I'd like to try something that I could also carry with myself to gigs and so on. Most people that I know in here goes with Microkorg. It is not bad, but I don't want to have an orchestra of microkorgs in Lithuania, so maybe you know other names worth checking?
Thanks
Edit: I want it to be with keyboard. preferably not 100% digital, but it's ok to check out too.
moog mg-1, if you can find it, is small and affordable. sounds great too
Thanx. Other things I've marked as "to-be-checked" are
Akai Miniak
Alesis Micron
Novation Xio 25
m-audio venom
Roland Gaia SH-01
For me, small synths are for live and to "whatever bbbzzzzz qualifies" moments. For interesting and really good sounds, I don't think there is very versatile synths?
Korg monotron and microcon are just the type of things when you need just high pitched electronic tone/pulse. But options are very very limited. Especially monotron is ridiculously small and cheap. More like toy.
Novation Bass Station seems to be obvious choice, Analog/Digital Hybrid, same filter as the legendary EDP Wasp. Or a Dark Energy with a Midi Keyboard
If you got the money to spent get a MS-10, just got one myself some weeks ago. Without a doubt my best gear purchase ever. Pretty lightweight, and a carrying case shouldn't be impossible to find.
bugbrand weevil
QuoteFor me, small synths are for live and to "whatever bbbzzzzz qualifies" moments.
the first case I think would be the usual one. As for me - I cannot carry around synths that weights 25+ kilos and so on so I was thinking why not play around with some smaller stuff.
Novation Bass Station seems truly nice. And here's a link in case anyone wants more titles, but there are only them, almost without any comments.
http://www.gearslutz.com/board/electronic-music-instruments-electronic-music-production/381256-best-small-synths.html (http://www.gearslutz.com/board/electronic-music-instruments-electronic-music-production/381256-best-small-synths.html)
kaos pad ?
The problem I have will all the new "mass produced" new range of electronic synths is the sound pallets are very similar to each other, I instantly loose interest when I hear a kaoss pad or those mono matchboxes...All the circuit bent stuff sounds crap too like angry chickens...My advice save you cash by a real synth...then buy a flightcase !
real men gig with with loads of kit!
QuoteNovation Bass Station seems truly nice.
All out great synth. Would recommend it over any of the other ones you listed. Maybe underrated in the Industrial/PE scene due to the flimsy design. Even if you need it mostly for live, it's analog nature really shines and have more punch than you will ever get from a MicroKorg. Weights next to nothing and even runs on batteries(No I don't work for Novation heh)
Other interesting synths could be some of the start/mid 80s Korgs. Poly 800/800MkII or maybe DW6000/8000 Especially the Poly can be modded quite cheap. For some truly noise results.
EDIT: After reading IFOTS post. Totally agree, maybe worth contemplating is getting a Roland SH-101, sure it's costly and not MicroKorg small, but it's lightweight enough to bring around and you could use it greatly in the studio
I don't suggest going digital but have you ever played with a "soft synth"? I have a handful of the more expensive VST or standalone products that are cracked and virri free if you need.
I'm not a person who knows a whole lot about analog synths so take what I say with a grain of salt but I have had a lot of fun with the Novation Ultranova 37-key Analog Modeling Synthesizer and the Access Virus TI2 Polar Integrated Modeling Synth, the latter is pretty expensive going at about $3,000 USD. I used to own a MINIAK, to my ears it isn't a bad compact synth, but I do know a lot of people who either don't like it or just don't care to try it.
Has anyone here used the Yamaha Tenori-on or TNR-O Orange creation devices made by Toshio Iwai? Very ugly but they seem to have good effect from what I have heard on some videos.
korg monotribe is great. fuck the drum machine on it, maybe i can make some use out of it oneday but thats the only pointless thing on it. wouldnt spend more then 150-175usd on it. also sure the monotone is pale in comparison
Korg DW8000 was the first synth I ever bought. It was far from small but maybe I had a different model. "Prey" was recorded with it & probably "Piece-Meal Dissection" too (plus Casio sampler).
The Technosauraus Microcon is the size of a vhs tape so perfect size. If it has white noise, I'd be keeping it. BEst to use a distortion pedal with it to give it a stronger sound.
I'd like to play with that Access Virus desktop synth. Always thought they looked cool.
I'd love to have a synth about the size of a hardcover book with all the usual stuff plus white/pink noise knobs along with white/pink noise outputs & an input with mix knob... I don't care if it's analog or digital as long as it works well.
Wish this was still being made: http://www.vintagesynth.com/misc/777.php
Yeah, if you can do without the keys there's a whole new world of possibilities. Dark Energy is maybe the prime example of a extremely versatile and aggressive synth to bring just about anywhere. I'm in no way against DigiControlled Oscillators and the likes but an all out AM/VA just won't give you the sounds/options of an analog machine. noise out's exists as far as I'm aware only on synths or more or less analog nature. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
Poly800/DW6/8000 Isn't exactly small but they weight next to nothing and would fit most standard flightcases?
BTW, I always wondered about this one?
(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wxBni_84_GQ/ToPTAf_bYiI/AAAAAAADA-E/tXyIwNJ8S9I/s400/as-leipzig-k-s.jpeg)
Anybody ever tried it?
IFOTS makes a good point. Whenever I look for something small to replace my CS15 or MicroMoog for live use I either end up with a piece of shit, something very overpriced or something so user unfriendly it's not even funny. Or all three. It seems near impossible to find something that size to really replace the proper gear.
Not small either but rack versions exist of the Poly's and DW.
Analog modelling rack such as Roland Sh-32 with small midi keyboard.
Carriable and cost-effective. Works for me but of course it's not comparable to real Analog Synths.
Thanks for all that. I'll slowly check them.
Of course travelling and doing gigs like a man is good, but instead of having tons of equipment with me I prefer premade sounds on 4-track and so on and some small (in size) additional sound generators to add sounds to live so no need for me to pretend being MJ Jarre.
As for software VSTs - they are ok I suppose, but somehow I don't have patience to click with my mouse here and there, to scroll something and do all that sort of things. If I feel the thing with my fingertips - that's quite another story.
I have a Dark Energy and really like it. Very powerful monophonic synth, with a bunch of functions like an arpeggiator, etc. I also have a Sequential Circuits 6 Trak which while not as small is pretty compact for a polyphonic analog synth.
One should also consider MFB synths. True analog and very cheap. There's new one coming from them soon called Dominion X and it seems very promising. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXXAC8DOMZI
MFB is known for cheap.....and allways heard the build-quality isn't that great. .......now this one looks pretty solid (other type frontplate, other knobs, eh it has wooden sides!).......best things is they integrated Schippmann for the filter, his 1200euro-filter is simply a best.
looks promising, shitty demo (as usual with new analog gear)
Quote from: STREETMEAT on December 01, 2011, 01:08:02 AM
korg monotribe is great.
Yes, and even better now with the firmware update (available on Korg's website) that adds a sample & hold option. Would be more comfortable using it live than an MFB or Monotron as far as build quality goes. Also like how the flux button can be used like an instant synth-noise sampler.
I am using this:
http://www.nazzilla.com/lep-loop/
It is very small and light (about an A5 size).
Check Chris carter attempts on that. Most of the next wertham loop/background stuff will be done with this.
There are plenty of videos on youtube, but featuring soft/dance sounds; trust me it does much more.
It is self produced in Italy. First run 40 copies.
Really worth the value.
Quote from: sperm+killing on December 11, 2011, 12:47:50 AM
Quote from: STREETMEAT on December 01, 2011, 01:08:02 AM
korg monotribe is great.
Yes, and even better now with the firmware update (available on Korg's website) that adds a sample & hold option. Would be more comfortable using it live than an MFB or Monotron as far as build quality goes. Also like how the flux button can be used like an instant synth-noise sampler.
thanks for info on update. even more for me to learn now ;)
Quote from: tiny_tove on December 12, 2011, 04:06:40 PM
I am using this:
http://www.nazzilla.com/lep-loop/
been looking at this one as of late good to hear it can make more "unconventional" sounds not just techno bullshit
http://www.nazzilla.com/lep-loop/
Really like the looks of that sucker.
Quote from: bitewerksMTB on December 13, 2011, 05:11:49 AM
http://www.nazzilla.com/lep-loop/
Really like the looks of that sucker.
Looks very nice indeed. I found one pretty cool video which was recorded with a prototype version:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFxOzVXm2AI&feature=related
At the beginning that kick sound reminds me of some of the newer Whitehouse tracks.
A lot has happend since, most notable I guess the MiniBrute: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7O946lG7Ik&feature=related and the new Moog http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NXrSPQ7aHY as always horible demos
The Leploop looks so fucking good, but it's simply beyond me why it dosen't have CV control. The Dark Energy has been discontinued, due to lack of a certain chip. But theres a new one coming, said to include a hi-pass filter option aswell
Quote from: KHH on November 30, 2011, 06:10:52 PM
QuoteNovation Bass Station seems truly nice.
All out great synth. Would recommend it over any of the other ones you listed. Maybe underrated in the Industrial/PE scene due to the flimsy design. Even if you need it mostly for live, it's analog nature really shines and have more punch than you will ever get from a MicroKorg. Weights next to nothing and even runs on batteries(No I don't work for Novation heh)
I only know it as a popular imitation of the 303 during the hight of the 90's techno hysteria. Not even a cheap or particularly good imitation either. So it offers more than that? Compared with MS10 or CS15? It's very reasonably priced and I'm curious.
Quote from: KHH on November 30, 2011, 06:10:52 PMEDIT: After reading IFOTS post. Totally agree, maybe worth contemplating is getting a Roland SH-101, sure it's costly and not MicroKorg small, but it's lightweight enough to bring around and you could use it greatly in the studio
Seriously overpriced IMO. You pay more for that than a CS15 and get less for your money. Considerably less! Price wise it's up there with the MS10. If you haven't bought one already I advise against it.
Quote from: GEWALTMONOPOL on April 02, 2012, 03:06:34 AM
Seriously overpriced IMO.
agreed. not to mention bloodyminded has milked those sounds to death.
I recall someone mentioned Bloodyminded moved to use Korg monotron? Its way cheaper (new ones 40usd?) and even more portable = suitable for live gigs. And the sounds, even if ridiculously small and cheap, does its job.
a very small little beast is the http://1010.co.uk/org/blackdeath.html
both used as a noise generator and as a filter.
Quote from: GWNBF on April 02, 2012, 05:21:10 AM
Quote from: GEWALTMONOPOL on April 02, 2012, 03:06:34 AM
Seriously overpriced IMO.
agreed. not to mention bloodyminded has milked those sounds to death.
Roland mc-202, without programming them, prob too difficult :-D
one for the Mute-boys :
http://mute.com/mute/the-mute-synth (http://mute.com/mute/the-mute-synth)
....
Quote from: FreakAnimalFinland on April 02, 2012, 08:59:07 AM
I recall someone mentioned Bloodyminded moved to use Korg monotron? Its way cheaper (new ones 40usd?) and even more portable = suitable for live gigs. And the sounds, even if ridiculously small and cheap, does its job.
agree.
the delay is very very nasty.
Quote from: FreakAnimalFinland on April 02, 2012, 08:59:07 AM
I recall someone mentioned Bloodyminded moved to use Korg monotron? Its way cheaper (new ones 40usd?) and even more portable = suitable for live gigs. And the sounds, even if ridiculously small and cheap, does its job.
I acquired the standard Monotron last year. It was fun, not put it to any practical use thus far but for the size and price it is a nice little bit of kit. Granted, I can see where the "toy" comments come from, but as a sound generator it's alright. More recently, I bought one of the Delay models for £35 new and can see a lot more potential - again, it has the toy-ness to it but when coupled with the old version I've found it to perform well so far and can certainly see it factoring into a recording setup. I think with both (and I'd imagine it the same with the Duo version) you've got to view them with realistic expectations as they are what they are.
The Minibrute synth looks pretty good. May have to think about that later in the year.
I remember seeing some photos of Bloodyminded using the Monotron's on stage & it looks like they were checking their cellphones/textmsgs. I think I'd rather see
someone using a laptop.
Quote from: P-K on April 02, 2012, 04:35:01 PM
Quote from: GWNBF on April 02, 2012, 05:21:10 AM
Quote from: GEWALTMONOPOL on April 02, 2012, 03:06:34 AM
Seriously overpriced IMO.
agreed. not to mention bloodyminded has milked those sounds to death.
Roland mc-202, without programming them, prob too difficult :-D
wasn't this just a drum machine version of the sh101?
no, it's a synth, with sequencer .....a bitch to program from what i read.
http://www.vintagesynth.com/roland/mc202.php (http://www.vintagesynth.com/roland/mc202.php)
Bloodyminded made a name out of it, "twin 202 power-electronic death-noise", using 2 or 3 on stage.....
Quote from: bitewerksMTB on April 02, 2012, 10:21:23 PM
The Minibrute synth looks pretty good. May have to think about that later in the year.
I remember seeing some photos of Bloodyminded using the Monotron's on stage & it looks like they were checking their cellphones/textmsgs. I think I'd rather see
someone using a laptop.
Monotron's on stage does look weird, that for sure. You can get good sounds out of them though, especially the delay version.
I had the chance to play a little bit with the Minibrute the other week and there's no way I am not getting one. The build is a bit cheap, but still a lot better than I'd expected, and the sound is just NASTY. Pure filth straight out of the box, and with fx it will destroy!
Cheap build, how exactly? I'm going to keep it in mind; read reviews after it gets into some hands. Looks like something I could use. WOuld love to have the same thing but without the keys...
Quote from: GEWALTMONOPOL on April 02, 2012, 03:06:34 AM
Seriously overpriced IMO. You pay more for that than a CS15 and get less for your money. Considerably less! Price wise it's up there with the MS10. If you haven't bought one already I advise against it.
I agree on the pricing. I predict the second hand market for SH-101 will fall drastically when the MiniBrute is out. More or less same features. That being said space and weight-wise the 101 is in a entirely different league than the CS-15, also I haven't ever tried out a CS-15 but CS-05/10 seems to have kinda a low output at least compared to our other synths. Not a prop with effects or a good preamp, but for an example balancing it together with a louder synth such as MS-10 thru a twin channel echo unit is a real pain in the ass(Then again get another Echo I guess!)
The CS15 is a big unit to carry around. Unrealistic unless you have your own transport. The signal is weak and that's what distortion pedals are for. Why anyone would use any synth without distortion is beyond me. Difference in output levels? Why is that a problem? Surely that's what mixers are for?
So give us some info on the Bass Station.
Quote from: KHH on April 03, 2012, 11:00:19 PMbut for an example balancing it together with a louder synth such as MS-10 thru a twin channel echo unit is a real pain in the ass(Then again get another Echo I guess!)
or, ms-10 and yamaha to mixer, echo-unit on the fx send/return of mixer.
i'm saving for this :
(http://howardscarr.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/tinysizer-patching.png)
portable, analog, fully modular.
Quote from: GEWALTMONOPOL on April 03, 2012, 11:52:29 PM
The CS15 is a big unit to carry around. Unrealistic unless you have your own transport. The signal is weak and that's what distortion pedals are for. Why anyone would use any synth without distortion is beyond me. Difference in output levels? Why is that a problem? Surely that's what mixers are for?
So give us some info on the Bass Station.
We never used distortion, neither for Fuzzards or FA, for me the whole charm is the raw analog nature of the sound. Not some pedal compressed muddy signal. For the aforementioned setup we tried to go without mixer, but we found a way around it.
Bass Station is great, maybe not for emulating 303, but very useful for PE, like I said earlier, the WASP filter, good OSC's flimsy and with a couple of those horrible double feature buttons. Big enough not to look like a complete joke(like the Monotrons) and 7 patch memory's, useful for storing different settings for multiple track type live set.
I'm pleasantly surprised to hear that about the Bass Station. When it came out the sales pitch was a copy of the 303, nothing else. It was an OK (ish) imitation but too obviously fake for the reasonably trained ear. Covenant had one back then and they cost almost as much as the real thing. Seeing that it has more uses than faking the 303 and the price having dropped quite bit I might buy one.
I see distortion as an extension to almost every machine. A bit like a gun to a soldier. In my experience it doesn't muddy the sound, merely enhances it. Try one distortion pedal with a Moog or something. Heaven! Try two... even fucking better. Three is maybe a bit silly but there's no harm in cranking the gain. Add delay and a pitch. Be REALLY gay and send a clean signal from a phones out to the next channel. Chief, the depth will make your balls tingle. Well, it does mine anyway. Not lecturing, suggesting.
