Best synth to complement Prophet 08

[aquablu8]

Looking for a nice complement analog synth...

[clusterchord]

polyphonic analogs that seriously differ from P8 in character, speaking in most generic terms possible should a) use VCO instead of DCO, b) would be ones not based on Curtis chips like P8, as these tend to have at least some overlap.

however, a and b together are hard to find, as most boards fitting this description are rather pricey nowadays - vintages like Oberheim OBX, Roland Jupiter 8, Yamaha CS-50/60, Prophet rev2. looking at currently produced models, you got SE Omega, and Alesis Andromeda. both are very complementary to P8, each in its own way.

choice depends on the character you may fancy, as they are all quite different. and on willingness to deal with a vintage keyboard or not. if it were me i'd probably pair P8 with Omega or a nice big, warm OBX first.

[spsnoise]

What type of music are you making?

[Mike6581]

As a fellow P08 owner I'd strongly recommend getting a really good mono-synth to compliment your Prophet 08. It depends of course on the music you're making and what you want out of the synth. You don't even need to spend mega-bucks either.

I'd suggest something like an Arp Axxe, Moog Prodigy/Rogue/LP, Roland SH-9/SH-101 or maybe even a Korg Mono/Poly.

[Martin Dubka]

Really depends what you're making and what you want...
What is it that you find the Prophet is lacking?
Also - mono or poly?

On one side of the P08 I could see an Oberheim, on the other a DX7...

Personally, I would lean towards an analogue mono

[sctt_stone]

A Prophet 5.

[modistylee]

My Moog Little Phatty and MoogerFoogers complement my P'08 beautifully.

I would imagine a Moog Voyager or a Studio Electronics Se1x would be just as beautiful. That is if you want patch storage and midi in your mono.
If your looking for vintage vibe, maybe something else would do.

[Martin Dubka]

You know, if you went for the P08 in the first place, I might go as far as to say you wouldn't get along with a real old analogue.

Maybe better off with a Moog Voyager or LP.

[dan p]

Originally Posted by modistylee

My Moog Little Phatty and MoogerFoogers complement my P'08 beautifully.

I would imagine a Moog Voyager or a Studio Electronics Se1x would be just as beautiful. That is if you want patch storage and midi in your mono.
If your looking for vintage vibe, maybe something else would do.

Yup!

Dan P

[aquablu8]

For mono-synths I'll be going w/ either the ARP Odyssey, Pro-1, Sh-2 or Voyager RME.... which is the best option? Do you think i should get a VA instead that could match these, (TI)?

On the other hand, If I went poly, would a superjupiter work well, or too similar?

[STJ]

First choice would be the classic Moog Voyager.

Otherwise, a more cost effective but very unique alternative would be a Future Retro XS.

[spsnoise]

Originally Posted by aquablu8

For mono-synths I'll be going w/ either the ARP Odyssey, Pro-1, Sh-2 or Voyager RME.... which is the best option? Do you think i should get a VA instead that could match these, (TI)?

On the other hand, If I went poly, would a superjupiter work well, or too similar?

You didn't tell us the type of music you're making, unless I'm blind. For aggressiveness, I'd go for the Pro One of Sh-2, you can't get more punchy bass unless you have a Minimoog. For sweet analog noise, the Odyssey and of course for just a straight bread and butter mono, the Voyager. I'm not that fond of the voyager though, just something about the sound. I bought an SE-1X Nova Edition recently and though I had some issues with the sound at first, I have started to enjoy it a lot. Not as great of modulation routing as the Voyager, but the SE-1X has more grime and a deeper low end to my ears.

The Super Jupiter is great as well and will certainly will sound different that the P08, but you can't discount having one good monosynth. Keep in mind that you'll need a midi->cv box for most of those older mono's if you're planning to sequence them in your daw, tacks on an extra bit of change to the cost.

[Martin Dubka]

I'm kind of with the others in that a mono would be a nice alternative.

I think an ARP might be a bit too old and weird (given that you like the P08).

I wouldn't describe an SCI Pro-One as "aggressive" either. Could be a complimentary option.

Not that it's my favourite synth but, I can imagine you'd like the Voyager. Just because you get used to a certain level of convenience when you own a modern synth.

Personally, I would look at the Korg Mono/Poly as 1. a good alternative to a Minimoog 2. not so old and temperamental that it will get frustrating and 3. not the most commonly heard synth (that's a good thing when the world and his dog is playing Voyagers).

[spsnoise]

Well, the Pro One doesn't have to be aggressive, no. But for industrial music it would be hard to find a more aggressive synth for bass than the Pro One. I guess it all depends on how one decides to use it.

[Mike6581]

I'd give the Pro One a try, it doesn't sound that much like a Prophet 08 - it's got a much dirtier sound and it's got that great sequencer built into it. I wasn't too enamoured with it but I have friends who love it to bits.

