Obviously sound will be the key but as no one has their hands on the Phatty yet, what are the obvious distinctions on ‘paper’? It’s a big price difference.
As it stands by specs alone, what does the Phatty offer that the Voyager does not and visa versa?
Thanks
read the specs is obvious. 
Wow, thanks for the illuminating response 
Anybody else who might care to offer some actual insights on this subject for a newbie?
The specs will answer your question. The LP is cheaper because they stripped some features from the Voyager.
Ok, imagine if you will for just a moment that you are entering the world of analog synthesis for the first time. Reading over the specs is a little like comparing diagrams of two cars engine’s when you’ve never even popped open the hood.
Does the Phatty offer any innovations that the Voyager does not or is it just as mc said, a stripped down version of the Voyager?
Perhaps I am posting this question prematurely and will just have to wait for a real review that goes beyond the tech specs.
Thanks anyway.
Ah, if you’re a newbie, then you don’t need a voyager anyway. Just get an LP and that will be a great (better than most) place to start. I started with a prodigy (which I still have.) The LP will still be a step up.
Thanks for the advice Rob.
I see the LP as more like a Source, but without the arpeggiator or sequencer.
I think the CP-251 will sell well with this instrument as well, as it gives it a
noise, S&H and an extra LFO &c.
I just wish I could have more detail. Also the retailer here in Australia is
very laid back and hasn’t taken my pre payment yet!
rachel
Thanks rach, I’ll read up on the source and CP-251.
ok the LP gives you a control marked “overload” (which the voyag3er doesn’t have) in the filter section.
one of the things that makes different synths sound so different is the filter
having more ways to control the sound of the filter will allow you to greatly increase the variety of sounds a synth can produce.
another thing the voyager doesn’t have is filter tracking of the glide, this is a limitation that the LP will not have.
LP pros
it’s a small reasonably priced all-rounder synth, it will sound good, it looks good, and it’s easier to move it from A to B than a voyager.
cons
it does have some very intense limitations as a stand alone (the lack of noise-sample and hold e.t.c) but it allows you to control the most important aspects of the sound with these elements, externally via the cp251 or similar
Voyager pros
i’ve never used one but i know how cool they would be, you’ll probably have to do some homework about analog synthesis before really understanding what an amazing machine it is.
cons
doesn’t have filter glide tracking or proper filter chromatic keyboard tracking, a stupid omition, even the most modest synths have this feature
costs way too much for most people
in my mind it’s a much better deal to buy the phatty and send the rest on foogers
Hey zilla, thanks alot for the info and the comparison.
Here’s my 2p…
If you can afford it, go for a Voyager. This may sound insane for a beginner but I think the Voyager would be much easier to learn synthesis on as there’s a knob / switch for (practically) every function. You only need to dig into the menus for deeper programming.
Whereas, the Phatty is a tad less immediate. For the experienced synthesist, this won’t present much of a problem. When I’m programming my Source, I know the parameter I want to change, it’s just a matter of selecting it. But I learned synthesis on a Moog Rogue by randomly fiddling around with the many controls and seeing what happened.
I realise many will disagree with me as the Voyager costs so much more than a Phatty but I do believe it would be the better synth for a beginner if they can afford it.
Thanks for your insight Jyoti. The Voyager is not cheap but as I bust my a** in post production all week, I think I’m about due a nice little reward 
I’ve never regretted an expensive purchase that either improved the quality of my recordings or pushed my understanding of the gear in general.
Thanks for the replys, I was thinking this forum was going to be a complete waste after those first two responses. i appreciate those kind enough to share some actual insights.
By the way, the Voyager filter DOES track glide. This problem was fixed a while back.
Opinions on Phatty vs. Voyager? From what I’ve heard the Phatty sounds great. Has all the basic monophonic synthesizer functions you’d need, like the Prodigy or Source (sans arpeggiator/sequencer). I think it would be a great first synthesizer.
Lacks: all but most basic mod routings, velocity sensitive keyboard, one knob per function.
I started with a friends Micro, bought a Prodigy, and have gone through my own Micro, Source (x2), Taurus 2, and currently have 2 Minimoogs, a Voyager, a Multi, (and a Creamware ASB… shhh). If you want flexibility to make insane sounds save for the Voyager. If you need a great sounding basic melody machine (basses and leads) get the Phatty.
Thanks floyd. I think based on the responses so far, I’m going to keep saving for the Voyager. It may be a bit much for me at first but I have the feeling I’ll be enjoying the quality time spent getting to know it.
Please bear in mind that I’m very biased in that:
Of course, the Phatty may have that same beguiling nature for much less money. But I can tell you, I paid £1999 for my Voyager ($3,561) and I don’t regret a penny.
You didnt say you were a newbie,if you had i would have elaborated somewhat.
Jazzpunk,
‘Contour_generator’ just posted a PDF chart on the phatsound site that compares the Voyager to the Little Phatty. You wanted an ‘on paper’ spec - sounds like this is it.
Regarding the difficulty of learning to program synths on the Voyager…
I don’t think that this would be a problem at all. I learned to program on a Minimoog Model D, and they are so well laid out that it was simple to learn. It may even be easier to learn on a Voyager (or Mini) than on a LP because you have one knob for every function and can look at all of your settings without having to even touch the keyboard.
I am going through a rough decision making process for myself at this time since I would like to buy an LP. Actually it probably doesn’t offer that much more than my Source, but I LOVE the look of it.
But maybe it would be better to buy the Performance version and save a few hundred bucks…do we know for sure that there is a Performance version coming out, or is it all speculation?
To do this, I will be selling one of my Mini’s. Should I really sell a Mini for an LP? The only advantage here is that it is something different and it LOOKS COOL, and it is newer.
Am I dumb to sell a Mini right now? Voyager is just too expensive.
Actually, for the price the MEK looks like a much better deal, although I absolutely did not connect with the PEK when I tried one of those…
Tough choices all…
Hey waag,
I love that you are lusting over the Phatty based on the fact that it looks cool…you must be a fellow gear addict
Definitely get your hands on one before you let go of that mini!