PK, what machine is that and how much is it?
Quote from: GEWALTMONOPOL on April 04, 2012, 02:05:45 AM
PK, what machine is that and how much is it?
Anyware Tinysizer.....German company making own creations (filters) and Oberheim SEM-based design...low profile, low prouction quantities. it's 1299 euro's i'm afraid. http://www.anyware-instruments.de/index.html (http://www.anyware-instruments.de/index.html)
but for the amount of modules that's not bad. no patchkabels but wires, but you can rout everything to 5 1/4jack in&out.....10 jack connections to the outside world....each 'module' has 2 outs, so you can route white noise to 2 different functions etc. a lot of money (maybe) but a lot of options.
The Tinysizer is well out of my league. I'm getting more and more interested in the Bass Station though. Any significant differences between the keyboard and rack versions? Benefits, disadvantages?
Quote from: bitewerksMTB on April 03, 2012, 09:58:22 PM
Cheap build, how exactly? I'm going to keep it in mind; read reviews after it gets into some hands. Looks like something I could use. WOuld love to have the same thing but without the keys...
The case felt slightly plastic, but like I said it's substantially better than I had imagined considering the price. With a decent hard case I think it would stand being on the road. The pots and levers felt nice though!
Quote from: GEWALTMONOPOL on April 04, 2012, 02:44:24 AM
The Tinysizer is well out of my league. I'm getting more and more interested in the Bass Station though. Any significant differences between the keyboard and rack versions? Benefits, disadvantages?
Never tried the Rack version, which has CV-controls, a big plus IMO. Don't know how it self-oscillates IE. how useful it would be for PE rumblings walls. But with a analog step sequencer I'm sure it would be quite nice for more musical aspects. There's actually a rack version called Super Bass Station, with a built distortion and some other extra features. Most "normal" synth enthusiasts seems to slack that one off as unnecessary but might be even better for noisy stuff. Super version dosen't have CV, only Midi for some odd reason.
Biggest disadvantage of Bass Station keyboard version is for sure the flimsy knobs. They really dosen't feel too sturdy. Guess it's possible to change them and reinforce the pots quite easy thou
Many thanks for the info chief. There's a good chance I'll invest if I don't lose too much money on next months releases. If I don't like it then I can always flog it again.
Quote from: KHH on April 04, 2012, 11:20:00 AManalog sequencer
(http://www.recyclethis.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/sellotape.jpg)
The most reasonably priced option.
Quote from: Peterson on April 05, 2012, 04:27:58 AM
I can really get into one or two bare synths doing their thing in a subtle way
Thinking about saving up for a minibrute but was also woundering how do flower electronics synths hold up for p.e.?
Quote from: KHH on April 05, 2012, 03:40:11 PM
Quote from: Peterson on April 05, 2012, 04:27:58 AM
I can really get into one or two bare synths doing their thing in a subtle way
A nice warm pre-amp or two can make analog synths sound great. I agree that using a shit ton of distortion can make synths sound less analog, but that can sound really good as well.
It's pure Nathan Barley to use live, but iphone/ipad has a bunch of good synth apps if you aren't scared of softsynths, and (in the case of iphone) you couldn't really get any more portable.
I bought the relatively expensive Korg iMS-20 app on my borrowed from work ipad, it seems really promising tho I'll feel pretty foolish using it live. (but also won't care) (also probably won't dare bring borrowed ipad to a gig anyway) It has good reviews re:authenticity of sound tho i have no basis for comparison, pretty sure it's more than adequate for my purposes anyway. With the presets and sequencer stuff it's all a bit geared up to dance music but the actual synth operates the same as the real thing.
I do use Jasuto on the iphone quite a bit, it's really ideal for 'experimental'/noise purposes; modular synth approach without modeling any specific hardware, kind of inspired by Reactable with nodes that auto or manually connect and can be moved around to change parameters. You can use really long high fi samples/loops, it's possible to make all sorts of sounds ranging from really digital/glitch to analog-sounding, there are various different distortion modules and also analog-simulation distortion on the output instead of digital clipping... Also there are interesting possibilities you wouldn't get with a normal keys and knobs-based synth eg using the mix (or a line in with adaptor) for feedback, using motion of the iphone to control the sounds, record automation of moving the nodes, etc.
Got a bunch of other synth apps but most are for my liking too geared up to keyboard-based playing, or are kind of one-trick ponies especially some of the more 'experimental' ones. Jasuto is the one I've found most genuinely usable.
Quote from: ironfistofthesun on November 30, 2011, 06:00:33 PMAll the circuit bent stuff sounds crap too like angry chickens...
Angry chickens is what I aspire to! :D
But yeah overpriced ebay circuitbent stuff is nonsense and usually really limited sounds, anyway circuitbending should be DIY or what's the point? Seems absurd to spend the price of some real music gear on a £1 boot sale keyboard someone's soldered £5 of maplin components to and painted fluorescent green or whatever.
DSI Evolver
(http://www.ptank.com/bucket/catsynth_images/luna_evolver_0710.jpg)
Access Virus TI Snow
(http://musictrack.jp/a/contribution/virussnow/or-virustisnow-01.jpg)
I have larger versions of both of these and they are very unique sounding synths. DSI is analog/digital hybrid and Virus is pure digital virtual analog synth, but one of the best sounding digital synths IMO.
any thoughts on the Waldorf Blofeld?
(http://www.blog.arteqcue.de/wp-content/blofeld_top.png)
check http://www.google.com (http://www.google.com) today
Heh, was just gonna post the same, but carrying a time machine around to gigs being able to return to 23th of May would seem like a hassle
Quote from: KHH on May 23, 2012, 11:13:21 AM
Heh, was just gonna post the same, but carrying a time machine around to gigs being able to return to 23th of May would seem like a hassle
Permalink - http://www.google.com/doodles/robert-moogs-78th-birthday
You can find any previous one - http://www.google.com/doodles
that's amazing and the sound is very good too !
new improved leploop
http://www.adafruit.com/blog/2013/10/14/81675/
I already have - and love- version 1 and I am considering this that looks much better!
microbrute
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bO07ge3hzo
Quote from: STREETMEAT on October 24, 2013, 01:12:45 AM
microbrute
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bO07ge3hzo
I've been strongly considering getting a Minibrute so this is very cool. But damn, those promotional videos that companies make are always the worst. Those don't sell product. Just pay some synth nerd to do an in-depth video review on youtube and that will move more units.
In the meantime no Volca keys are arriving to Italy... they keep postponing... last week the other two models arrived in Town in small quantity and customers arrived at local korg shop from 100 km away...
I think korg will make shitload of money with this.
Quote from: STREETMEAT on October 24, 2013, 01:12:45 AM
microbrute
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bO07ge3hzo
Need more info!
I think I read the release for the Micro-Brute is next week*. If it's considerably less expensive than the Mini, I may look into it.
Demo videos never, ever help me. I just end up looking at a close-up photo & try to figure out if everything I'd use is featured..
*Actually, the Micro will be announced on the 25th of October: http://www.musicradar.com/news/tech/arturia-teases-new-analogue-synth-microbrute-images-leaked-586471
Specs, etc.:
http://www.synthtopia.com/content/2013/10/24/arturia-microbrute-specifications-pricing-availability/
http://www.sonicstate.com/news/2013/10/24/arturia-microbrute-exclusive-review/
I often watch this chaps reviews, pretty thorough. Often hard to gauge the usefulness of gear for "noisier" purposes but am seriously tempted by this already. Fell in love with the Minibrute but had to can the idea in the end, but this one looks like it could be the alternative I need!
The Micro is only missing white noise! Damn it. The price is right but just missing that one little function that isn't a huge deal but it'd be nice if something small, with a good price, could have EVERYTHING I 'need'.
Has anyone used the Novation Bass Station II & the Mini-Brute? Price & specs seems about the same but was wondering if one edges out the other.
Didn't notice if the Micro has an input? If so, then I could run my white noise generator into it. That'd solve that little issue. Still, white & pink noise knobs would be cool.
Quote from: bitewerksMTB on October 25, 2013, 11:43:34 PM
The Micro is only missing white noise! Damn it. The price is right but just missing that one little function that isn't a huge deal but it'd be nice if something small, with a good price, could have EVERYTHING I 'need'.
Has anyone used the Novation Bass Station II & the Mini-Brute? Price & specs seems about the same but was wondering if one edges out the other.
Didn't notice if the Micro has an input? If so, then I could run my white noise generator into it. That'd solve that little issue. Still, white & pink noise knobs would be cool.
The video in the review I linked to does a tour of the rear-panel and yes, there is an audio input on the back. It hadn't dawned on me that it was missing its own white noise but it's not a deal-breaker, as you say it can certainly be worked around.
Quote from: bitewerksMTB on October 25, 2013, 11:43:34 PMHas anyone used the Novation Bass Station II & the Mini-Brute? Price & specs seems about the same but was wondering if one edges out the other.
I haven't played either of them but what I remember from the little bit of research I did:
- Bass Station 2 has two oscillators and ability to save patches
- Minibrute has one oscillator and no patch-saving, but is true pure analog. Also has a tap-tempo feature on the arpeggiator. Can be found for about $50-100 less than the Bass Station 2
got last week:
volfram from Russia, semi-modular, that can be linked through banana cables to other devices...
I have not played much with it yet, but it has impressive throbbing pulses...
¨http://samoletuvvp.narod.ru/vto/diy/vol.html
I need to spend a bit more time with it, but I like it a lot and has a sounds of his own...
and today I got my MS20 mini... I have been using the original one from a friend and despite the smaller jacks (that makes it easier to connect to my modular synthem...) and the lack of classic background crackling it is 1:1 like the old....
Quote from: tiny_tove on October 26, 2013, 07:38:09 PM
got last week:
volfram from Russia, semi-modular, that can be linked through banana cables to other devices...
I have not played much with it yet, but it has impressive throbbing pulses...
http://samoletuvvp.narod.ru/vto/diy/vol.html
Looks like a lot of people use those DIY synths from Russia. Web page says that 47 were made, but I saw or heard about 10 at least.
A friend in Oslo/Norway is selling his Minibrute. 4000,- Norwegian Kroner. Used twice. He is happy about the synth, but says it is too close in range to the others he owns. Sturdy guy. Can put you in contact if interested. He says that it is possible to heckle on the price.
Here is a picture:
(https://scontent-b-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/s403x403/485521_10151672568916481_1484439_n.jpg)
My friend is heckling w himself. HE! He offers it now for around 3000,- NOK.
It is used. And if I am correct 4000 krones = 500eu, am I right? And new one costs 400USD (adding 100USD for shipping and customs - it is still cheaper).
Am I getting this wrong? Used is more expensive then new one?
Your calculations are a bit off concering freight. I am not here to waste time discussing details. Read: HECKLE
That seems like the definition of heckling to be fair :)
Quote from: Cementimental on October 31, 2013, 02:56:24 AM
That seems like the definition of heckling to be fair :)
Something like that, he!he!
what the f ....
http://www.synthtopia.com/content/2013/11/04/korg-littlebits-synth-kit-lets-you-snap-together-a-modular-synthesizer/ (http://www.synthtopia.com/content/2013/11/04/korg-littlebits-synth-kit-lets-you-snap-together-a-modular-synthesizer/)
very curious about that. It seems that Korg is turning educational.
Just ordered the limited blackdeath/wormcode switch edition...
Looks interesting, especially if they sell the parts individually
This looks pretty awesome...
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2012099678/patchblocks-programmable-mini-synth-modules
www.patchblocks.com
Quote from: ironfistofthesun on November 30, 2011, 06:00:33 PM
..All the circuit bent stuff sounds crap too like angry chickens..
haha best sound description
edit: recently we had the honor of playin with the kolmas who had several of these mini-tribe things + 1x wsg... sounded fat & hypnotic!!
The company I work for does a lot of Arduino based products so I've familiarized myself a bit with the Arduino realm of synthesizers...
Standuino makes a nice assortment of more "DIY" style noise makers: http://www.standuino.eu/musical-instruments/microgranny/
Critter and Guitari stopped this one but it looked pretty cool: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GbEvYiRfvc
Arduino Sequencer that I wish I had more information on: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWbqMWdQvA0
Modular utilizing an Arduino and RaspPi: http://vimeo.com/71691386
There's a few synthesizer shield kicking around too. Doesn't really apply seeing as these are mostly DIY but if you have the means to program and enclose, it could be beneficial.
many thanks for the arduino examples. I only knew a couple of them...
In May my company will move in the same block were Massimo Banzi teaches... apparently they also have a lab next to were I work but never met him probably due to different working schedules.
got a Volca Keys for xmas and I like it a lot.
The littleBits seems a nice toy to understand better modular synthesis. More expensive but for this the micromodular is/was number one!
not small but here you go : assemble your own full size MS20 with filter options, midi & usb LOL
http://korg.com/us/products/dj/ms_20kit/ (http://korg.com/us/products/dj/ms_20kit/)
at the price of a 'vintage' one?
just got myself a Flower Electronics Jealous Heart. some people might think its "limited" but huge sound and nothing but fun!
Any comments regarding the Volcas? They've been out a while now.
I have Volca Keys and I have recently purchased the Volca Bass.
Volca Keys is VERY good for the price. If you are a Korg addict as I am you cannot miss it and it does what it says. Very warm sound in my opinion.
Volca Bass, I have only tested it once and passing it through the Meat Box with a decent bass amplifier it tears down walls. Loved the filters, yet I still have to learn how to program it (which is usually a problem for me since I am a retard). Several people mentioned that it was as exciting as the more expensive (and solid) Moog Minitaur, but I haven't tried that. If you want I can post some rough material I have recorded with both.
Looking at the video examples, it seems to me the Volca Bass could be very useful for some decent, heavy throbs and pulses. Would that be correct? Because, if so, they're quite cheap down here and I might be inclined.
Yes!
exactly. I am going to reharsal tonight and will carry it with me. If you want I can upload some tests during the week end.
I'm happy to take your word for it, but let us know how the tests go.
I wouldn't mind hearing the test runs - if you care to upload. My band has used both the Beats and Keys somewhat sparsely in a few recordings...and for the price they really can't be beat.
Quote from: D. Davis on July 10, 2014, 04:59:00 PM
I wouldn't mind hearing the test runs - if you care to upload.
Seconded, if convenient.
recorded some stuff, nothing fancy but I think it gives a rough idea.
I must say it is very good for structured repetitive parts, German style and for drones... I have to learn to program it so i used only the factory set ups, mangling filters and pots.
I will post everything between tonight and Sunday.
These three videos should give you some idea about volca bass, or at least I made my decision to get them based on these videos.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxF4oANrzSk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZytLbaWIWY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzV-gMGNrY0
I might also record some footage of my personal recording session with them at some point in near future. Dont expect good quality footage/sound though because I can record video only on crappy cell phone but I think that it should be enough to give some idea of its capabilities in making noise, or at least in the way I am using them to make noise.
Quote from: tiny_tove on July 11, 2014, 11:31:57 AM
recorded some stuff, nothing fancy but I think it gives a rough idea.
I must say it is very good for structured repetitive parts, German style and for drones... I have to learn to program it so i used only the factory set ups, mangling filters and pots.
I will post everything between tonight and Sunday.
Great, interested to hear! As is often the case I find, it's very difficult to find gear used in the way I would want it.
Quote from: F_c_O on July 11, 2014, 03:17:43 PM
These three videos should give you some idea about volca bass, or at least I made my decision to get them based on these videos.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxF4oANrzSk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZytLbaWIWY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzV-gMGNrY0
I might also record some footage of my personal recording session with them at some point in near future. Dont expect good quality footage/sound though because I can record video only on crappy cell phone but I think that it should be enough to give some idea of its capabilities in making noise, or at least in the way I am using them to make noise.
Despite my comment above, watched these last night and found them very interesting. I can't afford another synth but I sure like the look of it.
Quote from: F_c_O on July 11, 2014, 03:17:43 PM
at least I made my decision to get them based on these videos.
As have I. For a paltry two hundred this is pretty much what I was thinking of - throbs and pulses - and putting that through an effects unit or blasting through an amp could be just what I want. It's also tempting me to get the Keys version too a few pay packets down the road.
So this is a first test improvisation with brand new volca beats that I have bought on Saturday. I was unimpressed by the demo, but once I played with it at the local Korg dealer I had to buy it.
These are just some loops (not much evolution) , I have organized them in snippets just to have a rough idea and using the standard tracks, I have to learn how to program my own ones.
