-=[THE SYNTH ZONE]=-

I definitely want to pick up one of these when they finally come out. Seems like a really flexible piece of gear.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYHqBt6B234

Totally--that thing looks worth it for the effects alone. And I don't have the first clue about DSP, but it will be cool as heck to download other people's FX and oscillators.

I'm finally diving into the Microfreak tomorrow, and as it happens I have one day to essentially write and finish a track for a compilation. Hopefully it doesn't sound like a microfreak product demo, even if that's what it might be, lol.

Hoping for some of the old 'first time user, don't know what I'm doing' magic.

The Microfreak is the other recent synth that I've been considering - although at £260 it's a lot more than the Korg Nutekt. I was thinking about the Monologue when it first came out, but in the end I didn't buy one because although it could get pretty extreme it wasn't that far out of the usual palette of monosynth sounds. Automatic Gainsay's review of the Microfreak demonstrates that it has a lot more range and also potential for in-depth programming far beyond what the front panel controls suggest.

I'm very hopeful, in many ways it seems like the synth I've always wanted. Will report back (hopefully as a conquering hero).

I got to play with one at Guitar Center today, I really liked the touch 'keyboard.'

Omg I love this synth. I've barely cracked the surface, but it's surprisingly intuitive so far, and I've never had as much fun going through presets. The keyboard & pitch bend ribbon are just delightful.

Also preset #2 is basically a Pulse X bass, what a gift

Well now that I've successfully made a track out of the most immediately appealing & usable patches, I guess I need to learn how to actually program the thing

There were some quirks, like it didn't seem to be getting the bpm from my DAW (for LFOs/arps etc), but that was easily set manually. Also everything online talks about 160 factory patches, but I only had about 120 before it got into the user slots. Not a big deal though.

And I haven't figured out much with the matrix yet (basically a digital version of a patchbay where you can change lfo routing etc). All I know is I got some sick sounds, and the glide and pitch bends are amazing on this (always important).

making some really nice droney ambient with my new ehx cathedral pedal, this thing rules

https://soundcloud.com/momotaropeachboy/nnell

Has anyone picked up any of the Behringer remakes of vintage synths? Morality aside, they look quite interesting - analogue sound with contemporary improvements to functionality. What's always put me off has been the lousy build quality of their budget gear but the reviews suggest the new synths are pretty well made.

I want the vocoder.

Yes, that's the one which immediately stood out to me as well.

Meanwhile installed update on my analog4 mk1 last night and it’s a killer upgrade. Still getting my kind blown that you can update synth software and get new features.

The new sequencing functionality is making me reconsider not getting an Analogue RYTM.

Can’t speak on the rytm though I know it’s more limited than on the a4 because the a4 is built for polyphonic sequencing and I think there some limitations w the rytm. I also have a machine drum and love sequencing midi w it like a unique step sequencer. I only wish the a4 didn’t limit tit the 4 tracks. Like if it let you sequence the 4 internal voices and shift selecting tracks or something accessed 4 additional tracks for midi sequencing.

picked up a korg monotron duo for $30 on reverb, holy shit this thing is capable of some interesting sounds

i recorded a piece inspired by eliane radigue's "jetsun mila" with the monotron and the cathedral pedal, i think it turned out pretty good https://soundcloud.com/momotaropeachboy/jettison

The new 303 knockoff sounds pretty great!
http://www.synthtopia.com/content/2019/11/08/behringer-td-3-an-updated-roland-tb-303-clone/

Behringer Crave is now on pre-orders (was revealed in january, then very little for 10 months). looks like a useful, and cheap, semi-modular.

https://www.behringer.com/Categories/Behringer/Keyboards/Synthesizers-and-Samplers/CRAVE/p/P0DPX

should i buy an MS-20 mini?

yes, they rule.

if you play guitar or bass, the external signal processing is pretty cool in and of itself

Software sound fuckery -
https://cdm.link/2018/02/mammut-free-software-completely-insane-things-sounds/
https://www.notam02.no/web/prosjekter/mammut/?lang=en

Behringer's 'clone all the synths you've ever wanted' project continues:

https://www.musicradar.com/news/behringers-wasp-synth-clone-revealed-and-you-can-pre-order-it-now

I have a Wasp filter in my Eurorack set-up but will probably pick this up as well at some point.

