So, I have the EHX V256 vocoder, and up until now I was just using the built-in carrier signal for vocoding. However, while recording recently, I decided to try out the Moog (phatty and voyager) as the carrier, and wow . . . incredible sound.
The problem is, both moogs are already tied up in the songs we’ve written (while playing live), plus I like having a few voices for chords, harmonies, etc. So, I recently came across a DSI Tetra for quite a steal (500-shipped) and I thought having an analog synth with 4 voices would make for some nice vocoding, comparable to what I got with the moog. wrong. so wrong. So far, no matter what I do I just can’t get the tetra to sound anywhere close to as good as the phatty coming through the vocoder.
I even tried recreating the phatty patch on the tetra and no matter how close I get the parameters, it’s just a completely different sound, and not in a good way. Even playing a three octave chord on the tetra doesn’t sound as rich and full as the phatty. With my phatty I was able to get the vocoder to almost sound like a human voice, with depth and expression. So far, every patch I try with the tetra sounds thin and buzzy.
I realize that a lot of this has to do with the filter, but wow. I never would have imagined the difference would be so drastically noticeable, even to an un-synthed ear.
I guess my question is, does anyone have any advice for this problem? Has anyone had any experience using a DSI synth with a vocoder? Any tips on getting a fuller tone? Or finally, should I just dump the tetra from my rig and pick up another slim to handle vocoding and duo-phony?
Haha. maybe more of a pedal-fever. In the last year I’ve gotten the MMD, the Cathedral reverb, MF102, MF104m, and MF105m. All I need is the Phaser to finish the first stage of my 'fogger fetish. Then I may move on to some more EHX, or branch out to some boutique boxes . . . or start building my modular. HA
Also, I tried adjusting the output, volume, and gain, on both synths, the pedal, and the mixer. That didn’t seem to help.
Were it me, I’d just religiously stay away from anything DSI. I’m not a Moog fanboy, yet there IS something special about the quality of circuitry found in various Moog products. I guess you get what you pay for…
Again, were it me, I’d just buy another Phatty for running into your EHX. Not the cheapest solution, perhaps one of the best though.
The Little Phatty has such a unique, lovely sound. It is more aggressive than the Voyager, capable of producing much brighter sounds in my opinion. I really miss my Little Phatty. I do prefer the sophisticated, lush tones of the Voyager, but I would love to have a Slim around.
I think a vocoder emphasizes the differences in sound spectrums of different input signals / synthesizers. It’s like trying to create upper harmonics or doing octave multiplication with two oscillators and a ring modulator. If the two oscillators differ in their behaviour just slightly, the ring modulator amplifies these differences and the result is something chaotic, not playable over a keyboard range.
So the best would probably be to buy another Phatty…
Thanks for all the input so far, everyone. After some planning and rearranging, I’ve moved the vocoder back to the phatty, and I’m using the dsi for pads, strings, etc. Of course, this doesn’t fulfill my desire to play chords with the vocoder, but oh well, the phatty still sounds immensely better as a carrier signal.
So, Stephen, you say you’d stay away from DSI altogether. Why’s that exactly? I’ve been considering getting a prophet 08 in the future, for polyphony, would you not recommend that? If not, please give me some poly ideas to start looking into before I get a hold of that x-mas bonus.
I’m in the same boat. Been considering a Prophet '08 (hate that date related name. Why not just Prophet 8???) for some time now, because I really like the sounds I hear coming out of it on all the demos I’ve watched. I hear so many mixed thoughts on it though, that I haven’t been able to bring myself to actually buy one. What gives?
Same here. Now that I have the tetra, I’m slowly starting to see why people badmouth DSI, of course, honestly, the most annoying part is the limited interface, which shouldn’t be a problem with the prophet (and yes, I hate the date related name too). I’ve also been considering getting a virus ti. I know they’re completely different, and that’s the point. Between the voyager, phatty, and tetra, I feel like I’ve got the analog sound pretty much covered. (of course I’d love to add an Oberheim, Buchla, or modular, when money starts growing on trees at my place). The virus offers different forms of synthesis, like wave, grain, etc. and this interests me for ambient exotic sounds. So, I just don’t know what to do. Luckily, I still have a little over a month to decide.
Please, everyone, unleash the synth knowledge . . . and go.
I don’t mean to badmouth DSI (at least not too much…), and again, I’m only talking about my personal experience and taste in electronic music. Your taste may vary differently than mine.
I have only owned an Evolver, though I’ve spent some time at GC with each of the DSI offerings, even talked with Mr. Smith on the phone for a while. My personal interpretation of why the analog sounds just don’t do it for me comes down to one thing… quality of components. Now you can spend a lot of money on components or you can go budget. You won’t get similar results between the two. In other words, not all analog is created equal. The same thing goes with VA sounds, though the quality of programming also comes into play.
My main digital synth is a Nord Lead 3. I love love love the physical interface and it’s the main reason why I keep it. Though most of the programs sound thin and unconvincing, there are the occasional gems that make it all worth while. My other main digital is a Kurzweil PC3. If you want poly VA, this is probably one of the best sounding synths on the market. It comes with its own set of limitations, though quality of sound is not one of them. The main thing that it doesn’t have is a hands on knob tweeking interface like the Nord does (and DSI and others do).
I have looked at the Virus quite a bit and am impressed with what I see and hear. Though the knob twirling vs. menu diving can be a PITA, the sounds are pretty good.
If polyphony is important, and if you are layering stuff in the mix with a good quality analog on top (like the Voyager), I’d steer you toward a Kurzweil or a Virus. A Nord Lead 2 is supposed to be thicker sounding than the Lead 3, so you might want to check that out as well.
Haha, I already have a Lead 2x . . . I’m in the market to replace it in my rig (for the band), but not get rid of it altogether. You’re right, the nord interface is my favorite part about them. I’d love to have a midi controller modeled after the lead, with a fatar keybed (as the keyboard isn’t the best).
I’ll look into the kurzweil, but I really prefer hands-on tweak-ability.
The new year is right around the corner, who knows, maybe someone is getting ready to release the next great poly. A guy can dream…