Now also volca bass is up.
https://soundcloud.com/wertham/
Quote from: tiny_tove on July 15, 2014, 10:10:31 PM
So this is a first test improvisation with brand new volca beats that I have bought on Saturday. I was unimpressed by the demo, but once I played with it at the local Korg dealer I had to buy it.
These are just some loops (not much evolution) , I have organized them in snippets just to have a rough idea and using the standard tracks, I have to learn how to record mz own ones. Bass will follow next.
Now also volca bass is up.
https://soundcloud.com/wertham/
Thank you!
Took possession of mine this morning. Have to say, played raw through the amp it gave a very satisfying low, grinding sound that impressed me. Perhaps not as full as a more regular sized synthesiser, but certainly heavy and intense. The functions seemed easy enough to use and I liked how the vco's tended to try to shoulder each other out of the way when I adjusted the pitch on each - fiddling with the rate knob on the lfo there's a possibility for some harshness. Some good pulsing straight up just with the lfo. Didn't try the sequencing yet, just wanted to hear if it sounded adequate, and it does, through the amp at least - even had to turn the bass down a bit. I'd say with the right effects and a bit of practice this thing will be more than adequate for my needs. The misgivings I have are the headphone sized jack and, as always with keyboard synths, the lack of a hold function. Things I can get around, but still. Anyway, thanks Martin for reminding us of these instruments, and thanks Marco and F_c_O for the input.
yes the lack of a hold function is a bummer :/
Recently got a battered original DS and a the Korg DS-10 cart cheap on ebay. About as small a 'name-brand' synth as you could hope for, albeit really a softsynth of course. :) Seems really promising for noise! Interesting sound which suits Cementimental, nice combination of 'analog' synth sounds and chipmusic low-fi grit possibilities.
Upgraded to a non-broken DS Lite :)
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/t1.0-9/10501747_10152624024533659_2957094736714852133_n.jpg)
Quote from: Cementimental on August 01, 2014, 04:50:13 PM
Upgraded to a non-broken DS Lite :)
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/t1.0-9/10501747_10152624024533659_2957094736714852133_n.jpg)
Sound sample...or better, one video?
Not really recorded much yet and I'm not much of a one for doing gear samples/demos but I will try and put a bit of DS noise up on soundcloud or something at some point..
Quote from: Leatherface on August 02, 2014, 07:45:04 PM
Quote from: Cementimental on August 01, 2014, 04:50:13 PM
Upgraded to a non-broken DS Lite :)
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/t1.0-9/10501747_10152624024533659_2957094736714852133_n.jpg)
Sound sample...or better, one video?
FECALOVE uses a DS sometimes during live performaces I've seen. Impressive sounds from that little pucker. Cheap gadget, but worth every buck.
One day I will buy a synth from: http://www.dewanatron.com (http://www.dewanatron.com)
I've recently ordered one of these -
https://www.storedj.com.au/products/ROL-JU06 (https://www.storedj.com.au/products/ROL-JU06)
- and am expecting it mid to late next month. Apparently these things are selling like toilet paper and I'm not surprised. I've had a couple of Rolands for years and fid them great synths, but always fantasised about having just the synthesiser component of a Roland without the keyboard. Now they've made that fantasy come true for me.
Mind you, I've never really used a Juno but I recall a high school friend of mine had one which I was always envious of (and used to love playing on when I went to his house). I'll be very interested in hearing the kinds of sounds I can get out of this.
next purchase
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7o8x4pLh3V0
I have one of these and is a very nice piece of gear!
Got the ROL-JU06 yesterday and it's great. So far the strongest sounding of the mini synths I've heard. Not too disimilar to the HS-60 I've got in terms of tones, and being familiar with the lay out I was able to use it straight away. Again, no hold function but putting tones into every part of the step sequence gives a clean, smooth sound that is just the same as holding down the note (without the keyboard you play it with the ribbons on the left side of the thing), which lets me indulge in slider dial manipulation with both hands. Very nice indeed, and for the price, even nicer.
The dealership told me that these things sell too quickly and that they're often out of stock but I was able to get this earlier than expected. At this rate I'm tempted to get the others in the series, but now I have other ideas.
Quote from: Andrew McIntosh on February 25, 2016, 06:21:25 AM
Got the ROL-JU06 yesterday and it's great. So far the strongest sounding of the mini synths I've heard. Not too disimilar to the HS-60 I've got in terms of tones, and being familiar with the lay out I was able to use it straight away. Again, no hold function but putting tones into every part of the step sequence gives a clean, smooth sound that is just the same as holding down the note (without the keyboard you play it with the ribbons on the left side of the thing), which lets me indulge in slider dial manipulation with both hands. Very nice indeed, and for the price, even nicer.
It's phenomenal! You can really ditch analog purism with no regrets.
Always been curious about the 106, but the size and potential DCO issues turned me off.
Are there any wholesalers for diy/small synths within eu? All I have found are in usa and besides costing a lot, id be hit with postage and customs fees from the ass so that really aint an option.
I tend to contact producers, but I got nice stuff from these guys
www.effekt-boutique.de
Quote from: tiny_tove on April 15, 2016, 05:56:39 PM
I tend to contact producers, but I got nice stuff from these guys
www.effekt-boutique.de
Seems cool. Saddly, all the producers I've found are from USA or Japan or such and in that case, the same bullshit with postage and customs apply.
Quote from: Nyodene D on November 30, 2011, 03:40:30 PM
moog mg-1, if you can find it, is small and affordable. sounds great too
Moog MG1 is a great synth. It has a very distinct neurotic sharp sound. Not a smooth mooshy analog blowjob of a sound.
For those that don't know it was a Radio Shack Moog!
They have a couple problems to watch out for.
The note triggering is tied in with the 'polyphony' sound. Which is based on a cheesy divide down organ sound. If the divide down chip starts to go bad, your note triggering will start to suck. Then you have a hard time finding that part and end up paying some guy online $25 for one chip.
Also the dust dam foam which was supposed to prevent crud from entering the interior of the instrument has in many cases decayed into black goo which covers the internals. It takes hours to clean off with acetone.
But it sounds completely psycho, angry, on drugs great.
The Korg Poly 800 is an underrated synth. It makes some very interesting sounds if you dig in.
It is a kind of additive/subtractive, digital shift register/analog filter hybrid.
It is hampered by the digit entry interface. But then you get to save presets.
One con which I find a pro, is that the envelopes are low resolution.
So long attacks and releases will be stair steppy. Which sounds good to me.
Also, can run on batteries, and has strap pegs.
Quote from: Andrew McIntosh on February 25, 2016, 06:21:25 AM
At this rate I'm tempted to get the others in the series...
...and I can resist everything except temptation. A couple of months ago I got the JX-03. Lovely unit, two oscillators (digital), a lot more parameters than the JU-06 (which still rules), nice smooth sweeps on the knobs without a lot of that digital-jump kind of thing. The pre-set pads are kind of funny but they're just launching pads. Still getting my head around the sequencers on both units, and there seems to be a bit of an issue with the play and pause buttons on the 03 but nothing insurmountable. So, at this rate, I'll probably cave in and get the JP-08 and probably the keyboard extra and make the collection complete. Still, it's hard for me to think of needing anything else after these. Pax Chetyorka is right, digital has come of age and large, heavy, expensive keyboards and modules are pretty much becoming vanity icons.
frankly I love the little baby Korg Monotron synths. They have 3 or 4 different models. And they are all very grungy and the exact opposite of synth pop. It's almost impossible to play in TTET on the membrane keypad so there is that atonal thing going for it.
A couple smaller synths from Yamaha are the DX100 which is kind of a cult synth for some ravers or something, but there are a million of them. If you get a DX patch editor you can create some very messed up sounds.
Also the CS01 which is one of the most basic analog synths possible. It's about the size of a casiotone but is an analog monosynth.
I've gotten a lot of mileage out of the Roland SH09. I picked up mine for $500 USD. I think it may have some vintage collectorness to it. But is probably overshadowed by the hipper looking SH101 or SH7 which has more features. It's got a lot of neat things it does, but mostly I like that you can plug the headphone into the aux input and make it feedback through the filter.
It also has a suboctave, which is nice.
The Casio SK1 and SK5 are sampling keyboards. They are also very small units with mini keys.
I don't see them as coveted as they were a while ago, so the price should have come down. And the sampling is very poor quality. I made literally dozens of recordings with these and really like the way the cheesy presets sound through guitar pedals. It's also great fun to record percussive sounds and loop them. Then you can make poly-rhythms by holding down different intervals.
Beatnigs used to use the SK1, and I've seen a few other acts do pretty well with them.
http://www.wnyc.org/story/turning-fruit-into-musical-instruments/
http://www.synthtopia.com/content/2016/06/27/zynthian-is-a-new-open-platform-for-sound-synthesis/
may as well go Critter and Guitari Organelle (https://www.critterandguitari.com/pages/organelle) if you are looking at open source synths. It looks pretty hipster retarded, but I checked out the prototype of one of these last fall and was pretty impressed by how powerful it is. Also, HDMI out.
critter did great video synth, especially the black/white one.
Anyone ever tried these?
http://patchblocks.com/home (http://patchblocks.com/home)
It's just that it's pretty cheap to get modules of this but I'm wondering if it's worth it.
Quote from: Andrew McIntosh on June 29, 2016, 02:17:08 AM
Anyone ever tried these?
http://patchblocks.com/home (http://patchblocks.com/home)
It's just that it's pretty cheap to get modules of this but I'm wondering if it's worth it.
This looks, at some point, promising.
time to go back to basic to much $gadget$ turd around now
http://www.musicradar.com/news/tech/the-onde-magntique-om-1-tape-synthesizer-is-cassette-revivalists-dream-640483
This looks like a fun little toy, although I don't think I'd pay that sort of money for one.
I'm wondering if anyone has any audio examples of the Korg Volca Bass being used in a "noisier" setting?
I get disappointed when I watch all these synth videos about how they work. As soon as the synth gets noisy they tend to tone it down.
I had the first three Volcas.
They are very well built for what they are. But I eventually got tired of them.
If you own some modular stuff the Volcas are kind of annoying because they do not have cv/gate connectivity, only the sync input.
Also, after a few months I was quite bored with not being able to chain patterns. I had a drum machine 25 years ago that could chain patterns. Why can't something made in the 21st century chain patterns?
I think they are pretty much oriented towards young people into electro-house-raver shit.
I did make some DAF style tracks, but none of them were anything that I will try and release.
The demo videos on youtube certainly piqued my interest. Especially the external sound processing on the LYRA-8.
https://somasynths.com
Thanks for the reply calaverasgrande. I'm looking to purchase my first synth and, as mentioned in many other threads, I'd like to buy a quality piece of equipment and learn to use to its full extent. Up until now I've only messed with distortion pedals and feedback and I've made a few "private" releases for friends. So I guess I'll keep searching.
New Volca!
https://ask.audio/articles/korg-volca-kick-analog-synth-with-ms-20-circuits-touch-fx-pattern-chaining
Looks fun, kick generator based around the MS-20 filter, and it has pattern chaining!
yes
I skipped the Volca FM, but this looks very exciting.
Dunno, looks a bit too doof-y for me, but I suppose it's how you use it. It's certainly true this series was aimed at doof kids but it does seem to me that that's how a lot of synths are marketed these days anyway since that's where most of the money must come from.
I got the Volka Bass earlier in the year and think it's great, used it for a few recordings. Very nice sound for a little synth, basically, and easy to use (I haven't actually exhausted all the features yet, just used what I wanted). I'd recommend it to anyone.
Just got MAKE NOISE - 0-COAST
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BS1a2T4FY4w
It is not a proper demo, just me fiddling around. This Thursday I will have a real stress test.
Sounds great... Although it seems difficult to learn (never tried any modular synth). Can you please make full feedback after stress test ?
Finally got the JP-08, plus the keyboard (this morning as it happens), so that's the whole series so far. More great sounds, the sliders seem a bit limited due to space but I suppose it's a matter of practice. Great sounds as always, this really is an excellent little collection of little synths. Had a fair bit of mileage out of the other two so far.
Having trouble with the keyboard though, the chord-thing that's meant to plug into the units just doesn't click. Anyone else had that issue? I'll look into it eventually, it's no majour issue.
I had some fun with the upcoming Korg Monologue today (I live next to the best synth retail shop in France and some Korg guy came to show some new Korg products.) I wasn't really convinced by the videos I saw online but after trying to push it as far as possible for 20 minutes or so (the shop dudes came to give me headphones at some point, haha), I can say it's a very interesting and powerful tool, capable of surprisingly brutal sounds (it has really good low end), and I'm sure it's going to sell well (it's going to cost like 330€ here.) It comes with a built-in step-sequencer, you can record your own sound presets and it also records your motions with its joystick, it's really nice. I just hate most of the presets in it, although some are really freaky, and I guess one can alter them in cool ways as well. Oh, and it's really well built, sturdy and tiny too.
Quote from: parapluie on September 21, 2016, 09:35:34 AM
Sounds great... Although it seems difficult to learn (never tried any modular synth). Can you please make full feedback after stress test ?
sorry, overlooked this.
well completely satisfied.
endless fun, sometime tricky, but well worth the money. It has the typical make noise feel, clear, brutal, dry mayhem, with intense throbbing patterns and high frequences that cuts like blades. it is almost a pity to add other effects, but I am a sucker for reverbs and delay... so I abused him in many ways.
somehow it is an evolved desktop version of the beloved DPO.
looks and sounds very good. :)
After acquiring a 0 coast a few months back I'm somewhat inclined to acquire a second one for additional complex patches and further insanity. Best desktop for the money I reckon.
I just don't want to start new topic (and it is still about quite small unit, haha) - what would you people recommend in the price and functionality range of MS20 mini? (Talking not so small...) my dream of functionality, power and sound specifics, of course, is Aturia's MatrixBrute, but if we talk less expensive and smaller units...any ideas? That patching and proper-sounding filters..as far as my research goes - I can't find anything similar to MS20 or at least close to it.
Quote from: tiny_tove on September 20, 2016, 11:30:11 PM
Just got MAKE NOISE - 0-COAST
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BS1a2T4FY4w
It is not a proper demo, just me fiddling around. This Thursday I will have a real stress test.
Would love to try one of these, no budget for it right now sadly!
Saw this linked from Sonicstate - Bastl Kastle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6oV6-shZpI) - a toy to some, most likely, but looks like a fun bit of kit that allows some modular tinkering and interfaces with other gear too and all for a sub-100eu pricepoint by the looks of things. Think I'd prefer a more robust enclosure for it but I guess not too difficult to DIY it into a bigger hammond box if needs be.
Good to know you can play tennis with it.
Quote from: Andrew McIntosh on December 07, 2016, 01:35:23 AM
Good to know you can play tennis with it.
Gives an alternative meaning to the ping-pong effect....
I'll get my coat.
got Volca kick yesterday. alone it would be useless, but as soon you add any kind of effects becomes very very interesting.
really like the ms20 filter
HOO BOY
http://www.dreadbox-fx.com/nyx/
got monologue
have not played with it that much but YES impressive bass frequencies - brown note effect on -
pre sets are mostly useless, effective sequences, looks nite and very light, yet robust.
will take it to studio to play with proper amplifiers on Thursday for first test
Quote from: tiny_tove on February 13, 2017, 02:30:36 PM
got monologue
have not played with it that much but YES impressive bass frequencies - brown note effect on -
pre sets are mostly useless, effective sequences, looks nite and very light, yet robust.
will take it to studio to play with proper amplifiers on Thursday for first test
Have fun :)
http://nozoid.com/ocs-2/
anybody knows this`?
Quote from: tiny_tove on March 07, 2017, 12:00:52 PM
http://nozoid.com/ocs-2/
anybody knows this`?
This looks fantastic. I like that there are 3 LFO's particularly.
a bit pricey, but still have two kidneys to sell
I recently got the Microbrute and I am very happy with it. Can get some great sounds of that little thing. The matrix board adds a lot more potential to get some strange sounds out of it, too.
It's a great sounding synth, I was using mine last night. Has a very pure sound, warm and bright, which for a lot of uses could benefit from added effects but certainly has initial energy for Power Electronic uses. I haven't used the sequencer much but from what I can see it's amazingly easy and effective.
These things look particularly interesting/useful.
The site also sells mic cable and piezo elements...
http://zeppelindesignlabs.com/product/macchiato/ (http://zeppelindesignlabs.com/product/macchiato/)
Cheap as hell too for what you get.
