Moog Music Forum

Kenneth wrote:

joe_moog wrote: (as if I needed it...)

thecapsonthejacksonthebackareblack

Did you guys see the ones with WHITE panels?

My point is that without hesitation you arbitrarily dismissed a particular production technique in a way that seemed kind of patronizing to people who have used that method with great success.

EricK wrote:My point is that without hesitation you arbitrarily dismissed a particular production technique in a way that seemed kind of patronizing to people who have used that method with great success.

Ok...I apologize to anyone I have offended with my statement regarding the use of guitar amps with synthesizers. For those who are not offended, I apologize for not offending you. I believe that covers all the bases.

Minitaur arrived today. Several good additons to the studio the past few months with the Opals and the MF 108.

Good bass amps are better for me with Moogs, since you have the full range of bass and treble. PA's tend to be clean, unless they are vintage. John Medeski runs his Voyager through a tiny 1950's kay amp, which sounds very cool, but you probably can't hear anything below 100hz (which is fine for him, since he plays with a bass player all the time). One of the reasons I love my model D is that it is so simple, and it leaves time to experiment with processing rather than what the synth can do (once you have learned the palette of sounds from the instrument itself). Something like a modular system or even a voyager begs to be tweaked and patched ad infinitum, so the processing side is kinda an afterthought, unless you have spent the countless years mastering them or just don't fully explore them.

But bass amps, PA's, guitar amps, mic preamps, etc. have no advantage per se, it's the electronics ( or transducers) inside the gear that color the sound in different ways, and those could be in anything, like a vintage transistor radio. There are so many options out there, that it's not hard to take even very familiar sound sources, like the minimoog, and turn into something very unique and new. For example, I have taken my model D to new heights of fatness with a valve EQ.

A particular amp is just another tool in the bag for someone who wants a unique sound beyond the capabilities of the synth. For that reason it is advantageous to one who wants to wield it in such ways. Like I said, it is the decision of an artist/engineer.

EricK wrote:A particular amp is just another tool in the bag for someone who wants a unique sound beyond the capabilities of the synth. For that reason it is advantageous to one who wants to wield it in such ways. Like I said, it is the decision of an artist/engineer.

I agree. Just as many of us use guitar pedals with or synths to coax different effects from them. That's why my original reply, when the question was, "Are there any advantages to using a guitar or bass amp as opposed to a PA" was, "No, not particularly," It all depends on the sound you want. There are no advantages of using a Roland KC 550 over a Phonic MK 50 or even Marshall JMD 50 if the amp is providing desirable results.

Along with a move to a larger room in the house, I've just taken delivery of an Ultimate Support AX-48 Pro stand. I've heard much about the K&M stands, as good as they are, but I preferred the AX-48 as it appeared sturdier if it was on a hard surface like tile. In any case, it's a beaut and I'm very pleased with it.

Larger photo: http://www.photoz.org/moog/omaroo_studio.jpg

Ultimate Support makes amazing products. Nice choice!

No offense here

I meant all that:

Voltor07 wrote:If you don't mind the loss of frequencies or coloration of the amp, or if that's what you're going for, then by all means, do so!

EricK wrote:The advantages of running your synthesizer through a particular amp are just as many as there are running your guitar through it.

David Smyth wrote: I have to say though, the tone shaping functions on my bass amp can make the Moog extra, extra phat

EricK wrote:A particular amp is just another tool in the bag for someone who wants a unique sound beyond the capabilities of the synth.

Omaroo wrote:Along with a move to a larger room in the house, I've just taken delivery of an Ultimate Support AX-48 Pro stand. I've heard much about the K&M stands, as good as they are, but I preferred the AX-48 as it appeared sturdier if it was on a hard surface like tile. In any case, it's a beaut and I'm very pleased with it.

Larger photo: http://www.photoz.org/moog/omaroo_studio.jpg

Wow, that black Voyager looks absolutely stellar against on that stand. One question though, are those KRK's going to fall over or do you have the monitor stands affixed to the floor?

I really wish I had that kind of room (and so does my family); I have a mess and it takes up about 1/2 of our Living room (I'm wearing out my welcome there!)

EMwhite wrote:
Wow, that black Voyager looks absolutely stellar against on that stand. One question though, are those KRK's going to fall over or do you have the monitor stands affixed to the floor?

I really wish I had that kind of room (and so does my family); I have a mess and it takes up about 1/2 of our Living room (I'm wearing out my welcome there!)

I wish they were KRKs! They're actually Behringers, and are really quite good for the price, like most of their gear I guess. THe stands are sand-filled and are heavy enough not to move much at all. Stability is good, but I plan to put dirty great Velcro pads down one I get their positions finalised.

I am lucky with the room I have. It's entirely due to my wife leaving me.

Omaroo wrote:
I wish they were KRKs! They're actually Behringers,/snip/
I am lucky with the room I have. It's entirely due to my wife leaving me.

Friends don't let friends buy Behringer. The build quality is horrible. For studio use, their stuff is ok, but stay away from their mixers and patchbays...they'll just fall apart. Their speakers are pretty good, in the way Radio Shack speakers are good, and will last a long time as long as you don't overpower them. They don't take kindly to clipping, either. Very sorry to hear about your wife. It happens, though.

I hear that a lot on here. For the cash, I think that they're acceptable products and let thousands of people play and record music that otherwise would never be able to afford to. When you're starting out it's important to be able to experiment with a setup before you spend serious coin. I use my Xenyx mixer to play with - I don't want to record with it because the external effects send returns are noisy back through the USB stage to Live. I plan to replace it with a Mackie and a MOTU 823MkIII audio i/f soon. The speakers are quite good. Punchy, and for their size, they perform well enough. Again - they're a legacy from my starting out not too long ago, and will eventually be attached to my TV after I buy something better. I can't tuern up the volume too much anyway - otherwise I'd have my neighbours come a'knockin on my front door.

Omaroo wrote:I hear that a lot on here. For the cash, I think that they're acceptable products and let thousands of people play and record music that otherwise would never be able to afford to. When you're starting out it's important to be able to experiment with a setup before you spend serious coin. I use my Xenyx mixer to play with - I don't want to record with it because the external effects send returns are noisy back through the USB stage to Live. I plan to replace it with a Mackie and a MOTU 823MkIII audio i/f soon. The speakers are quite good. Punchy, and for their size, they perform well enough. Again - they're a legacy from my starting out not too long ago, and will eventually be attached to my TV after I buy something better. I can't tuern up the volume too much anyway - otherwise I'd have my neighbours come a'knockin on my front door.

That Mackie will make you wonder why you bought the Xenyx. I get what you're saying about starting out cheap, but there is tons of quality USED gear available for similar prices that make for a better beginner's setup. After all, why settle for inferior gear that barely suits its purpose? If I was starting out, I'd rather spend $130 on a used mixer I could record with, rather than $80 on a mixer that has unusable features. Just MHO.