Elektron-Users

curious what polyphonic synth would be a good sonic complement for the monomachine...

stuff i've thought of, but haven't really tried, is the ion, waldorf uQ or XT, matrix-6/1000, or ?. any suggestions?

in the uber-expensive realm, perhaps the andromeda?

personally, i'm not interested in nord, virus, polyevolver, or novation gear... not a big fan of those, though the evolver is an amazing synth, but there's a certain 'something' that i don't like about it's sound.

Is that you, JSRockit???

hahahaah, omg.

sorry, js. too good.

:-D

I've played many of the synths you listed, so here's my subjective opinion of their pad abilities.


Friend wrote:
curious what polyphonic synth would be a good sonic complement for the monomachine...

stuff i've thought of, but haven't really tried, is the

ion
Absolutely yes. Gorgeous interface and smooth sounds, lots of parameters, dual filters, plenty of filter models, and dual LFOs. Good choice.

waldorf uQ
Another good choice. Interface is a bit tougher to get around, but this one has an awesome mod matrix and superb polyphony. I have one right here that I'm not using much at the moment - if you want it, PM me. I'm in Western New York, USA.

XT
I suppose you mean the Microwave XT, not the V-Synth XT? Yes, the Microwave XT is one mean machine for evolving, bending, wierd pad sounds. And plain-jane ones, too, I suppose. I'm still kicking myself for not getting one new when I had the chance. The V-Synth XT, FWIW, is an awesome pad machine itself.

in the uber-expensive realm, perhaps the andromeda?

Yes, the Andromeda puts out very nice analog-style pads and its filters are so creamy and warm. If you can afford it... then hell yeah!

ggoodwin wrote:
Is that you, JSRockit???

No...damn, you fools are really dissin me huh? That's cool...I don't mind being the forum's joke. As you would assume...due to my limited talents, but infinite bankroll :-? ...I can't even use polyphony...I'm strictly Mono. Plus...I don't use words like uber etc. JSRockit

papertiger wrote:
hahahaah, omg.

sorry, js. too good.

:-D

Yeah..hahahahaha/// bite me. :-D Your pal and everyone's doormat... JSRockit.

I have a Matrix-1000--it's beat up to hell, but works flawlessly--and it sounds lovely. Polyphony isn't huge, though--6 voices; and patches are entirely uneditable without using a software editor or a Matrix 6. That being said, there are 1000 pure analogue patches to choose from. I got mine for a steal at about $75. [edit: also, it's not multitimbral]

Come to think of it, I need to use it more! (lack of editability is a little bit of a turn off...I'll have to acquire the software editor and start messing about).

talking of the matrix 1000 i recently picked up a cheetah ms for 100 quid. add the cost of the thirdparty os(allowing parameters to be changed by cc )which puts it up to 140. it/s a good synthwith a few flaws, but does some nice analogue pads with as much movement as you like.

the korg wavestations are good for pads too - and relatively cheap now that everyone has a crack of the software version.

(sorry about the forcus on pads - got this thread mixed up with the other one - but i what i said about these synths still stands)

if you wanna go the digital route there is a guy that has an ABS minimax for only 500 bucks on the AH list. pm me if you are interested and i will get you his e-mail. but if you are interested in spending a lot of money Andromeda style i would reccomend starting out with a 4 or 6 voice Studio Electronics Omega they are nice pieces and i the customer service is great and bugs are seldom as hell in the saving patches and sysex dept, although i have not heard to great of reviews on the andromeda. it sounds kinda buggy. but i have not heard an andromeda in person so i cannot reccomend one. the Jomox SunSyn is awesome but the OS still isnt finished and they are pretty hard to find. i have heard the Omega and it sounds awesome. from SE i have an ATC 1X Quad and the SE-1x Nova Edition and they are fuckin killer, the sine wave addition to the Nova SE is fuckin PHAT!! but it is just a mono synth. are you going to be using this synth for live or for recording, because if you are just going to be recording and you record digitally you can multitrack polyphony pretty convincingly, i stil record on tape so its a bit harder for me to do with 8 precious tracks. good luck

thanks for all the info. i really appreciate it. FWIW, i'm not necessarily looking for just pads- more of an additional device/texture to be sequenced via the mono. so, it looks like the matrix 1000 is out b/c it isn't multitimbral (cheetah looks like a more likely alternative).

the atc-1x looks amazing. love the source-esque layout. one day...

thanks again.