Apologies if this has been said already, but I find the Korg Volca keys to be pretty bloody versatile. You need to run it through distortion or overdrive to get any kind of volume out of it for a live setting (or just whack up the gain on your mixer) but there's a good mix of sounds and settings so you'll never be short of different sounds to use. Same goes for the Volca beats for a drum machine. I only use it very sparsely, a couple of kicks per bar to give the set a bit of momentum but there's lots more you can do with it.
Arturia Micro Brute is great too. I've found it to be a little temperamental at times and it's real shortcoming is that it's monophonic, but there's a great range of sounds you can get out of it, especially nice thick low and mid frequencies.
Quote from: NaturalOrthodoxy on May 11, 2017, 04:04:50 PM
Apologies if this has been said already, but I find the Korg Volca keys to be pretty bloody versatile. You need to run it through distortion or overdrive to get any kind of volume out of it for a live setting (or just whack up the gain on your mixer) but there's a good mix of sounds and settings so you'll never be short of different sounds to use. Same goes for the Volca beats for a drum machine. I only use it very sparsely, a couple of kicks per bar to give the set a bit of momentum but there's lots more you can do with it.
Arturia Micro Brute is great too. I've found it to be a little temperamental at times and it's real shortcoming is that it's monophonic, but there's a great range of sounds you can get out of it, especially nice thick low and mid frequencies.
Agreed with what you say about the Volca Keys. Good bang for the buck so to say. Haven't tried the Beats yet.
PRO TIP: get a decent mono 1/8" to XLR cable to connect your volcas to your mixer, and be able to actually hear the things
Quote from: Cementimental on May 11, 2017, 05:32:25 PM
PRO TIP: get a decent mono 1/8" to XLR cable to connect your volcas to your mixer, and be able to actually hear the things
Hadn't considered that, I'll definitely give that a go. Thanks!
Quote from: Sigil23 on May 11, 2017, 04:55:56 PMHaven't tried the Beats yet.
Unless you want to make dance type music I wouldn't bother. Probably the most limited of the series for PE/Industrial purposes. Just one drum sound, very very weak. Presumably you could put it through effects but I don't think it'd improve it. I didn't even bother after a few tries, going to sell mine.
Has anyone had any luck using the Volca sampler with a computer? You need to download a programme from Korg to synch with the unit to get samples onto it. I'm told it's possible.
arp desktop module
http://www.korg.com/us/products/synthesizers/arpodyssey_module/ (http://www.korg.com/us/products/synthesizers/arpodyssey_module/)
Looks interesting. From what I've read online it is possible to process audio via this unit.
Quote from: online prowler on May 12, 2017, 03:20:30 PM
arp desktop module
http://www.korg.com/us/products/synthesizers/arpodyssey_module/ (http://www.korg.com/us/products/synthesizers/arpodyssey_module/)
Looks interesting. From what I've read online it is possible to process audio via this unit.
I find myself liking tabletop synth's more and more. The short time I spent with the ARP Odyssey at my local synth store left me a bit frustrated with it when it comes to producing harsh sounds. I found it less obvious to handle than say some Korg stuff (MS20 obviously, or Mono/Mini-logues), or even Moogs. I just got myself a Minitaur and it sounds great. I already used it live to drill the audience's ears at our last gig and I can also get killer bass sounds that allow me to pretend I'm Klaus Schulze once I control it with an arpeggiator. Can't complain. But I do plan to get an Arp Odyssey at some point.
Quote from: Euro Trash Bazooka on May 18, 2017, 06:10:38 PM
arpeggiator.
What kind do you use? Software, table top device or synth? I am looking for this kind of software for mac. Recommendations are welcome.
For grit, violence and punch to your sound I would look at Metasonix modules or pedals. The recent F1 and F2 efx comes highly recommended.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6oV6-shZpI
GUYS
forget monotron and all the rest of the toy synth
this is the KING of small synths.
79 euro
semi modular
it can become really nasty even without effects... but hey, if you put effects it turns to a real beast
wil try to do a demo we all may enjoy
Quote from: online prowler on May 18, 2017, 11:41:13 PM
Quote from: Euro Trash Bazooka on May 18, 2017, 06:10:38 PM
arpeggiator.
What kind do you use? Software, table top device or synth? I am looking for this kind of software for mac. Recommendations are welcome.
For grit, violence and punch to your sound I would look at Metasonix modules or pedals. The recent F1 and F2 efx comes highly recommended.
I use an Arturia Keystep, which is a keyboard you use to control your tabletop gear and sync stuff. I'm not too satisfied with, I find it difficult to use and I don't know if it's because I'm not savvy enough or because the synth fucks up at time. I wanted to use it to sync my MS20 and my Drumbrute but I never managed to do it so far, and it's driving me nuts. Between the different cv format Korg uses, the wiring, the midi control centre/software to change the Keystep settings, etc, it's doing my head in. I didn't even mention the aftertouch issue with the MS20 (notes play when you release the keys, not when you press them, aaaarrgghh.) But the Minitaur works with the Keystep at times.
I also have an SQ1 but it doesn't work with the Drumbrute and I can't seem to manage to change the Minitaur's midi settings so that I can control its pitch like some do on Youtube. I think it's a calibration issue but I don't get what they say on forums about it.
Regarding DAWs, I don't know anything about them. I use Audacity and some VSTs (or 4/8-track tape recorder) but I wish I knew how to control my gear through softwares, being able to sequence them and record. And unfortunately I use Windows and not Mac so I can't help you there...
Tl,dr, sorry...
Quote from: tiny_tove on May 19, 2017, 12:25:33 AM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6oV6-shZpI
GUYS
forget monotron and all the rest of the toy synth
this is the KING of small synths.
79 euro
semi modular
it can become really nasty even without effects... but hey, if you put effects it turns to a real beast
wil try to do a demo we all may enjoy
Ive had one for a minute and I'm in love with it. Incredible little guy with very, very interesting possibilities. I'm super excited to hook it up with my new modular rig!
Quote from: Euro Trash Bazooka on May 22, 2017, 12:46:22 PM
Quote from: online prowler on May 18, 2017, 11:41:13 PM
Quote from: Euro Trash Bazooka on May 18, 2017, 06:10:38 PM
arpeggiator.
What kind do you use? Software, table top device or synth? I am looking for this kind of software for mac. Recommendations are welcome.
For grit, violence and punch to your sound I would look at Metasonix modules or pedals. The recent F1 and F2 efx comes highly recommended.
I use an Arturia Keystep, which is a keyboard you use to control your tabletop gear and sync stuff. I'm not too satisfied with, I find it difficult to use and I don't know if it's because I'm not savvy enough or because the synth fucks up at time. I wanted to use it to sync my MS20 and my Drumbrute but I never managed to do it so far, and it's driving me nuts. Between the different cv format Korg uses, the wiring, the midi control centre/software to change the Keystep settings, etc, it's doing my head in. I didn't even mention the aftertouch issue with the MS20 (notes play when you release the keys, not when you press them, aaaarrgghh.) But the Minitaur works with the Keystep at times.
I also have an SQ1 but it doesn't work with the Drumbrute and I can't seem to manage to change the Minitaur's midi settings so that I can control its pitch like some do on Youtube. I think it's a calibration issue but I don't get what they say on forums about it.
Regarding DAWs, I don't know anything about them. I use Audacity and some VSTs (or 4/8-track tape recorder) but I wish I knew how to control my gear through softwares, being able to sequence them and record. And unfortunately I use Windows and not Mac so I can't help you there...
Tl,dr, sorry...
I don't know about the keystep but the sq1 converts midi into cv so I think that is possible to sync the ms20 to whatever you want
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-vjCIiZ0Og
and everybody is getting crazy for this
https://www.roland.com/global/promos/roland_boutique/
Quote from: tiny_tove on June 20, 2017, 09:21:54 PM
and everybody is getting crazy for this
https://www.roland.com/global/promos/roland_boutique/
The price isn't as high as I expected on the new Roland. Those Boomstar's look cool but prices are ridiculous.
Quote from: bitewerksMTB on June 20, 2017, 11:26:22 PMThe price isn't as high as I expected on the new Roland. Those Boomstar's look cool but prices are ridiculous.
Looking a bit pricey down here but I'll wait a few months, the prices usually drop.
Aren't the Roland Boutique synths limited? I think they are, or at least the JP-08, JX-03 and JU-06 were. I remember when I asked my local synth store whether they had them or could have them they said it wasn't possible because of that. So I'd suggest you guys to act fast on that one...
They may be limited in production but the shop I get them from (https://www.storedj.com.au/studio-gear) tends to have them in stock for a while, often putting prices down in order to shift them (I see for example the vocoder synth is on special at $400 local dollars). I think what happens is they get a flurry of interest when the things are introduced which then dissipates and they end up with more stock than they need. Anyway, a lot of these units are bound to be sold second hand once the fashion lease expires on this trend. The doof crowd will move on leaving their former favourite things for everyone else.
Personally I'm not going to lose sleep if I don't get one of those. I've got enough desktop synths now to satisfy me to the end of life. Perhaps the only thing I'd aspire to now is a mini MS-20, and even then I'm in no hurry.
Quote from: Andrew McIntosh on May 12, 2017, 04:08:52 AM
Quote from: Sigil23 on May 11, 2017, 04:55:56 PMHaven't tried the Beats yet.
Has anyone had any luck using the Volca sampler with a computer? You need to download a programme from Korg to synch with the unit to get samples onto it. I'm told it's possible.
You don't need to use a computer - just download the Audio Pocket app onto your phone and it's super easy from there to record and load (via 1/8th cable from headphone jack) any sample you want into the Volca Sample. You'll need to erase a few of the pre-loaded sounds to make room for slightly longer samples. Also, the app has the original sounds/drums so you can reinstall them at any time. The app is either made by Korg or for Korg and there are instructions in the app as well.
Lots more manipulation possibilities with Volca Sample (pitch, attack, length, decay, etc...) than the Beats which I found rather limiting. This thing has some serious possibilities.
You're right, but the reason I asked whether anyone's done it with a computer is that I hardly use my phone and would rather have it done with a computer. Just a personal affectation, that's all.
Quote from: Andrew McIntosh on August 09, 2017, 05:44:09 AM
You're right, but the reason I asked whether anyone's done it with a computer is that I hardly use my phone and would rather have it done with a computer. Just a personal affectation, that's all.
Ah, ok. I haven't seen anything on how to load samples from a computer. I think the app sends certain signals unique to the app into Volca that then get translated into the recorded sample. As opposed to simply loading a sample directly, as you would into an old Electribe ES-1.
(I just found this as a possible computer solution) . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPmHhwkKmfg (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPmHhwkKmfg)
Thanks for that link, I got that programme, let's see if it works. I should have gone to YouTube first instead of ask here I realise now.
Quote from: Euro Trash Bazooka on June 22, 2017, 11:49:31 PM
Roland Boutique synths
To bad they connect to wall wart power through a mirco-USB port. fucking dumb discussion, don't expect the connector to last more than 2/3 years before needing repairs. And forget about doing live shows with them for long.
I've always just used batteries. Don't know what kind of issues you've had with using an adapter, or playing live. If you put in fresh batteries at the start of a gig they should last your entire set unless you're playing for something like four hours or so.
I recently began using batteries for these kind of devices as well and I wonder why I didn't think about it earlier. It makes everything so much simpler + less cables is always a good thing.
AT LAST!
https://www.roland.com/global/products/sh-01a/ (https://www.roland.com/global/products/sh-01a/)
just got my moog dfam.... a drum machine that can be turned into a very aggressive noise synth
excellent
Quote from: tiny_tove on March 08, 2018, 11:38:19 PM
just got my moog dfam.... a drum machine that can be turned into a very aggressive noise synth
excellent
Been wanting to pick one of these up since I saw the release, looks great
get it
you won't be disappointed.
Received a Bastl Kastle v1.5 today. I am quite blown away by it. An astoundingly good, tiny bit of kit.
Quote from: martialgodmask on April 24, 2018, 11:34:19 PM
Received a Bastl Kastle v1.5 today. I am quite blown away by it. An astoundingly good, tiny bit of kit.
A lot of power in that little guy. Hits them sub basses quite well.
Quote from: HONOR_IS_KING! on April 25, 2018, 12:35:38 AM
Quote from: martialgodmask on April 24, 2018, 11:34:19 PM
Received a Bastl Kastle v1.5 today. I am quite blown away by it. An astoundingly good, tiny bit of kit.
A lot of power in that little guy. Hits them sub basses quite well.
Even from just an initial plug-bits-in-at-random-and-twiddle perspective, it's very rich with sounds. Feel I am going to have a lot of fun with it.
Quote from: martialgodmask on April 25, 2018, 09:00:52 PM
Quote from: HONOR_IS_KING! on April 25, 2018, 12:35:38 AM
Quote from: martialgodmask on April 24, 2018, 11:34:19 PM
Received a Bastl Kastle v1.5 today. I am quite blown away by it. An astoundingly good, tiny bit of kit.
A lot of power in that little guy. Hits them sub basses quite well.
Even from just an initial plug-bits-in-at-random-and-twiddle perspective, it's very rich with sounds. Feel I am going to have a lot of fun with it.
Great little piece of gear!! Use it quite often. Hooked up to some pedals it gets even better.
have the previous version and plan to get also this
Quote from: tiny_tove on April 27, 2018, 04:16:15 PM
have the previous version and plan to get also this
Any other gear from Bastl you own/recommend ? Currently looking at their website and am quite in the mood of getting some more of their gear
Quote from: Kim V on April 28, 2018, 06:20:33 AM
Quote from: tiny_tove on April 27, 2018, 04:16:15 PM
have the previous version and plan to get also this
Any other gear from Bastl you own/recommend ? Currently looking at their website and am quite in the mood of getting some more of their gear
The Microgranny kick ass! This is a granular monophonic sampler.
Quote from: Kim V on April 28, 2018, 06:20:33 AM
Quote from: tiny_tove on April 27, 2018, 04:16:15 PM
have the previous version and plan to get also this
Any other gear from Bastl you own/recommend ? Currently looking at their website and am quite in the mood of getting some more of their gear
Now I know how good the Kastle is, I'm interested in this too.
Quote from: Kim V on April 27, 2018, 01:55:07 AM
Quote from: martialgodmask on April 25, 2018, 09:00:52 PM
Quote from: HONOR_IS_KING! on April 25, 2018, 12:35:38 AM
Quote from: martialgodmask on April 24, 2018, 11:34:19 PM
Received a Bastl Kastle v1.5 today. I am quite blown away by it. An astoundingly good, tiny bit of kit.
A lot of power in that little guy. Hits them sub basses quite well.
Even from just an initial plug-bits-in-at-random-and-twiddle perspective, it's very rich with sounds. Feel I am going to have a lot of fun with it.
Great little piece of gear!! Use it quite often. Hooked up to some pedals it gets even better.
Thanks for introduction, this one looks really great. It seems that even clumsy people like me could make something with it.
Interesting that Bastl is so cool, I thought it might be a little too constrained. Might pick one up sometime.
Anyway I saw the Alesis Micron dropped on page 1 of this thread, wanted to say it's pretty tailor-made for Japanoise-type sounds even unaffected. Run it through any cheap delay or distortion pedal and it's a freaking monster.
i just ordered a Moog Werkstatt-01 with the CV expansion. really excited to seeing what kind of sounds i can pull out of it.
anyone have experiences with it?
Quote from: andy vomit on May 01, 2018, 11:51:20 PM
i just ordered a Moog Werkstatt-01 with the CV expansion. really excited to seeing what kind of sounds i can pull out of it.
anyone have experiences with it?
Werkstatt-01 with the CV expansion has been featured on many Koufar/TCU releases in the past three-four years. Its a great piece of gear Andy. It pairs really REALLY well with another semi modular synth.
Quote from: HONOR_IS_KING! on May 02, 2018, 09:34:20 PM
Quote from: andy vomit on May 01, 2018, 11:51:20 PM
i just ordered a Moog Werkstatt-01 with the CV expansion. really excited to seeing what kind of sounds i can pull out of it.
anyone have experiences with it?
Werkstatt-01 with the CV expansion has been featured on many Koufar/TCU releases in the past three-four years. Its a great piece of gear Andy. It pairs really REALLY well with another semi modular synth.
it seems i've chosen wisely, then.
Quote from: andy vomit on May 02, 2018, 10:46:51 PM
Quote from: HONOR_IS_KING! on May 02, 2018, 09:34:20 PM
Quote from: andy vomit on May 01, 2018, 11:51:20 PM
i just ordered a Moog Werkstatt-01 with the CV expansion. really excited to seeing what kind of sounds i can pull out of it.
anyone have experiences with it?
