Sorry if this is off-topic, but after taking some years off playing and composing, I have to get myself a new keyboard rig.
My biggest headache is, should I pay the money for a Select Series Voyager, or just get a MiniMax ASB?
My thinking is this: The Voyager is big, heavy and not the most practical keyboard to lug around for band practices and such. On the other hand, it is a beautiful piece of keyboard art, which also sounds great of course.
The MiniMax ASB could be a practical compromise though, but Iām more occupied with the sound more than everything else. I play mostly jazz/fusion/prog, and need something that is musical and expressive. For instance, Iāve never been a fan of Nord Leads or dX plugins, which sounds static to me. I need a synth that sounds organic, like playing a ārealā instrument such as a guitar etc..
Some say that Minimax is almost indistinguishable from the real thing, others say that it sounds thin, digital and lacks the character of a real analog synth. Hmm..
I owned a Voyager some years ago, but sold it. (Donāt ask me why! arghā¦) So Iām rather picky, but the ASB doesnāt have to be 100% accurate (as no old minimoog sounds completely alike), Iām more interested in the sound character itself. Does the minimax sound as expressive and musical as the real thing?
I will run it through a tube preamp at all times, which is an intergral part of the āmoogā sound for me. (Big Emerson fan here. )
Thanks for reading. Any respons would be greatly appreciated.
Of course a Voyager is going to sound better than a pluginā¦itās analog! If you just want a close approximation, get the plugin. If you want something with a gear-like feel, get the Voyager. To me, a Moog is more than an instrumentā¦it becomes an extension of your soul. If thatās not your thing, and you just want an approximation of the Moog sound, get the plugin. NOTHING compares to a Moog. No digital ANYTHING will ever take the place of a Moog. You say youāre a Keith Emerson fanā¦do you think that if there was an alternative to the giant modular he toured with, he would have chose that over the massive sound? Just sayingā¦
True, the Voyager is not that easy to cart around, but it is worth it. Although by not being a bad instrument, the Minimax is - in my opinion - another digital emulation, while the Voyager is a real instrument, or even more, something like a good violin or grand piano.
I got big fingers, so tweaking the Minimax in realtime is fiddly for me. One advantage over the Voyager is the built in delay and, of course, the polyphony.
But the feel of this device doesnĀ“t come near to the INSTRUMENT Voyager. And, last but not least: The Minimax doesnĀ“t have SYNC, which is one of the main features for me when soloing with the Moog. I couldnĀ“t live without the T.WolfĀ“s guitar sound.
Thanks guys! Iāve pretty much deceided on a Voyager, but was interested in some of your opinions on the Minimax. The Voyagers are really expensive here in Norway, so I was thinking about the money issue too..
I agree completely with all your statements. I used to own some Creamware cards 7-8 years ago, and remember the Minimax was very good. However, it had a static attack sound, and a slight digital sheen and brightness to its sound. Of course, a tube preamp would negate that a bit, but still..
I never got to do a direct comparison with a Voyager, but Iām not suprised that the V. sounds better, although it also lacks abit of that 70s analog magic IMO. Still itās the best alternative out there AFAIK, though Iām excited about the MacBeth X-factor too..
Moog modular, yeahā¦ Thatās the best sound ever! If I could get that massive, clangorous wall-of-sound into a smaller portable synth.. Never gonna happen Iām afriad.
Thanks for the answers, I guess you me told what I already knew, but needed to hear. Thanks!
The KnobTweak site has the details of a comparison test that was done a while back with a Minimoog Model D, a Voyager and a Creamware Minimax. Look in KT > Files > Voyager for a folder called āVintage, Voyager or Virtualā. This folder contains a PDF article about the test, seven MP3 audio clips, and additional details about the raw waves from each instrument.
Have you considered a Little Phatty? These have most of the same features as an old Minimoog, and a few other things. Not 3 oscillators, and definitely not a Voyager, but still a great analog synth.
Thanks for your input guys. Iām still waiting for my membership on the knobtweak yahoo group, but Iāve read the previous comparisons here between the minimax and minimoog. Unfortunately, Iām still not quite sure if I can afford a complete Voyager right now, since Iām in the midst of upgrading my keyboard rig, but the Voyager is definately on my very short listā¦
Maybe I shouldnāt talk about the competition here, but MacBeths new X-modules sound really good. If/when he gets around to releasing the X-factor keyboard, Iām gonna get that one in a heart beat. No presets, 100% analog synth/keyboard, and with a vintage discreet construction. It will probably sound closer to the 70s synths than any other recently released analog keyboard.
Iāve tested the Little Phatty, and itās a cool little synth. If it had a greater keyboard range, then I would be more interested in it. 3 octaves feels like a unnecessary limitation, when used for playing jazz/fusion/prog stuff. I know other famous 70s analogs only had 3 octaves, but that was a bad design decision in my humble opinion.
In fact, Iām gonna go and audition the Little Phatty again! A local music store here has one on display. I actually was thinking about buying one a couple of years ago, but after having tested it I felt it didnāt sound like a minimoog/voyager. Maybe I didnāt spend enough time tweaking the knobs. I can live without the 3rd osc, but the sound was somewhatā¦I dunno, a bit less clear and distinct than a Voyager. I will audition it again though!
Work with the Little Phatty a bit, tweak the factory programs, try and see what you can come up with on your own. It wonāt take too long to get used to the single knob per section layout either, in no time youāll be press the button for the param you want to adjust then quickly press the other . I ( like a few others here) use the LP along side a Voyager and a Model D, The LP holds itās own very well with them. Be sure to check what they are sending the LP through and if there are eq setting on the amp adjust them. Many stores are not known for using the best amps and speakers for displays .
OK, I got to audition the LP again, not through a PA but hi-quality headphones.
I dunno, the LP is definately different in sound character than the Voyager, itās more than just missing one osc.
For me clarity, definition and punchy attack is very important, and the Voyager acts differently in these respects IMO. Maybe itās my fault from audtioning the LP through headphones, but it sounded a bit too much like a modern VA synth to my ears. Looks like itās the Voyager or nothingā¦
Thanks again though for the help guys, I really appreciate it.
