The Legend vs repro-1

[ghettosynth]

Ironically, (as of course you know) Dave Smith didn't design all that much of the Pro-1 in any case because it uses the canonical "off the shelf" analogue modules of the day. I have immense respect for Dave Smith, however, I never thought that he was in the same class as Bob Moog, Doug Curtis, or Dave Rossum as an analogue designer. He was good at the systems level aspect and digital design, but all of the fundamental building blocks are made from CEM chips. It's not much different than building a SynthEdit synth from the standard blocks.

That's besides the point though, he still designed the instrument which is being emulated. And it's not like VST developers today are creating everything from scratch.

I disagree. If we talk about the design, what did Dave Smith actually design here? He didn't design the major components in any real sense of the word, Doug Curtis did. They are basically data sheet reference designs with some minor changes. He didn't design the basic 2XVCO->VCF->VCA architecture with some LFO/EG modulation applied to the VCF/VCA, many others before him did. So, you're elevating what are basically minor, and frankly, somewhat arbitrary choices of modulation routing while dismissing Urs' major design contributions to a software version.

They aren't the same thing, one is hardware, one is software. Both had to be designed, both had distinct and arguably difficult design choices that had be made. Yes, Dave Smith gets a nod for being first to the map, but we must take off points for using off the shelf components. I was quite serious in my comparison. "Designing" a synth like the pro-1 isn't a challenging exercise at all if one is going to use off the shelf components from another manufacturer. It's roughly as difficult as designing a synth in SynthEdit. Taking it to a product is another thing and certainly a different skillset and we give Dave all the credit there. But I think that you're claim that Urs didn't design a synthesizer is off base. He certainly did, and arguably, he designed a synthesizer that is beyond Dave Smith's capability to design.

[woodsdenis]

I sometimes wonder if the inventors of pitch correction hate themselves for what they did to music. I also wonder if Bob Moog, Dave Smith and their colleagues are (or would be) appalled by the snobism that some collectors of analogue synths exhibit (explicitly: not all of them!). I wonder if they feel awkward when their inventions are used as status symbols. Or maybe they're proud, I don't know. Anyhow, my impression is that they(d) prefer their stuff to be used to make music. I think they(d) rather be proud of being cited, also because it puts their achievements into the hands of more talented musicians than ebay ever will.

Bravo, totally agree, I owned and used a Minimoog,Prophet 5, Wavestation, Oberheim Matrix6,PPG, Emulator 2 , Fairlight Series 3, TX rack, Sp12 Drum machine plus countless other Rolands and Korgs. At the time that was it, there was very little choice if you wanted to make music in a certain genre. I don't own any of them now and I wouldn't buy them again or miss them. The current state of VST are as good or not better in use than any of them that I owned or used. The Legend to me sounds and feels like a Minimoog as does Repro with a Pro One. UHE, Synapse, Xfer amongst others create new and exciting synths which is what should be occupying players and composers.

Before the ill-informed jump in notice I carefully used the phrase "that I used". If you really want to get that elusive sound its probably possible if you have the talent to program it. Case in point , in the UHE forum there was a discussion on how to get the Steve Winwood "Take a Chance" sound. I thought it was a Prophet but Howard researched and it was a Moog (can't remember which one but not a mini) and lo and behold came up with a patch which was identical for Diva.

Now that being said any of the big modular systems are probably unattainable in DSP now, TBH I more looking forward the Zebra 3

[AnX]

Urs and Richard are very good at maths.

[nordickvr]

Urs and Richard are very good at maths.

Yes, where math becomes an art form

[egbert101]

Looking at the poll above, I'm glad my opinion is in the minority.

[AnX]

Urs and Richard are very good at maths.

Yes, where maths becomes an art form

FTFY

[ghettosynth]

Urs and Richard are very good at maths.

Yes, where maths becomes an art form

FTFY

Totally a British thing. In the U.S., math is like the word code when referring to source code. Only EEs and physicists say "codes", and we laugh at them when they do.

[AnX]

Urs and Richard are very good at maths.

Yes, where maths becomes an art form

FTFY

Totally a British thing. In the U.S., math is like the word code when referring to source code. Only EEs and physicists say "codes", and we laugh at them when they do.

Time must just fly by....

[martinjuenke]

Let's bury this thread - it's question is already and clearly answered by the poll on top of it...

[AnX]

Let's bury this thread - it's question is already and clearly answered by the poll on top of it...

Indeed. Nearly 100 ppl have spoken. We can all sleep well now.

[Aliens]

Urs, if you're lurking, I'd be interested in an expanded range of U-he boutique mono synths.
No poly needed, just the same love and attention found in Repro-1 will suffice.

[shroom81]

This is a stupid thread and should be deleted.

No, it's a beautiful thread and should be framed.

Ok printing now

[egbert101]

Monosynths people want so far:

Octave The Cat
Roland SH-09
Moog Prodigy
Studio Electronics SE-1

I would add:

Moog Sub 37
Moog Taurus II
ARP Pro-Soloist
EMS Synthi A

Make it so.

[Aliens]

I'd really like a U-he Memorymoog, but I expect they'll be too busy already if they released half of that list

[mholloway]

Conclusions reached from this thread, straight up:


None of us will ever be happy with what we already have;

We will always just keep asking for more;

We will die empty of meaning and completely alone.