Werkstatt-01 with the CV expansion has been featured on many Koufar/TCU releases in the past three-four years. Its a great piece of gear Andy. It pairs really REALLY well with another semi modular synth.
it seems i've chosen wisely, then.
Absolutely, deep sound palette and really depending on what you're hooking it up with, truly endless possibilities. My favorite combo was to have the Microbrute and the Werkstatt modulating each other while running both outputs into two channels.
Price and footprint may make this thing interesting...
http://www.ikmultimedia.com/products/unosynth/
Quote from: martialgodmask on April 24, 2018, 11:34:19 PM
Received a Bastl Kastle v1.5 today. I am quite blown away by it. An astoundingly good, tiny bit of kit.
I was pretty surprised about the amount of sounds that can be pulled from this thing. Just wish it had a 1/4" jack.
I played around with the Werkstatt+CV for an hour and was very surprised to find that it doesn't have a gate input to trigger the EG, that seems like one of the basic functions of a semi modular (to sequence it with SQ-1 or something like that) and a weird thing to omit.
Quote from: tiny_tove on November 25, 2016, 12:09:45 AM
Quote from: parapluie on September 21, 2016, 09:35:34 AM
Sounds great... Although it seems difficult to learn (never tried any modular synth). Can you please make full feedback after stress test ?
sorry, overlooked this.
well completely satisfied.
endless fun, sometime tricky, but well worth the money. It has the typical make noise feel, clear, brutal, dry mayhem, with intense throbbing patterns and high frequences that cuts like blades. it is almost a pity to add other effects, but I am a sucker for reverbs and delay... so I abused him in many ways.
somehow it is an evolved desktop version of the beloved DPO.
looks and sounds very good. :)
Quite keen on getting an 0-coast, its on my list of possible next purchases.
I recently got a Behringer Neutron.
pretty cheap for what you get eventhough it is Behringer.
Quote from: urall on June 06, 2019, 11:54:18 AM
I recently got a Behringer Neutron.
pretty cheap for what you get eventhough it is Behringer.
I was actually just going to start a thread about Behringer pedals? Wasn't sure about their quality. But this seems interesting to check out too.
There are some ok Behringer pedals and a bunch of bad ones. I tried a Neutron and it was ok, though nothing to write home about. And it's Behringer.
Personally, I hate Behringer with a passion, and I also hate people who buy plenty of cheap gear because it makes for cheap music to me. Although obviously, some cheap stuff can be very good. But I go for the quality over quantity route all the time and I think it's worth it. I'd rather buy less and better.
No Coast is good for what is, and a good entry point to the modular world. With that being said, it's important to keep in mind that MN is a company people into modular feel VERY strongly about (on both sides of the spectrum) and one of the reasons is the fact most of their gear is difficult to grasp when you have no clear idea about what you're getting into because of their graphic designs. I think a No Coast is not going to help if you want to understand what you're doing and you're just beginning in the modular world. For instance, I have a Maths, which I love, but I had to change its panel because it made no sense to me, with its arrows everywhere, its odd lettering, etc...
Oh, and slightly related, two months ago I bought new monitors for my synths and "studio" (lol), like, proper ones made for mixing and stuff (they weren't that expensive, a few hundred euros.) Needless to say, I rediscovered all my gear and it definitely made the experience of using it much better. People shouldn't pass on good monitors.
Well I've been outbid on eBay a couple of times now on the 0coast so I guess its not meant to be right now. Agreed the interface looks cluttered, but essentially its 6 or 7 Eurorack modules in a box so I thinking would get to grips with it.
Also agreed on the power of good monitors! My neighbours complained about my sound in the garage so I've gone back to headphones for a short while though....
Quote from: Euro Trash Bazooka on June 08, 2019, 09:23:31 AM
There are some ok Behringer pedals and a bunch of bad ones. I tried a Neutron and it was ok, though nothing to write home about. And it's Behringer.
Personally, I hate Behringer with a passion, and I also hate people who buy plenty of cheap gear because it makes for cheap music to me. Although obviously, some cheap stuff can be very good. But I go for the quality over quantity route all the time and I think it's worth it. I'd rather buy less and better.
No Coast is good for what is, and a good entry point to the modular world. With that being said, it's important to keep in mind that MN is a company people into modular feel VERY strongly about (on both sides of the spectrum) and one of the reasons is the fact most of their gear is difficult to grasp when you have no clear idea about what you're getting into because of their graphic designs. I think a No Coast is not going to help if you want to understand what you're doing and you're just beginning in the modular world. For instance, I have a Maths, which I love, but I had to change its panel because it made no sense to me, with its arrows everywhere, its odd lettering, etc...
Oh, and slightly related, two months ago I bought new monitors for my synths and "studio" (lol), like, proper ones made for mixing and stuff (they weren't that expensive, a few hundred euros.) Needless to say, I rediscovered all my gear and it definitely made the experience of using it much better. People shouldn't pass on good monitors.
Thank you for the feedback. Very valuable information, I'm just starting to make music again and looking for gear and figured I would ask. Definitely going to avoid behringer now. I rather spend the extra money and have better equipment. I always figured a 20 30 dollar pedal wouldn't sound to good.
i use arturia microbrute and korg volca fm at the moment. both are good for p.e. but the microbrute is a little limited, while the fm can make nice, industrial-sounding sounds, but is a bit tricky to program. i would like a second analogue mono synth, maybe one of the cheaper semi-modulars ala behringer's neutron. would also like a waldorf blofeld for more layered, wavetable-based stuff. also, drone boxes like electro-faust's drone thing and the blackdeath granular noise synthesizer looks interesting for more chaotic synth sounds. it seems that it is pretty cheap in this day and age to acquire a simple setup for industrial music if you know what you are looking for... i've never owned any vintage synths though, except for a roland jx-8p if that counts, which was good, but way too heavy and the programming interface was outdated
Quote from: Hemwick on June 08, 2019, 05:40:08 PM
Quote from: Euro Trash Bazooka on June 08, 2019, 09:23:31 AM
Blah blah blah.
Thank you for the feedback. Very valuable information, I'm just starting to make music again and looking for gear and figured I would ask. Definitely going to avoid behringer now. I rather spend the extra money and have better equipment. I always figured a 20 30 dollar pedal wouldn't sound to good.
You're very welcome. Less is more, especially when buying complex machines like semi-modulars. I think the learning curve with modular synths is really steep. It keeps them interesting but I believe it's important to know why we buy something, especially with the overwhelming (although welcome) availability and choice of what we can buy nowadays. And a $20 pedal can sound amazing if you make it yourself
Quote from: urall on June 06, 2019, 11:54:18 AM
I recently got a Behringer Neutron.
pretty cheap for what you get eventhough it is Behringer.
I think the Neutron is really cool - I've been playing with it a lot and get a lot out of it, for $300 with a free arturia keystep and a pack of nice patch cables it was well worth a pick up
Quote from: Acne on June 11, 2019, 12:22:29 AM
Quote from: urall on June 06, 2019, 11:54:18 AM
I recently got a Behringer Neutron.
pretty cheap for what you get eventhough it is Behringer.
I think the Neutron is really cool - I've been playing with it a lot and get a lot out of it, for $300 with a free arturia keystep and a pack of nice patch cables it was well worth a pick up
It is very tempting. Almost like a gateway drug into the modular world. Might splash out, theres an ex-demo going cheap on eBay
Quote from: Soloman Tump
It is very tempting. Almost like a gateway drug into the modular world. Might splash out, theres an ex-demo going cheap on eBay
Be careful there. Modular IS a drug and "eurocrack" didn't appear as an expression out of nowhere. It is great, really, but first you buy Doepfer and Behringer and then you end up drooling on Buchlas. It's definitely not a cheap hobby, and you also don't want to try to save on PSUs, racks and monitors (because buying really expensive gear and listening to it throigh cheap computer speakers or not powering it well doesn't really make sense.)
Quote from: Euro Trash Bazooka on June 11, 2019, 07:10:13 PM
Quote from: Soloman Tump
It is very tempting. Almost like a gateway drug into the modular world. Might splash out, theres an ex-demo going cheap on eBay
Be careful there. Modular IS a drug and "eurocrack" didn't appear as an expression out of nowhere. It is great, really, but first you buy Doepfer and Behringer and then you end up drooling on Buchlas. It's definitely not a cheap hobby, and you also don't want to try to save on PSUs, racks and monitors (because buying really expensive gear and listening to it throigh cheap computer speakers or not powering it well doesn't really make sense.)
The way I figure, money's got to go somewhere:)
Then go for it, sir, it's an amazing world for sure. Just don't go too fast and buy wisely.
Anyone here ever used a Volca Modular? If so, what are the pro / cons of the unit? Seems like a few people on this thread liked the Volca synths.
Quote from: duckworship on June 13, 2019, 09:09:13 PM
Anyone here ever used a Volca Modular? If so, what are the pro / cons of the unit? Seems like a few people on this thread liked the Volca synths.
if you dont mind the tiny form factor, it's a great bit of kit for the price.
I had a good play with the modular, real fun. Probably wouldn't survive 5 minutes if you intend to play out live with it though.
Anyone fiddled with synths by JMT? I have one that has 4 sensor buttons that alter the sound in pretty nasty ways. You can't get 'normal' synth sounds from the model I have so it's mostly good for just rough noise.
I've been eyeing Trogotronic synths as they have an input that would be good for destruction of vocals/feedback, loops, etc.
I know shit about modular. I've used an MS-10 for years n' years but only the input along with white and pink noise. I've connected various others but they never seem to do much so I'm either doing it wrong or they're not working. I've never bothered to look for any sort of instructions or map as I've never had enough cables to really get it going.
Quote from: bitewerksMTB on June 13, 2019, 11:09:34 PM
Anyone fiddled with synths by JMT? I have one that has 4 sensor buttons that alter the sound in pretty nasty ways. You can't get 'normal' synth sounds from the model I have so it's mostly good for just rough noise.
I've been eyeing Trogotronic synths as they have an input that would be good for destruction of vocals/feedback, loops, etc.
I know shit about modular. I've used an MS-10 for years n' years but only the input along with white and pink noise. I've connected various others but they never seem to do much so I'm either doing it wrong or they're not working. I've never bothered to look for any sort of instructions or map as I've never had enough cables to really get it going.
I had 2 synths made by JMT, and one was better than the other, but they were "limited". I remember liking the SNB-2b for what it was worth. I wouldn't mind getting another synth by them, although I think the pricing is a bit
astronomical (but that's common with boutique synth / pedal builders).
I would love to have something by Trogotronic, mainly something small and compact like the ms657. Anyone on here ever used that specific model?
No idea if anyone here ever mentioned Electro Lobotomy, but I have a few things by them and they're one of the few "noisemaker" devices I've kept with me on hand: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ElectroLobotomy
I have the 12 oscillator JMT drone synth. I love it and constantly use it; simply running it through a distortion creates a thick wall of sound, reverb pairs very well with it too. Intuitive, reliable, pretty much exactly what I was looking for. I would love to try one of their noise synths but they are rather pricey.
I also happen to have an MS657. Imo, it is all you need when it comes to trogotronic noise synths; they are so brutally unstable that the controls on the higher models seem superfluous. It really requires time to learn how to get what sounds you want out of it, but its worth the payoff, and if you note the switch and knob positions, everything is replicable. Insane shrieks, sputtering feedback, hell you can even tease out some rudimentary beats from it. Truly a ton of fun to play with, with enormous depth. I have had it produce some utterly insane sounds paired with other gears/pedals-once during a live gig it somehow it somehow seemed to be modulating my bandmates vocals as I had one of his outs running to the input. It has a habit of overwhelming other pieces of gear, and even at zero gain it will be audible. Nelson actually just put out a new Geronimo record which I am sure will showcase his 'insect war electronics'.
Linked here https://geronimo31g.bandcamp.com/album/obsolete
The other JMT I was considering is the UNVO-1 but now I'm seriously thinking about the Trogo 669cv b/c of the input & he just replied to my email with very detailed answers to my questions. Plus his synth is a little more affordable than the JMT.
I'm not sure I've checked out the Trogo 657 yet...
Quote from: bitewerksMTB on June 14, 2019, 03:30:07 AM
The other JMT I was considering is the UNVO-1 but now I'm seriously thinking about the Trogo 669cv b/c of the input & he just replied to my email with very detailed answers to my questions. Plus his synth is a little more affordable than the JMT.
I'm not sure I've checked out the Trogo 657 yet...
That's the other JMT synth I had - wasn't really in love with it the whole way. Although, there were some interesting sounds.
Anyone ever used the Arturia MicroFreak? Seems like an interesting small synth with a digital / analog hybrid footprint.
Also, I've been eyeing the Behringer MS-101 (clone of the SH-101). Is it worth $329.99 with the additional features of frequency modulation?
Quote from: duckworship on June 14, 2019, 12:35:48 AMI would love to have something by Trogotronic, mainly something small and compact like the ms657. Anyone on here ever used that specific model?
would also like to hear if anyone has used this particular model
Quote from: duckworship on June 14, 2019, 09:49:23 PM
Quote from: bitewerksMTB on June 14, 2019, 03:30:07 AM
The other JMT I was considering is the UNVO-1 but now I'm seriously thinking about the Trogo 669cv b/c of the input & he just replied to my email with very detailed answers to my questions. Plus his synth is a little more affordable than the JMT.
I'm not sure I've checked out the Trogo 657 yet...
That's the other JMT synth I had - wasn't really in love with it the whole way. Although, there were some interesting sounds.
What was it about the Unvo-1 you did not like?
Quote from: bitewerksMTB on June 15, 2019, 02:45:33 AM
Quote from: duckworship on June 14, 2019, 09:49:23 PM
Quote from: bitewerksMTB on June 14, 2019, 03:30:07 AM
The other JMT I was considering is the UNVO-1 but now I'm seriously thinking about the Trogo 669cv b/c of the input & he just replied to my email with very detailed answers to my questions. Plus his synth is a little more affordable than the JMT.
I'm not sure I've checked out the Trogo 657 yet...
That's the other JMT synth I had - wasn't really in love with it the whole way. Although, there were some interesting sounds.
What was it about the Unvo-1 you did not like?
Although there was some potential with the synth, I felt like it was very limited. Most of the sounds I got out of it were no different than those one-trick "drone boxes" a lot of people make and sell on eBay. I think the addition of the noise generator and the filter was one of the better parts of it though.
I really wish I didn't get rid of the SNB-2b JMT made, and it has a 3 band EQ. I felt like I got more sounds out of that than the UNVO-1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6UjAObapDk
So I've had the Behringer Neutron for 2 days. It is very versatile. Tonight I patched the noise out to LFO in and hooked up my Volca Kick - instant drum machine insanity.
Fun!
Been eyeballing the IK UNO Synth. I know it was mentioned previously on this thread, but not a lot of talk about it. Looking at the features that it has makes me think it's way more friendly compared to them Korg Volca synths.
Seeing them go used for roughly 150 bucks. Has anyone here used this synth?
Seen this advertised the other day - seems like a worthwhile piece of gear.
FM Synth
https://outerspacesounds.com/mostro/
Quote from: Potier on August 23, 2019, 12:34:38 AM
Seen this advertised the other day - seems like a worthwhile piece of gear.
FM Synth
https://outerspacesounds.com/mostro/
Looks beautiful, right up my alley and a great price point. FM synthesis is something I'd love to get into at some point but simply haven't made the dive. I've been looking to upgrade to the new Organelle but this is tempting in its simplicity.
Has anyone fooled around with the Elta Music Polivoks Mini Analog Synthesizer? It looks good, well-built, has features I think are necessary (noise & an input). It's a little expensive; I'm still thinking on one of the Trogotronic synths as they are a bit more affordable but the Polivok seems to be closer to a traditional synth while the Trogo's would
suit best for sheer noise...? I'm thinking on these for the future once I get past the medical b.s. I plan on getting back to live performances so variety in sounds along with
being small is good.
Quote from: bitewerksMTB on November 07, 2019, 11:50:57 PM
Has anyone fooled around with the Elta Music Polivoks Mini Analog Synthesizer? It looks good, well-built, has features I think are necessary (noise & an input). It's a little expensive; I'm still thinking on one of the Trogotronic synths as they are a bit more affordable but the Polivok seems to be closer to a traditional synth while the Trogo's would
suit best for sheer noise...? I'm thinking on these for the future once I get past the medical b.s. I plan on getting back to live performances so variety in sounds along with
being small is good.
can only speak to the polivoks in general (had some hands on time w an OG that was recently serviced) and the filter alone is worth the price of admission. glorious piece of kit.
