Is every synth a compromise?

[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.