Blah Blah Cafe, the Jean-Michel Jarre forum

[Dr. Who]

I Can think of Worse companies who have pissed off their Customer base who have outlayed far more cash than a Prophet Costs only to be shit on....(cough*Thanks,korg.....Oasys*)

The encoder issue hasn’t given me much heartburn since my P08 seems to be working fine. I’ve had it for a while, it was one of the first signature editions. I think I just jinxed myself, it will probably start smoking any second… I do know plenty of others that haven’t been so lucky and are miffed at DSI. Oh well, still a great board. I’m sure you’ll love it. Be sure and give us a full run down once it gets home.

Don’t get me started on the Open Architecture Futureproof OASYS… Of course nothing is future proof but how can you limit such a board to 2 GB of sample RAM???? If you load the Exi2 piano you just killed a huge chunk of your RAM. U kidding me? I have so many sound sets that I have to load individually because of that. Not to mention having so many synth engines I ran out of spaces to save actual patches. I wish they didn’t have so many GM patches and I could store user patches there. Almost makes a librarian a necessity but I never found one with reliable support. Woulda been nice to see a better sequencer on their flagship that was better than their basic Triton sequencer, but I guess some people liked that old thing. Then there’s the loss of effects and routings when in combi mode. The Virus can do it just fine, why not the “Big O”??? Seems like if there had been some forethought these things could have been avoided. Then of course it’s discontinued in favor of the M3… their prized flagship that cost about as much as a used car is discontinued. Ugh… but I do admit, every time I think I need to sell the beast, I’m ready to leave it behind and move on (like a really bad girlfriend who’s a grade A champ in the sack) I keep coming back to her and can never say goodbye. I just find something new that I haven’t heard yet and it keeps me from parting with it. Ah what could have been with the OASYS. Instead it’s a love hate relationship.

[Equinoxe]

Well I've kind of forgiven Korg and the Oasys from the "look what it could have been" scenario,even if it was updated to the sort of spec I would like to see,its would have never been the sole instrument I would have used anyhow,I have far too many other devices which couldn't possibly be intergrated within the Oasys to make me sell everything else in favour of it.

The Sequencer was my largest gripe,in technical terms is no more than a Triton with HDR capabilites,its never going to be Roland MV8800/Akai MPC4000 operational standard terms so it will never be an all in one Workstation for my workflow,even though i fully understand every operational aspect within the Oasys sequencer and have done many tracks using simply the Oasys seq(having been using them since the days of the Trinity),even the M3 sequencer update is still far removed from anything that would have a patch on the MPCs/MV worflow methods,Even if korg did a massive overhaul of it,i doubt I would walk away from the MPC philosophy

But for me the sound quality is what I utilise the Oasys for,and its merely a Master controllor and sound generator only,there are so many shortcomings with the Oasys OS that Its simply never going to be what I and most users would like it to be,I'd never contemplate selling it,Not because of financial loss,but because its sounds are as much part of my forte as are the other synths I use.

Yes the Prophet 08 has landed,and so far am really impressed with it,(except for there are far too many synth Brass references in the preset patches)Build Quality is what i would call better than some of the reports I've read,first impressions of it,its kind of like a Real Analog version of a Nord lead 1,will be sure to post some more feedback on it after some more time with it

[Dr. Who]

Yes the Prophet 08 has landed,and so far am really impressed with it,(except for there are far too many synth Brass references in the preset patches)Build Quality is what i would call better than some of the reports I've read,first impressions of it,its kind of like a Real Analog version of a Nord lead 1,will be sure to post some more feedback on it after some more time with it

Glad she's landed. For me the build quality felt cheap because I was expecting something more of a Voyager build quality (very foolish expectation when you look at the difference in price). But if you went into it hearing the quality was "cheap" I'm sure you're pleasantly surprised. The sequencer opens up tons of possiblities. The timbre has more of an edge than the Andromeda and nowhere near the modulation matrix of the A6 but is still very manageable. From my limited time with the P08 it's easier for me to build a patch from scratch on the P08 than on the Andy. Just my 2 cents. Still love the Andy though, super lush. Didn't fall in love with the preset on either the Andy or P08. Most of my P08 patches are a little edgier and cut through a mix. That has some to do with my programming skills or lack there of... It's capable of more subtle sounds; Pink Floyd Shine on You Crazy Diamond comes to mind.

I'm in the same boat with the OASYS. No board can ever be your one and only source of sound. But the Big O is usually in there somewhere either as the bread and butter synth supported by analogs or sitting in backround tracks; it finds it's way into the mix. Even though the gripe list is large with it, the sound quality and is where it shines.

[qube]

Not a huge fan of hardware synths any more as I don't have room for them so my wish-list is mainly software (few exceptions though):

NI Komplete 7
GForce ImOSCar 2
Alesis Andromeda A6
Korg Z1
EastWest Complete Composers Edition
EastWest Quantum Leap Voices of Passion
ReFX Nexus 2

[Mr Pitch]

It is time for an update

Since I have an Access Virus B on my desk, I have to admit my wishlist has been drastically reduced, but I have still a couple of "dream machine" :


Monophonic analog synth: Sequential Circuits Pro-One (had one, but sold it, I miss it)

Digital synth: Waldorf µwave XT (had a µwave 1, really interesting but XT has more knobs )

Virtual analog : Clavia G2X (even the Virus is awesome, I would like to tweak more deeply as a modular allows)

Anyway, this is only the "synth" part of my list, because actually I need also to replace a couple of machine in my studio and in this case :

Computer : Apple Mac Pro + double screen (or a big one)
Soundcard : MOTU Ultralite MK3 Hybrid
Mixing desk : Soundcraft Spirit M12
Master Keyboard : M-Audio Keystation 61ES

This is more a "things to buy" list finally

[shadow]

I want any instrument to begin with

[thhedk]

I decided to start this list...