As for the Super Jupiter, if you are thinking about getting one I'd highly recommend you get the programming module and an M-64C memory card. Personally I think that's in a similar sound range to the Prophet 08. I'm not saying they sound the same but for the price it would set you back, you could get quite a few useful little synths.

Don't think you have to spend mega-bucks on a synth either. Some of the bargain bin synths of yesteryear are still capable of producing very different sounds to a Prophet 08.

[aquablu8]

Sorry, I make electronic/acoustic/ambiant style....can't classify it really.

Originally Posted by spsnoise

You didn't tell us the type of music you're making, unless I'm blind. For aggressiveness, I'd go for the Pro One of Sh-2, you can't get more punchy bass unless you have a Minimoog. For sweet analog noise, the Odyssey and of course for just a straight bread and butter mono, the Voyager. I'm not that fond of the voyager though, just something about the sound. I bought an SE-1X Nova Edition recently and though I had some issues with the sound at first, I have started to enjoy it a lot. Not as great of modulation routing as the Voyager, but the SE-1X has more grime and a deeper low end to my ears.

The Super Jupiter is great as well and will certainly will sound different that the P08, but you can't discount having one good monosynth. Keep in mind that you'll need a midi->cv box for most of those older mono's if you're planning to sequence them in your daw, tacks on an extra bit of change to the cost.

[spol]

Easy, just get a Nord.

[eugenepark81]

Can somebody please explain to me how a mono synth complements a poly synth? How is it different from playing a poly synth one key at a time?

Sorry if this is obvious, i've never owned a mono synth.

[sctt_stone]

Hey- I asked the same question not to long ago and was told that it is basically the same thing.
That being said why are there expensive mono synths?
Voyager RME
2,200.

Mopho 500.

I know that the Voyager in particular can do a lot of things that the Mopho can not but still.

Do mono synths posses some sort of magic that would be lost if used polyphonicaly?

[vyedmic]

It's them silly trackpads init?tutt

[Mike6581]

I'd say the main difference is you when it comes to a mono vs a poly. I know that sounds like a ridiculous shout but when I muck around on a mono-synth the kind of riffs I knock out are very different to if I'm playing around on a poly for the obvious reason you can only play one note at once. The way I use the modulation options and filter on a monosynth is also far different to the kind of sounds I'd make on a poly.

If you want a synth to compliment another, you want them to cover as wide a scope as possible, there'd be little point in getting a Morpho if you've got a Prophet 08 if you ask me (despite the sub-oscillators). The Prophet 08 is great for pads and strings, for "out there sounds" and to an extent lead sounds, but it's not a very good bass synth (not as bad as a VA mind). That's also why I suggested a mono-synth.

Also you can pick up analogue mono synths typically for far less money than analogue poly synths.

[aquablu8]

I could get a used voyager RME only ($$$)

I can't find any SH-2s right now, but I like the sound.

Ruled out the ARP and the MKS-80.

Pro One seems too expensive right now for what you get.

Still interested in F.Retro XS -- is that a decent bass synth as well as a semi-modular?

Is the Mono/Poly fat, thick, warm -- how does it compare to the SH-2 or the voyager? They are going for 600 right now.

Any opinion on how a Moog Source would sound in comparison to the voyager?

[steveman]

Originally Posted by aquablu8

I could get a used voyager RME only ($$$)

Is the Mono/Poly fat, thick, warm -- how does it compare to the SH-2 or the voyager? They are going for 600 right now.

Pretty thick sounding, 4 oscillators after all...

I agree with those suggesting a monosynth, I think you do approach it in a very different way.

As for what would specifically complement the Prophet I'm not sure. Probably not a Pro_One as it would have a similar family sound (CEM chips).

[SWAN808]

Originally Posted by aquablu8

I could get a used voyager RME only ($$$)

I can't find any SH-2s right now, but I like the sound.

Ruled out the ARP and the MKS-80.

Pro One seems too expensive right now for what you get.

Still interested in F.Retro XS -- is that a decent bass synth as well as a semi-modular?

Is the Mono/Poly fat, thick, warm -- how does it compare to the SH-2 or the voyager? They are going for 600 right now.

Any opinion on how a Moog Source would sound in comparison to the voyager?

Where are you based? I have a SH2 just been serviced I have decided to sell...PM me if interested.

[cosmos]

Originally Posted by aquablu8

Is the Mono/Poly fat, thick, warm -- how does it compare to the SH-2 or the voyager? They are going for 600 right now.

$600 ? PM me if you got (good condition) one at that price.

[pr0gr4m]

Get a synth that includes some sort of sampling function. Sample the following phrase...
"What a lovely array of knobs you have."
Play it back to the Prophet.
There. Your Prophet has been complemented by another synth.

But really, compliment it how?

I recommend the Casio VZ-10M. It sounds nothing like the Prophet and as such will allow you to use both in the same song without stepping on each others sonic character.

[aquablu8]

I decided to get the Prophet 600, as I can't afford the 5.... should be different due to VCO's, and everyone says its much warmer than the 08. For bass, I'll try and get a deal on a voyager rack.

Thx