Make an Analog Poly out of multiple mono synths

[sleepwalker]

Anyone know an easy way to do this? It seems like it would be easy. Just some note priority logic that either splits the notes out to different midi channels or midi outputs.

Seems like this would be a cool way to get some extra mileage out of your mono synths.

[MonoBrow]

The pulse has a link funktion for up to 10 individual pulses.If i had a crazy ammount of money i would do it...think about that rack oh emm gee!You can acces all of em via a "master pulse" sluttiness x1000

[amino]

Encore Expressionist will handle that brilliantly. I use it to control my Obie 4-Voice as well as my pair of Kobols. Some other multichannel MIDI/CV-converters can do it too.

[sleestack]

I know a guy that controls the synthi 100 with the encore to make one big poly and he says its incredible.

[rids]

With midi, the best way be to just have different channels for different synths, right? For a major C chord, one synth would play a C, another E, and the 3rd synth would play G. Is that what you were thinking - something along those lines?

[robd]

I fyou have unlimited money, you can hook up moog voyagers to make a poly. If you were going to do a lot of different ones with midi, plogue bidule is very good for doing MIDI processing stuff.

[nofi]

there's a few polyphonic MIDI/CV converters out there, but you really will want a set of matched synths for this (most of the time!) or a modular that you can set up with identical voices.... In fact I think it's on modulars that polyphonic CV converters are most used.

but yeah - the whole idea sounds expensive and requires setting the same sound multiple times. you should just buy an analogue polysynth. you'd buy a jupiter 4 for less money than four SH-09s. or a prophet 5 for less $$ than five pro-ones.

Another option, is you could try writing chord parts with a "test" synth, then breaking your recording down into monophonic parts, and record in multiple passes on one synth for the actual take.... A bit of work, but relatively cheap to do, and pretty fast once you're just doing it.

[rids]

But it would be cool to have a different tone/vco for a triad chord, i.e. one monosynth per note. That would make for some interesting pads with a lot of character don't you think..

Mulittracking, guys!
You'll just have to play precise

[teknosmoker]

If the monosynths have MIDI and you're using Logic, you could create a setup in the Environment that would instruct every subsequent note-on to be played by a different synth (cyclically). I remember seeing a demo of this being done (and converting from DP to Logic shortly afterwards!) in the late 90s.

-T

[sleepwalker]

Thanks for all the tips.

1. Why don't you just multitrack or sequence the midi notes to different synths?
I do. It sounds great. Now I want to play live just because it's fun and sounds awesome.

2. It will be really expensive.
I don't see how it *should* be expensive. This should be possible in software. I'll look into bidule and logic environments. It should be simple logic. If one note playing, send midi to synth#1. If two notes are playing, send 1st to synth#1 and 2nd to synth#2. It could also simply cycle between the available voices. As notes come in, send each one to a different synth, rinse repeat.

3. Just get a poly. That's what they're made for
I have polys, I just want to enjoy combining my monos voltron style, into a poly for live playing. And by "live", I mean "in my studio". Damned if I'm taking any of this stuff out.

Originally Posted by teknosmoker

If the monosynths have MIDI and you're using Logic, you could create a setup in the Environment that would instruct every subsequent note-on to be played by a different synth (cyclically). I remember seeing a demo of this being done (and converting from DP to Logic shortly afterwards!) in the late 90s.

-T

[Justynfromnz]

I have a kenton Pro 4 that does exactly that...i have done it with a Pro One and an MS 20 a monopoly and another funny korg gat synth.

although mine are all CV and i see you said midi...sorry...

[Huntley Miller]

Originally Posted by rids

But it would be cool to have a different tone/vco for a triad chord, i.e. one monosynth per note. That would make for some interesting pads with a lot of character don't you think..

Yes! That's exactly why it's a great thing to do, you'll often end up with richer tones and you'll probably also end up with more interesting harmony, voice-leading, etc.