What do you think of the Deepmind 12?

[Trancer]

Thanks for your feedback.

The sliders don't bother me either.

The Rev 2, does not really captivate me to tell the truth.

The concern, not much as offers polyphonic analog.

Apart from Sequential Prophet 6, Polybrute, OB 6.

I like to get my money's worth when I spend a certain amount of money 2500 euros.

I'm not especially transcended by the Prophet 6, OB 6 and the Polybrute.

The one I like the most, the Polybrute, but for me, the Polybrute doesn't really suit me.

For example, the Polyevolver really dazzled me at the time, as did the Tetra and the Mopho.

I haven't really had that feeling since.

[robindrieghe]

the deepmind gives alot for the money...its a synth thats really alive, going from a kick to a dreamy pad (for exemple) with just moving some sliders...amazing.
also theres a movie on youtube from someone recreating the presets from one of the holy grail synth : jupiter 8, and nailing them very close!

[cryophonik]

Let me ask you this: what style(s) of music are you wanting to make with your poly synth? Judging by your name, I'm assuming it's likely to be trance (and/or some other modern electronic dance style?). If so, my advice would be to look at the Novation Peak (or Summit if it's within your budget and you need a keyboard). Yeah, it's an analog/digital hybrid, but it's an absolute killer synth that will do just about anything you'd want from a modern dance synth. Don't let the digital oscillators fool you - the basic waveforms (e.g., saw, triangle, square/pulse) sound about as analog as you'd ever need and the rest of the digital oscillators go places that analog synths don't go. For example, if you want something that goes into full-on Virus-style supersaw/hypersaw territory, forget about it with fully analog synths. They fail quite spectacularly at that, while the Peak/Summit do it quite well and with a nice analog filter warmth to it. It's also got one of the best arpeggiators I've ever used in a hardware synth, great effects (the reverb is FAR better than the Rev2's IMO), analog distortion, etc. And the UI is laid out very nicely (maybe a little better than the Rev2).

[bibz1st]

Another to throw in the pot is Modal Cobalt, extended virtual analog and a lot cheaper than some of those mentioned, similar price to the Deepmind.

[Trancer]

Thank you for your answers.

Yes indeed, to compose Trance and Melodic Techno.

I have a Ti2 virus.

Soon I will also have a Nord Lead a1, Subsequent 37, Blofeld module, Toraiz as-1.

I'm looking for an analog synth that can add something to my set.

The Polybrute superb machine, but after reflection does not interest me.

The Sequential 6 or Ob 6, beyond the myth, not sure that it will bring me more.

Besides, I don't know of any Trance and Melodic Techno producer who use it in their set.

So, I'm looking for an analog synth with arpeggiator and sequencer that can complement my equipment and give me something extra.

Why I was thinking of the Deepmind 12 D.

[lfm]

If you really like making own sounds, I would look at what workflow you are getting?
- is it really inviting you "come and tweak me"?

If you mostly think about buying libraries out there, it's another matter.

I had Blofeld module, for a week before sending it back. Only synth I sent back actually.
- the knob you use to switch between rows of set of knobs is way too heavy
- you have to turn this probably a 100 times to make a preset ready to go

But very capable regarding sounds, looking at what was available as libraries I checked before buying. Just a note on workflow thing.

Nordleads are smooth to work with, really well thought out. Both regarding tweaking and preview new storage before overwriting.

My DeepMind 6 is mostly just being on the shelf due to Prologue, Nordlead and Polybrute are so inviting. DM6 is not bad, just way more to uphill before being completely fluent compared to those with knobs for everything. DM is some menu diving and many pages and to remember where every parameter is takes a little bit. But very capable synth and glad to have it.

And about what other artist use and such, don't you want to be original sounding?

I recently looked at Prophet 6 since I like the idea to also do HP+LP filter in series. Some things are interesting having HP dialed in on low end and also use resonance to boost a bit at occasions. Polybrute though is way more flexible dialing first filter between LP, notch, HP and BP continuous blend and with division of send to second Ladder filter or go directly to amp envelope.

Since Minilogue XD is little brother of Prologue and has a module as well it could be an interesting addition for you. 2 VCO's, and a third Multiengine digital oscillator. There are very interesting user oscillators out there, wavetable style, VS style and more to with that oscillator alone give a good variety of sounds for any style. There are free ones and I bought 5-6 too from various sources. This seems like maybe one waveform, but actually has several oscillators inside(3-7 mostly with different waveforms blended at different octaves even), with detuning abilities, built in LFO and envelopes and such. User oscillator is as flexible as you need to use that alone even for some sounds.

Minilogue XD is really moneys worth many times over, but if finding big brother Prologue it offer layering two sounds, or splitting if you like - or use more voices for unison with tuning abilities. That is halfway to Polybrute pricetag. But Prologue is keyboard version only.

But one that is sounding really nice, and available as a module is UDO Super 6. Digital oscillators and analog filters. But big drawback is just 128 storage locations, and I cannot believe they actually planned for just 64 from start before having feedback on that.

I ditched both Super 6 and Take 5 due to just 128 locations. The fun of making own sounds diminish quite a bit, I think.

But depending on strategy to make own sounds for hours and hours or buying stuff DeepMind is really good choice too. Just that the least resistance law makes me go to other synths I have before.

Just sitting down with Prologue or Polybrute hours just fly by and that give high rating in workflow for me.

Mostly use them without any effects to look at core sounds, and not camoflauge with effects of various sorts. Effects come last, if at all, and in daw instead. You get all analog path this way.

But don't have the Virus knowing how it overlaps anything.
Have fun...

[Trancer]

Many thanks for your detailed response.

The Uno 6 I had looked at some time ago.

But it has not been updated except error on my part and the bone was not very developed.

