Roli: Equator 2 is here !

[LoveEnigma18]

Looks like Equator2 is missing a dedicated arpeggiator/sequencer? Perhaps the MULTI-MOD LFOs/envelopes can be used for those purposes? How is it in Equator1?

[macmuse]

@WasteLand: I agree, for $50 I would have jumped on it without any hesitation, too. Do let us know your views about Equator1.

I just got a confirmation from Roli that they have 30-day return policy, so I might give it a go. If I do, I will share my opinion on it.

And CPU comparison vs v1 please.

[Cepheus]

On the eye, Equator 2 and Pigments are very similar however if you look closer, they are rather different beasts and sound also differently. Anyway I also got the Equator upgrade because of its excellent MPE implementation and I used the previous version a lot with my Seaboard. This synth was made for MPE whereas Pigments 2 can do some MPE as an additional feature. For example, it is possible to setup an MPE modulation source for really most parameters in the synth including the effects. Per MPE modulation source (STRIKE, GLIDE, SLIDE PRESS, and LIFT) 4 different response curves are available. As far as I know, this is the only synth with such MPE luxury. Pigments uses only mod 1 connected to cc74 when in MPE mode.

Each synths have their own strong points with respect to sound design. Equator 2 has a somewhat deeper synth signal flow where FM and Ring modulation can be done with al 6 sound sources. The wavetable oscillators in Pigments have more options like wave folding , distortion and FM from an additional source within the oscillator but not between oscillators. I could go on with addressing the differences but in the end IMHO both synths are very nice but serve different purposes if one is into MPE sound design. Equator 2 feels way more organic than Pigments when using the Seaboard. Just to tease the doubters, sound designers include Electric Himalaya, Aiyn Zahev , Biomechanoid and Yuli Yolo. The latter ones did also some of the Plasmonic patches.

[himalaya]

Don’t forget: each sound source in Equator2 has a multi-mode filter with a huge list of filters and right at the end of the list you have a wave-folder and a saturator. So the wavetables can be easily mangled with wavefolders and saturators. This is further shaped by a non-resonant HPF and a LPF (configurable pre-post the main filter). This is totaly separate from the two master multi-mode filters. Then, the wavetables can be FM’ed. The wavetables can also be modified with a ‘symmetry’ parameter....in other words, the power here is immense.

Don’t look at Equator2 as a simple extension of Equator 1. In many respects its an entirely new beast.

[himalaya]

4 different response curves are available. As far as I know, this is the only synth with such MPE luxury.

This is something worthy of note: there isn't another synth on the market that fuses MPE and the 'standard' operation as seamlessly as Equator2. At a flick of a switch we can change the topology from MPE to the 'Standard' mode. So, in the MPE mode, all the 5 central modulation sources become MPE enabled (SRIKE, GLIDE, SLIDE, PRESS, LIFT) but in the 'Standard' mode, you get a mod-wheel mod source (in place of SLIDE), aftertouch (in place of PRESS)...etc. So easy and convenient.

[simmo75]

Hi Himalaya, what’s the maximum amount grains, I’m not seeing much info in regards to the granular features?

[krankyone]

OK, so I wasn't going to succumb to my usual GAS. But then Ableton had to go and add MPE to Live. So I decided to at least try it. I have 30 days, right?
Man, I didn't last 30 minutes. I selected Factory/MPE/Acoustic patches. This is exactly what I bought the Seaboard Blocks for to begin with. No false triggers, no hung notes. Beautiful sounds. I did open up Equator 1 to compare, and it does seem like a very different instrument.

[trackbout]

It really is a completely different synth from v1. Much more powerful architecture, much nicer to use, much better preset collection.

[LoveEnigma18]

On the eye, Equator 2 and Pigments are very similar however if you look closer, they are rather different beasts and sound also differently.

Equator 2 feels way more organic than Pigments when using the Seaboard.

I agree after listening to the audio demos.

Equator2 sounds organic to me even with non-MPE stuff from what I am hearing the audio demos/videos. With Seaboard and MPE it only gets better. Unfortunately, I don't have Seaboard/MPE compatible hardware or DAW.

Thanks for sharing your observations on the differences.

[LoveEnigma18]

Good discussion on this page, thanks to everyone for the comments.

I am almost ready to buy this, mainly because there's no demo but there's a 30-day return policy. Not a Seaboard or MPE user, but guess it would still be worth it.

EDIT: Bought it. Installing now.

[SLiC]

I look forward to hearing some reviews, but on balance the expense of the upgrade, the 'phone home every 4 weeks' copy protection and the 17Gigs I have to put on my primary OPS SSD is putting me off (despite being a massive MPE fan)

[tq]

Is there a way to alias the library or use a symbolic link?

[SLiC]

I think they have said that they will do an update to allow you top put the content where you want- I can wait.
If anyone has it already, does the copy protection actually run in the background all of the time like Codecenter?

[LoveEnigma18]

Here are some quick observations after installing and playing it a bit:

1. Sounds amazing, like a combination of a synth and rompler/sampler. But guess that's what it is?
A lot of sounds seem suitable for cinematic, evolving, ambient, textural stuff and they remind me a bit of NI ARKHIS.

2. Folder size after installation: 6.2 GB on your C drive. Not sure if this can be moved somewhere else, but looks like they are working on brining this feature in future. Remember to remove the installer files (worth 6 GB) after completing the installation and ensuring Equator2 opens fine and you hear the sound.

3. Left and right arrow are used for previous/next presets, both in standalone version and DAW.

4. Remembers the GUI size upon closing and opening sadly in standalone version only, not in DAW (FL Studio here).

5. Lots of parameters exposed for DAW automation.

6. Undo and redo function with a star on the preset to highlight any changes, which is really good.

7. You can quit the ROLI Connect app and disconnect your internet and Equator2 still opens fine. So, looks like the app/internet need not be always active. When prompted, once in 4 weeks, we need to connect briefly and it should be fine.

One thing that I don't like about the GUI is that there is no pre-defined scaling and due to this decreasing or increasing the GUI size makes it look a bit odd. Also, the text font type could be different and size a bit bigger, especially to match the increase in GUI size. Even the knobs could be a bit bigger. I hope they consider improving these aspects of the GUI.

[macmuse]

How’s the CPU?