Quote from: Harvest on November 08, 2019, 12:03:43 AM
Quote from: bitewerksMTB on November 07, 2019, 11:50:57 PM
Has anyone fooled around with the Elta Music Polivoks Mini Analog Synthesizer? It looks good, well-built, has features I think are necessary (noise & an input). It's a little expensive; I'm still thinking on one of the Trogotronic synths as they are a bit more affordable but the Polivok seems to be closer to a traditional synth while the Trogo's would
suit best for sheer noise...? I'm thinking on these for the future once I get past the medical b.s. I plan on getting back to live performances so variety in sounds along with
being small is good.
can only speak to the polivoks in general (had some hands on time w an OG that was recently serviced) and the filter alone is worth the price of admission. glorious piece of kit.
i kinda want one, but then at the same time i wish it was semi-modular. i recently bought an ms-20 mini (finally) and the patch bay is magnificent, i don't know if i want a monosynth without one anymore
Quote
i kinda want one, but then at the same time i wish it was semi-modular. i recently bought an ms-20 mini (finally) and the patch bay is magnificent, i don't know if i want a monosynth without one anymore
In some cases you do. Not all patchbay-free monosynths have the same architecture or internal routing. I'm just saying so because I have one of such synths whose way of making sounds I have never found anywhere else (and it sounds killer too.) And as far as I am concerned, the MS20 patch bay is illegible and makes no sense at all. I don't want to remember how to make the same 3 or 4 patches by heart, I want for the patchbay to seem logical and help me develop my creativity or inspire me, which it doesn't. But that's just me I guess.
Quote from: host body on November 13, 2019, 02:39:57 PM
i kinda want one, but then at the same time i wish it was semi-modular.
elta also has a eurorack version of polivoks: https://www.eltamusic.com/polivoks-pm-02
Quote from: Euro Trash Bazooka on November 14, 2019, 03:22:42 PM
And as far as I am concerned, the MS20 patch bay is illegible and makes no sense at all.
i, on the other hand, never had any problems with it
maybe that's because it was my first patchable hardware synth, so i had no preconceptions regarding what makes sense and what doesn't :)
Quote from: Euro Trash Bazooka on November 14, 2019, 03:22:42 PM
Quote
i kinda want one, but then at the same time i wish it was semi-modular. i recently bought an ms-20 mini (finally) and the patch bay is magnificent, i don't know if i want a monosynth without one anymore
In some cases you do. Not all patchbay-free monosynths have the same architecture or internal routing. I'm just saying so because I have one of such synths whose way of making sounds I have never found anywhere else (and it sounds killer too.) And as far as I am concerned, the MS20 patch bay is illegible and makes no sense at all. I don't want to remember how to make the same 3 or 4 patches by heart, I want for the patchbay to seem logical and help me develop my creativity or inspire me, which it doesn't. But that's just me I guess.
it has it's own internal logic, but yeah i've never really used any other modular or semi-modular synth so learning modular patching with the ms-20 has probably helped me get to grips with it. it hasn't been easy tho! i used to have a minitaur and my bandmate has a moog model D, so i'm familiar with other great monosynths. now i fear i'm headed towards eurorack, hah.
part of my why it seems so esoteric is because there's little to no actual visual information on the synth itself, just the name of the different ports. i don't want my synth to look like this so i haven't bought one, but checking these overlays while patching helped me understand the logic more:
(https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5ca11b_7bc5c3157c084b139f552ae6049c7007~mv2_d_3734_2133_s_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_965,h_551,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01/5ca11b_7bc5c3157c084b139f552ae6049c7007~mv2_d_3734_2133_s_2.webp)
I have both the MS20 Mini and the Minitaur. I LOVE the Minitaur and hate Moog for releasing the Sirin. I'm sure their arguments about the hardware inside the Minitaur being limited after a certain pitch is marketing bs.
And the MS20 is my first semi modular synth as well but I had to get into full modular and buy modules with dedicated functions to understand how to use them in the context of the MS20. That was too much too quick for me.
And Erica Synths also has released Polivoks filters for eurorack before.
Quote from: host body on November 14, 2019, 06:50:25 PM
(https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5ca11b_7bc5c3157c084b139f552ae6049c7007~mv2_d_3734_2133_s_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_965,h_551,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01/5ca11b_7bc5c3157c084b139f552ae6049c7007~mv2_d_3734_2133_s_2.webp)
Jesus Christ
Quote from: deutscheasphalt on November 14, 2019, 07:09:35 PM
Quote from: host body on November 14, 2019, 06:50:25 PM
(https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5ca11b_7bc5c3157c084b139f552ae6049c7007~mv2_d_3734_2133_s_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_965,h_551,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01/5ca11b_7bc5c3157c084b139f552ae6049c7007~mv2_d_3734_2133_s_2.webp)
Jesus Christ
ugly as fuck, hah! he's got a bunch of different ones and they're all as ugly: https://www.oversynth.com/blank-page
Quote from: Euro Trash Bazooka on November 14, 2019, 07:00:29 PM
I have both the MS20 Mini and the Minitaur. I LOVE the Minitaur and hate Moog for releasing the Sirin. I'm sure their arguments about the hardware inside the Minitaur being limited after a certain pitch is marketing bs.
for sure, total bs. i was really surprised there were no mods that i could find that would open the higher octaves for minitaur. i didn't really want to sell it, but my setup only has room for 2 synths and i really wanted an ms-20 and to keep my d.r.a.r.t. drone synth. i'm now thinking of switching it for something else though, maybe a lyra 8 since it has no midi and i can't use a sequencer with it. or maybe a dreadbox erebus since it's semi-modular, has a pretty good reverb built in and a friend of mine has one & i love what he does with it
Quote from: host body on November 14, 2019, 07:14:50 PM
ugly as fuck, hah! he's got a bunch of different ones and they're all as ugly: https://www.oversynth.com/blank-page
What a waste of money too. The signal flow is presented on the synth itself clear as day and is then covered by this atrocity of an overlay? If subtractive synthesis is not understood then there's always the manual.
Quote from: deutscheasphalt on November 14, 2019, 07:24:44 PM
Quote from: host body on November 14, 2019, 07:14:50 PM
ugly as fuck, hah! he's got a bunch of different ones and they're all as ugly: https://www.oversynth.com/blank-page
What a waste of money too. The signal flow is presented on the synth itself clear as day and is then covered by this atrocity of an overlay? If subtractive synthesis is not understood then there's always the manual.
yeah i agree, it's a waste of 30 bucks for sure. but i did find that picture somewhat useful when i started making my own patches. the layout of the ports is a bit messy, as opposed to say the erebus or other more modern synths:
(https://media.sweetwater.com/api/i/q-82__ha-8da14e6bc32da1e1__hmac-98c8998855fb891083d799ab6d74a13c407a3fd3/images/items/750/ErebusV3-large.jpg)
The layout of the ports was created by god himself in his own image and thus they are perfect.
Quote from: deutscheasphalt on November 14, 2019, 07:33:43 PM
The layout of the ports was created by god himself in his own image and thus they are perfect.
god works for behringer now
Quote from: host body on November 14, 2019, 07:14:50 PM
ugly as fuck, hah! he's got a bunch of different ones and they're all as ugly: https://www.oversynth.com/blank-page
eh, the green one is passable. the white one reminds me of the new moog grandmother/matriarch series with the "beginner friendly" color coding.
Honestly, I'd rather have useful over "nice looking." Did you guys have a look at the new module series Dreadbox just released? Also I enjoy color-coding. I try to keep one for patches as well as it helps me understand faster what does what.
Also, I back the Erebus and the Nyx by Dreadbox. Two close friends I often jam with have them. They're easy to use and sound OK. My friends sure love them.
Also, Lyra-8 seems pretty cool but it looks like a one-trick poney (well, it sure is a massive hors actually) and you can't reproduce any you do twice from what I gather, because of the controllers. Hopefully I'm wrong.
Quote from: Euro Trash Bazooka on November 14, 2019, 11:42:58 PM
you can't reproduce any you do twice from what I gather, because of the controllers. Hopefully I'm wrong.
this seems like the appeal of the device to me
For that price I'd make myself a nice eurorack case with more functions.
Maybe I see this with a live context in mind, I don't know.
Yeah, like a rich man's Monotron or something.
thanks for that lyra-8 mention, didnt know it before. looks amazing tbh
I made this track using only the Behringer Neutron. No overdubs or post-processing, just hit record and jammed away for an hour. This recording is 20 minutes of that session. Quite fun and versatile, there was some live patching and just tweaking of knobs.... It turned into a sort of acidic ambient nightmare.
Might be of interest to some in this thread.
https://soundcloud.com/soloman-tump/memories-of-a-torrent
http://www.synthtopia.com/content/2020/01/14/korg-intros-four-ms-20-fs-synthesizers/ (http://www.synthtopia.com/content/2020/01/14/korg-intros-four-ms-20-fs-synthesizers/)
I see the full size MS20 is now back in production; no prices yet though...
Quote from: Cauldhame on January 14, 2020, 09:43:14 AM
http://www.synthtopia.com/content/2020/01/14/korg-intros-four-ms-20-fs-synthesizers/ (http://www.synthtopia.com/content/2020/01/14/korg-intros-four-ms-20-fs-synthesizers/)
I see the full size MS20 is now back in production; no prices yet though...
A Khaki MS20... fucking hell....that's got my name on it for sure....and I thought I was the man who had everything!
I guess I'll play Negative Nancy for a bit here...
Original MS-20 - KVLT
MS-20 Mini - smaller, lighter & cheaper
MS-20M - better form factor, a bunch of useful extra features
MS-2020 - KHAKI PAINT, WOW!!!!1111
Choices, choices, choices... :)
Quote from: A-Z on January 16, 2020, 11:59:04 AM
I guess I'll play Negative Nancy for a bit here...
Original MS-20 - KVLT
MS-20 Mini - smaller, lighter & cheaper
MS-20M - better form factor, a bunch of useful extra features
MS-2020 - KHAKI PAINT, WOW!!!!1111
Choices, choices, choices... :)
Amen.
I have the MS20 Mini, like a bunch of us on here. There's the whole OG Korg MS range at my music school, MS10, MS20, MS50 and the SQ10 sequencer.
I hardly ever used my MS20 anymore but since I got to tinker with the OG one, I'm pretty certain my MS20 Mini is doomed to stay in the shelf forever.
There's also a Synthi at the music school. Now if someone (not Behringer) made a good reissue of it...
i love my mini but there's no reason for the awkward shape other than nostalgia. it should be half its height. really thinking about modding the case to look like this:
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FMBJEkaC8Lw/R5kaW9NGC1I/AAAAAAAAOGQ/bFvihwUFbKY/s400/MS20_03.jpg)
I was curious if anybody here have try out the new Behringer Wasp Deluxe or the K2?
Quote from: Sektion1 on January 24, 2020, 08:25:32 PM
I was curious if anybody here have try out the new Behringer Wasp Deluxe or the K2?
This is the first I've heard of the Behringer Wasp Deluxe. I recently got a fully-constructed Jasper for about $80 more than what the Deluxe is going for now. Not sure why Behringer didn't include the keyboard since that's such an iconic part of the Wasp, but from some of the videos out there, it sounds really good. Not that I'd expect anything else since they seem to be taking the cloning thing very seriously lately
Quote from: Pigswill on January 25, 2020, 06:35:29 AM
Quote from: Sektion1 on January 24, 2020, 08:25:32 PM
I was curious if anybody here have try out the new Behringer Wasp Deluxe or the K2?
This is the first I've heard of the Behringer Wasp Deluxe. I recently got a fully-constructed Jasper for about $80 more than what the Deluxe is going for now. Not sure why Behringer didn't include the keyboard since that's such an iconic part of the Wasp, but from some of the videos out there, it sounds really good. Not that I'd expect anything else since they seem to be taking the cloning thing very seriously lately
i read that it's apparently a 1:1 clone of the jasper, hah.
Quote from: host body on January 26, 2020, 08:39:49 PM
Quote from: Pigswill on January 25, 2020, 06:35:29 AM
Quote from: Sektion1 on January 24, 2020, 08:25:32 PM
I was curious if anybody here have try out the new Behringer Wasp Deluxe or the K2?
This is the first I've heard of the Behringer Wasp Deluxe. I recently got a fully-constructed Jasper for about $80 more than what the Deluxe is going for now. Not sure why Behringer didn't include the keyboard since that's such an iconic part of the Wasp, but from some of the videos out there, it sounds really good. Not that I'd expect anything else since they seem to be taking the cloning thing very seriously lately
i read that it's apparently a 1:1 clone of the jasper, hah.
I'm not too surprised given that the schematics and instructions are freely available (https://www.jaspersynth.co.uk/documentation/). I might have to pick up one anyways since they're a lot of fun and sound great
Quote from: Sektion1 on January 24, 2020, 08:25:32 PM
I was curious if anybody here have try out the new Behringer Wasp Deluxe or the K2?
there are quite detailed overviews of both on YT:
https://youtu.be/TFIwQXpO2K0
https://youtu.be/fMpZApFVGMQ
https://youtu.be/u3jA6RMsvz8
btw, of all the Behringer's clones Pro-1 seems to be the most convincing one so far:
https://youtu.be/T4LN3BZGrog
On a friend's recommendation I've just purchased the Bastl Kastle mini modular synth. I'm totally new to the world of modular so I'm excited to get to grips with this tiny thing. I've been told it's got a pretty powerful sound for such a wee machine and can get some good "Tesco-style" industrial drones out of it.
https://birdkids.org/tb42hpteaser/
Birdkids Bateleur - essentially a 42hp modular synth voice built as a standalone.
Quote from: Potier on February 11, 2020, 12:18:48 AM
https://birdkids.org/tb42hpteaser/
Birdkids Bateleur - essentially a 42hp modular synth voice built as a standalone.
Nice, but they want 1200 euro's for it? Crazy.
Quote from: Soloman Tump on February 11, 2020, 10:20:00 AM
Quote from: Potier on February 11, 2020, 12:18:48 AM
https://birdkids.org/tb42hpteaser/
Birdkids Bateleur - essentially a 42hp modular synth voice built as a standalone.
Nice, but they want 1200 euro's for it? Crazy.
Yes, definitely not anywhere near cheap. It seems this builder is more on the boutique design side and that costs extra. Cannot comment on these modules and their "bang for the buck value" but I just saw this the other day while digging on modulargrid and figured someone here might want to spend their tax refund or whatever. :-)
Quote from: NaturalOrthodoxy on February 10, 2020, 01:44:19 PM
On a friend's recommendation I've just purchased the Bastl Kastle mini modular synth. I'm totally new to the world of modular so I'm excited to get to grips with this tiny thing. I've been told it's got a pretty powerful sound for such a wee machine and can get some good "Tesco-style" industrial drones out of it.
Smart move. There is a lot of power in those and I can easily cite it as a great reference and learning tool to modular synthesis.
Little guy packs a punch and can get some real powerful sub bass out of it.
Quote from: HONOR_IS_KING! on February 11, 2020, 08:40:19 PM
Quote from: NaturalOrthodoxy on February 10, 2020, 01:44:19 PM
On a friend's recommendation I've just purchased the Bastl Kastle mini modular synth. I'm totally new to the world of modular so I'm excited to get to grips with this tiny thing. I've been told it's got a pretty powerful sound for such a wee machine and can get some good "Tesco-style" industrial drones out of it.
Smart move. There is a lot of power in those and I can easily cite it as a great reference and learning tool to modular synthesis.
Little guy packs a punch and can get some real powerful sub bass out of it.
Received it yesterday. This thing is so much fun and I'm looking forward to getting to grips with it more comprehensively. I've read the manual and tried applying the knowledge in a methodical way but I feel like I'm learning more by intuitively patching shit to other shit and seeing where it gets me. When composing PE/industrial tracks I like having a low rumbling bass element and then a harsher part overlaid (the "riff"!) so I can see this being perfect for that.
Can anyone maybe recommend a small synth for beginners, respectively give an advice or have experience with the Korg MS20 mini in comparison to the Berhinger K2 / Wasp or even Neutron (just found these ones as possible alternatives), beside the already mentioned Youtube videos?
As I'm more or less new when it comes to creating own sounds, I'm a bit unsure which aspects I should exactly care about or what I need. And the MS20 mini is ~ 200,- € more expensive than the mentioned types of Behringer. Musical-wise it should go definitely into Death Industrial and Power Electronics, but also I'm also open to melodic influences (like Feindflug for example) or Industrial Techno beats.
