Repro 5: SSM or Curtis?

[blue monk]

Was the Repro 5 modelled on a Prophet 5 model with Curtis chips or SSM?

I suppose that the models with Curtis are more common and it's therefore more likely that one of these was used as reference.

I have heard various synthesisers that use SSM chips and very often I find those have a lot more magic. Now this is highly subjective and wether I would be able to distinguish this in a blind-test would have to be seen.
Still, I would be very interested to have SSM based emulations (unless of course, when emulating it, the (assumed) difference is lost).

Has the U-He team checked models with SSM and Curtis before deciding which to model?

[EvilDragon]

Rev 3, Curtis. SSM P-5s are rare and way too expensive to take apart for modeling, apparently (upwards of $5000 on second hand market).

[mholloway]

Queue the debate on the "magic" properties of SSM

[Chris-S]

A link with SSM / Curtis sound compare examples, anyone?

[Urs]

Has the U-He team checked models with SSM and Curtis before deciding which to model?

There's no model of the Pro-One with SSM chips, and Repro-5 came about as a result of frequent requests for a polyphonic version of Repro-1. Hence a Rev 3 was used for reference.

[nevernamed]

SSM P-5s are rare and way too expensive to take apart for modeling, apparently (upwards of $5000 on second hand market).

I paid $5000 USD even for mine last year. Not sure if that's gone up or down since but they're pretty hard to find.

[EvilDragon]

Willing to donate yours to u-he so they can model it?

[Chris-S]

Beware: They will take it apart...

[nevernamed]

SSM P-5s are rare and way too expensive to take apart for modeling, apparently (upwards of $5000 on second hand market).

I paid $5000 USD even for mine last year. Not sure if that's gone up or down since but they're pretty hard to find.

Hmmm. Not sure. It's an interesting idea. We're moving to Berlin soon as well so... it's possible maybe I don't know. I'm a U-he customer and do keep an eye on recent developments so, we'll see.

[CrystalWizard]

I've built numerous circuits with both SSM and Curtis chips. IMO and others the SSM filter chips do sound better.

[Funkybot's Evil Twin]

SSM P-5s are rare and way too expensive to take apart for modeling, apparently (upwards of $5000 on second hand market).

I paid $5000 USD even for mine last year. Not sure if that's gone up or down since but they're pretty hard to find.

Hmmm. Not sure. It's an interesting idea. We're moving to Berlin soon as well so... it's possible maybe I don't know. I'm a U-he customer and do keep an eye on recent developments so, we'll see.

I believe a few companies are either currently, or in the process of, reissuing SSM chips. I vaguely recall Urs having said at one point that they'd consider a Rev2 when those reissue chips become available as he didn't want to risk a vintage P5 R2. If I had an original and there was a chance of damaging it in the modeling process, with no good way to replace any damaged chips, I certainly wouldn't give it up. If it could be modeled with a guarantee the original wouldn't be damaged, or the chips could be replaced if so, would be a different story. If they just plan on popping the chips out and breadboarding them, then just doing that with the reissue chips probably makes the most sense from a U-he perspective. Just my two cents...

[CrystalWizard]

I don't have a P5 but i'll gladly loan u-he some SSM chips for evaluation/emulation if they want them.

I'm sure if u-he borrowed a rev1 P5 they would fix or pay to fix it It's not rocket science fixing even the rev1 units.

[EvilDragon]

The problem with SSM chips (in Prophet-5 at least to my knowledge) is that it's not JUST about those chips, but the circuitry surrounding them as well (especially at the filter) that steers them in some directions...

[CrystalWizard]

Yes, the supporting circuitry does also has an effect but the different topologies inside each chip are quite distinctive sound wise, too. With those two styles of circuit it's all passive components. That could make a difference (esp caps) but the active components (the ICs) usually make a more prominent difference. You're right in that if i sent u-he the chips they would need to build the complete circuits to properly model them.

I'm not much for whole synth emulations but a module that emulates a SSM2040 style VCF (in Reaktor, VCV, or in Zebra) would interest me greatly.

[blue monk]

I got this idea from watching sound demos of the Siel DK 600 and Opera 6.


This is a demo of the P5 Rev 2