Is every synth a compromise?

[bonefixer]

Is the perfect synth impossible? Is it just individual taste? Are there people out there that have a particular synth who think it’s perfect in every way?

I’m just getting into this game really, and after much research bought a Nord Wave 2. It’s good, I can do most that I need to, but not everything. There are some features that I’d have included that could be done I assume reasonably easily. There are others I’d like, such as more LFOs and EGs, which have been omitted for reasons of space probably.

So, has anyone got a synth they’re perfectly happy with, and what is it?

[sonics]

It depends on what you mean by "perfect", of course. There's no such thing for me. Whether as a musical instrument or sound design tool, they have good and bad qualities.

Sometimes a synth will have features, controls or a sound that sets it apart. But perfect, never. Also, if I want the most control or flexibility, I use software.

The issue of price also comes into it; I could never afford to buy my perfect synth!

Beware the synthoholic for whom the perfect synth is the one they have just purchased, or the most expensive. Be prepared for some series confirmation bias if they are one and the same!

[resistorman]

Is the perfect synth impossible?

yes

[Arpangel]

It depends on what you mean by "perfect", of course.

This.

Also, many synths are built down to a price, not up, to a standard.
What annoys me, is when manufacturers "trickle out" products, with constant MK11 versions etc, where they fix previous omissions, this is done purely as a marketing exercise, to milk the technology for all its worth, they probably had all the right tech on the bench from the word go, but didn’t want to loose money on releasing previous versions.

[The Elf]

EVERY synth is a compromise. And that's part of the joy of it.

The 'best' synths, IME, are those synths that compromise least and specialise most - take the Moog Taurus as an example of specialisation to a degree where they are immediate and well-suited to their designated task - but utterly unusable to anyone who deosn't want bass sounds on foot pedals. Or the Hydrasynth, which rejoices in being digital and runs with the freedom that brings to it.

And this is why I have a lot of synths - not one that purports to do everything.

[Wonks]

For a start just take the keyboard. Piano keys or waterfall (organ style)? Weighted, semi-weighted or ‘synth’ action? Let alone the number of keys!

[Arpangel]

You can’t really use the word "compromise" when it comes to synths, each one has its own particular sound, and that’s why we buy them, isn’t it?
The operational variants, ergonomic variants, determine what sounds are produced, so those things come into it too, and some push you in certain directions more than others.
Yes, you could say every synth is a compromise, if, as Elf touched on, you want something that does it all, but no synth does it all, so on that basis, yes, every synth is a compromise!

[Eddy Deegan]

So, has anyone got a synth they’re perfectly happy with, and what is it?

I do, it's a Yamaha SY85

Other synths I'm perfectly happy with would include the Hydrasynth, OB-6, Summit, Arturia PolyBrute, Prophet-6, Kurzweil K2700, Korg Trinity, Korg Radias, Yamaha XS8, Yamaha ES7, Arturia MatrixBrute, Korg Kronos ...

[Tomás Mulcahy]

Yea it seems like bonefixer needs a Polybrute. Or a DSI Evolver. Or a modular…

[Folderol]

I've not come across any really 'comfortable' synth (that I could possibly afford or find space for), and not even a keyboard, or other interface that feels natural. I do much better with softsynths, and even the best of these have issues.
P.S.
Or maybe I'm just "holding it wrong"

[Arpangel]

So, has anyone got a synth they’re perfectly happy with, and what is it?

No, I haven’t, I’m just as happy as I can be, with mine.
My Moog keeps breaking down, my modular is a complete PITA and only gives me a fraction back, of the effort I put into it, my Micron is too complicated for me to really get into it, I haven’t got the patience, but it’s worth it for what I do get out of it. I have a Prophet 10 and a Nord Wave in London, that never get used, they are being sold as I type.
The only synths that I can say I’m really happy with, and I know this is unlike me, are my soft synths, how can you not be happy with them? they cost very little, you can try out things you could never afford, and they never, ever, break down.

[The Elf]

So, has anyone got a synth they’re perfectly happy with, and what is it?

I'm happy with all of them, or they wouldn't be here!

keeping a synth is like keeping a parner. You don't find someone 'perfect'; you find someone who's imperfections you can live with. And some of those imperfections are the best thing about them!

[MarkOne]

It seems an odd question.

Compromise on what? All metal construction? Hardwood End-cheeks? Smooth Alps pots? Discrete solder-through PCBs? Or plastic, surface mount mass produced? But essentially the same circuit?

