Synapse Audio Minimoog emulation "The Legend" for VST/AU and RE released!

[Yorrrrrr]

Don't get the expectations too high. It's just an emulation of OB-Xa, with a few added extras. And a very good one at that. For the rest..well, you've got DUNE 3.

[Vortifex]

Edited

[e-crooner]

I have only come across one soft synth where occasionally the voice limit was a problem: Tal's Noisemaker, which has 6 voices.

Maybe 12 would be a reasonable number of voices?

[mholloway]

Don't get the expectations too high. It's just an emulation of OB-Xa, with a few added extras. And a very good one at that. For the rest..well, you've got DUNE 3.

I'm actually from the camp that doesn't want very many (or any) added extras. If you soup up an emulation of a classic with too much stuff, then it starts seeming pointless, when it exists in the same VST folder as something like Dune 3, as you mention.

let the workhorses BE the workhorses, and let the emulations be the emulations. seems straightforward to me. yet over in the U-he forums you've got people begging for a bigger modulation matrix on a a Prophet-5 emulation, sigh.

[Vortifex]

Edited

[zvenx]

I don't see the point in placing the restrictions of old hardware onto software emulations. Ultimately what is it you want from the emulation? The sound? In that case it's no problem if you can still make the accurate sound without touching the new features. The workflow? If you want hardware workflow what are you doing on a computer? If you want the real Oberheim feel then buy an Oberheim.

Couldn't agree with you more...
There is a reason why sequential circuits or moog for instance create modern version of classics, with more features whilst still trying to capture the sound of the heritage instruments.

[Echoes in the Attic]

Don't get the expectations too high. It's just an emulation of OB-Xa, with a few added extras. And a very good one at that. For the rest..well, you've got DUNE 3.

I'm actually from the camp that doesn't want very many (or any) added extras. If you soup up an emulation of a classic with too much stuff, then it starts seeming pointless, when it exists in the same VST folder as something like Dune 3, as you mention.

let the workhorses BE the workhorses, and let the emulations be the emulations. seems straightforward to me. yet over in the U-he forums you've got people begging for a bigger modulation matrix on a a Prophet-5 emulation, sigh.

I generally agree however there is a balance to be struck that works best. The legend is very focused and true to the original in terms of simplicity and workflow, even though it has a few extras like polyphony and even mpe with a few settings on the back panel. This stuff doesn't get in the way at all and is super useful. With regards to the prophet and a mod matrix, in that case it already has the mod matrix, which the original didn't, so it actually wouldn't be changing anything in terms of the presentation and look to have a tab with a couple extra slots. It doesn't diverge any more from the original than it already has but with a massive payoff, which is a couple extra modulations, and that means a lot when it is mpe compatible you want a few expression sources. So I am totally for having two extra slots on a tab that doesn't change the overall design. I don't think that is unreasonable or expecting it to be a "do everything synth".

As for the OB-Xa, I just hope it takes the exact same approach as Legend and makes just a few slight improvements while keeping the vibe of the original. For example having an ADSR instead of ASD was an excellent move. Sticking to the original design for that is of no benefit. And of course the extra poly modes etc. OB-Xa was already polyphonic but personally the thing I hope for that is just that it includes the features of the OB-X series which did not make it into Xa, like the cross-mod. And I also think that it makes a lot of sense to include the morphable SEM type filter. Doesn't complicate the design, just lots more useful.

[AdvancedFollower]

I don't see the point in placing the restrictions of old hardware onto software emulations. Ultimately what is it you want from the emulation? The sound? In that case it's no problem if you can still make the accurate sound without touching the new features. The workflow? If you want hardware workflow what are you doing on a computer? If you want the real Oberheim feel then buy an Oberheim.

I somewhat agree, but with many of those vintage synths, the restrictions and workflow are part of what made them famous for some particular sounds. When you can't modulate every thing with any thing or drown the sound in effects, you tend to favor certain types of sounds that can easily be achieved given the limitations and restrictions.

If new features are to be added, I prefer if they are clearly labeled as such. That's why I love synths like the Arturia Jup-8 and Mini, for example. They might not sound as authentic as some of the more recent emulations, but the GUI is great. You get an almost perfect, uncluttered replica of the original panel, and then a "hidden" panel with stuff like effects, Mod Matrix/"Galaxy", Step Sequencer etc. Best of both worlds, in terms of GUI. For those of us who want the real deal but can't afford it (and/or don't want to deal with the maintenance), this stuff does matter.

