IK announces UNO Synth Pro
- KVRist
- 217 posts since 25 May, 2012 from Sunny Philly
Im so on the fence about this, I really dont want a desktop as I just end up not using them (I currently have a bookcase full of unused desktops) but to get the keys version Id likely have to sell my Karp to make room. So Im really playing it just now to see if I wanna let it go…even harder the akai range have a build in oddy I can use as a placeholder…what a problem to have, too much gear
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- KVRAF
- 11156 posts since 2 Dec, 2004 from North Wales
I guess it depends how much you will sequence and how you just ant to play it live- the little keyboard is great for sequencing (even has LED's) and personally if I want to rip I would rather plug it in a 61 note controller- should sit on top of my Nektar P6 just fine
X32 Desk, i9 PC, S49MK2, Studio One, BWS, Live 12. PUSH 3 SA, Osmose, Summit, Pro 3, Prophet8, Syntakt, Digitone, Drumlogue, OP1-F, Eurorack, TD27 Drums, Nord Drum3P, Guitars, Basses, Amps and of course lots of pedals!
- KVRist
- 217 posts since 25 May, 2012 from Sunny Philly
I rarely, if ever, use on board sequencers…Im not OCD (I think) but general clutter distracts me. I use to have everything out, crammed everywhere and it just niggled me…I see some folks desktop setups and I can feel that niggle rising lol.
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- KVRAF
- 11156 posts since 2 Dec, 2004 from North Wales
OK- got it! (good old next day Amazon!), cant get over how small and light it is for so many features and such a big sound!
Registered and updated firmware (went without a hitch other than having to find another shitty 'micro' USB cable as it said you needed USB and separate power...why Micro USB IK, why!)
It sounds and big and bally as all the reviews say, that analogue distortion helps. Plays USB midi nicely and I could do program/patch changes easily so I am playing it now with my Nektar P6...aftertouch set up on all the patches, everything just works...very cool. The p6 has a nice hardware mode where you can map and remember everything as a hardware profile so I may have a go at that later, just need to find the cc map.
It's pretty good at 3 note chords, almost sounds like a poly!
Can you transpose sequences whey are playing by hitting a note? This is nifty on the XD, turns the sequencer in to a performance tool. I love setting up a little sequence running then noodling over it with another synth...
Not sure I like that the hold button turns the synth off if you hold it too long...I know its a latch, but it would be nice if it could act as a 'sustain whilst hold' (alt- hold to lock) and maybe have to hold 2 different keys at once to turn off to avoid accidents (especially as the re-calibration isn't exactly instant!
Guess I'll have to look at the manual fore the sequencer, bit more to that but the synth is self explanatory and easy to program (FX take a little digging but its a small box!)
Registered and updated firmware (went without a hitch other than having to find another shitty 'micro' USB cable as it said you needed USB and separate power...why Micro USB IK, why!)
It sounds and big and bally as all the reviews say, that analogue distortion helps. Plays USB midi nicely and I could do program/patch changes easily so I am playing it now with my Nektar P6...aftertouch set up on all the patches, everything just works...very cool. The p6 has a nice hardware mode where you can map and remember everything as a hardware profile so I may have a go at that later, just need to find the cc map.
It's pretty good at 3 note chords, almost sounds like a poly!
Can you transpose sequences whey are playing by hitting a note? This is nifty on the XD, turns the sequencer in to a performance tool. I love setting up a little sequence running then noodling over it with another synth...
Not sure I like that the hold button turns the synth off if you hold it too long...I know its a latch, but it would be nice if it could act as a 'sustain whilst hold' (alt- hold to lock) and maybe have to hold 2 different keys at once to turn off to avoid accidents (especially as the re-calibration isn't exactly instant!
Guess I'll have to look at the manual fore the sequencer, bit more to that but the synth is self explanatory and easy to program (FX take a little digging but its a small box!)
X32 Desk, i9 PC, S49MK2, Studio One, BWS, Live 12. PUSH 3 SA, Osmose, Summit, Pro 3, Prophet8, Syntakt, Digitone, Drumlogue, OP1-F, Eurorack, TD27 Drums, Nord Drum3P, Guitars, Basses, Amps and of course lots of pedals!
