Prodigy?

Ezzo · Post by **Ezzo** » Thu Jul 28, 2005 12:23 am

Ok so I am still trying to find the perfect synth to buy (perfect for my needs that is) I originally had my heart set on a prodigy then I went through about 5 or 6 other synths before narrowing it down to either a prodigy or an octave cat. Now the reasons I'm leaning toward the prodigy is because it has a more basic layout, but the cat is cheaper and has many more features but I am concerned it might be too complex for a beginier to get good sounds out of. Has anybody ever owned an Octave Cat?

Drew · Post by **Drew** » Thu Jul 28, 2005 2:31 pm

so long as you have time no hardwired synth is too technical imo

Jim · Post by **Jim** » Wed Aug 17, 2005 12:54 pm

Ezzo,

I have a Prodigy and a Cat. The Prodigy is by far easier to use. While the Cat has a wide range of modulation offerings, the ability to mix wave forms, the Sub-Octave on both oscillators, extendable keyboard, and patching capabilities, above and beyond what the Prodigy offers, it is quite complicated for a newbie. You can really screw up the board while tweaking, and have a hard time zeroing it out. You'll make some great sounds right off the bat, but it will be harder to integrate it as a usable instrument.

What the Cat lacks is the pitch wheel and the lfo wheel which is great for performance. The filter on the Cat is also more harsh than the Prodigy.

I would suggest you get a Prodigy first, then explore the Cat later (especially if you can find one cheaper!). Be sure to pick up a 2nd generation Prodigy that has all of the CV interface jacks in back.

Good Luck,
Jim

sundaeclubber · Post by **sundaeclubber** » Sat Aug 20, 2005 2:30 am

Shed-loads of both Cat and Prod on the Sundae Club album (now on iTunes....), so I have experience with both. The Cat is a 'grittier' sounding synth with a far less intuitive layout. It is very much a clone of the ARP Odyssey - so much so that there were lawsuits at the time of its launch. The keyboard on the Cat is sticky to play on first depression (like the Pro-1) but frees up, although the Prodigy has a better feel. The moog wheels make for a far more articulate performance synth, but if you're controlling by MIDI, the Cat is a more versatile proposition. The Cat sliders are less reliable than the Prod's rotary pots, but the Prod's switches can be troublesome in that they can come loose from the board. This happens more easily if the white slider caps are lost which is a common occurrence.

Most importantly: The Prodigy sounds like a moog. You can fall in love with a Prodigy, the Cat is less endearing.

Hamstall X