Thanks a lot in advance!
Quote from: dreadfulmirror on February 19, 2020, 04:27:14 PM
Can anyone maybe recommend a small synth for beginners, respectively give an advice or have experience with the Korg MS20 mini in comparison to the Berhinger K2 / Wasp or even Neutron (just found these ones as possible alternatives), beside the already mentioned Youtube videos?
As I'm more or less new when it comes to creating own sounds, I'm a bit unsure which aspects I should exactly care about or what I need. And the MS20 mini is ~ 200,- € more expensive than the mentioned types of Behringer. Musical-wise it should go definitely into Death Industrial and Power Electronics, but also I'm also open to melodic influences (like Feindflug for example) or Industrial Techno beats.
Thanks a lot in advance!
honestly, any synth with some good low frequency capabilities and LFO options should be fine.. also good to find a synth that has a filter that you like.
Quote from: dreadfulmirror on February 19, 2020, 04:27:14 PM
Can anyone maybe recommend a small synth for beginners, respectively give an advice or have experience with the Korg MS20 mini in comparison to the Berhinger K2 / Wasp or even Neutron (just found these ones as possible alternatives), beside the already mentioned Youtube videos?
As I'm more or less new when it comes to creating own sounds, I'm a bit unsure which aspects I should exactly care about or what I need. And the MS20 mini is ~ 200,- € more expensive than the mentioned types of Behringer. Musical-wise it should go definitely into Death Industrial and Power Electronics, but also I'm also open to melodic influences (like Feindflug for example) or Industrial Techno beats.
Thanks a lot in advance!
microfreak or volca fm
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/bf/aa/cf/bfaacf3712f616574d72a2ad87b9ffc0.jpg)
mfb kraftzwerg... it's tiny and light and sounds great and, being essentially 5 eurorack modules packaged together, is flexible as hell
obviously, there's a learning curve involved, but it's hardly more difficult than ms20 mini or neutron
Thank you so far for your support! The mentioned alternatives do all leave a good impression to me (as far as I'm able to estimate)...
I've heard that analog synths / oscillators are in so far "better", as they normally have a more organic and powerful sound?
Generally, do you have any basic advice what should beginners really care about or what is important when looking for a suitable synth?
As a beginner I tend to use small, reasonably-priced equipment in the first step with user-friendly control and "logical" structure (oscillators, filter, envelope generator...). Nevertheless it should have a powerful sound and, beside being "beginner-friendly" it should have enough potential to use it also in a advanced state later...?!
Semi-modular, and in that case eurorack-compatible, should be of interest to you then because you can expand once you master your synth.
There are tons of decent synths available in the 300-600€ range and you'll get a lot of recommendations from everyone. I'd have recommended a Moog Mother 32 for instance, others an MS20, others a Behringer Neutron, others a Microfreak or a Minibrute, etc... They're all good recommendations but I think ultimately, it all depends on what you'll find to be the best work flow for you, or the easiest to grasp (in addition to sound, of course.) Some people start with the No-Coast and love it, I personally find Make Noise gear to be very very nonsensical layoutwise. But maybe that's what will work for you.
Watch as many videos as possible before you commit to any of the recommendations you get. Look for sounds and workflow. If it seems to make sense for you, go for it.
Just to say I have a 0-Coast but would NOT recommend it as a first synth. I've noticed a lot come up on ebay and suspect the reason is the learning curve. It's not designed around the standard VCO, VCF, VCA Ring Mod of typical analogue synths... with only one VCO, and you will need a midi keyboard / controller... yet i'm keeping it as it fits well with Euro rack, the Midi to CV and other elements... and is a good intro to other Make Noise Eurorack modules...
Whilst on Make Noise, the Morphogene is well worth looking at if you want to explore digitally 'tape loops'... and granular synthesis.... much longer samples than the phonogene and the Morph is stereo.. for sound manipulation, mangling its extreme. But again expensive, especially if you have to buy a skiff.
Add to that the price of a 0-Coast maybe the MICROFREAK? If you want to wait and see the price, the Behringer 2600?
To what I've seen in several videos on YT so far, I think I'll have a closer look at the Behringer K2 or Neutron. I guess it's best to pick up both in a store, maybe along with another synth, and just check which is best for me.
Quote from: dreadfulmirror on February 24, 2020, 11:20:57 AM
To what I've seen in several videos on YT so far, I think I'll have a closer look at the Behringer K2 or Neutron. I guess it's best to pick up both in a store, maybe along with another synth, and just check which is best for me.
I've heard good things re the Neutron from a couple of guys into noise.
Bear in mind that both the Neutron and the K2 need something to control them, a Keystep, a Beatstep Pro, an SQ1 or something. They'll be useless without one. And for the price of a controller and either of the K2 or the Neutron you can pretty much buy an MS20 Mini.
I'm also writing that because FYI the Neutron and the Crave are the only current "affordable" synths Behringer created themselves. They've been making the K2 while Korg still produce the MS20 Mini (which is very dickish), the Odyssey and the 2600 whereas Korg still has rights to make ARP stuff, and the Pro One without asking Dave Smith (who still makes stuff) whether they could do it as well.
Quote from: Euro Trash Bazooka on February 24, 2020, 04:50:46 PM
Bear in mind that both the Neutron and the K2 need something to control them, a Keystep, a Beatstep Pro, an SQ1 or something. They'll be useless without one. And for the price of a controller and either of the K2 or the Neutron you can pretty much buy an MS20 Mini.
I'm also writing that because FYI the Neutron and the Crave are the only current "affordable" synths Behringer created themselves. They've been making the K2 while Korg still produce the MS20 Mini (which is very dickish), the Odyssey and the 2600 whereas Korg still has rights to make ARP stuff, and the Pro One without asking Dave Smith (who still makes stuff) whether they could do it as well.
I have no controller for my Neutron, and it is far from useless.
Sure, you can add a controller, but there is plenty you can do without one.
Sorry, yes, "useless" is reductive. You can do things with it because it has enveloppes, VCAs and a filter (and effects), but you can't sequence it or "play" it on its own compared to a Mother 32 for instance. That's what I meant.
Quote from: Euro Trash Bazooka on February 24, 2020, 04:50:46 PM
They've been making the K2 while Korg still produce the MS20 Mini (which is very dickish)
Ah yes, but they also had the good sense of making the K2 fully eurorack compatible.
Well you can control / sequence it from a computer?
These https://teenage.engineering/products/po/modular have sequencers...
Quote from: Euro Trash Bazooka on February 24, 2020, 04:50:46 PM
Bear in mind that both the Neutron and the K2 need something to control them, a Keystep, a Beatstep Pro, an SQ1 or something. They'll be useless without one. And for the price of a controller and either of the K2 or the Neutron you can pretty much buy an MS20 Mini.
I'm also writing that because FYI the Neutron and the Crave are the only current "affordable" synths Behringer created themselves. They've been making the K2 while Korg still produce the MS20 Mini (which is very dickish), the Odyssey and the 2600 whereas Korg still has rights to make ARP stuff, and the Pro One without asking Dave Smith (who still makes stuff) whether they could do it as well.
I know, but I found decent control units between 50 - 100 € that seem to be quite sufficient. I think, especially as a beginner, they just have to fulfill it's purpose as the sound itself is created by the synth. Please correct me, if I'm wrong.
So, best case assumed of course, I can get one of the Behringer synth along with control unit and decent headphones for more or less the same price as the MS-20 mini.
Yes, the Neutron is Behringer's own creation while the K2 is "just" a clone. Nevertheless, do you see any reasons to still buy the MS-20 mini instead of a Behringer, even if I would be satisfied with the K2 or Neutron (concerning sound and handling)?
Quote from: dreadfulmirror on February 25, 2020, 10:24:16 AM
Yes, the Neutron is Behringer's own creation while the K2 is "just" a clone. Nevertheless, do you see any reasons to still buy the MS-20 mini instead of a Behringer, even if I would be satisfied with the K2 or Neutron (concerning sound and handling)?
the ms-20 mini has little advantage over the k2. the k2 does sound a bit different, maybe a bit brighter and modern (most likely you won't actually hear a difference unless doing a side by side comparison). the only thing is that it looks a bit cooler and is a real korg product.
the k2 however is smaller, has no integrated keyboard (which compared to the flimsy mini keys on the ms-20 is a definite plus) and has both original ms-20 filters. right now i'd buy a k2 + arturia keystep over an ms-20 mini.
HI everybody, just arrived here so that´s my first post. I read here and there and, regarding this topic, I´m glad to all of you because I already noticed 2-3 interesting solutions for small synths with reasonable prices which I will surely dig. I love monophonic synths and, if I have to suggest one that it seems not to be mentioned so far, I would say the Vermona.
It´s very fat and aggressive, I was thinking to sell my Dark Energy to get it, but at the end I decided to keep it and maybe to take the Vermona in the future. Dark Energy is also very good and, although the initial limited functionality, could be patched with other stuff (i.e. MS20 or Microbrute or your Eurorack gear) and give interesting results.
Another killer synth (which I think is sold out since lot of time) is the Black Death and Mini Black Death. I have the mini and is an hell of a machine, pretty uncontrollable but sounds very good and can give a lot of good results if used with creativity (and/or sampled).
Quote from: JLIAT on February 22, 2020, 01:10:28 PM
Just to say I have a 0-Coast but would NOT recommend it as a first synth. I've noticed a lot come up on ebay and suspect the reason is the learning curve. It's not designed around the standard VCO, VCF, VCA Ring Mod of typical analogue synths... with only one VCO, and you will need a midi keyboard / controller... yet i'm keeping it as it fits well with Euro rack, the Midi to CV and other elements... and is a good intro to other Make Noise Eurorack modules...
Whilst on Make Noise, the Morphogene is well worth looking at if you want to explore digitally 'tape loops'... and granular synthesis.... much longer samples than the phonogene and the Morph is stereo.. for sound manipulation, mangling its extreme. But again expensive, especially if you have to buy a skiff.
Add to that the price of a 0-Coast maybe the MICROFREAK? If you want to wait and see the price, the Behringer 2600?
0-ctrl coming pretty soon. Purpose built step sequencer for pairing with the 0-coast or any other patchable synth for that matter. Looks pretty neat sat next to the 0-coast, and the demos seem to indicate this it would be a great tool for live performances. Don't have the ££££ spare for buying these right now though so its staying on the wish list.
http://makenoisemusic.com/synthesizers/ohctrl
? !
"Designed to be friends with the 0-coast"
https://x1l3.bigcartel.com/product/shard-power-electronics-hnw-desktop-synthesizer
A thread in the classifieds section currently for the eurorack version - but there's a tabletop unit as well.
Quote from: Potier on May 27, 2020, 08:09:18 PM
https://x1l3.bigcartel.com/product/shard-power-electronics-hnw-desktop-synthesizer
A thread in the classifieds section currently for the eurorack version - but there's a tabletop unit as well.
Man, I am super interested in grabbing one of those Shard desktops. Has anyone used one? Do they have a wide range of sounds? I want to drop some cash on a smaller synth but I want to make sure that it's going to be useful for a lot of output.
I have a eurorack Shard. It's an interesting module although I don't see how useful it'd be on its own considering it's quite uncontrollable. I'm not much of a fan of its overall distortion, which is a bit too glitchy to my ears, but it shines when fed multiple things in its various inputs, so I'd say that for the price of the desktop unit, you might be better off buying something else. Shard was meant to work with the Wreckage module in the first place so you'd be better off considering a desktop Shard as some kind of FX/sound mangling unit, in my humble opinion.
The Shard just looks like the Trogotronics 669cv to me. I had the 669cv, and while it was quite a monster, everything just sounded pretty similar and it got old quick
Quote from: Euro Trash Bazooka on June 17, 2020, 07:14:43 PM
I have a eurorack Shard. It's an interesting module although I don't see how useful it'd be on its own considering it's quite uncontrollable. I'm not much of a fan of its overall distortion, which is a bit too glitchy to my ears, but it shines when fed multiple things in its various inputs, so I'd say that for the price of the desktop unit, you might be better off buying something else. Shard was meant to work with the Wreckage module in the first place so you'd be better off considering a desktop Shard as some kind of FX/sound mangling unit, in my humble opinion.
Thanks for the info. That was kinda what I was wondering as it looked like it might be more of a glorified effects pedal, a really cool one though. I've been eyeing the Akai Mini Play as it seems to be a pretty affordable option with some neat abilities (love the idea of it being a stand alone synth that you can play using headphones). There are a few other ones that I have been looking at as well like the Arturia Minilab MkII which lacks the stand alone play ability but has a much better build from what i've been told. Anyone have experience with both of these units that could give me some personal opinions on which would be a better option?
Yes, I think your "glorified effects pedal" description is very accurate. As you wrote, it's a very good one so it can definitely be a great addition to any synth once you'll have one.
I can't comment on the Mini Play or Mini Lab to be honest, however, while Arturia stuff is sturdy (I have one of the first Drumbrutes as well as a Keystep) it can also be riddled with bugs which aren't always fixed with firmware updates. My Keystep is a pain to use (I think there must be problems with the keyboard itself), a friend of mine's acts weird as well, I tested a Matrixbrute when it came out and the LED matrix panel was acting all wrong, etc... My Drumbrute works perfectly well though, although there are things that could have been improved before it went on sale. Let's say they tend to rush the release of their products.
I use a Mini Lab and find it reasonable for what I want to do with it, which is very, very basic anyway. Also have a MicroBrute which I quite enjoy using. My big use of Arturia, though, is with their soft synths.
Just picked up a Korg Monologue. So far I am really enjoying the sounds it puts out. I'm sure I have tons more exploring to do on this little lady but I think that I will just like it more and more the longer I play with it. Reasonably priced as well.
i'm selling my ms-20 mini, i''ve just felt really uninspired with it and have kind of grown to dislike the ridiculous feedback you can't turn off. at first i thought of buying an ms2000r, since it's around the same price range but now i'm thinking of not buying a new synth at all but spending the money on a few more pedals and concentrating on those. decisions, decisions!
I'm not sure one can really feel "uninspired" by the MS20, which allows you to do everything a monophonic synth can do and more. You can, however, feel uncomfortable by its workflow, the patch panel, etc. It took me some better understanding of modular synthesis through other synths to appreciate fully what the MS20 Mini can do.
Also, I never noticed any feedback issue with mine? Do they happen when you patch it or even without patches?
Quote from: Euro Trash Bazooka on September 05, 2020, 05:38:30 PM
I'm not sure one can really feel "uninspired" by the MS20, which allows you to do everything a monophonic synth can do and more. You can, however, feel uncomfortable by its workflow, the patch panel, etc. It took me some better understanding of modular synthesis through other synths to appreciate fully what the MS20 Mini can do.
Also, I never noticed any feedback issue with mine? Do they happen when you patch it or even without patches?
Quote from: Euro Trash Bazooka on September 05, 2020, 05:38:30 PM
I'm not sure one can really feel "uninspired" by the MS20, which allows you to do everything a monophonic synth can do and more. You can, however, feel uncomfortable by its workflow, the patch panel, etc. It took me some better understanding of modular synthesis through other synths to appreciate fully what the MS20 Mini can do.
Also, I never noticed any feedback issue with mine? Do they happen when you patch it or even without patches?
Yeah pretty sure it's me, not the synth. I'm just not feeling it at the moment, i've used it a lot and just feel uninspired by what comes out of it. It was my first semi-modular synth so I did a fair amount of research and learned synthesis with it. Maybe that's part of the problem, part of this is just GAS. If it was a desktop synth, i'd just chuck it in the cupboard for half a year. I only have room for one bigger synth at a time. I'll just buy a new MS20 if I ever get the urge, there's an abundance of them available.
You can check if you have the feedback issue by turning both of the VCO's down to 0. If your synth makes a hiss when you press a key, it's one of the noisy ones.
Apparently some of the minis have really noisy oscillators, there's a lot of talk about it online. It's just how it is, you cannot get a clean sound out of it
I've been looking at an 0-coast, but I don't know if it can get gnarly enough. I'm not really into bleep bloop modular synth shit that's all over youtube, but I know some really good noise / industrial people have used it.
Well, for having used both the Mini and the old OG one, I can definitely tell there's a difference in quality when it comes to the sound. And the older ones sound amazing when in good condition. My Mini isn't noisy so I guess I'm lucky and I'm sorry yours is malfunctioning.
Regarding the O-Coast, it's a good synth but I don't like its layout like with most Make Noise gear, because of their illegible panels. It makes the learning curve steeper for me. There are definitely a few Make Noise modules I'd love to own...
