I’ve heard that the Sonic Six is a semi-modular system, like the ARP 2600. Is this the case?
On a more serious note, it was only rated at one star by the administration at vintagesynth.org. Do any of you folks agree? Do any of you think it’s better than it’s made out to be? I actually thought of owning one, once, but I refrained for some reason.
The Sonic Six is not at all a normalled modular like the 2600. There are no patchpoints between anything.
It doesn’t sound like a minimoog, probably accounting for the low score on vintagesynth.com. It has modulation options that far exceed most hardwired moogs with the exception of the modulars, so they’ll get a wide variety of sounds. It just doesn’t sound like a minimoog…
But it was Bob Moog’s choice synth for a long time to take to presentations. Back in the 80s he even performed on his Six with a group, it was the topic of a Keyboard mag article.
The Sonic Six wasn’t exactly a reliable synth either - the Moog Music crew from Buffalo used to call it the Sonic Sick.
First of all, you must take everything at vintagesynth.org with a grain of salt.
I don’t want to be negative, but I can find at LEAST one error or misleading statement on every one of their pages dealing with vintage synths.
If you want to find out about a particular synth, you should go to where there are professionals who have used that synth… and that isn’t often vintagesynth.org.
(Yes, I know they are a resource, and I know everyone has lauded them… but seriously, there are some ridiculous errors!)
Okay, that out of the way:
The Sonic Six is an excellent synthesizer.
No, it is not modular, or even patchable. It’s a good old-fashioned two oscillator synthesizer.
No, it does NOT sound like a Minimoog. It was based on the Musonics Sonic Five, and “brought into the fold” when Musonics purchased Moog.
Despite having some SORT of ladder filter in it, it does NOT have the Minimoog filter. (according to the tech I had work on mine) It has a more fuzzy breathy nasal sound… like other early analog synths. Of the synths I have, the Sonic Six sounded mostly like an early Roland SH. I’ve been told the sound is also similar to the EMS synthesizers.
The Sonic Six is always condemned for NOT being a Minimoog… which is stupid. A Minimoog is a Minimoog. If you want one, I highly suggest you purchase a Minimoog. ; )
The Sonic Six is a powerful synth in it’s own right. First of all, it’s duophonic! The oscillators are wonderfully antique sounding, and the filter is breathy, punchy, and brash. (yes, it can be very warm… but not Minimoog-fat) It has TWO LFOs, which makes for a wonderful diversity of modulation. Aesthetically it’s WONDERFUL… the face is HUGE and the knobs are fun. Some of them actually twist OFF (like turn off, not come off!). It has the ability to trigger it’s own envelopes with the LFO! It has an AWESOME ring modulator which can very effectively generate guitar-level distortion. If you’re into playing early analog synths, you’ll really enjoy this synth. UNLESS you want to play a Minimoog… in which case, nothing BUT a Mini will do. ; )
Sonic Six negative aspects:
AR envelope is not very fun! You’ll get tired of this one quickly when you have to use the SAME AR to control the VCA and the VCF.
If you’re a live tweaker, you REALLY have to learn the instrument to get back to what you originally had after you’ve been tweaking! A very slight knob turn can make a huge difference on this synth!
If you don’t know what the three knobs on the top right are for, and the person who sells you the Sonic Six leaves them “on,” you’ll spend a delightful amount of time saying “why won’t this thing STOP PLAYING??”
The Sonic Six will NOT sit safely on anything but a flat surface. Seriously… X stands, Apex stands, or anything else that isn’t a flat board wide enough to hit all the feet will not work.
(But hey… with aesthetics like this, who cares!)
The “hey, it’s built into its case” is no longer convenient… because who in their right mind would pay $1000 or more for a synth, and then beat the crap out of its original finish?
Reliability: Mine started having 2nd oscillator tracking problems, and it was due to a aging and poorly designed interconnect within the synth. I’ve heard that this is a common problem with Sonic Sixes. (Kevin Lightner… this true?)
If you’re a person who relies on digital tuning stability, and you think keyboard players should never have to tune their instrument, you’re going to have trouble with the Sonic Six. If, however, you’re a professional with analog experience and know that this particular musical instrument, like many, requires occasional tuning, you’ll be fine. It DOES hold pitch for a reasonable amount of time. My Sonic Six held pitch longer than my Minimoog does. Besides, if you’re scared off by tuning, you’re really not looking for analog.
It is WAY better than it’s made out to be… and if what I’ve said sounds agreeable to you, you’re going to love it. I have a recording I made for when I sold mine that I’d be glad to send to anyone (once I get a cable connection, shortly), if you want to hear what a Sonic Six does.