Is every synth a compromise?
Re: Is every synth a compromise?
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?
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?
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Re: Is every synth a compromise?
Tomás Mulcahy wrote: ↑Tue Nov 29, 2022 11:47 am
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!

Re: Is every synth a compromise?
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!
* We could call it a podular!
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Re: Is every synth a compromise?
Eddy Deegan wrote: ↑Tue Nov 29, 2022 12:11 pm 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

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Re: Is every synth a compromise?
are you using an editor ? sometimes having all the parameters on display at once makes things flow more easily

other editors are available
Re: Is every synth a compromise?
Eddy Deegan wrote: ↑Tue Nov 29, 2022 12:50 pm
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
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"The Best" piece of gear is subjective.
Re: Is every synth a compromise?
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

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"The Best" piece of gear is subjective.
Re: Is every synth a compromise?
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

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Re: Is every synth a compromise?
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.
Gear: Loads of guitars, Line 6 Helix, Yamaha THR30 amp
Bechstein 1932 5’3” Grand Piano, Yamaha CP88, Yamaha YC61, Nord Wave2, Arturia Keystep Pro, Arturia KeyLab88, MacBook Pro, Mainstage, MAudio and Presonus interfaces, Behringer XAir mixer…
Bechstein 1932 5’3” Grand Piano, Yamaha CP88, Yamaha YC61, Nord Wave2, Arturia Keystep Pro, Arturia KeyLab88, MacBook Pro, Mainstage, MAudio and Presonus interfaces, Behringer XAir mixer…
Re: Is every synth a compromise?
MarkOne wrote: ↑Tue Nov 29, 2022 11:15 am 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.
Gear: Loads of guitars, Line 6 Helix, Yamaha THR30 amp
Bechstein 1932 5’3” Grand Piano, Yamaha CP88, Yamaha YC61, Nord Wave2, Arturia Keystep Pro, Arturia KeyLab88, MacBook Pro, Mainstage, MAudio and Presonus interfaces, Behringer XAir mixer…
Bechstein 1932 5’3” Grand Piano, Yamaha CP88, Yamaha YC61, Nord Wave2, Arturia Keystep Pro, Arturia KeyLab88, MacBook Pro, Mainstage, MAudio and Presonus interfaces, Behringer XAir mixer…
Re: Is every synth a compromise?
There you go. A Nord Wave 2 is a long way from my 'uncompromised' synth. It lacks things I'd want, and it includes features I have no need of.
So...
One man's 'compromised' is another's 'ideal'.
So...
One man's 'compromised' is another's 'ideal'.
An Eagle for an Emperor, A Kestrel for a Knave.
Re: Is every synth a compromise?
Probably yes. On the other hand, the 49 key hydrasynth I bought a couple of years ago is about the only piece of gear I've ever owned that really didn't disappoint me in any way i.e my fantasy of a 21st century cs80 wasn't shattered.
Re: Is every synth a compromise?
Some musicians say they feel like one with their musical instrument.
Try to find a synth/s module/s software/s that does this for us.
It need not be perfect. It may have lots of compromises. Same as us.
Try to find a synth/s module/s software/s that does this for us.
It need not be perfect. It may have lots of compromises. Same as us.
-
- tea for two
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Re: Is every synth a compromise?
Eddy Deegan wrote: ↑Tue Nov 29, 2022 12:11 pm 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!
Modular is "alright" but it’s lacking one very important component for me "polyphony"
To get a modular to play polyphonically to any useful degree, is a total pain, we need more polyphonic modules, that would be a genuine revelation to build your own modular polysynth.
Re: Is every synth a compromise?
Arpangel wrote: ↑Wed Nov 30, 2022 7:15 amEddy Deegan wrote: ↑Tue Nov 29, 2022 12:11 pm 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!
Modular is "alright" but it’s lacking one very important component for me "polyphony"
To get a modular to play polyphonically to any useful degree, is a total pain, we need more polyphonic modules, that would be a genuine revelation to build your own modular polysynth.
Definitely doable though with the Hermod 8 voice thingy. You just need 8 of everything (or 16 to get separate filter and amp envelopes). And a very big box of patch leads. But wow, a different texture for each voice. That alone might get me saving for a modular.
Oh wait, I don’t have anywhere to keep it

Re: Is every synth a compromise?
Yes, in some ways I think every synth is a compromise. At the same time, so are all musical instruments. It’s not a problem, so long as we know the limits and capabilities of our instruments.
It does mean that you may need a number of synths in your arsenal. I guess I have around a dozen soft synths and synth-like sample libraries that I use regularly. Others have considerably more than that.
It does mean that you may need a number of synths in your arsenal. I guess I have around a dozen soft synths and synth-like sample libraries that I use regularly. Others have considerably more than that.
Re: Is every synth a compromise?
I love my Hermod but Cre8audio's NiftyKEYZ keyboard case is also very useful as it can do anything from 1 to 4-voice polyphonic Eurorack control, either with splits or layers.
The Winterbloom "Castor and Pollux" (Juno-style dual oscillator module) works wonderfully with it, and I've also got a 2HP Pluck in mine.
The Winterbloom "Castor and Pollux" (Juno-style dual oscillator module) works wonderfully with it, and I've also got a 2HP Pluck in mine.
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Re: Is every synth a compromise?
There’s always Max/MSP.
The only synth that didn’t feel like a compromise that I loved was Vaz Modular. I guess the issue is that you’ll need a soft synth of you want a truly unlimited tool. Of course, the limitations are usually why i LIKE a piece of gear.
The only synth that didn’t feel like a compromise that I loved was Vaz Modular. I guess the issue is that you’ll need a soft synth of you want a truly unlimited tool. Of course, the limitations are usually why i LIKE a piece of gear.
Re: Is every synth a compromise?
I'm glad someone other than me remembers Vaz Modular - I had great fun reviewing its various releases donkey's years ago

https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/so ... modular-21
https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/so ... y-vaz-2010
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