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- KVRAF
- 11156 posts since 2 Dec, 2004 from North Wales
Ok, I hate that I can’t read the alt text under the buttons as there are a lot of alt commands (shift + button) and the writing is unreadable to me even in bright light….dark grey text on black
Some not marked at all so it’s a memory test…for example, transpose sequence is ALT Octave - (nothing written on the UNO to indicate that, so you need the manual and a good memory! )
I don’t like the red case, looks cheap and the shiny black top is a dust and fingerprint magnet.
But I f’in love the sound it makes, and ultimately that’s what it’s all about…it’s alive! The filters and analog distortion can be balanced to get that just on the edge sound that has a life of its own…it reminds you that VA sounds nothing like good analog, and even a lot of analog synths are quite tame in comparison to the UNO Pro, it has to be heard in the flesh I think (and every preset benefits from more distortion in my opinion )
Keeper.
Some not marked at all so it’s a memory test…for example, transpose sequence is ALT Octave - (nothing written on the UNO to indicate that, so you need the manual and a good memory! )
I don’t like the red case, looks cheap and the shiny black top is a dust and fingerprint magnet.
But I f’in love the sound it makes, and ultimately that’s what it’s all about…it’s alive! The filters and analog distortion can be balanced to get that just on the edge sound that has a life of its own…it reminds you that VA sounds nothing like good analog, and even a lot of analog synths are quite tame in comparison to the UNO Pro, it has to be heard in the flesh I think (and every preset benefits from more distortion in my opinion )
Keeper.
X32 Desk, i9 PC, S49MK2, Studio One, BWS, Live 12. PUSH 3 SA, Osmose, Summit, Pro 3, Prophet8, Syntakt, Digitone, Drumlogue, OP1-F, Eurorack, TD27 Drums, Nord Drum3P, Guitars, Basses, Amps and of course lots of pedals!
- KVRAF
- 25397 posts since 3 Feb, 2005 from in the wilds
That perks up my ears! I live for that just on the edge sound. Wish I could try one... hmmmSLiC wrote: ↑Wed Jul 28, 2021 11:08 pmBut I f’in love the sound it makes, and ultimately that’s what it’s all about…it’s alive! The filters and analog distortion can be balanced to get that just on the edge sound that has a life of its own…it reminds you that VA sounds nothing like good analog, and even a lot of analog synths are quite tame in comparison to the UNO Pro, it has to be heard in the flesh I think (and every preset benefits from more distortion in my opinion )
Keeper.
- GRRRRRRR!
- 15939 posts since 14 Jun, 2001 from Somewhere else, on principle
Because it is USB 2 and it is a slave device, so the choices would have been miniUSB (which nobody uses any more), USB Type B (printer cable, which has been the standard for a while) or microUSB. I think of those, microUSB was by far the best choice. The sheer range of cables you can buy for it are amazing. My Unos both use reversible right-angle (Type A end only) braided cables in the same shade of red as the Uno Pro. The Seaboard uses a silver Type C cable, the KeyStep a black microUSB. Rocket has a blue Type B and the Zoom I/O device is a Type B with a clear plastic sheath. Each is a good length for the rig, so there aren't cables going everywhere, and the colour coding makes it so easy to plug it all in in a hurry.
What amazes me is how good a lot of the paraphonic patches sound. I wasn't sure a single oscillator would be up to scratch but most of the time you can't tell if it's paraphonic until you play a chord.It sounds and big and bally as all the reviews say, that analogue distortion helps.
I've only played mine from its own keyboard, which I don't mind and it's the same size/spacing as the original Uno. It's how I'll use it live. I've developed a one finger playing style for them where I don't lift my finger, I just run it up/down the surface. It's amazing how quickly you can move your finger when you have to.Plays USB midi nicely and I could do program/patch changes easily so I am playing it now with my Nektar P6...aftertouch set up on all the patches, everything just works...very cool.
