ShortScale.org

i payed around with a voyager the other day at the store. it was pretty fucking great. didn't have a price tag on it though (if you have to ask...)

ive seen little phatty's go for pretty cheap on ebay. like in the 800 range i think.

you can get a dave smith mopho for 400. im sure you are aware of this, but damn, its a great deal, esp. if you already have a midi keyboard you like to use.



its all analog and really tiny and powerful.

[youtube][/youtube]

Fran wrote:I want a synth like 'TONTO' that Steve Hillage used...

They did awesome work with Stevie Wonder.

Fran wrote:I want a synth like 'TONTO' that Steve Hillage used...

imagine searching for a bad cable in that set up.

jcyphe wrote:

Fran wrote:I want a synth like 'TONTO' that Steve Hillage used...

They did awesome work with Stevie Wonder.

I dunno if your joking or not there. I have most of Steve Hillages albums before he went onto the 'techno' scene with System 7, Green is a great album, lots of guitar synth playing on it.

Why would I be joking? I like the work they did with Stevie Wonder, with that system.

[youtube][/youtube]

i've got a moog source. moog popped this wierdo out in 81, it was intended to serve as an update to the minimoog. it sounds great. but because of the weird membrane control panels, i guess they're prone to malfunction. A company has been periodically releasing new membrane replacements for it every so often, mine is fine, but i bought an extra just to make sure. Its great for live settings, being that it's the first "vintage" moog to incorporate a memory bank - which you can jog through with that big-ass wheel to the left. super bassy. this was the synth that bernard sumner used for the driving bassline beneath "blue monday".



also kinda looks like you're working at mcdonalds when you're playing it, thanks to the stainless steel finish and colorful membrane buttons.
it's monphonic just like all other moogs. i've seen them go from $500 - $1000 on ebay. usually averaging out at $800.

also have a microkorg, which is good fun. but not analogue. they recently did that microKorg XL though... looks interesting!
has a better vocorder than the original and a sturdier mic, still lacks full size keys, though.

MutantParty wrote:
also have a microkorg, which is good fun. but not analogue.

I got one of those, they're neat. I'm with you on the need for full size keys, though.

jcyphe wrote:Why would I be joking? I like the work they did with Stevie Wonder, with that system.

[youtube][/youtube]

Ah, cool, i never knew that. Thanks for posting the vid, i really enjoyed it.

I have an Alesis Micron, kind of the main rival to the MicroKorg. It has the same 3 octaves, but FULL SIZE keys. Not as nice looking as the MK, and people say its harder to program sounds but i think, like most things, after using it for a while it's just as easy as the MK. It has some nice features though that the MK doesnt have though (why i chose it) such as:

-Step sequencer to create your own synth or drum sequences. This can be used as an arpegiator.
-Built in drum beats
-'Setups' where you can layer and trigger synth patters, drum patterns and bass patterns to create full tunes - awesome.

[youtube][/youtube]

DanHeron wrote:I have an Alesis Micron, kind of the main rival to the MicroKorg. It has the same 3 octaves, but FULL SIZE keys. Not as nice looking as the MK, and people say its harder to program sounds but i think, like most things, after using it for a while it's just as easy as the MK. It has some nice features though that the MK doesnt have though (why i chose it) such as:

-Step sequencer to create your own synth or drum sequences. This can be used as an arpegiator.
-Built in drum beats
-'Setups' where you can layer and trigger synth patters, drum patterns and bass patterns to create full tunes - awesome.

[youtube][/youtube]

The features and sounds seem way better. It was a hit for Alesis but not as much as the Microkorg was for Korg. It just goes to show you it's not always about the technology, but also the packaging and format you present.

This thread is way interesting now, I enjoy all the posts about synths.

DanHeron wrote:I have an Alesis Micron, kind of the main rival to the MicroKorg. It has the same 3 octaves, but FULL SIZE keys. Not as nice looking as the MK, and people say its harder to program sounds but i think, like most things, after using it for a while it's just as easy as the MK. It has some nice features though that the MK doesnt have though (why i chose it) such as:

-Step sequencer to create your own synth or drum sequences. This can be used as an arpegiator.
-Built in drum beats
-'Setups' where you can layer and trigger synth patters, drum patterns and bass patterns to create full tunes - awesome.

[youtube][/youtube]

in my last band, we had a micron, and it's big brother the ion, along with my korg. I found the ion to sound great but was hard to program and live functionality was limited due to the lack of knobs to twiddle, but the ION is incredible, essentially the same engine as the micron, but a 4 octave board, and much easier to program and use. but pricier as well.

I had a MicroKorg and my only gripe was the small keys, other than that it was a great piece of kit.

Back to TONTO, not sure if Hillage used it here but i love all the soundscaping on this track. True ambience at the end.

[youtube][/youtube]

I've seen the Ion, but from what I read the Micron had features that the Ion didn't have. But you're right about the Micron being based on the Ion sound engine.

I wish I knew what kind of guitar jcyphe plays.

DuoSonicBoy wrote:I wish I knew what kind of guitar jcyphe plays.

i just wish he'd confirm if it is a jazzmaster or not.

jcyphe wrote:I've seen the Ion, but from what I read the Micron had features that the Ion didn't have. But you're right about the Micron being based on the Ion sound engine.

Yeah, as far as I'm aware they sound the same.

the microkorg is no champ when it comes to programming either. its like doing homework.

i would rather have less features, but a knob for every feature, like a little phatty. (im not directly comparing, but if the MK had similar controls to a LP, it would be better IMO.)

those ions are indeed even worse.

when the dave smith mopho is so cheap i cant imagine getting either, unless you really need a built in keyboard (and can live with either 2 octaves or little wiener keys.)

hahahaha little wiener keys.

I really want a Moog Little phatty. My friend Bryan had one that I played around with a lot and I really liked it. Also we just played with a band tonight that used one and it sounded awesome!

I really want a microkorg.