KVR Audio

awol9000 · Post by **awol9000** » Thu Sep 25, 2014 1:17 am

How about the Korg Radias? Unashamedly digital. Huge mod matrix and routing, step sequencer and tons of knobs. VA and Phase Distortion synthesis plus PCM samples & vocoder.

aMUSEd · Post by **aMUSEd** » Thu Sep 25, 2014 7:44 am

Anyone got one of these?

http://www.thomann.de/gb/dave_smith_ins ... dul_pe.htm

looks interesting - there's a 12 module too - is that better? (that has digital oscs)

Also the Spectralis looks cool

eXode · Post by **eXode** » Thu Sep 25, 2014 6:12 pm

aMUSEd wrote:Anyone got one of these?

http://www.thomann.de/gb/dave_smith_ins ... dul_pe.htm

looks interesting - there's a 12 module too - is that better? (that has digital oscs)

Also the Spectralis looks cool

The Prophet 08 is a pretty ordinary analogue synthesizer based on DCO's. It's quite similar to an Oberheim OB-8 imho (but perhaps "cleaner" in both tuning and sound). It uses a digital processor for generating sequences, envelopes, LFO's, etc (all control signals, only the audio path is analogue).

The Prophet 12 is more "out of the ordinary" as it offers 4 digital oscillators that allow for sync, AM, and FM, and a sub oscillator, some digital effects, quite fast DSP processors that allows for faster modulation rates, etc. however it does have analogue filter (2P/4P LPF, 2P HPF, both resonant), analogue amplifier, and an analogue stereo distortion at the end.

However when it comes to both the Prophet 08 and Prophet 12 you have to try them both in person, not everyone love their sound. They have a character of their own and are known to sit well in a mix, but again the character is not for everyone. I personally think the P'08 has a decent character.

Try them both if you have the possibility as the P'08 and P'12 are quite different beasts.

eXode · Post by **eXode** » Thu Sep 25, 2014 6:17 pm

Here are two demos of the Prophet 12. I personally think these are pretty good and showcase different types of sounds that the Prophet 12 are capable of. It's capable of much more than this though.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wvzRCFI4kg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEd7DWb1tEI

aMUSEd · Post by **aMUSEd** » Thu Sep 25, 2014 6:22 pm

I think for me the 12 looks more interesting than the 8 but would be more interested in the module as I already have enough keyboards but the module version lacks knobs! Maybe I could hook it up to a small knob box?

aMUSEd · Post by **aMUSEd** » Thu Sep 25, 2014 6:23 pm

awol9000 wrote:How about the Korg Radias? Unashamedly digital. Huge mod matrix and routing, step sequencer and tons of knobs. VA and Phase Distortion synthesis plus PCM samples & vocoder.

Thanks but I tried the Radias when I bought my Virus Ti and it paled in comparison.

eXode · Post by **eXode** » Thu Sep 25, 2014 6:44 pm

aMUSEd wrote:I think for me the 12 looks more interesting than the 8 but would be more interested in the module as I already have enough keyboards but the module version lacks knobs! Maybe I could hook it up to a small knob box?

Absolutely, DSI stuff usually has very good MIDI implementation. However, most people that have tried the module says that it's very well thought out. Even if there's few knobs, the layout with the OLED screen and the associated knobs is apparently quite smooth to work with. Chris Hector of DSI stated that every parameter is available one, or max two button presses away.

Supposedly there's a VST editor out from soundtower now as well, if that's your thing.

aMUSEd · Post by **aMUSEd** » Thu Sep 25, 2014 10:09 pm

Gordon Reid writes another great review - seems he likes it very much:

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/nov13/a ... het-12.htm

this is looking like a definite contender.

I might have to get the keyboard version though - those touch strips look useful

http://www.keyboardmag.com/gear/1183/da ... ynth/29450

pdxindy · Post by **pdxindy** » Fri Sep 26, 2014 3:50 am

I think the P12 deserves the keyboard...

aMUSEd · Post by **aMUSEd** » Sat Sep 27, 2014 9:24 pm

I think so too - I've been looking at the specs but it doesn't say if the knobs output midi - would double as a great controller keyboard if they do:

http://www.davesmithinstruments.com/pro ... /specs.php

fluffy_little_something · Sat Sep 27, 2014 10:04 pm

Why do you want to spend so much money when you already have such good gear?

Donate it to Ebola research if you must get rid of excess cash

humco · Post by **humco** » Sat Sep 27, 2014 10:34 pm

I got my prophet 12 module in July, I'm considering putting it up as new / opened box online. If you live within 500 miles of me, we could arrange a meeting where you could test out the unit and be sure that its in absolute mint condition (still has factory sticker over the glass screen, for example). I absolutely loved it for the few hours I tinkered with it, but I'm graduating and having to radically downsize my studio because I'm moving to a new city and can no longer just freely pull out money from the university XD. Send me a pm if you're interested

.

aMUSEd · Post by **aMUSEd** » Sat Sep 27, 2014 10:41 pm

Thanks - are you in the UK?

ew · Post by ew » Mon Sep 29, 2014 2:08 am

fmr wrote:
aMUSEd wrote: Actually maybe I should look out for a used Z1?
A good option (an unfairly underrated synth, IMO)... but I thought you were thinking more about analogue.

It is a good option - and they're cheap these days. I picked mine up a couple years ago for $400 or so.

ew

aMUSEd · Post by **aMUSEd** » Fri Oct 03, 2014 5:20 pm

Had a chance to demo a Prophet 12 today (plus a couple of other synths) - it's really very playable, very well laid out and easy to understand pretty much every main function has a knob so little menu diving, keyboard action is pretty good, a bit light for me and the aftertouch doesn't seem to be being used in many patches, the ribbon strips are great but it doesn't show what they are mapped to without going into settings. Knob's feel good and can be set to relative takeover which stops them jumping, didn't like the feel of the 4 endless controllers though, not very smooth. Every single knob can also transmit NRPN or CC so this would double as a fantastic controller keyboard - like my V-Synth I was pleased to see inputs for 3 pedals (I use all 3). The filter is great and you can get some lovely FM tones from it as well as more analog stuff, the decimate effect is great. Overall I can see myself going for this.

Also tested a Studiologic Sledge which was actually great fun - built like a tank, love the colour (very Waldorfy), fantastic keybed for the price as well, actually I thought the keyboard action was better than the Pro 12's. Nice phaser too. It's a great simple to use Waldorf based wavetable/VA synth - surprised it doesn't get talked about much.

Tested an Analog 4 as well but didn't like it - the knobs felt very cheap and plasticky and the interface was not as clear as the Pro 12's or Sledge. And a System 1 - which was awful - put me right off, the keybed is so shallow it makes it sound very flat and no aftertouch, the filter was not very good either.

Hardware synths - something out of the ordinary?