KVR Audio

BONES · Post by **BONES** » Wed Jul 12, 2017 2:04 am

I think the most convincing demo I've heard is this one -
Even so, it's not quite floating my boat. It doesn't seem to have the flexibility of a Pulse 2 and watching people on YouTube twiddling its knobs highlights just how tiny and close-packed they are.

sl1200mk2 · Post by **sl1200mk2** » Wed Jul 12, 2017 2:19 pm

BONES wrote:It doesn't seem to have the flexibility of a Pulse 2...

Pulse 2 was on my short list for a mono prior to the SE-02 announcement along with the other usual suspects. I pre-ordered the SE-02 and what put me over the top was:

1. Price

2. Interface -- small knobs don't matter much in my case, but of course everyone is different. While I understand the Waldorf matrix/layout (had their gear in past), I prefer more knobs per function.

3. Sequencer with parameter locking -- this is what sold me the most. Having used some Elektron gear now, I really get what this can be all about. Never made a fuss about having a sequencer or not in the past, but it adds so much to it.

Entirely likely I'll end up with a Pulse 2 at some point as well, but excited to get my hands on the Roland first.

BONES · Post by **BONES** » Thu Jul 13, 2017 5:57 am

Well, I got my Pulse 2 second-hand for $200 less than the SE-02 will cost here. The SE-02 is $100 more than a new Korg Minilogue and almost twice as much as a MicroBrute or Monologue, which it is much closer to in terms of features. I could also have a Waldorf Rocket and an Arturia Keystep for $150 less so I don't quite see how the SE-02 stacks up, price-wise. The Pulse 2 also has a programmable sequencer in it's arpeggiator.

Uncle E · Post by **Uncle E** » Thu Jul 13, 2017 6:34 am

In the US, the SE-02 is the same price as the Minilogue and both are $250 less than the Pulse 2. Also, as much as I like the Rocket and Pulse 2 as monophonic bass and lead synths, I personally don't consider their paraphonic voices as much of a feature and I'd much rather have the true polyphonic Minilogue if I were looking for more voices. The Minilogue is still the one to beat if someone is looking for value, IMO.

Also, the SE-02 is more comparable to a Moog than the synths you mentioned. They're all greats synths but maybe not if someone is looking for a big 3 oscillator Minimoog sound.

BONES · Post by **BONES** » Thu Jul 13, 2017 9:18 am

I got bored with the Minilogue quite quickly, it is too much like all my softsynths. I actually prefer the Monologue, especially with it's improved sequencer. I don't use the paraphonic capabilities of the Waldorf synths for anything other than big, fat unison (as well as cross-mod in the rocket, of course) and, to me, that's what makes them something quite special. I just wish the Pulse 2 had some on-board effects to broaden it's capabilities. (I use the effects in my AG06 mixer for the Rocket). The Minilogue/Monologue could also do with band-pass and/or high-pass filters.

If I could only keep one, it would definitely be the Rocket. It's completely irrational but I just love it to bits. I'm thinking of changing my will to make sure it goes in the coffin with me, just in case death is more boring that I expect it to be.

sl1200mk2 · Post by **sl1200mk2** » Thu Jul 13, 2017 2:40 pm

BONES wrote:...so I don't quite see how the SE-02 stacks up, price-wise.

I was only considering new pricing in the US as that's where I'm at. $749 for a Pulse 2 is a hefty jump up from $499 for the SE-02 (which can already be had in some cases for $449). We're spoiled for choice, but that's a good thing.

BONES · Post by **BONES** » Fri Jul 14, 2017 12:50 am

Uncle E wrote:Also, the SE-02 is more comparable to a Moog than the synths you mentioned. They're all greats synths but maybe not if someone is looking for a big 3 oscillator Minimoog sound.

They're synths and 99% of the sounds anyone will use will sound the same regardless. I'd rather have something that is it's own, unique thing, like Rocket, than something that slavishly copies something that has already been done. And if I was someone who did want that, I sure as hell wouldn't want anything that sounded like a Moog. I can't remember ever being impressed with their sound back in the day, and everyone abandoned them in droves when better machines came along. so I'd never want it now. e.g. When I first started going to see bands, in 1979, MiniMoogs were a common site but by 1981 you just never saw them on stage. I used to see MS-20s and Pro-Ones and Prophet Vs and Jupiter 8s and OB-Xs but no Moogs. By the mid 80's it was all Roland and Korg and Yamaha, the US brands didn't get a look in.

Uncle E · Post by **Uncle E** » Fri Jul 14, 2017 12:54 am

BONES wrote:I don't use the paraphonic capabilities of the Waldorf synths for anything other than big, fat unison (as well as cross-mod in the rocket, of course) and, to me, that's what makes them something quite special.