Or design compromises? No self oscillating filter? (Or no filter at all on early FM synths?) Not enough oscillators? Not enough LFOs? Limited sample memory? Too small a display? Features hidden under pages of menus?

You could argue that unless it is capable of every synthesis and sampling technique known to man from subtractive through FM, Granular to Physical Modelling, includes every filter type known to man has Poly AT, MPE, a fully reconfigurable physical control surface, is 100% Analogue and 100% digital at the same time, and is available in a Piano Black, Rosewood or carbon fibre and stainless steel case with 25-88 key options, it will be compromised in some way

All that matters really, is does it sound good in a musical context? And is it nice to use?

[Tomás Mulcahy]

It seems an odd question.

Compromise on what?

I thought that was clear? He mentioned extra LFOs, envelopes etc.

[Arpangel]

It seems an odd question.

Compromise on what?

I thought that was clear? He mentioned extra LFOs, envelopes etc.

But those things are preferences, not compromises, surely?

Jeepers! I’ve got it Holmes!
Get into modular, you can design out as many compromises as you want to, you could have a whole case just full of LFO's!

[Eddy Deegan]

It's almost as if it would be nice to be able to put together a custom collection of components such as LFOs, filters, oscillators and so on to match your own requirements. If they were all roughly the same size and had the same power requirements they could occupy a chassis of some kind and that would be nice because then there could be an ecosystem of different sorts of podules* from which you could mix and match to your heart's content.

* We could call it a podular!

[Folderol]

some kind and that would be nice because then there could be an ecosystem of different sorts of podules*

The ghosts of Acorn Computers Ltd. would like a word with you

[Eddy Deegan]

The ghosts of Acorn Computers Ltd. would like a word with you

It crossed my mind but though it was a corny jest it was worth the risc as I didn't think it did any arm.

[N i g e l]

....... my Micron is too complicated for me to really get into it, I haven’t got the patience, but it’s worth it for what I do get out of it........

are you using an editor ? sometimes having all the parameters on display at once makes things flow more easily



other editors are available

[resistorman]

The ghosts of Acorn Computers Ltd. would like a word with you

It crossed my mind but though it was a corny jest it was worth the risc as I didn't think it did any arm.

ooooggghhh

[resistorman]

and not even a keyboard, or other interface that feels natural.

I have to say that the LinnStrument has really changed my life, I feel like I'm touching the sound for the first time. I did unspeakable things to my guitars and basses to try and get an actual playable MIDI instrument for decades to no avail

[Tomás Mulcahy]

But those things are preferences, not compromises, surely?

No. But leaving them out could be considered a compromise. Or looking at it another way, it's the designer's preference as to what modulation is included. Categories of things eh? Endless source of discussion. Or arguments

[bonefixer]

Yea it seems like bonefixer needs a Polybrute.

Almost bought one, but decided the 6 note polyphony would be too limiting for what I want right now. I may get one at some point.

[bonefixer]

It seems an odd question.

Compromise on what? All metal construction? Hardwood End-cheeks? Smooth Alps pots? Discrete solder-through PCBs? Or plastic, surface mount mass produced? But essentially the same circuit?

Or design compromises? No self oscillating filter? (Or no filter at all on early FM synths?) Not enough oscillators? Not enough LFOs? Limited sample memory? Too small a display? Features hidden under pages of menus?

You could argue that unless it is capable of every synthesis and sampling technique known to man from subtractive through FM, Granular to Physical Modelling, includes every filter type known to man has Poly AT, MPE, a fully reconfigurable physical control surface, is 100% Analogue and 100% digital at the same time, and is available in a Piano Black, Rosewood or carbon fibre and stainless steel case with 25-88 key options, it will be compromised in some way

All that matters really, is does it sound good in a musical context? And is it nice to use?

Not really what I meant, and I realise that one keyboard won’t do it all. It’s more like buying a new car. If you get it from the factory you can pick the colour, what options you want, leave out things you don’t, and make a perfect car for you. Buy from a dealer’s forecourt and you’ll miss out on some things, and get others you don’t want.

I could probably design (at least draw up a spec list of) the perfect synth for me right now, but I couldn’t find it on the market. I got the Nord Wave 2 as it was close, but some more mod options would have been nice, and a bit more flexibility in the layers/splits. But I can live with these relatively minor compromises.