-=[THE SYNTH ZONE]=-

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

Oh, I mean the Tetra keyboard version, which is almost exactly the same as the P08, interface-wise. Same dull filters, those things don't put out any sound above 2kHz, but the multi-timbrality, light-weight, and sequencing options make it preferable to the P08; unless you're looking to use it like an "analog piano" like James Blake does. Say whatever about Mr. Blake, he makes his P08 sound good

The good thing about the DSI synths is the four internal LFOs, it's pretty easy to get CS-80-like sounds with some creative detuning and wobbling. And the other modulation sources can be patched anywhere, which offers considerably more performance options than the Juno/Jupiter series.

I didn't know 106s cost the same as used P8 racks, that is weird to me; did the P8s go down or the 106s go down? I bought three 106s between 2006 and 2008 and they were in the $600-800 price range

Used Prophet 8 rack (classified ad): 1050 €
Juno-106 (Buy Now on Ebay): 1100 €. But that's a classic case of Buy Now Prize Syndrome. When they are auctioned the price goes to 600 - 700 €. That's roughly 900-1000 $. So Junos actually went up if anything. Maybe it's like that because I'm in Europe. It's crazy and also a bit stupid.

And when I think about it I'll also skip the SH-2000, even though I'm a sucker for camp stuff (it has a Popcorn preset!)

But I think I mixed up the Ebay auction prices of the Juno-60 and the Juno-106, so let's say 500-700 €.

Oh, wow, just as I posted this I saw a classified ad selling a SH-2000 (with the Moog filter copy) for only 300 €. Now I'm torn.

It's official: My newest synth is neither a modern modulation masterpiece nor a cult classic of polyphonic beauty, but a monophonic preset home organ with presets such as "Popcorn", "Frogman" and "Funny Cat", essentially the Juno of the 70's. Can't be that bad for 290 €, right?

For all the DIY synth fans out there: Check out this Arp 2600 clone kit - shipping is unfortunately on hold right now though.

Say whatever about Mr. Blake, he makes his P08 sound good

for real, he knows that thing inside and out.

shipping is unfortunately on hold right now though.

sample & hold?

:J

In other unrelated news, I'm selling my SH-2000 right now. Yep. After living with it for a few weeks I realized I actually hate it. Too much camp, not enough usefulness. Too performance-oriented (that's why I compared it to the Juno earlier) and not enough tweakability. Too much synthesized tuba. Not even the Moog filter copy could save it, although I liked the "Electric Bass" preset. This relationship is over. I think I'll just buy a Novation UltraNova.

a local electro band here makes heavy use of that sh2k preset on their records. it is a nice sound.

Yes, it's a blissful bass. I'm even using it for the bassline of a song I'm currently working on. My "making tracks with synths" philosophy: Even if your newest synth acquisition turns out to be a dud, you should still try to use it for a part in your composition. Don't waste important oscillators.

Don't THROW AWAY*

I've had an SH-2000 for years and really like it for some stuff - I make heavy use of bass, cello, basically most in that row, presets but use some others - and I always use pedals - it's great with delay, octave, chorus (not nec at the same time). That's for loud weird rock band stuff though, maybe not what you're into making.

I definitely wouldn't mind one of those but I'm in no position to be throwing away any more money on music gear right now :/

Yeah, the Roland SH-2000's presets have this classic 70's sound ("French Horn" with slow chorus through a tube amp sounds magical), which isn't a bad thing, just not my cup of tea. Some of the other presets remind me of 70's children's TV shows! Nice but not my cup of tea either. If you're in Europe and interested in buying one, let me know.

Okay.. Actually, I just fell in love with the SH-2000. I was fucking around with the settings until I found out that when you tweak the "Tuba" preset enough, you can get a truly PHAT (yeah, I know) bass sound. Even better than the "Electric Bass" preset. Not selling anymore.

For all the Kraftwerk fans out there: People are saying that Kraftwerk or Kling Klang Studios are selling their gear on Ebay right now. I don't know whether that's true or not since the Ebay seller says they're closing the studio - and I haven't heard about Kling Klang closing their doors. Would suck, though. But still, lots of interesting (East German and Soviet) stuff on there.

Just clicked through the auctions and almost all of them have a pic of the Elektro Müller sign - so yeah, it's Kraftwerk-affiliated.

buying an RS-202 for cheap tomorrow.

Sweet, some nice string action! Nobody can deny a fine string machine.

Speaking of new purchases, I kept my Synth Dream alive and actually bought an analog polysynth - an Ensoniq ESQ-1. Okay, not completely analog, it has digital oscillators and an analog filter. So it's more like a hybrid, just like the Juno-106. But I prefer the Ensoniq's sound and it also has more modulation options. So yeah, ESQ-1.

That was the first keyboard I ever had! Bought with my own money in high school. I thought it sounded crappy at the time, compared to fancier synths, but it was all I could afford, and it had a sweet (for the time) little sequencer too.

(BTW not saying it actually SOUNDS crappy, just that I was lusting after Fairlights and Emulator 3s and shit back in high school!)