So here we go:

I want:

Roland D50
Roland JP8000
Eminent 310 U

Elka Synthex
And some better samples of Eminent 310 for Reason 4 ;o)

[Dr. Who]

My wishlist is:

Vienna Symphonic Library Super Package

Soundcraft Ghost 32
Neumann U 87
Neve Designs Portico II
Universal Audio 2-1176
Quantity (2) Apogee DA-16X
ProTools HD System

Not a huge fan of hardware synths any more as I don't have room for them so my wish-list is mainly software (few exceptions though):

NI Komplete 7
GForce ImOSCar 2
Alesis Andromeda A6
Korg Z1
EastWest Complete Composers Edition
EastWest Quantum Leap Voices of Passion
ReFX Nexus 2

I don't see many people into orchestral music here. You could look at Vienna Special Edition, it's a very pocketbook friendly version of Vienna with the most common articulations. The Special Edition Bundle is more comprehensive and lots of bang for your buck (twice the price but an incredible value). FYI, you do get a slimmed down version of Vienna with Komplete (Kontakt 4.1.1) that is pretty usable for simple orchestrations. Kontakt also comes with a very simple votox choir that isn't too bad. So getting Komplete 7 may ease you off of the lust for East West products and that nasty Play engine.

For incredible movie score choirs check out Tonehammer's Requiem. Very good stuff... It's my secret weapon of choice for over the top in your face dramatic choirs. They make some very interesting things at Tonehammer and apparently have a sense of humor. Have a look at the write up for "Emotional Piano" which is a great piano for Thomas Newman type scores BTW:

Emotional Piano

Funny guys!

[Andy Ford]

Ok let me see..

EMS VCS3 + Synthi
Roland Jupiter 6+8
Roland VP-770
John Bowen Solaris
Oberheim OB-8 + Xpander
DSI Poly Evolver
Korg Minipops 7
Yamaha CS80
Arp 2600 + Odyssey
Elka Synthex
Elektron Machinedrum SPS-1 MKII

...a bit greedy but there you go

[computerhythm]

Since I´ve already got most instruments I´ve always wanted to have, there´s just a few left:

Korg PS-3300/3200 (just for recording, no need to own one)
PPG Wave 2.0
Serge Modular
Mellotron M-400 (at last one in *good* nick)
Hammond Novachord
Oberheim Four Voice

Stephen

[GeeJee]

So I'm not alone drooling over a Novachord!

I would divide my list into two parts, one is downright unrealistic (dreamlist), the other is actually a real wishlist, things I will really consider purchasing in the not to far future.

Dreamlist
Novachord
CS80
PS3300/3100
ARP2600
Oberheim Xpander
Synthex

Real wishlist
Roland D550
Waldorf Blofeld
Korg Karma
Nord Modular G2
Moog Slim Phatty
Expansions for my JV2080

[computerhythm]

So I'm not alone drooling over a Novachord!

The Novachord sounds so gorgeous, it literally fell from the sky into an era it was fifty years ahead of. To my knowledge, there´s one at Het Stedelijke Museum in Den Haag but for some reason the curators refuse to have it refurbished again (and hence make it playable) as this would not retain originality. So I was told...

Stephen

[Analog-Umph]

So I'm not alone drooling over a Novachord!

The Novachord sounds so gorgeous, it literally fell from the sky into an era it was fifty years ahead of. To my knowledge, there´s one at Het Stedelijke Museum in Den Haag but for some reason the curators refuse to have it refurbished again (and hence make it playable) as this would not retain originality. So I was told...

Stephen

You guys can get the two soundsets available. They were both released earlier this year.
One by Hollow Sun and the other by Soniccouture.

[computerhythm]

So I'm not alone drooling over a Novachord!

The Novachord sounds so gorgeous, it literally fell from the sky into an era it was fifty years ahead of. To my knowledge, there´s one at Het Stedelijke Museum in Den Haag but for some reason the curators refuse to have it refurbished again (and hence make it playable) as this would not retain originality. So I was told...

Stephen

You guys can get the two soundsets available. They were both released earlier this year.
One by Hollow Sun and the other by Soniccouture.

You´re right but playing the real thing through some contemporary effects devices like EMT plate reverbs with valve pre-amps, Bode Frequency Shifter, tape-based Echoplexes and other goodies is so much different from playing it on a computer screen. Playing a CS80 plug-in isn´t very satisfying from a performer´s point of view.

Stephen

[Analog-Umph]

It's nothing more than a choral and string synth. So the sample set covers it pretty much.

Getting something as heavy as the Novachord on stage is another thing. Not sure everybody would appreciate the effort, aside from the EM crowd, mass culture has moved past those things, and wouldn't give two hoots about your equipment, playing abilities, showmanship and so on.... Unfortunately.
Ie: things of worth only apeal to a limited crowd.

Analog equipment is great, but lusting after it, if one is not going to use it immediately on some masterpiece is just stupid. A roomfull of analog equipment with you not using it to make great music is stupid. Get somethin' cheaper first, go make something that people like with it, then go analog a 100% - and only then realise that digital ain't that bad at all, if done right.