You know, I don't think I have so much as turned the sequencer on since I got it. I've used the one on the little Uno to preview patches but I can't recall doing that on the new one. I use the buttons to change patches.Guess I'll have to look at the manual fore the sequencer, bit more to that but the synth is self explanatory and easy to program (FX take a little digging but its a small box!)
NOVAkILL : Asus RoG Flow Z13, Core i9, 16GB RAM, Win11 | EVO 16 | Studio One | bx_oberhausen, GR-8, JP6K, Union, Hexeract, Olga, TRK-01, SEM, BA-1, Thorn, Prestige, Spire, Legend-HZ, ANA-2, VG Iron 2 | Uno Pro, Rocket.
- GRRRRRRR!
- 15939 posts since 14 Jun, 2001 from Somewhere else, on principle
I don't get that. It sounds great but it's not a patch on my best VSTi. In fact, last night I accidentally made a patch in GR-8 that sounded almost identical to the best patch I've made in Uno Pro, except the GR-8 patch had more width that gave it a presence in the mix that Uno Pro couldn't manage. Mind you, GR-8 was in 8 voice unison mode, on full spread, and Uno Pro was just its three oscillators. Perhaps you could share a patch that illustrates what you mean?SLiC wrote: ↑Wed Jul 28, 2021 11:08 pmThe filters and analog distortion can be balanced to get that just on the edge sound that has a life of its own…it reminds you that VA sounds nothing like good analog, and even a lot of analog synths are quite tame in comparison to the UNO Pro, it has to be heard in the flesh I think
It's a known fact that EVERY preset in EVERY instrument benefits from more distortion.(and every preset benefits from more distortion in my opinion )
NOVAkILL : Asus RoG Flow Z13, Core i9, 16GB RAM, Win11 | EVO 16 | Studio One | bx_oberhausen, GR-8, JP6K, Union, Hexeract, Olga, TRK-01, SEM, BA-1, Thorn, Prestige, Spire, Legend-HZ, ANA-2, VG Iron 2 | Uno Pro, Rocket.
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- KVRAF
- 11156 posts since 2 Dec, 2004 from North Wales
It was patch 69 with resonance up and obviously a little more distortion- playing lower notes and riding the filter- I will try and record something for a demo.
X32 Desk, i9 PC, S49MK2, Studio One, BWS, Live 12. PUSH 3 SA, Osmose, Summit, Pro 3, Prophet8, Syntakt, Digitone, Drumlogue, OP1-F, Eurorack, TD27 Drums, Nord Drum3P, Guitars, Basses, Amps and of course lots of pedals!
- GRRRRRRR!
- 15939 posts since 14 Jun, 2001 from Somewhere else, on principle
Cool, ta. I'll check it out when I can tear myself away from Prophecy's Prophetic Steps.
NOVAkILL : Asus RoG Flow Z13, Core i9, 16GB RAM, Win11 | EVO 16 | Studio One | bx_oberhausen, GR-8, JP6K, Union, Hexeract, Olga, TRK-01, SEM, BA-1, Thorn, Prestige, Spire, Legend-HZ, ANA-2, VG Iron 2 | Uno Pro, Rocket.
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- KVRAF
- 11156 posts since 2 Dec, 2004 from North Wales
Ironically I did the Korg upgrade today and am playing the the Prophecy VST at the moment- I used to own a second hand one many years ago so this is a real blast from the past- some of the pre-sets remind me (probably as I used them!) of songs I wrote and subsequently lost (on to an X26 tape deck, multitracked with guitar..no midi!)
X32 Desk, i9 PC, S49MK2, Studio One, BWS, Live 12. PUSH 3 SA, Osmose, Summit, Pro 3, Prophet8, Syntakt, Digitone, Drumlogue, OP1-F, Eurorack, TD27 Drums, Nord Drum3P, Guitars, Basses, Amps and of course lots of pedals!
- GRRRRRRR!
- 15939 posts since 14 Jun, 2001 from Somewhere else, on principle
My bandmate has had one for 20 years and he just spent several hundred dollars getting it fixed. He'll be more than a little annoyed, I think.
