Novation Summit or Rev2

[Amorr]

I mainly use Diva, by far my favourite softsynth out there. I knew I wouldn't be able to get them exact due to the filter differences etc, but I figured with the rev2 being a DCO synth with a square wave subosc it would get pretty close. And it does, to be fair, but to my ears it sounds thinner and takes a lot more work to get there than Diva does. I have also found the subosc on the rev2 unusable for most sounds that I would usually make with a squarewave subosc. Not the biggest fan of the envelopes either (I find Juno envelopes much nicer to use). I have really enjoyed making some more whacky sounds on the rev2 though, for sure, and I'll definitely give it a while before I make a decision on keeping it or selling it. (I did have a couple gripes that were sorted by looking through the manual, who'd have guessed lol).

[Amorr]

Not recommended, TBH. Have you thought of just getting a System-1 or System-8 and using it to control your Roland plugins? I haven't tried that myself but it's always seemed to me like a good idea, particularly since used System-1's are so cheap.

I did briefly consider the System 8 but I've heard awful things about the keybed and not the biggest fan of how it looks.

[Constructed Identity]

Perhaps its just YouTube compression, but I swear I can hear the difference between real VCOs and DCOs. However, DCOs are more controllable.
If you want to buy something you can own for the rest of your life, get the Rev2. Sequential makes solid stuff.
If you want the most flexibility, get the Novation Summit.
But, personally I would only get one of these AFTER I had a 2600. Hearing one is a joy.

[Uncle E]

I did briefly consider the System 8 but I've heard awful things about the keybed and not the biggest fan of how it looks.

I have a JD-XA, the keybed is pretty bad and it looks like a Tron rack track. At the same time, it weighs nothing and doesn't need to be babied, it's by far my easiest analog keyboard to take around.

[cryophonik]

Hmmmmm, makes me wonder if it I steered you in the wrong direction by recommending the Rev2 over the P6. It’s cool, people all have different tastes and reasons for liking/disliking synths, but hopefully you end up liking the Rev2 in the long run. One thing I’ve noticed in reading Rev2 reviews is how many people dismiss it at first glance, only to come back to it later on, and I’ve read a handful of stories by people who bought one, sold it, then either reconsidered it or regretted it and eventually bought another one. Not saying that’s always the case, of course, but it does suggest that maybe it’s a synth that doesn’t awe you right out of the box, but is more of a workhorse synth that covers a lot of ground. For me personally, I had owned a couple of Prophet 08s (the Rev2’s predecessor) years ago, so I had a good idea of what to expect from the Rev2 and it delivered - it’s the P08 with everything else that I always wished it had.

[cryophonik]

I did briefly consider the System 8… not the biggest fan of how it looks.

Let’s not sugarcoat it, it’s hideous

[Amorr]

Hmmmmm, makes me wonder if it I steered you in the wrong direction by recommending the Rev2 over the P6. It’s cool, people all have different tastes and reasons for liking/disliking synths, but hopefully you end up liking the Rev2 in the long run. One thing I’ve noticed in reading Rev2 reviews is how many people dismiss it at first glance, only to come back to it later on, and I’ve read a handful of stories by people who bought one, sold it, then either reconsidered it or regretted it and eventually bought another one. Not saying that’s always the case, of course, but it does suggest that maybe it’s a synth that doesn’t awe you right out of the box, but is more of a workhorse synth that covers a lot of ground. For me personally, I had owned a couple of Prophet 08s (the Rev2’s predecessor) years ago, so I had a good idea of what to expect from the Rev2 and it delivered - it’s the P08 with everything else that I always wished it had.

I think I’d be having a lot of the same gripes with the prophet 6 to be honest. I had already bought
the rev2 before it was available anyway. I might just have to find a good sweetspot of detuning etc to get it to sound as thick as the roland synths I’m used to. The envelopes are something that is WAYYY different to the juno that’s for sure. And yeah, one thing i have to give the rev2 is that it is beautiful and makes me want to sit down and play it, whereas I’d want to hide the system 8 out of sight lol.

[Amorr]

I did briefly consider the System 8 but I've heard awful things about the keybed and not the biggest fan of how it looks.

I have a JD-XA, the keybed is pretty bad and it looks like a Tron rack track. At the same time, it weighs nothing and doesn't need to be babied, it's by far my easiest analog keyboard to take around.

Thats a good point, but I feel like something solid such as the rev2 could definitely handle any abuse it will get anyway.

[Uncle E]

When I finally get my System-1, I’m going to send you all a picture of it and the JD-XA lighting up my room with red and green Christmas lights.

<- this is you green with envy

[Amorr]

Update: After taking a few days to make some more complex patches and really sit down and try and learn the synth, I gotta say there's some awesome sounds that can be made with the rev2. It may not be my go-to for 80% of my sounds like Diva, but I can definitely see myself using it on everything in one way or another. Also, the keybed on it is just gorgeous to play. Definitely happy with the purchase.

[cryophonik]

Good to hear! Yeah, they do have excellent keybeds. Are you using it as your main controller?

[Amorr]

Good to hear! Yeah, they do have excellent keybeds. Are you using it as your main controller?

Yeah, sold my other midi keyboard to help fund the rev2 so this is my only synth action keyboard around now.

[Uncle E]

Assign the knobs to DIVA, layer them, and embark on a one way trip to Cloud 9.

[chk071]

Update: After taking a few days to make some more complex patches and really sit down and try and learn the synth, I gotta say there's some awesome sounds that can be made with the rev2. It may not be my go-to for 80% of my sounds like Diva, but I can definitely see myself using it on everything in one way or another. Also, the keybed on it is just gorgeous to play. Definitely happy with the purchase.

Good thing you gave it a second chance. From the sound demos, I thought that it sounds really good. And, I'm imagining that I'm pretty demanding in that regard.

[Amorr]

Assign the knobs to DIVA, layer them, and embark on a one way trip to Cloud 9.

Yeah if i can figure out a way to save assignments between sessions I’m definitely going to be using the rev2 as a controller for diva. Best of both worlds lol