I had a MS20 mini but sold it. I found the patching / sounds limited , it might have been me? I also had a 0-Coast, (had) agreed about the bleep and lack of gnarly ... and no white noise or filter as such... but as a stand-alone synth which has many of the features of other euro-rack Make Noise modules V good IMO, and also had a teleharmonic, which was fairly 'wild' but as the name says harmonic and diss-harmonic. I have a Wogglebug which IMO is excellent, 3 sound sources and 3 random Cvs... also a Morphogene which can really chew up sound... for 'gnarl' I run the sounds through a guitar multieffects, currently a mooer ge200, very solid metal and has USB to computer out (software needed for PC) and some Kaoss mini pads etc.
Also a doepfer A-111-6 mini synth voice.... OK ish for the money.
If anyone is into loops and granular, ability to chop and speed up / slow samples definitely checkout the Morphogene....
I've promised the younger me to get the Behringer 2600 when its out... but that is not a small synth.
Traded my MS-20 for an MS2000R, not sure if it was a good trade or not. Probably will end up regretting this, hah.
edit: scratch that, made a patch (super easy btw) and through a bunch of distortion pedals, DOD octopus and a reverb it sounds really fucking good.
https://youtu.be/iyDAAfFm4LQ
(https://mthumbs.static-thomann.de/thumb/padthumb600x360/pics/bdb/492485/15458190_800.jpg)
I love the Mega Drive to death and regularly listen to MD chiptune music and all but the chipset in it is basically a downgraded version of the one in the Yamaha DX7. Is the 500€ price justified for this? Not to me, as much as I love the system.
Quote from: Euro Trash Bazooka on September 14, 2020, 12:16:12 PM
Is the 500€ price justified for this? Not to me, as much as I love the system.
As far as I understand, the main selling point of this thing is the ease of programming due to all controls being directly available on the front pannel.
Basically, this is an FM synth which you can tweak as you go live, like you'd do with a subtractive synth.
Given that (most?) hardware FM synths, and DX7 especially, are notorious for being a pain in the butt to program, this might very well justify the price.
Another advantage is that it's way smaller & lighter than DX7 or any other vintage box.
Fuck that. mengqi. ZLH-01.
Mv old DX11 is annoying timesink nightmare & almost never gets recorded... though have extensive library for it....
no hands on controls and requires so much tweaking for something usable/acceptable...
plus it doesn't have "filter" on DX synths.
Old Yamaha DX is not at all hands on fast tweakable friendly synth.
What do you guys think, should I buy a Behringer Neutron or a K2? I did really like the MS20 mini, it was just a bit too noisy and a bit too big physically. I hear the K2 has cleaner filters and is a module, so I guess it would be perfect for me. Then again the Neutron looks awesome too. Mostly looking to use it for gnarly bass puproses and naturally modular weirdness.
Also feel free to recommend other desktop, 200-400 costing semi modular synths with a gnarly filter.
Quote from: host body on December 15, 2020, 03:01:19 PM
What do you guys think, should I buy a Behringer Neutron or a K2? I did really like the MS20 mini, it was just a bit too noisy and a bit too big physically. I hear the K2 has cleaner filters and is a module, so I guess it would be perfect for me. Then again the Neutron looks awesome too. Mostly looking to use it for gnarly bass puproses and naturally modular weirdness.
Also feel free to recommend other desktop, 200-400 costing semi modular synths with a gnarly filter.
I have a Neutron and is definitely a good system, versatile and fat as fuck, and if you´re into modular or semi-modular systems you can obtain very interesting results by patching it (for example with a Maths), but if you want "precise" sounds, is not the best choice. In particular the LFO rate is either slow or very fast.
I don´t know about the filter but I heard very good things about the Crave (which is even below your minimum budget, as it costs around 105 euro) and the Model D (a kind of Mother 32 reproduction), both from Behringer (which I think is doing a great job with these new replicas of old and very expensive machines).
Quote from: Into_The_Void on December 15, 2020, 03:19:11 PM
Quote from: host body on December 15, 2020, 03:01:19 PM
What do you guys think, should I buy a Behringer Neutron or a K2? I did really like the MS20 mini, it was just a bit too noisy and a bit too big physically. I hear the K2 has cleaner filters and is a module, so I guess it would be perfect for me. Then again the Neutron looks awesome too. Mostly looking to use it for gnarly bass puproses and naturally modular weirdness.
Also feel free to recommend other desktop, 200-400 costing semi modular synths with a gnarly filter.
I have a Neutron and is definitely a good system, versatile and fat as fuck, and if you´re into modular or semi-modular systems you can obtain very interesting results by patching it (for example with a Maths), but if you want "precise" sounds, is not the best choice. In particular the LFO rate is either slow or very fast.
I don´t know about the filter but I heard very good things about the Crave (which is even below your minimum budget, as it costs around 105 euro) and the Model D (a kind of Mother 32 reproduction), both from Behringer (which I think is doing a great job with these new replicas of old and very expensive machines).
I just bought an analog four, which while not really semi-modular has basically endless modulation capabilities (4-voice, 2 oscillator polysynth but you can patch each voice separately, so you basically have 4 monosynths in one. It's amazing!) so i'm maybe looking for a gnarly bass synth more than a chaos machine. Based on that maybe the Neutron isn't exactly what I want.
I did check out a few videos of crave, and it seems like a cool little synth but maybe not what I'm looking for. I'm leaning towards the K2 as I know pretty much what the MS20 is capable of. Only problem is there doesn't seem to be any available used locally.
Wish I had the budget for a polivoks, hah.
Quote from: host body on December 15, 2020, 04:17:46 PM
Quote from: Into_The_Void on December 15, 2020, 03:19:11 PM
Quote from: host body on December 15, 2020, 03:01:19 PM
What do you guys think, should I buy a Behringer Neutron or a K2? I did really like the MS20 mini, it was just a bit too noisy and a bit too big physically. I hear the K2 has cleaner filters and is a module, so I guess it would be perfect for me. Then again the Neutron looks awesome too. Mostly looking to use it for gnarly bass puproses and naturally modular weirdness.
Also feel free to recommend other desktop, 200-400 costing semi modular synths with a gnarly filter.
I have a Neutron and is definitely a good system, versatile and fat as fuck, and if you´re into modular or semi-modular systems you can obtain very interesting results by patching it (for example with a Maths), but if you want "precise" sounds, is not the best choice. In particular the LFO rate is either slow or very fast.
I don´t know about the filter but I heard very good things about the Crave (which is even below your minimum budget, as it costs around 105 euro) and the Model D (a kind of Mother 32 reproduction), both from Behringer (which I think is doing a great job with these new replicas of old and very expensive machines).
I just bought an analog four, which while not really semi-modular has basically endless modulation capabilities (4-voice, 2 oscillator polysynth but you can patch each voice separately, so you basically have 4 monosynths in one. It's amazing!) so i'm maybe looking for a gnarly bass synth more than a chaos machine. Based on that maybe the Neutron isn't exactly what I want.
I did check out a few videos of crave, and it seems like a cool little synth but maybe not what I'm looking for. I'm leaning towards the K2 as I know pretty much what the MS20 is capable of. Only problem is there doesn't seem to be any available used locally.
Wish I had the budget for a polivoks, hah.
well, if you´re looking for some fatty bass-making capable machines, I would say to look for a Dark Energy (I have the MKII, but apparently the MKI has a "thicker" sound) or a Vermona Lancet. Actually they´re both over the budget you said, but they´re definitely worthy of the price they cost!
Quote from: Into_The_Void on December 16, 2020, 06:52:50 PM
well, if you´re looking for some fatty bass-making capable machines, I would say to look for a Dark Energy (I have the MKII, but apparently the MKI has a "thicker" sound) or a Vermona Lancet. Actually they´re both over the budget you said, but they´re definitely worthy of the price they cost!
I wish i could buy all three, hah. I did find a Dark Energy for sale locally, let's see if the seller would be interested in a trade.
edit: Bought it, only 250 euros so exactly in my price range. Should go really well with the A4, as I can run it into the audio inputs and use the A4 as an effects box. It has a really good chorus, delay and reverb.
Quote from: host body on December 16, 2020, 10:59:08 PM
Quote from: Into_The_Void on December 16, 2020, 06:52:50 PM
well, if you´re looking for some fatty bass-making capable machines, I would say to look for a Dark Energy (I have the MKII, but apparently the MKI has a "thicker" sound) or a Vermona Lancet. Actually they´re both over the budget you said, but they´re definitely worthy of the price they cost!
I wish i could buy all three, hah. I did find a Dark Energy for sale locally, let's see if the seller would be interested in a trade.
edit: Bought it, only 250 euros so exactly in my price range. Should go really well with the A4, as I can run it into the audio inputs and use the A4 as an effects box. It has a really good chorus, delay and reverb.
wow 250 eur is a very good price, enjoy! I don´t have an analog four but I´m pretty curious about it (I´m a big fan of the elektron machines)...
Quote from: Into_The_Void on December 18, 2020, 05:46:24 PM
Quote from: host body on December 16, 2020, 10:59:08 PM
Quote from: Into_The_Void on December 16, 2020, 06:52:50 PM
well, if you´re looking for some fatty bass-making capable machines, I would say to look for a Dark Energy (I have the MKII, but apparently the MKI has a "thicker" sound) or a Vermona Lancet. Actually they´re both over the budget you said, but they´re definitely worthy of the price they cost!
I wish i could buy all three, hah. I did find a Dark Energy for sale locally, let's see if the seller would be interested in a trade.
edit: Bought it, only 250 euros so exactly in my price range. Should go really well with the A4, as I can run it into the audio inputs and use the A4 as an effects box. It has a really good chorus, delay and reverb.
wow 250 eur is a very good price, enjoy! I don´t have an analog four but I´m pretty curious about it (I´m a big fan of the elektron machines)...
It's pretty unique, there isn't any other synth like it. Only downside is that it can't really produce super harsh sounds or like, deep & gnarly bass, so not probably the first choice for most people who do noise, industrial or power electronics. Still, just for it's versatility and great effects I'd say it's well worth 500-600 euros. It's amazing how little people are asking for the MK. I version.
Quote from: host body on December 19, 2020, 10:46:54 AM
Quote from: Into_The_Void on December 18, 2020, 05:46:24 PM
Quote from: host body on December 16, 2020, 10:59:08 PM
Quote from: Into_The_Void on December 16, 2020, 06:52:50 PM
well, if you´re looking for some fatty bass-making capable machines, I would say to look for a Dark Energy (I have the MKII, but apparently the MKI has a "thicker" sound) or a Vermona Lancet. Actually they´re both over the budget you said, but they´re definitely worthy of the price they cost!
I wish i could buy all three, hah. I did find a Dark Energy for sale locally, let's see if the seller would be interested in a trade.
edit: Bought it, only 250 euros so exactly in my price range. Should go really well with the A4, as I can run it into the audio inputs and use the A4 as an effects box. It has a really good chorus, delay and reverb.
wow 250 eur is a very good price, enjoy! I don´t have an analog four but I´m pretty curious about it (I´m a big fan of the elektron machines)...
It's pretty unique, there isn't any other synth like it. Only downside is that it can't really produce super harsh sounds or like, deep & gnarly bass, so not probably the first choice for most people who do noise, industrial or power electronics. Still, just for it's versatility and great effects I'd say it's well worth 500-600 euros. It's amazing how little people are asking for the MK. I version.
CEM3396
Microprocessor Controllable: 2 Wave-Shaper, 2/4 pole VCF, VCA (see also MS1215, reissued as DSI-PA397 in 2007~
Oberheim
Matrix 1000
Oberheim
Matrix 6
Elka
EK 22
Sequential Circuits
Sixtrak & MAX
probably other Sequential Circuits synths...
have 6 of those Dark Energy CEM3396 chips in dead SCI MAX for making modules....
They are infamously thin.
I was wondering how many people in this board use / appreciate the black death? I have the mini version and I fucking love it. Definitely not possible to control or "play" in the proper way, still a rich stream of unique sounds which make the black death a very versatile machine.
There is another small and very aggressive digital synthesizer inspired by the SID called Therapkid by Twisted Electrons, by the same French manufacturer of MEGAfm. I exchanged it last week for a jomox filter and I don't regret it!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BRfGb4kaqU
I justt bought a Microfreak and it's definitely the core of my set up now, It has a wide variety of things you can do with it with full control from the device over what preset I have on. I like that I can also organize presets for fast switching so I'm not noodling around when I'm playing looking for the right one. If I want it's all right next to each other with names I recognize cause you can customize those too. Stack on a bunch of pedals and you can make the original sound of it almost unrecognizable often. The only thing I wish I could do with it is add my own sounds.
I decided to give the SoMa Rumble of Ancient Times a go.
I was a bit sceptical because this whole chiptune, 8-bit video game sound thing is not my cup of tea at all. But there are certain types of explicitly digital sounds I do enjoy, and based on the YT demos it seemed capable of those too. Further on the plus side: small and very lightweight unit, affordable too.
However the unit is rather unpredictable, which is not usually a bad thing, but it strays too easily into the dreaded chiptune Pocket Operator territory. Also you cannot save any sounds or settings, every time you turn it on you'll be starting from zero all over again. In the end I sold it after a couple of days of messing around with it.
OK this looks pretty great
https://www.moffenzeefmodular.com/store/knucklebuster
Quote from: Cementimental on August 25, 2022, 12:36:26 AM
OK this looks pretty great
https://www.moffenzeefmodular.com/store/knucklebuster
That´s a little beast! It´s a pity that it is so limited and expensive.
I recently have the chance to hear pretty cool things made with Volca Kick, used not to create kicks but some very interesting Vainio-ish "zaps" instead.
Re Big Synths. I've had a Behringer 2600 for a few months. 450 UKP. And more features than the original, 3 VCOs + LFO, Ring Mod, Voltage processor Sample and Hold etc. Plus fully integrates with Euro Rack.
And like the original being semi modular and fully patchable not overtly 'musical', which maybe is the downside if you want tunes straight out of the box.
OK so the coloured lights on the faders are a bit OTT, but you can turn them down / off.
Quote from: JLIAT on August 27, 2022, 06:57:19 PMRe Big Synths. I've had a Behringer 2600 for a few months. 450 UKP. And more features than the original, 3 VCOs + LFO, Ring Mod, Voltage processor Sample and Hold etc. Plus fully integrates with Euro Rack.
And like the original being semi modular and fully patchable not overtly 'musical', which maybe is the downside if you want tunes straight out of the box.
OK so the coloured lights on the faders are a bit OTT, but you can turn them down / off.
Still looking out for one of these cheap... people on ebay all seem to be trying to get 2x the new price for 2nd hand ones even tho there's no shortage of new ones in stores!?
I read up about the different models, the blue and gray ones have real spring reverb but I don't know if that even matters or if mediocre digital reverb might be better for noise anyway :) and people's comments/reviews suggest there's a slight difference in sound with the original christmas tree lights version being more 'harsh' maybe
Not a real synth, but a midi controller that is turning any machine in a drone machine via midi:
"The MIDI DRONE is basically a kind of 2-note arpeggiator, and allows you to control the speed and note of both until you obtain drones with any hardware or software synth, thanks to the possibility of MIDI USB or classic MIDI DIN output. The knob controls are playing speed of each voice, pitch of each voice, pitch bend and 5 Control Change ( from cc 23 to cc 27, fully assignable and customizable on request ), while the buttons control are power on/off , slow or fast mode, panic, program change down and up."
MIDI DRONE & MICROKORG, THE FULL VIDEO :
https://youtu.be/AkcHBi34Z2g
EXAGONAL ROOMS STUDIOS
www.exagonal-rooms.com
The Knucklebuster was definitely special. I got to use one on a trip to Portland once at Control Voltage on some other Moffenzeef synths they had there. Definitely still something worth tracking down
I am really thinking about getting my hands on Sonicware LIVEN MEGA Synthesis https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9S2krHn83w
Yes it is intended as SEGA-inspired synth for retro video game soundtracks, but the range of sounds is quite amazing, I would love to try and run it through distortion...
Quote from: Penon on February 08, 2024, 09:20:50 PMI am really thinking about getting my hands on Sonicware LIVEN MEGA Synthesis https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9S2krHn83w
Yes it is intended as SEGA-inspired synth for retro video game soundtracks, but the range of sounds is quite amazing, I would love to try and run it through distortion...
I want this as well. I have the liven 8bit and is fantastic and after fiddling a bit I was able to come out with structured industrial/aggressive patterns which was not the reason I bought it for ahah this seems even better!!!