Sequential Fourm

[db3]

Out of nowhere...
Dual oscillator, 4-voice, full analog, with 37 slim keys and poly aftertouch.
Architecture looks similar to Prophet 5, and also no effects.

Already in stock at Andertons at £799
Soundtower also appear to have a VST editor ready to go.

https://sequential.com/modern-analog/fourm/

[Old Norse]

Thanks for the heads-up!

(You might want to check the spelling)

[seafire]

Seems pricey for what it is, feature wise, voice count etc

[Constructed Identity]

Seems pricey for what it is, feature wise, voice count etc

Completely destroys Moog’s Messenger though.

[seafire]

Everything does. Moog are not worth bothering with these days.

[kritikon]

Hmm interesting. I had a quick look at their site but haven't been able to listen to anything yet, will do that later.

My very random first impressions:
1. That's a way better price point. Makes Sequential a serious consideration for me finally. I can actually afford their other ones but their eye-watering price (maybe just here in NZ, dunno if they're cheaper elsewhere) just makes me baulk. Not prepared to pay that premium for a synth character that (to me) is a nice-to-have rather than a must-have. I suspect it will be considerably over $2000 after they slap on the NZ premium, but ya never know. Tempting.

2. I like the 4 voice set up. TBH the big polysynths are wasted on me. I like to at least have chords ability, but rarely use analogues for multinote pads - maybe it's my own weird foibles, but I tend to use digitals for big pads and anything that needs shitloads of voices. I prefer a Wavestate noodle than an Obie sweeping wash, so the bigger Prophets just never really appealed. Fourm seems more like a mono but with those extra 3 voices to let you do simple pads. That was never a problem for me on other 4 voice synths like Monopoly, Minilogue etc. It probably puts off others but this format is right up my street. More tempting.

3. Filter drive. Even more tempting.

4. Looks like no obvious way to control drive. Maybe it's in a sub menu, or is it just linked to oscillator level? Seems like a bit of a miss there.

5. It looks a bit buttony. Not quite as bad as, say the pro800 but first look says too many sub menus. The format looks very questionable to me. I know...features vs price compromise. Don't want it too basic but costs more if you have more knobs etc.

6. Poly aftertouch will prolly attract some but put off others. Great price for a poly aftertouch synth, definitely. For me though, I'd rather leave that off and save several hundred $s. Without it, I suspect it would be a no-brainer instabuy price, but puts it right on the edge for me. A feature I don't and likely won't ever use that really adds to the cost. If it's 799 squids at Andertons then I reckon without poly aftertouch it might be nearer 699, maybe even 599 or so. That would be irresistible for a Prophet-y kinda thing.

7. I've got cash burning a big hole in my pocket so I need a new toy, and this is definitely a contender. Some drawbacks, but lots of good stuff. I think I'd have to actually properly play on it rather than pre-buy, as there's a reasonable chance there's enough stuff on it to irritate me. Hmmmm

[cryophonik]

Just FYI - its name is "Fourm", not "Forum"

Seems pricey for what it is, feature wise, voice count etc

Not sure if you're serious or not, but that price seems pretty low for that feature set. I can't name another polyphonic analog synth with poly AT and a similar feature set for anywhere near $1K. It's not something that appeals to me, but this thing will probably sell by the boatload for people who want a poor-man's Prophet.

[Old Norse]

“One of the best analogue polysynths for the price, in any way, shape or form” (..says one person)

https://www.musicradar.com/music-tech/a ... urm-review

[grandmasterbird]

Magic Roundabout patch at the end = winner, take my money!

As someone saving/lusting for an analog polysynth (TEO5) it's certainly an interesting prospect (although a different sound)

[cryophonik]

2. I like the 4 voice set up. TBH the big polysynths are wasted on me. I like to at least have chords ability, but rarely use analogues for multinote pads - maybe it's my own weird foibles, but I tend to use digitals for big pads and anything that needs shitloads of voices. I prefer a Wavestate noodle than an Obie sweeping wash, so the bigger Prophets just never really appealed. Fourm seems more like a mono but with those extra 3 voices to let you do simple pads. That was never a problem for me on other 4 voice synths like Monopoly, Minilogue etc. It probably puts off others but this format is right up my street. More tempting.

Yeah, I agree, especially when it comes to Prophet-style analog pads. They usually just sound mushy or consume too much of the mix when you use more than 4-note chords. If I do need more than that or if voice-stealing is an issue (it rarely is), then I just use a different synth for those pads.

[vitocorleone123]

Magic Roundabout patch at the end = winner, take my money!

As someone saving/lusting for an analog polysynth (TEO5) it's certainly an interesting prospect (although a different sound)

The Fourm (bad name) has a 100% analog path, unlike the Take5/TEO-5, which are more a hybrid design - and thus, to me, don't sound as good as they should or could.

[zerocrossing]

Sequential releases a synth that's a slight variation of a design that they've used over and over again since the 1970s?! Who saw that coming?

[kritikon]

I know...you'd think they'd at least call it the Prophet 4. Or have they already done that?

[lfm]

Sequential releases a synth that's a slight variation of a design that they've used over and over again since the 1970s?! Who saw that coming?

Is that fair?

Isn't that the case with every synth manufacturer?

I think Dave Smith did evolve deeper and deeper
- Prophet 8 and later REV2 of that an absolute master piece in what it offers
- I only have a REV2 left these days, but really worried over the poor pots quality
- really much headroom in REV2 to have plenty fun for years more

Prophet X is a very different thing too.

Compare with Roland where just about everything is called Jupiter something but all digital these days and few common nominators with what made Jupiter famous, really.
- most of it just layering things more, not much innovation.
- never found a Roland that was fun to explore
- purchase libraries most of it, like JV series, not making own sounds so much
- JDXa was 4 analog voices together with rest digital, maybe innovative a bit

Nordleads were very early in sofisticated modulations on velocity and really good quality VA synths already 20 years ago. Then they released Nordlead A1 which was new approach in many ways. Never owned one though.

Korg did quite a few innovations like with Prologue, MiniLogue och MonoLogue with user oscillators to combine if you wanted.

The most innovative in synths was maybe Moog Muse recently with plenty things new approach.

Must give some cred to Arturia also for Matrix Brute and Polybrute. Master piece too in getting overview of modulations.

I see no harm if Sequential Fourm is matching Behringer price tag on a new synth.
- will reel some new owners in, I think, maybe nothing new for everybody.
- more useful to make 4 voice chords than the range of mono synths they have
- Take5 was a good move probably too, save costs with digital amp section

[grandmasterbird]

Magic Roundabout patch at the end = winner, take my money!

As someone saving/lusting for an analog polysynth (TEO5) it's certainly an interesting prospect (although a different sound)

The Fourm (bad name) has a 100% analog path, unlike the Take5/TEO-5, which are more a hybrid design - and thus, to me, don't sound as good as they should or could.

It is indeed a questionable choice of name!

I wish I could actually play these things in real life to demo them as opposed to listening to YouTube videos. And of course it's not until you have the thing in front of you that you know for sure whether you are going to click with it. But for me I've gravitated towards the sound of the TEO5 over others, albeit with the digital VCA section. Also looked at the Peak/summit and they sound good as well.

The price of the Fourm is appealing as it's more within reach, or at least easier to reach! I have yet to give it a proper listen and see for sure what other features are missing Vs the take5/TEO5. And indeed what it has over the Minilogue. I'm sure some of the above videos may cover those topics