Any sound sculptors out there?

Count me in as another fan of subtractive synthesis...  I'm not really what one would call a hardcore electronic musician but I use electronics quite a bit in my groups as transformative devices-- mostly balanced (ring) mod, filters, and delays. 

Regarding your questions...  As a non-synth-expert, my suggestions would be:

a. best polysynth: Roland Juno 6/106-- the first real synth I ever played.  Very easy to make organ & clavinet/harpsichord type sounds, even though replicating other instruments wasn't my interest.  Add a decent phaser (or rotary speaker/emulator) and you're good to go.

b. Synth closest to the MiniMoog: Another Moog!  Seriously, in terms of panel layout the Moog Rogue (or Realistic version) is pretty close.  It sounds pretty similar-- not quite as fat (since they don't have 3 oscillators), but they had the same sweet filter circuit that's classic Moog.  Synthesis Technologies makes several modules that are Moog filter clones (and are Moog-ish looking), but I can't attest to their accuracy in replicating the sound. 

c. Special about DX7: First mass-production synth to have preset sounds that were derived from FM synthesis.  Beyond that, I don't see what the big deal is...

d. Don't know.  Again, my synth interest has never been along the lines of emulating real-world instruments.

What kind of synths do you use?  What's on your wishlist?

wow, I'm not alone...welcome!!

nightlamp wrote: Count me in as another fan of subtractive synthesis...  I'm not really what one would call a hardcore electronic musician but I use electronics quite a bit in my groups as transformative devices-- mostly balanced (ring) mod, filters, and delays.  Regarding your questions...  As a non-synth-expert, my suggestions would be: They're actually not my questions, just rough examples of my interests However, since you answered, I will add my humble opinion: a. best polysynth: Roland Juno 6/106-- the first real synth I ever played.  Very easy to make organ & clavinet/harpsichord type sounds, even though replicating other instruments wasn't my interest.  Add a decent phaser (or rotary speaker/emulator) and you're good to go. I'm not sure about a "best" polysynth tag here, but Junos are awesome indeed. I have one Juno 60...the most furious (and very convincing) overdriven Hammond that I ever heard from the non-organ keyboard. You're right, clavinets and harpsichords are nice, atmospheric pads too...but I was never able to squeeze decent strings out of this machine. b. Synth closest to the MiniMoog: Another Moog!  Seriously, in terms of panel layout the Moog Rogue (or Realistic version) is pretty close.  It sounds pretty similar-- not quite as fat (since they don't have 3 oscillators), but they had the same sweet filter circuit that's classic Moog.  Synthesis Technologies makes several modules that are Moog filter clones (and are Moog-ish looking), but I can't attest to their accuracy in replicating the sound.  Agreed. If you want your synthesizer to sound like a Moog, buy a Moog. Although some manufacturers come close: SE Omega is a KILLER synth (people say), Emerson is using it to replace his old Modular, Cheetah analog synths are also very close, but the only budget synth that is somewhat close to Moog's sound (and structure) is any of MFB (Manfred-Frieke-Berlin) synth or SynthLite series...3 OSC's, killing filter but warning! Lite series utilise DCO's. Digital synths: I played E-mu Vintage Keys and I didin't like it all. Too plastic. on the other hand, some virtual synth are worth mentioning - Arturia is awesome. c. Special about DX7: First mass-production synth to have preset sounds that were derived from FM synthesis.  Beyond that, I don't see what the big deal is... You're right, no big deal really, although the concept of FM synthesis is nice. d. Don't know.  Again, my synth interest has never been along the lines of emulating real-world instruments. I couldn't agree more. Let the synth howl, hiss, scream, screech, whisper, blip and burp, but don't make synth to pretend that is something else. What kind of synths do you use? Roland Juno 60, Korg Poly 61, Korg Micropreset M500SP, Korg Poly800 and a few others...But I played on a lot more keys that I own.   What's on your wishlist? Everything ever manufactured. There is no musical instrument that couldn't be good to inspire you in making you at least one song. To narrow it down, my wishlist: monosynths from the 70's, string machines, Hammond, something modular, legendary polys from late 70s/early 80s (Prophet to Trident to JX), Andromeda, Evolver - the first on my "to buy" list.

Cheerio!


Edited by clarke2001 - May 16 2007 at 10:17

Hey there Clarke, I am an analogue synth collecter and I use my keyboards professionally as much as possible. I won't bore you with a list, but just some favorites.
The Juno 6 is great for doing Farfisa like psych organ, but with pedal filter control.
The mini-korg is way underated and does killer melodic synth solos.
Korg MS 20 has a huge sound and lots of features a mini-moog doesn't have.

I more or less know how all the parameters work, but once you get in deep with a sound it is easy to just get overwhelmed.

I also collect analogue Hammond copies like the Crumar T1

Edited by Easy Money - November 20 2007 at 13:40

Easy Money wrote: Korg MS 20 has a huge sound and lots of features a mini-moog doesn't have.

Yeah, I love the MS-20's patch bay feature-- the semi-modularity of the MS-20 seems to make it a better fit for far-out noise and sound effects than the Moog.  I love the MS-20's filters too, they sound great!