[SLiC]

bx_oberhausen is currently my go to for the Oberheim 'sound', Arturia SEM before that (or a bit of Diva). Not sure I will need another unless it realy blows me away, I cant tell how authentic anything is as I never owned the hardware, but if something sounds good then I use it. Personally I find Dune more inspiring and better sounding than all of the old instrument emulations with or witout original limitations imposed.

[Vortifex]

Edited

[v1o]

The Legend's limited voice count isn't an arbitrary limitation. There is a reason for it.

Arturias Mini V does not sound like a Moog. It's just a generic analog synth.

[BONES]

When the synth as such sounds as good as the original, one doesn't have to layer or use unison.

Except the OB-Xa had Unison as a feature so it needs to be on the emulation, too. And Unison is about a lot more than beefing up the sound so it's a legitimate thing to add to a synth that may not have had it originally.

I don't see the point in placing the restrictions of old hardware onto software emulations. Ultimately what is it you want from the emulation? The sound? In that case it's no problem if you can still make the accurate sound without touching the new features.

As someone pointed out, there is the issue of voice-stealing, which some people seem to be all over. I suppose you could allow for the original 8 voices and maybe have a switch for more but you know how some people are about these things.

What I can tell you about this thing is that I'd take it over DUNE or Legend, no contest. It sounds amazing and it's easy to get great sounds from. I'll admit to having always been a bit of a fan of the Oberheim sound - I still have fond memories of the old SimSynth in Fruityloops - and this really delivers. It's the kind of synth I've been looking for for ages - simple and quick but with a really good sound.

[nichttuntun]

I don't see the point in placing the restrictions of old hardware onto software emulations. Ultimately what is it you want from the emulation? The sound? In that case it's no problem if you can still make the accurate sound without touching the new features. The workflow? If you want hardware workflow what are you doing on a computer? If you want the real Oberheim feel then buy an Oberheim.

Oh yes. Totally agree. Let's have in mind that, wouldn't the mini MOOG be able to FM and Filter modulate, it would be (regarded now) a good sounding, but relatively boring synth nevertheless.

Why not push those cool things further pin the digital realms? You could give users options to choose between two models. Original emulation and modern interpretation for example.

Look at GForce Minimonsta. Every parameter can be modulated by a separate definable LFO and the same is true for a separate definable ADSR. How awesome is that? I absolutely don't care about an exact emulation as long as the original cool features are there. I am much more interested in combining new features with older great OSC tones and filter models.

[AdvancedFollower]

The Legend's limited voice count isn't an arbitrary limitation. There is a reason for it.

Arturias Mini V does not sound like a Moog. It's just a generic analog synth.

I know saying Arturia's synths do not sound anything like the originals is cool and hip and all that, however, most of their emulations actually do a decent job:


Obviously they're not best in class, so if you're just buying a single synth rather than the entire collection, there are better options for the money. But it's not like they take some generic SynthEdit module and call it a Moog emulation or whatever...

[Echoes in the Attic]

When the synth as such sounds as good as the original, one doesn't have to layer or use unison.

Except the OB-Xa had Unison as a feature so it needs to be on the emulation, too. And Unison is about a lot more than beefing up the sound so it's a legitimate thing to add to a synth that may not have had it originally.

I don't see the point in placing the restrictions of old hardware onto software emulations. Ultimately what is it you want from the emulation? The sound? In that case it's no problem if you can still make the accurate sound without touching the new features.

As someone pointed out, there is the issue of voice-stealing, which some people seem to be all over. I suppose you could allow for the original 8 voices and maybe have a switch for more but you know how some people are about these things.

What I can tell you about this thing is that I'd take it over DUNE or Legend, no contest. It sounds amazing and it's easy to get great sounds from. I'll admit to having always been a bit of a fan of the Oberheim sound - I still have fond memories of the old SimSynth in Fruityloops - and this really delivers. It's the kind of synth I've been looking for for ages - simple and quick but with a really good sound.

Are you beta testing? Is it at beta stage or alpha currently?