right, what synthesizer should I buy?

Hey, BCM, while you're talking synths, what do you think of the Andromeda?

RE: the polyevolver Vs the evolver

yes the polyevolver isnt great for getting easy bass sounds, thats why this whole time i assumed we were discussing

the evolver (the mono version) which is much more tailored to getting good bass and monophonic patches off of.

I actually agree with you Jasper about the polyevolver. Have you used the mono version as well?

  OneToThirtySix said:

Hey, BCM, while you're talking synths, what do you think of the Andromeda?

extremely good.

  BCM said:

extremely good.

Really, really?

I've read a bunch of reviews that say it's more toy than instrument, but I've had my eye on it for about six years (why I bought the Fantom first, I'll never know).  I was thinking about making this my first synth purchase once I'm trucking. Maybe second. First of five, anyway.

  OneToThirtySix said:

  BCM said:

extremely good.

 

Really, really?

 

 

 

 

 

I've read a bunch of reviews that say it's more toy than instrument, but I've had my eye on it for about six years (why I bought the Fantom first, I'll never know). I was thinking about making this my first synth purchase once I'm trucking. Maybe second. First of five, anyway.

I've been tempted but I've heard its the CPU/digital side of things that let the machine down under heavy load and I've still yet to here anything thats really impressed me from the Alesis.

The Prophet08 is more like what I'd expect in sound from a modern analogue ploy.

hay guyz, what if i got this mopho thing instead of a 303?

  hahathhat said:

hay guyz, what if i got this mopho thing instead of a 303?

You'd save a wad o cash m8

  OneToThirtySix said:

I've read a bunch of reviews that say it's more toy than instrument

we're talking about the same thing right? the alesis andromeda analogue synth? that costs £1400 odd pounds?

  Quote

Synthesis type: Analog Subtractive

Polyphony: 16

Timbrality: 16

Oscillators: 2 VCOs per voice

1 sub-oscillator per VCO

Filter: 2 per voice

2-pole resonant multimode - SEM-style

4-pole resonant - Moog-style

Attenuator: 3 6-stage envelopes

LFO: 3 dedicated LFOs and S+H

Keyboard: 61-note semiweighted

Velocity sensitive

Aftertouch

Left hand control: Pitch bend and modulation wheels

External control: MIDI & CV/Gate

Memory: 4 x 128 patch internal memory

SRAM expansion card slot

Onboard effects: Analog distortion + digital fx unit

Produced: 2000-present

  Quote

The Andromeda A6 is a true analog synthesizer using two analog oscillators per voice, sub-oscillators, hard and soft sync and more! It features 16-voice polyphony. With the Andromeda, you'll find a huge range of tonal possibilities: searing leads, warm pads, fat bass lines, extreme sound effects and more. And of course there are plenty of knobs (72) and buttons (144), even an assignable ribbon controller for addictive hands-on real-time control! The large high-resolution LCD display is excellent and shows you actual rather than relative values of parameters. Andromeda will integrate seamlessly into any studio with its total MIDI control and sync, individual voice outputs, stereo outputs and several audio inputs.

 

Andromeda is completely analog - no emulation! It features two analog filters per voice that sound great! They are a multimode 2-pole and a 4-pole lowpass. External audio can be routed through these filters too (three 1/4" jacks)! As for modulation, Andromeda has three LFOs, each with six waveforms and they can be synced to MIDI clock. And there are three 7-stage envelopes with very creative and flexible functions. Also onboard is an extensive mod matrix for enormous freedom in configuring Andromeda's sounds!

 

No analog synth would be complete without a set of classic effects and features. Andromeda also offers Portamento with nine slopes and legato functions. A built-in arpeggiator and analog-style sequencer are available, with MIDI sync! There are also some high quality digital effects such as reverbs, chorus, echo, distortion and more! Andromeda comes with 256 breathtaking preset patches plus 128 user. A PCMCIA-format memory card slot allows for additional programs and mixes. Andromeda is pure analog bliss, with all the features, stability and widgets of modern digital synths. It has been used by BT, Air, Duran Duran, Depeche Mode, Nine Inch Nails, DJ Tiesto, Klaus Schultze, Yes and the Pet Shop Boys.

basically one of the best still-manufactured analog synths you can buy. although the new Prophet would also be my choice if I had to choose between the two as it's a bit cheaper and Dave Smith.

  hahathhat said:

hay guyz, what if i got this mopho thing instead of a 303?

yeah, fuck 303's unless you've got money to burn....if you've got a spare grand then sure, get a 303, but if not don't bother. the Mopho is apparently wicked for bass too....

  BCM said:

we're talking about the same thing right? the alesis andromeda analogue synth? that costs £1400 odd pounds?

 

 

basically one of the best still-manufactured analog synths you can buy. although the new Prophet would also be my choice if I had to choose between the two as it's a bit cheaper and Dave Smith.

Yes, the Alesis Andromeda, or A6.  Lots o' buttons and knobs, looks bitchin, sounds better, but I've read some not-so-favorable opinions on it.  I thought I would ask someone with more interest in synths in general.

well, yeah I would certainly say it's an extremely capable and versatile analog synth and buy one if you can afford it. a modern day classic.

I gots an x0xb0x on ze way.

awesome! is it already assembled?

Aye.

I was after a 101 or a 202 before hand but I thought it over.

Figured it was cheaper to get a professionally built x0xb0x than it was to get a 101 at the prices these days because i'd end up having to get a Kenton and such.

The guy I bought it off seems to make alot of them, runs them through high end oscilliscopes and tests them loads too.

cool, i would like one of these too - how much you pay for it if you don't mind me asking?

£550!

Even if it is a bit more expensive than a 101+kenton, i'm still happy because i'm paying for that hot ass sequencer.

yeah, that's not too bad - cheaper than a 303 anyway! can you transmit the sequences over MIDI do you know or does it just transmit the clock signal?

Shit, you can do all sorts of things.

The thing even has USB!

  BCM said:

well, yeah I would certainly say it's an extremely capable and versatile analog synth and buy one if you can afford it. a modern day classic.

Do you actually own one?

I have to say they look fantastic on paper but I've never heard a demo that particularly blew me away. "Sterile" is how I would describe the demos I've heard.

not got one of my own no....used a couple though and always thought they were fucking wicked - maybe not got quite the bottom end of other analog stuff (the prophet08 sounds "fatter" definitely), but you can get some lush pads and wicked lead sounds out of it...good for bass too, but is bettered by the new Moog and Dave Smith stuff in that department.

  BCM said:

not got one of my own no....used a couple though and always thought they were fucking wicked - maybe not got quite the bottom end of other analog stuff (the prophet08 sounds "fatter" definitely), but you can get some lush pads and wicked lead sounds out of it...good for bass too, but is bettered by the new Moog and Dave Smith stuff in that department.

That's interesting to hear. The Dave Smith uses pretty humble DCO chips so you wouldnt expect it to trump the dual VCO Andromeda. Likewise the mono Lil Phatty. I guess the VCO = fat thing isn't as cut and dried as people make out.

it's all to do with the filters i reckon....

  BCM said:

well, yeah I would certainly say it's an extremely capable and versatile analog synth and buy one if you can afford it. a modern day classic.

Would the A6 be your first pick, or would the moog come first?

my new (old) sh-101 should arrive this week sometime.

  OneToThirtySix said:

  BCM said:

well, yeah I would certainly say it's an extremely capable and versatile analog synth and buy one if you can afford it. a modern day classic.

 

Would the A6 be your first pick, or would the moog come first?

my order of preference if money was no object:

moog voyager > prophet08 > andromeda > moog little phatty