Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/5/84; site tellab1.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxr!ihnp4!tellab1!etan
From: etan@tellab1.UUCP (Nate Stelton)
Newsgroups: net.music.synth
Subject: topic idea: what's your axe?
Message-ID: <467@tellab1.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 11-Feb-85 19:42:07 EST
Article-I.D.: tellab1.467
Posted: Mon Feb 11 19:42:07 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 13-Feb-85 03:53:13 EST
Reply-To: etan@tellab3.UUCP (Nate Stelton)
Organization: Tellabs, Inc., Lisle, IL
Lines: 71


I've got an idea for this newsgroup.  Let's all talk about the synthesizers
we own, sort of like equipment reviews.  I'll go first (gee, isn't this fun?
kinda like a tupperware party!)

I have the following machines:

Korg Polysix

I like the sounds.  Good strings and other full sounds. The keyboard feels
pretty nice, altho it's not touch sensitive. The arpeggiator is dumb, because
it repeats the top and bottom notes when in the up and down mode.  Too bad
there is no sustain pedal.

Korg Poly 800

This one doesn't sound as good as the Polysix for some reason. Kinda cheepie.
It is a good composing tool, though. The programmable sequencer and MIDI are
nice features.  I had trouble reading the button panel in a live performance
situation because the numbering is lousy and you can't read it in the dark.
I thought I'd get into using it with a guitar strap, but it didn't feel
right, so I never did.  Again, no sustain pedal.

Minimoog

I used to like this most as a lead synth, but now the Polysix does better for
me.  I have a sample & hold add-on unit with this, and I get sounds that the
Korgs won't give me at all.  It also has glissando and a sustain pedal,
neither of which my Korgs have.

PAIA

First I had an analog kit version, then I digitalized it with the 8700
controller.  It was a piece of shit from day 1. I sold some of it, but kept a
few modules to plug my guitar in.  The guitar stuff sounds good, but I can't
get rid of the damn hum.

Here's some synths that some friends of mine had or still have.

Memorymoog

Very versatile.  Nice envelopes. Very hairy to program. Not too reliable.

Yamaha DX7

Very natural sounds, especially in the brass and percussion departments.
Lots of algorithms. Hairy to program. I never did figure out how to get the
pitch bend to work without changing pitch stairstep-style.

Rhodes Chroma

This was my fave for acoustic and natural sounds.  The keyboard was also the
best I ever played on.  Pretty easy to program, once you get the hang of it.
The foot pedal options were great.  The SOB was too big to be carrying
around, though.

Roland Jupiter 8

A good live-oriented instrument with all the features (except MIDI). The
arpeggiator is versatile, the sounds are lush and full.

ARP Oddysey & 2600

I thought both of these produced excellent electronic sound effects.  However
the obsolete non-presetability makes them nearly useless on the road.

Well, that's it for me, and it's getting late. Has anyone checked out the new
Korg 6000 (or whatever it's called)? Is it any good? How much does it list
for?

                             -etan