Muff's Modules & More

Scories

Hello. Here's a message I've also posted on gearslutz :

I've produced a electronic music in the late 90's/early 2000's; moody stuff à la BoC, made with synths and drum machines.

In the mid 00's, I left my keyboards to create more avant-gardist sound collages made out of thousand samples of field recordings and acoustic sounds (mostly recorded during long improvised sessions with odd instruments). A few months ago, I've tried to expand this technique to my 70's synths... and it failed.

Since then, I bought a vibraphone and decided to reduce my studio. Now I'd like to replace my analog synths by a Serge Animoo/Sequencer so I could get those concrete-like analog sequences I'm looking for. And over those sequences, I could keep one or two analog synths to play melodic lines. The sequencer would be good because I want to compose complex things and my keyboard skills are limited.

Anyway, here's the studio gear I should probably keep : Korg Z1 (MIDI controller), Roland JX-3P, MC-50, Kenton Pro-Solo, Commodore 64 (w. Cynthcard), Electrix FilterFactory, Eventide TimeFactor, Lovetone Doppelganger (dual tremolo/phaser), Snazzy FX Wow&Flutter.

And here's the stuff I might sell to raise money for a Serge Animoo/sequencer:

Micromoog (w. restored kybd)
Pros: Great flexible tone (from clean to dirty), quite versatile with the Kenton pro-solo.
Cons: Some overlap with the Commodore 64 in terms of dirtiness, needs a cv/gate converter.

Roland SH-101
Pros: Good musical/melodic sound with a very good dynamic.
Cons: Quite limited modulations, need a delay to really shine.

Roland SH-1000 (w. cv/gate mod)
Pros: Super rich vintage tone with the greatest resonance.
Cons: Not so flexible in terms of modulation, not a great resale value.

Univox Minikorg 700
Pros: Beautiful and sweet vintage leads, good 'different' filter.
Cons: Not as flexible as the 700s, not a great resale value.

Tom Oberheim SEM (MIDI version)
Pros: Doesn't take too much space, MIDI options, different type of filtering.
Cons: Limited modulation, big sound that is not always easy to fit in the mix.

Waldorf Microwave XT
Pros: Can generate really weird plings and klangs with the arp.
Cons: Sounds too digital for what I'd like to do.

All these synths sounds VERY good, but I feel that I just have too many of them and that they are underused.

So here's my [very subjective] question : From all the synths above, if you had just one to keep, which one would it be and why?

I'd be curious to get some 2nd opinions...

Thanks!!

drewskee

I'll take a shot here as I know this gear and was one of the main sound designers for Korg on the Z-1. If it were "me" I'd keep the Z1, the Micromoog and possibly the SEM. If you have the editor for the Z-1 and know how to program it there are a lot of unique and dynamic sounds to be had.

I'd sell the Lovetone as that will bring good money and the JX3P as well along with the other items. Not sure the Commodore will fetch anything nor the MC-50 so if you know how to use them and they can be part of your palate then the should stay.

You will get a gazillion opinions on what is essential, this is just my 2 cents. I used a Micromoog and SEM combo in the late 70's and they make some incredible tones separately and together.

Scories · Posted: Mon Mar 05, 2012 11:22 pm Post subject:

That makes sense, thanks for taking the time to come out with an advice. I'll be thinking about it.

Btw, the Doppelganger is at his best when combined with the JX-3P. And the SEM/Moog is a classic combo but none of them need the Doppelgagner to shine.

The Doppelganger is an awesome device to bring some organic warmth though.

Edit : I did not noticed at first... but were you part of the crew that conceived the Z1?? eek!