Behringer just announced a polyphonic Model D/Minimoog that looks close to the size of an original.

My main problem with the glut of Behringer stuff is that I don’t have any space left to put it, but this looks very cool.

I’ve ordered a Mutable Instruments Elements in the pre-Black-Friday sales and look forward to making lots of exciting plonking noises.

The behringer poly D is actually paraphonic not polyphonic apparently

a local seller in town had a roland s-10 sampler up for grabs, I couldn't resist! exactly the sort of chunky early sampling I wanted

here's a quick track I made using samples I created with the volca FM:

https://soundcloud.com/momotaropeachboy/11-26a

love those sounds

This inspired me to look up the Roland S-10, and then quickly download a 12 bit sampler emulation vst :)

glad you liked Jordan!

Signal Sounds has the Volca Modular and Volca Drum half price.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0_q8XLiW7U

I ended up getting an Intellijel Plonk to go with Elements and a second Mutable Instruments Yarns to sequence both via my Digitakt.

I simply don’t have any room for non-modular gear atm but Novation have some good discounts:

https://store.focusrite.com/en-gb/categories/black-friday-2019

https://i.postimg.cc/Qxyr1m8P/419-BC452-3-F79-4986-87-C8-683-B741-DB2-BD.png

My current setup, and unlikely to change for a while - though there is space to expand.

what all modules are you using?

https://i.postimg.cc/zvY6bszS/4-EDD00-BD-BF05-4-D0-D-926-A-9-D4-FC5494346.jpg

^ though the Polivoks filter is from ELTA rather than Malekko.

Lots of Mutable Instruments, as I love their whole approach, and a bunch of Doepfer.

so fancy, but what does it sound like?

Anything you want it to! I’ll have to put something on Soundcloud.

Are eurorack modules all meant for monophonic stuff, or are there polyphonic modules?

Anything you want it to! I’ll have to put something on Soundcloud.

New board description (for "I Love Modular")

(sorry couldn't resist, it's just the stereotype of constantly generating but not finishing anything...your setup is really impressive, I'm just always looking for the practical application when it comes to gear)

Ha! No, that’s absolutely correct. I’m terrible at finishing stuff anyway so can’t blame the synth.

Xps, most Eurorack stuff is monophonic, though you can get some poly modules, like the new Doepfer stuff here:

https://www.gearnews.com/need-polyphony-in-your-rack-doepfer-polyphonic-eurorack-modules-now-available/

You can also do chords from a single trigger with some.

I wound up buying a few modules used (a Batumi, a Pamela's New Workout and a Music Thing Radio Music) but almost immediately shelved the idea when I started contemplating the all-in cost with the modules I planned out on modulargrid. Maybe someday it will be feasible but currently not so much.

Enjoying VCV Rack more since I decided to start completely ignoring anything with a bad GUI/small knobs no matter what it does.

i'm really fixated on the idea of doing a 32hp dirty little monosynth modular rig; leave the effects and other fanciness to pedals

I was kind of looking at the opposite - the effects are where modular is interesting to me, Make Noise stuff like the Mimeophon, Erbe-Verb and Morphagene go places that pedals can't.

(The Make Noise shared system is only, uh, $4500...)

that's a cool approach too!

I got an Ensoniq EPS-16+ off OfferUp for $100- shockingly everything works, menus are understandable and the built-in '80s delay & reverb is surprisingly good.

Came with one disk with a super cheesy Steinway sample and a "Hipness" drum kit that does not appear to have a kick.

Does that one have polyphonic AT?