juno-106 looks like a nice candidate but I can easily imagine reaching the limits of its sound engine. I know I said "bread and butter" but the Juno seems to be like a dry pumpernickel with rancid spread fat. I know limitations can fuel your creativity but I should mention that I'm using these instruments in a home studio/sound design setting so I am also open to more adventurous/fragile instruments. I can use my An1x/Blofeld live (when they don't glitch out). Also a Juno-106 costs around the same as an used P8 rack.
Sigh. It sucks that synth companies keep churning out monosynth after monosynth yet I have to make these stupid compromises when it comes to the grim world of analog polysynths. Maybe my Synth Dream needs to stay just that, a dream. Maybe I need to lower my standards - maybe I need to concentrate more on cool vintage monosynths and less on lame modern analog polysynths. Someone around me is selling a Roland SH2000 for 500 bucks and I'm starting to like these weird old preset synth sounds.

#SynthProblems