Yes, I agree with that. It's an awesome sound, my old Pulse 1 can't do that.

The Minilogue/Monologue could also do with band-pass and/or high-pass filters.

Agreed.

Uncle E · Post by **Uncle E** » Fri Jul 14, 2017 12:58 am

BONES wrote:They're synths and 99% of the sounds anyone will use will sound the same regardless. I'd rather have something that is it's own, unique thing, like Rocket, than something that slavishly copies something that has already been done. And if I was someone who did want that, I sure as hell wouldn't want anything that sounded like a Moog.

Right, which is why I said "if someone is looking for a big 3 oscillator Minimoog sound". I wouldn't recommend the SE-02, SE-1, or ATC-1 to anyone who isn't interested in the Moog sound.

transmetropolitan · Post by **transmetropolitan** » Fri Jul 14, 2017 6:50 am

Uncle E wrote:
BONES wrote:They're synths and 99% of the sounds anyone will use will sound the same regardless. I'd rather have something that is it's own, unique thing, like Rocket, than something that slavishly copies something that has already been done. And if I was someone who did want that, I sure as hell wouldn't want anything that sounded like a Moog.
Right, which is why I said "if someone is looking for a big 3 oscillator Minimoog sound". I wouldn't recommend the SE-02, SE-1, or ATC-1 to anyone who isn't interested in the Moog sound.

SE-02 is definitely in the category of 'inspired by' rather than 'slavish copy' anyway.

It has more waveforms than the Minimoog but doesn't have the variable waveforms. It has Osc sync, PWM and cross mod. It has a sequencer with parameter sequencing capability. It has patch memories.

More importantly, SE have their own history and identity which yes, is very much in the Moog lineage, but nonetheless is also its own thing.

BONES · Post by **BONES** » Sat Jul 15, 2017 12:36 am

Uncle E wrote:I wouldn't recommend the SE-02, SE-1, or ATC-1 to anyone who isn't interested in the Moog sound.

That's EXACTLY the stupidity I'm talking about. I'm not in any way interested in "the Moog sound" but I will absolutely want to try the SE-02 out for myself because I don't believe for a moment that simply because it sounds like a Moog it won't be any good. But there are people whose minds are so closed that a label like that will be enough to put them off. Of course, the flip-side is also true - there will be no shortage of people who will buy it simply because it gets compared to the sound of Moogs. Americans mostly, I'd imagine, as many of these things seem to be drawn along patriotic lines.

Stupid American Pig · Sat Jul 15, 2017 12:46 am

BONES wrote:
Uncle E wrote:I wouldn't recommend the SE-02, SE-1, or ATC-1 to anyone who isn't interested in the Moog sound.
That's EXACTLY the stupidity I'm talking about. I'm not in any way interested in "the Moog sound" but I will absolutely want to try the SE-02 out for myself because I don't believe for a moment that simply because it sounds like a Moog it won't be any good. But there are people whose minds are so closed that a label like that will be enough to put them off. Of course, the flip-side is also true - there will be no shortage of people who will buy it simply because it gets compared to the sound of Moogs. Americans mostly, I'd imagine, as many of these things seem to be drawn along patriotic lines.

Uncle E · Post by **Uncle E** » Sat Jul 15, 2017 3:50 am

BONES wrote:That's EXACTLY the stupidity I'm talking about. I'm not in any way interested in "the Moog sound" but I will absolutely want to try the SE-02 out for myself because I don't believe for a moment that simply because it sounds like a Moog it won't be any good.

OK. I had gotten a different impression from your earlier posts. Sorry about that.

But there are people whose minds are so closed that a label like that will be enough to put them off. Of course, the flip-side is also true - there will be no shortage of people who will buy it simply because it gets compared to the sound of Moogs.

I've owned many Moog and Studio Electronics synths, including a Prodigy and 4 x ATC-1's that I still own, and I'm definitely someone who's drawn to the SE-02 based on those Moog-ish sounds in the first video. Actually, those sounds remind me more of my ATC-1's (go figure) or my old OB-1 than anything else.

Americans mostly, I'd imagine, as many of these things seem to be drawn along patriotic lines.

We're building a wall of sound.

Aliens · Post by **Aliens** » Sat Jul 15, 2017 3:57 am

Uncle E wrote:
We're building a wall of sound.

As long as it still plays Mexican radio

BONES · Post by **BONES** » Sun Jul 16, 2017 10:26 am

But then it would be a Wall Of Voodoo.

Roland Boutique SE-02 ... (actual analog. roland brand, studio electronics build)