Moog Music Forum

ikazlar wrote:The P08 comes in two versions, one has encoders, the other doesn't. There have been millions of complaints with the encoders, they are terrible.

You want a full cutoff spin? The encoder version will make you have wrist problems after a while. It might take 2 or 3 spins to get the maximum value. Moreover, they feel cheap and wiggle a little. My advice is to get the Pot edition and not the Encoder edition.

Thanks for the information

I'd recommend the Waldorf Largo plug in for VA pads: only costs $249 and it sounds great (*very* similar to the Blofeld. Heck, Blofeld and Largo were both great Bond villians!)! My hardware poly synths are Hartmann Neuron (best sounding pad/digital/weirdness synth out there. Unfortunately, Hartmann are out of business, and finding one = $$$ and no support). Plus, if you buy the Largo, they throw in Attack, D-Pole and the PPG2.V (LE) for free.

Softsynths are ok, but I want a hardware synth mainly for the hands on experience. I get tired of twisting virtual knobs.

ozy wrote: If anybody here wants to join my petition to DSI for a RACK release of the pot edition, be welcome.

Count me in!

I asked them about a PE upgrade kit for the rack. On July 24 Tracy replied, "Although there are no immediate plans to release a PE version of the Module, we are considering it for a future release. The best thing to do is check back periodically for updates."

So far no luck

ikazlar wrote:The P08 comes in two versions, one has encoders, the other doesn't. There have been millions of complaints with the encoders, they are terrible.

You want a full cutoff spin? The encoder version will make you have wrist problems after a while. It might take 2 or 3 spins to get the maximum value. Moreover, they feel cheap and wiggle a little. My advice is to get the Pot edition and not the Encoder edition.

Here, here!

I just updated my P08 keyboard to the Pot Edition using the upgrade kit, and I can honestly say that my P08 feels and responds like a new instrument. While I did have some issues with a few of the encoders, I simply prefer programming synths using pots, and this is what ultimately motivated me to upgrade. It was the right decision for me. (Can you imagine programming the Voyager with Encoders?)

Hope that DSI releases a version for the Rack Mount version soon.

Note: If you own a P08 PE, you should know that there is an issue with the v1.8 OS - when the PotMode is set to 'Relative', the Pot controls don't respond properly (the Encoders do, though). DSI tells me that they are working on a new OS release that will correct the problem, but in the meantime suggest setting the PotMode either to 'Passthru' or 'Jump' (both Pots & Encoders work normally with these settings).

- Greg

I had a Poly Evolver, Virus Ti, Yamaha FS1r and a K2600. I didn't care much for the Poly Evolver. I think the FS1r did really great pads. The K2600 could hold it's own as well. I really liked the Virus but found that it sounded wonderful on it's own but would sound tiny when used with real analog gear. Mine also suffered from drop-outs, crackles and timing and tuning problems which I got tired of dealing with. I hear they're better now.

I think the Andromeda is the best pad machine I've ever used. It can do simple and vintage to complex and evolving to completely strange spacey madness. It gets along great with the Voyager.

Of course it's all a matter of opinion...

jon_kull wrote:I think the Andromeda is the best pad machine I've ever used. It can do simple and vintage to complex and evolving to completely strange spacey madness. It gets along great with the Voyager.

Of course it's all a matter of opinion...

+oo

jon_kull wrote:I think the Andromeda is the best pad machine I've ever used. It can do simple and vintage to complex and evolving to completely strange spacey madness. It gets along great with the Voyager.

I heard it's difficult to program and takes awhile to fully understand it's capabilities.

Subtronik wrote:

jon_kull wrote:I think the Andromeda is the best pad machine I've ever used. It can do simple and vintage to complex and evolving to completely strange spacey madness. It gets along great with the Voyager.

I heard it's difficult to program and takes awhile to fully understand it's capabilities.

It IS a difficult synthesizer. But, if you are patient, it will reward you with the most extraordinary stuff you can imagine. Given the fact that modulation is the key to actually synthesize sounds, there are very few non-modular synthesizes that can do what the A6 does.

I have two Prophet '08's, and both have encoders. One synth has the "encoder problem," and the other doesn't. There's a simple treatment for the problem that doesn't cost a dime. Ask DSI, and they'll send you at no charge a little tube of deoxit. Applying this to the encoder housing solves the issue in many cases, but not all.

I don't find the encoder problem to be a major issue. The fact is, you can adjust any parameter using the small buttons to the right of the "Param" knobs. This moves the parameter slowly - one digit per press - which obviously could be a problem in live situations. But if you're working entirely off of programs, then there is no problem. There's also the possiblilty of programming a parameter to be controlled by the modulation wheel. So, there are ways around the problem. But I think it would be ridiculous to write off the P08 merely because of the encoder issue. The truth is, knowing what I do, I'd still buy a third one to use as a mono synth if I could afford it! The more the merrier.

In my opinion, the ideal synthesizer panel looks like a Minimoog's - large knobs that are easily adjusted and calculated by the lines around them. But the P08 encoders are also easy to work with. Granted, I'd like to try the potentiometer edition, but that's not because the encoders are unbearable. And if I had known about the encoder problem, I still would have gotten my two P08's. The fact is, if you research every synthesizer and read as many user reviews as can be found, you'll eventually come across problems with every instrument. Again, look at the Andromeda. If I could make a list of all the complaints made by users on that one! Yet, it's still an excellent instrument, and nearly everyone - including myself - would love to have one. In fact, just to prove it, if anybody would be willing to send me $3,000, I'd be willing to buy an Andromeda.

Anyone know what synth is making these incredible strings in this song?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9LUX7WTpvE

I'm guessing Oberheim. This would be the string/pad synth I'm looking for.

Subtronik wrote:I heard it's difficult to program and takes awhile to fully understand it's capabilities.

I would not say it is difficult to program. No deep menu diving. It is laid out well.
I will say the A6 is extremely fun to play.
The sounds are unreal. Extremely unpredictable.

I do think that it is an instrument that does take quite awhile to understand. (I may never fully understand it.) It is a beast, with a real lot of possibilities.
It has a learning curve indeed, but if you somewhat understand sythesis, it is extremely fun.
It is a great learning tool.

Subtronik wrote:Anyone know what synth is making these incredible strings in this song?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9LUX7WTpvE

I'm guessing Oberheim. This would be the string/pad synth I'm looking for.

These strings are a piece of cake for the A6.

And ditto for the P08.

The only keyboard that is difficult to program is one with no knobs.

The Andromeda is most certainly not difficult to program. You can get most basic sounds working with the front panel knobs and it's hard not to make a good sound.

The real power - extensive modulation - is underneath the soft pots and menus but you do need a good understanding of the some of the advanced stuff. If you're a novice this can be a little overwhelming. If you have had flight time with the advanced features in a Voyager or even any modular then you've got a good start.