Moog Dark Time

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1

Who’s ready for moog to compete with the doepfer dark time? What would you like to see added or changed?

2

Bigger knobs
Bigger sockets
Different name

3

I’m ready, but it’s not going to happen… IMHO

A bunch of sequencers already on the market, lots of competition from the low cost MFB stuff to DarkTime up through all of the modular components. I won’t even get into the iPad options.

I’ve been evaluating and stressing over which to jump in on and while I’m not ready to proudly announce that what I’m choosing is the BEST, it’s right for me, I think.

But comments on DarkTime, here is what is missing in my opinion:

  • more steps (24 or 32 would be better, granted, they wanted it to be low-ish cost and also fit nicely next to a Dark Energy. Job done there.

  • ability to send Midi CCs instead of just note. They missed the boat big time on this one. Would be challenging to engineer a scheme to allow this without a 3 char display, but it’s a killer feature, especially considering the CCs that Moog’s feature, and will be even more of a killer feature for the Minitaur and what is likely to be hi-resolution (14 bit) for the important controllers.

  • an ‘at end’ output; if it sensed a jack for this it would stop/pause the sequencer and raise a trigger for the ‘next’ sequencer. That way 32 step sequences could be arranged. It DOES appear to have a way to sync two DarkTimes which are next to each other but at best it looks like you can only get 2 x 16 or 4 x 8 out of it. I could be wrong about this but I think this is the case.

Otherwise, it’s awesome.

Now have a look at MFB Urzwerg Pro here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4exE71wbF4 Put aside the musical statement aspect of the video and get past the gloves (if you can !!) It’s a nice progression and you’ll see some pretty cool features packed into a small package. It’s missing SOME of what Darktime has, (not to mention what looks like lightweight build quality) but for around $600 USD it’s a 4 x 8 or a 2 x 16 with a fair amount of features in a tidy package.

Quite ironically, as another poster mentioned that the Step64 WILL send Midi CCs. But distribution in the states for the MFB stuff is difficult. If anybody is interested, MoogAudio in Canada can get their stuff. Otherwise, Juno Records out of London will ship to U.S. for reasonable pricing; you’ll just have to deal with tariffs upon arrival (potentially).

4

[semi-hijack]

If you can handle DIY and a bit of a wait, the MIDIBox SEQ-V4 are all of your base belong.

http://ucapps.de/midibox_seq.html
http://www.midibox.org/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=wilba_mb_seq

5

One can always dream.

Anyway, I wouln’t want more, but less… like no midi.

I like the way the Dark Time works. Life is too short to wait. I think I’m ready for the plunge.

6

In the US MFB products are available through Analogue Haven in CA. They also carry Moog. :wink:

http://www.analoguehaven.com/