Hardware synths that blew away your expectations

[Uncle E]

In a blind test, do you really think you'd be able to tell one from the other. In a mix?

Doubtfully if it's a bass part or is laden with effects, but for a central part that is mostly unadulterated (aside from normal mix stuff), then probably yes. Listen to the VCMG (Vince Clarke and Martin Gore) record, every synth and drum machine used was the best of the best and you can hear it in the final result.

That said, DIVA is awesome and I would choose it over most hardware, even over many vintage Moog's and Oberheim's.

[justin3am]

I should have mentioned the Elektron Octatrack in my first post. The thing continues to surprise me, 12 years later. It's such an incredible performance tool.

[BONES]

I know you dont; because you ignore the information you're given. Its not like this is the first time its been explained to you.

The post tells you exactly why.

No, it doesn't. What I probably should have said is that I don't know why people are so f**king stupid that they'll buy an instrument in the 21st Century that doesn't have patch memory. So I understand why Behringer do it but, despite my very low opinion of people, I still don't understand why people put up with it.

Listen to the VCMG (Vince Clarke and Martin Gore) record

There's a Vince Clarke/Martin Gore record? Wow! Looking it up, it's from 2012 so I don't know how much good gear was around then. Things have come a long way in the last decade.

That said, DIVA is awesome and I would choose it over most hardware, even over many vintage Moog's and Oberheim's.

Meh, I think it has been equally, possibly even bettered in recent years. I remember being absolutely blown away by it when I first tried the demo but I was too cheap to pay full price for it. When NI did their first 50% off sale on it, I demo'd it again and wasn't nearly as impressed. I ended up buying the RePros instead and I still don't have Diva.

[whyterabbyt]

I know you dont; because you ignore the information you're given. Its not like this is the first time its been explained to you.

The post tells you exactly why.

No, it doesn't.

Yes it does, whether you comprehend that or not.

[cryophonik]

I should have mentioned the Elektron Octatrack in my first post. The thing continues to surprise me, 12 years later. It's such an incredible performance tool.

Aside from the Model Samples and Analog Heat (neither interest me), the Octatrack is the only other current Elektron device I've never owned or used. Although, I have recently been toying with the idea of swapping out my Digitakt for an OT mk2, mostly for the ins/outs (i.e., it could serve as a mixer for my RYTM and A4mk2), stereo sampling, and loop chopping. Basically, it does everything I do with the Digitakt and more, so it seems like a good idea, but I'm just not sure how much I'd use those extra features/functions. Meanwhile, the price on secondhand OT mk2s seems to keep dropping....

[JerGoertz]

[Uncle E]

There's a Vince Clarke/Martin Gore record? Wow! Looking it up, it's from 2012 so I don't know how much good gear was around then. Things have come a long way in the last decade.

Yes, from the end of 2011. I think most of the gear they used was vintage, anyway. But give it a listen, it’s a beautiful sounding record.

Meh, I think it has been equally, possibly even bettered in recent years.

I can believe that. I finally have a computer that can run DIVA in Divine mode so it’s a whole new experience for me right now.

[BONES]

Yes, from the end of 2011. I think most of the gear they used was vintage, anyway. But give it a listen, it’s a beautiful sounding record.

I did. It's awful. If that was the best I could manage with synths, I'd have given it up decades ago. It's like John Foxx & The Maths, although at least we get vocals with that stuff. But I still don't see the point of any of it. We sounded like that back then because it was the best we could do, not because it was the zenith of our ability to express ourselves. I don't understand why people haven't been able to move on from it and/or why they feel the need to revisit it.

I can believe that. I finally have a computer that can run DIVA in Divine mode so it’s a whole new experience for me right now.

Urs reckons RePro picks up where Diva left off which means Divine mode in Diva is the equivalent of the standard mode in the RePros. I dunno why but I haven't touched either of the RePros in ages. RePro 5 is OK but I really like RePro 1's sound, I just never think to fire it up. I might have to make more of an effort.

[Uncle E]

I did. It's awful. If that was the best I could manage with synths, I'd have given it up decades ago.

Ouch! LOL.

That’s ok. I love it. It’s a massage for my ears. I hope to some day make music that sounds that good.

[BONES]

I have every confidence that you can and will do much better.

[zerocrossing]

I finally have a computer that can run DIVA in Divine mode so it’s a whole new experience for me right now.

Welcome to the present. Sorry about the sea levels.

[kritikon]

That’s ok. I love it. It’s a massage for my ears. I hope to some day make music that sounds that good.

I hadn't come across that VCMG collab before. Not necessarily all to my taste, but some of it definitely. I'd like a little more in the way of melody/hooks in it, but the feel of it is great. Have to say - it's beautifully mixed (pleased I put my headphones on to listen properly on YT). Stunning, in fact. A real shame those two didn't do more down that route - I lost interest in Depeche Mode when they went all American electronic goth metal or WTF it was they did, and VC went all fluffypop. That VCMG stuff was more of what I'd expect synthheads like them to do. No vocals - yay!

Still can't get over the mixing of that - wow! Big analogue sounds but all clear and separate (sorry Bones but your plugin shite can't even come close to that sort of thing. You always come up with nonsense about telling the difference in a mix - it's night and day between that and a laptop full of VSTs that all need 16 voice unison to even sound close, specifically because they're all so weak). I suspect that music might make it onto my car playlist - perfect for driving home early in the morning after a night shift in summer at full blast with the top down. No way I can nod off behind the wheel with that playing.

[HAL76]

Waldorf M again. I have worked with mainly analog sounds and drums over the past weeks and conquered new ground. Today I just leaned back, updated the M and explored the new Filtertypes (FM...). They give M that touch of uncontrollable madness I just needed to get my tired head a little cooler. This deep deep solid roughness didn´t really blow away my expectations. It completely changed them. Once again.

M through Eventide Blackhole sounds like textured waves floating through space.

M raw also got its qualitis. Really. Reminds me of Blake Baxter in 1995 or even worse sometimes

[vurt]

im still loving strega, something so small and with not much to work with (osc, filter, delay) it has such a wide variety of tones hidden within.
1 voice, f**k unison.

[Uncle E]

I hadn't come across that VCMG collab before. Not necessarily all to my taste, but some of it definitely. I'd like a little more in the way of melody/hooks in it, but the feel of it is great. Have to say - it's beautifully mixed (pleased I put my headphones on to listen properly on YT). Stunning, in fact. A real shame those two didn't do more down that route - I lost interest in Depeche Mode when they went all American electronic goth metal or WTF it was they did, and VC went all fluffypop. That VCMG stuff was more of what I'd expect synthheads like them to do. No vocals - yay!

Still can't get over the mixing of that - wow! Big analogue sounds but all clear and separate (sorry Bones but your plugin shite can't even come close to that sort of thing. You always come up with nonsense about telling the difference in a mix - it's night and day between that and a laptop full of VSTs that all need 16 voice unison to even sound close, specifically because they're all so weak). I suspect that music might make it onto my car playlist - perfect for driving home early in the morning after a night shift in summer at full blast with the top down. No way I can nod off behind the wheel with that playing.

One of my closest friends mixed that record (that’s how I heard the raw tracks). He’s going to love your comments.