NOVAkILL : Asus RoG Flow Z13, Core i9, 16GB RAM, Win11 | EVO 16 | Studio One | bx_oberhausen, GR-8, JP6K, Union, Hexeract, Olga, TRK-01, SEM, BA-1, Thorn, Prestige, Spire, Legend-HZ, ANA-2, VG Iron 2 | Uno Pro, Rocket.
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- KVRAF
- 11156 posts since 2 Dec, 2004 from North Wales
OK- just played this in on the UNO cap keybed, not tweaking or using mod wheel, just playing a few notes and holding. Sounded massive on my monitors, not sure how well it translates when recorded!
https://soundcloud.com/slic-5/uno-patch
https://soundcloud.com/slic-5/uno-patch
X32 Desk, i9 PC, S49MK2, Studio One, BWS, Live 12. PUSH 3 SA, Osmose, Summit, Pro 3, Prophet8, Syntakt, Digitone, Drumlogue, OP1-F, Eurorack, TD27 Drums, Nord Drum3P, Guitars, Basses, Amps and of course lots of pedals!
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- KVRAF
- 6419 posts since 22 Jan, 2005 from Sweden
Picking one notch better opamps for electronics may be enough sometimes for way nicer sound.
I use a Mackie 402 VLZ4 for all external gear, and it sound way better than built in phones out in every unit. Kawai, Hammond, Nordlead, DeepMind, Wavestate, Prologue, D-05, Neutron. Just line out from gear into line in on Mackie and phones out(patch bay for everything, done in 2 secs).
Sometimes just a couple of opamps make all the difference. Same thing in a dac I modified.
The tone of Uno seems nice, even though not sure since most demos is bathing in 2 cathedrals reverb, but seems nice. Monosynth and too much menu diving though is nogo in my taste.
Use of panel space seems really weird to me, to have 1/3 or 1/2 even for just backlit texts depending on mode for knobs. You could use all that space for more handson knob per function, and slightly larger display and have knobs placed around display having text in display that is altered there instead. I like how Kawai think in regard to this - and you can even pick which 4 parameters you want on knobs in non-edit mode for each preset(2 pages x 4 parameters selectable).
I use a Mackie 402 VLZ4 for all external gear, and it sound way better than built in phones out in every unit. Kawai, Hammond, Nordlead, DeepMind, Wavestate, Prologue, D-05, Neutron. Just line out from gear into line in on Mackie and phones out(patch bay for everything, done in 2 secs).
Sometimes just a couple of opamps make all the difference. Same thing in a dac I modified.
The tone of Uno seems nice, even though not sure since most demos is bathing in 2 cathedrals reverb, but seems nice. Monosynth and too much menu diving though is nogo in my taste.
Use of panel space seems really weird to me, to have 1/3 or 1/2 even for just backlit texts depending on mode for knobs. You could use all that space for more handson knob per function, and slightly larger display and have knobs placed around display having text in display that is altered there instead. I like how Kawai think in regard to this - and you can even pick which 4 parameters you want on knobs in non-edit mode for each preset(2 pages x 4 parameters selectable).
- GRRRRRRR!
- 15939 posts since 14 Jun, 2001 from Somewhere else, on principle
It doesn't need any of that, the way it is is great. Adding the things you mention would probably make it more expensive than I'd be willing to pay for it. At the end of the day, less than 10% of the time I spend with Uno Pro is spent patching it and once the software editor is available for it, I won't touch any of those controls at all. Ever. Surely you buy hardware to play, not to play with? Once I have the sounds in it that I want, the controls become irrelevant and I got to that point 6-8 weeks ago. Now it's 100% about playing and zero about the front panel.
NOVAkILL : Asus RoG Flow Z13, Core i9, 16GB RAM, Win11 | EVO 16 | Studio One | bx_oberhausen, GR-8, JP6K, Union, Hexeract, Olga, TRK-01, SEM, BA-1, Thorn, Prestige, Spire, Legend-HZ, ANA-2, VG Iron 2 | Uno Pro, Rocket.