2021: A Year in Gear (What You've Bought or Want to Buy in 2021)

[elxsound]

I've also considered MODX at some point, but don't have the space for large keyboards

This is my world. No space!

We were planning on moving into a house this year, but the pandemic upended that plan. In this area, people are outbidding each other and paying over asking prices. I can't imagine this area becoming affordable for another 2 years.

If we can find a 2 bedroom spot over the next two months, I might just end up with some proper synth space (and modular space ).

[foosnark]

My Odessa arrived, and it's awesome.

If it's similar to anything, it's NI Razor -- except there are 2560 partials instead of 320, and you can FM the entire thing, and it just generally sounds better In a nutshell, there are tuning adjustments (1, 3 or 5 detunable voices, "tension" to change the harmonicity, a method of splitting the partials into two banks and then harmonically multiplying/dividing one of the banks) and amplitude control (spectral tilt, plus a comb "filter" with comb density, peak shape, and "warp" which changes the linearity of comb spacing).

It can sound really mellow, nice and peaky with the comb filter, fluffy and vague, or as bright and cutting as you'd expect additive to be.

The #1 complaint I have read is there's no way to stop the fundamental from coming through the main outputs, and I agree, that would have been nice when using the multiplier. Xaoc has decided there will be no firmware updates, because updating an FPGA is ten kinds of pain in the ass. (But Intellijel did it for Shapeshifter/Rainmaker...) I can live with it though, it's easy enough to either mix the fundamental output inversely or just filter it in the DAW (assuming no FM anyway).

[vurt]

i watched a few videos on that after you mentioned it
not something im looking for personally, but did seem very deep and lush sounding
certainly enough going on to keep it interesting for a good while!

[pekbro]

The Odessa seems really cool, so far the Telharmonic has additive covered sufficiently for me I guess.
In other purchase news, I have decided to spring for the ADDAC112, mostly all the cv control options have put it over the top for me against the rest of the looper/granular euro lineup.

[vurt]

ooh that looks fun!

[foosnark]

I have decided to spring for the ADDAC112

Cool, let us know how it goes -- it looks insane

[elxsound]

These may not look like much, but I wish I had bought them earlier.

I've been using a hosa 3.5mm stereo to 1/4" mono 6 foot adapter. These Tisino ones do the same damn thing, but now I can pick and choose the cord length I need. This is freedom for under $10.

The other is another under $10 purchase. It's just a cheap 5v to 9v USB adapter that does its job. I've been using the Cioks4 powered by a battery powerpack for a clean sound, except I'd still get some unwanted noise from both the Eventide Rose (attributed to the modulation rate vs. led synced modulation rate) and from any overdrive pedal...

Now I know, these things need to have their own power source. No more hum. No more whirring and under $10.

[imrae]

Very surprised that you could get cleaner power from that cable than from a Cioks 4, those things are state-of-the-art. What are you plugging the USB end into?

(I have been wondering about the most convenient way to power pedals near my modular, and could easily add some 5V USB-A ports...)

[pekbro]

I have decided to spring for the ADDAC112

Cool, let us know how it goes -- it looks insane

It's going to be a couple months I guess, 1st batch sold out of course

[foosnark]

Gave into temptation and ordered a Manis Iteritas and Clep Diaz. I never should have sold the first Manis I had, but at least this one will have the nicer full black panel.

[FriskyRingo]

A new controller keyboard is on the cards - waiting impatiently til things open up to start trying out stuff.

Think this will be the year I get my first hardware synth. Trying to whittle down the options but it's feeling like this will be the first one of many. The Roland SE-02 has me intrigued.

Also trying to figure out what audio interface/mixer setup would work well for me (a digi-002/3 with Linux support would be perfect but I'm leaning towards a babyface at the moment)

[pdxindy]

I ordered an Isla S2400 Sampler... might not arrive this year though

[vurt]

a little off topic, it was a gift from my granddaughter (im assuming mum and dad sorted it, she's one)

Screenshot_2021-03-13-20-36-07-074~2.jpg

[Constructed Identity]

Maybe thinking the same way, just ordered Novation Circuit tracks
Next either Korg Prologue 16 or Novation Summit

Have you seen any info on the polyphony of the Circuit Tracks synths and samples? I've can't find anything specific. On Reddit, I was reading that for samples, it's limited to 1 voice (per sampler, with of course 4 samplers).

I think I'm going to have to wait for Circuit Tracks to be released, but it honestly looks fun. I love my Op-Z so I think I'd like Circuit Tracks for when I want "more" without needing to set up a more complex session.

The Circuit is limited to 1 minute of samples loaded at a time. Same thing for the newer Circuit Tracks and that is the biggest limiting factor for me since I don't know if I will use the onboard synth much. I bought it for possibly controlling my Moog Little Phatty as a bass line with drum samples from my huge collection.
Finally bought the Korg Prologue 16 today and I am in love with the sound.

[pekbro]

I ordered an Isla S2400 Sampler... might not arrive this year though

Nice! I should get mine by May hopefully.