jverghese

The Ventilator still holds its own, although it's ten year old technology. My new favourite is #7 through Vent. As others have noted, #5 and #7 through Vent are very close. I think this would be a killer combination: HX3 -> Speakeasy AMA -> Amplitube/IK Leslie

About the updated "Yours..." clips, I think the new #2 sounds very good, but I still prefer the original with its distinct growl, at least for the track in question. #3 on the other hand is a clear improvement overall, but the distortion is still too fizzy for my liking. As mate stubb pointed out, most built-in overdrive effects model a tube preamp rather than power amp, and that of course includes hardware units with a 12AX7 tube stage. So, the original #2 is my favourite for the gurgle, then the new #3 for its Leslie sim and 'usable' distortion.

I think #2 has the best distortion, and #3 the best Leslie emulation. Still, all of this goes to show how difficult it is to recreate tube distortion in software -- non of these examples are particularly authentic. I would probably use #2 for Yours... Thanks again!

Very nice shootout, thanks for posting! Some quick observations: #1 Rather thick and muddy, transistor-like overdrive. Rotary effect is decent, a bit on the chorusy side, though. Compression seems a bit exaggerated. #2 Nice and dark overdrive with more growl than the previous one. However, lacks definition. #3 Leslie sounds good on fast speed, could be IK Multimedia, however, overdrive is yet again too fizzy and transistor-like. #4 Overdrive seems middlish and grating, also too much direct sound to be convincing. #5 Nice stereo spread, but again the overdrive lacks growl and definition, and is masked by the direct signal. Fast Leslie is too vibrato-ish. #6 Transistor, not tube. Fast Leslie is nice, though. #7 Leslie simulation uses some timbral modulation, which is good (overlooked by most other simulators). However, the odd lower-mid resonance destroys it for me. #8 Overdrive is too middlish and washy. A real tube amp passes some amount of direct signal even when severely overdriven. Leslie might be good, but hard to tell because of the muddy overdrive. For reference, here is the original organ part isolated: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdSM-CYoN6Y

Nope. Curtis were triangle core, SSM were sawtooth. This is an excellent feature on a polysynth. I think they have been monitoring this forum. I wonder if the MoogOne's keyboard/voice assignment modes are as versatile as the Chroma's. All in all, looks and sounds like a cool synth. I've yet to hear a polysynth that sounds as good as the best monosynths, maybe the One will change that. -joachim

The TP/9S has very short keys (close pivot point), which makes it hard to play at the back of the keys. The standard Pratt Reed keyboards of the '70s were much better in that sense, and so is the TP/8S. I believe the only reason manufacturers use the TP/9S is that it is available in 37, 44, and 49 note versions in addition to 61, and it also uses less space depth-wise. Otherwise the TP/8S seems to be superior in every way. -joachim

Not sure if this has been mentioned over here: https://www.soundonsound.com/news/prophet-x-uses-filter-new-audio-chip-makers The Prophet X uses a new filter chip (SSI2144) that is based on the classic SSM2044. Does it matter in a synth that mainly uses waveforms other than harmonically consistent sawtooth and pulse waves?

Hi, Interesting thread. I used to make a rack version of the ARP ProSoloist, mainly used by Genesis tribute bands and other hardcore fans. To me the most cumbersome thing about these projects is the logistics, i.e. ordering the materials, arranging and labeling endless component reels, trays, etc. If you have to use subcontractors (which you often do), initial costs can be prohibitive. Circuit board films, pick-n-place programming, custom mechanical parts, etc. Thankfully, production files can be reused for future production batches. I've spent the last two years building a new house, so very little activity on the synth building front. However, I have a number of dsp algorithms lying around which I'd like to make something out of (has to be a hardware product, I'm not into plug-ins). Got to find a new electronics subcontractor, though, as the one I used previously is no longer around. This. And watch out for signs of burning out. -joachim