I am amazed! Been using this synth for 14 years now, it's a real chameleon. The Minikorg has been my first synth, but the Z1 has been the one I've used the most in my life. I hear that the main designer of the Z1died and that it explains why there has been no Z2....

nrdvrgr · Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2012 2:30 am Post subject:

SH-101, but mostly for sentimental reasons... (it was my first synth, and since it was my only instrument at the time I really explored it and got to know it better than I have known any other instrument)

chrisso · Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2012 3:23 am Post subject:

Your rationale seems to make decent sense.
If I was going to keep one synth out of your list it would be the SEM. I just think it's an awesome and versatile synth.
You could trade it in for a SEM Pro (patch and midi i think?) or an SEM patch point to integrate into your future Serge system.

batchas · Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2012 4:01 am Post subject:

confusional · Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2012 1:27 pm Post subject:

Really, this is a question that only you can answer. But if you're considering a Serge Animal + Sequencer, the Roland SH-101 would make a very nice and relatively compact cv/gate keyboard to control it. Sometimes less is so much more.

Of course, you have other wonderful, great sounding synths listed that could also fulfill the same role. With the move to Serge, how important is MIDI integration in your life? If it's still a factor, then perhaps the SEM.

Scories · Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2012 2:04 pm Post subject:

confusional · Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2012 11:47 pm Post subject:

booger · Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2012 6:01 am Post subject:

ndkent · Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2012 6:46 am Post subject:

I'd make more music. Your conclusions will be more accurate than the advice of others.

e-grad · Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2012 6:55 am Post subject:

If I weigh your list of cons then I think the Micromoog should stay. Especially given it's pros stated.

Scories · Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2012 1:32 pm Post subject:

Hey! I'm in the process of buying the Animal, finally...
Thanks for the kind advices.

I got my synths repaired then sold the SH-101, the 606, the SH-1000 and even the TR-77. Traded the SEM for a Polysix that I'm about to sell. And I will sell the XT in 3 weeks. Kept the Micromoog and the Minikorg 700.

Now I will have to control the Serge from my Kenton Pro-Solo mkII. I guess I should I get a 1/8-to-banana connector, right? I should also find a way to ground it. And I will need some banana cables.
Any recommendation where to get those things? smile

Thanks again!

aethersprite · Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2012 3:12 pm Post subject:

Testpath for Pomona bananas thumbs up

noobyscooby · Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2012 3:36 pm Post subject:

No, being in Canada go with Mouser. Free UPS expedited shipping over $200 and they pay all fees. I once ordered on an afternoon and had my order the next morning. No customs, brokerage, shipping etc.

$200 should get you 30-40 cables depending on length. Perfect maximum amount for an Animal.

monstrinho

richard · Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2012 4:16 pm Post subject:

That is outrageously elitist. Just because Serge does actually sound better, doesn't mean you are allowed to say it out loud. Especially here. What kind of place do you think this is?

confusional · Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2012 4:41 pm Post subject:

You guys have been chuggin' the kool-aid to the point of squirting snake oil from your hind quarters. This is hardly in the spirit of the original design. Repent! Repent! I tell you! At the very least, DIY your own power supply and rack ears. It's the only way to save your soul. we're not worthy

monstrinho · Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2012 4:45 pm Post subject:

noobyscooby · Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2012 4:56 pm Post subject:

If you have the time to do some searches, there are pages and pages, topic after topic, of the past on this forum that will delight you.

Scories

Nils · Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2012 12:25 am Post subject:

I fail to see Serge as a replacement for something like the Micromoog. It does its own thing - outrageously well, yes - but to me an instrument is all about character and interface, not what it does better than other instruments.

The MiniKorg is a great example because despite being radically different from Serge, its character and interface is equally unique, probably one of the most characterful serial production synths ever built imo.

If the Serge does lead you to sell "everything else", it's because you'll get completely immersed in it, not because it replaces something else thumbs up

All imho, of course...

EDIT: Congrats on the Animal! nanners

Scories · Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2012 10:56 am Post subject:

Nils · Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2012 3:01 pm Post subject:

Scories · Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2012 9:00 pm Post subject:

...and if I was better at soldering, I could get a SWAMP.