The Xd, a very good alternative, unfortunately 4-way polyphony, a bit tight.

I never buy second-hand, so the Prologue is not possible.

The Virus it is true takes up a huge space because it is very complete.

I don't want a sound like the others, but I'm not sure that the Prophet 6 and/or the Ob 6 are really suitable for my musical style.

Too bad there is no module version for the Matrixbrute and Polybrute.

I'm more into presets than designing but clean sounds.

But I will have to actually get on with it.

[Cubehog]

I thought it would be a good synth, though with a limited sound spectrum. A "soft pad specialist".
The limited oscillator structure is the deal breaker for me. You can get it to sound analog with the drift parameters and it is a clever system but the overall sound is not miles away from U-He Diva or other top-notch vsts. Somehow I can get more character out of my Cherry Audio Voltage Modular when emulating vintage sounds than with the Deepmind 12D.
My impression was that the fx cover up the inflexible osc section of D12. I can have this with vsts and I have more flexibility in what I am offered in the virtual realm.

Over the last years I figured out that I like some good, simple analog mono synths. For pure, rather simple tones. To me there is a difference in approaching the sound design in vst land vs. the hands-on dedicated user interface of an analog synth. With some effort and careful modulation of fine tuning and randomizing in the envs and lfos you can create something similar with vsts. It takes time and considered preparation to make it sound "analog" the way you want it to be. Your DAW should let you do that. I use Bitwig and maybe that's why I find it easier to approximate analog sounds within a DAW.

For example the Erebus from Deadbox has "a sound" very pleasing to me and does take fx and saturation pedals quite well. I see it as an instrument and for some reason it is more satisfying to get that into my songs. Especially when I created sounds with a simple appearance that don t have a complex spectrum.

My advice would be to save your money and be very specific of what you need and how you will interact with the instrument. You might watch a lot of youtube videos and maybe get some hands-on experience. And maybe look for a synth that has not been emulated yet. What about the Hydrasynth or Novation Peak? The interface and modulation capabilities are key. You can get Vsts to sound "analog enough", but it takes time. With an analog synth you may encounter limitations regarding voice count and you pay a hefty "hipster premium" for having a real instrument.

[bmanic]

I think the DeepMind is an extremely underrated synth. Way too many people try to pigeon hole it into being some sort of Juno wannabe. It's way more than that!

Also, I really love the sound of it, warts and all (totally agree with Zerocrossing when it comes to the PWM, though there is a trick you can do to make it much thicker when modulating, using unison + mod matrix.. see my last sound example below, from about 50 seconds onward). It's totally unique. It can do things most analogue synthesizers could only dream of. The only exception being the Poly Brute which can go even deeper into exploratory territory.

Note: The presets on the thing are rather meh.. in my opinion. But luckily it's super nice to program the Deepmind once you learn the shortcuts and how to move about the modulation matrix.

Here are a bunch of audio examples I've made. All 100% Deepmind (except one of them contains a drumloop, everything else Deepmind 12):

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1W2nSNj ... sp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/19tB-_H ... sp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1l1_fkn ... sp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GEjENf ... sp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zGWLTe ... sp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kwJtcp ... sp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eLvYdO ... sp=sharing

[Trancer]

Thanks a lot for your answers.

Thank you very much for your sound clips, really excellent.

It shows the potential of Deepmind, a machine even if you have to go into menus has a really good quality sound with a good frequency spectrum.

I tried the Hydrasynth and the Peak, they didn't really convince me.

The Hydrasynth is really too distinctive as its sound, not suitable for my needs.

The Peak does not really bring me the most expected, very good machine but just like the Hydrasynth does not meet my expectations.

The one that fits the most despite everything is the Polybrute, unfortunately it does not exist in a desktop version.

The Deepmind 12 D option is really to be taken into account for my use and to complete my set of synthesizers.

[zerocrossing]

The one that fits the most despite everything is the Polybrute, unfortunately it does not exist in a desktop version.

The Deepmind 12 D option is really to be taken into account for my use and to complete my set of synthesizers.

I totally get that. In the end, I cleared the space for the PolyBrute and broke my “single desk” rule. It’s that good.

[cryophonik]

The Deepmind 12 D option is really to be taken into account for my use and to complete my set of synthesizers.

Sounds like you made up your mind, then. My advice is to stop overthinking it and just go for it.



then again, my advice is always to just buy everything because,... toys

[Trancer]

Thank you for your answers.

The Polybrute is really a very good machine.

Unfortunately, it is now impossible to make room for it.

Not yet decided.

Even if not an analog, I listened to the Modal Cobalt 8 M, quite impressive, it's a VA and it sounds almost like an analog for certain patches.

Really surprising.

[zerocrossing]

Thank you for your answers.

The Polybrute is really a very good machine.

Unfortunately, it is now impossible to make room for it.

Not yet decided.

Even if not an analog, I listened to the Modal Cobalt 8 M, quite impressive, it's a VA and it sounds almost like an analog for certain patches.

Really surprising.

Yeah the Modal stuff sounds great to me. I have their 002 (rack version) and it's amazing. Probably out of your price range, though, as it's rare.

I'm still surprised that you've eliminated the REV2 from your list. Such a great sounding synth.

https://youtu.be/yHREui343ok

[Trancer]

Thank you for your reply.

I loved the machines from Dave Smith (Sequential).

The best period for me was the days of Mopho, Tetra and the pinnacle of innovation at the time, the Polyevolver.

Then it was the surf revival Prophet in lots of versions, it looks more like a money machine than anything else, which is a shame by the way.

Considering the exceptional talent of Dave Smith.

No more innovation and exceptional machines like the Polyevolver.

The Rev 2, I personally find it soulless, no interests.

Indeed Modal, very good material.