Used SE-1 vs. Little Phatty Stage II vs. ???

writethis · 2nd September 2009

Hi, doing music that depending on the track draws comparisons to The Caridgans, Garbage, Beck, Chemical Brothers. Am currently using soft synths, looking to add something analog primarily for basses. Would also use it for bleeps, blurps and textural stuff. Have around $650 to spend at the moment, but if I got the Little Phatty I'd be selling an Akai MPK49 which would get me close to the price of a used one. Live performance not an issue, whatever I get will pretty well remain parked in my studio. FWIW I do have a pretty decent understanding of basic synth architecture. Definitely want something MIDI (love the MIDI Clock sync on the newest Phatty). Also FWIW I lean toward sounds with a bit of analog slop and imperfection (wish I could afford a Synthi!).

FWIW I do want the sound and feel of real analog, and will be running whatever I get through old Neve 1272s. Also I have an MS20 filter clone from Frostwave to help dirty things up. I'd like to avoid something with tiny knobs like an Evolver, which I've owned and sold.

Thanks in advance for any light you can shed. I've searched pertinent threads here on GS and have watched a bunch of YouTube vids, just looking for any additional perspectives.

Oli · 2nd September 2009

Personally, I think used SE-1 can give really good value for $. LP may be more convenient for mucking around on. Some people don't get into rack kit. Most of my gear is racked, and I find it OK.

You could have a look at the Spectral Audio Neptune 2, which sells new for close to your current budget. It won't really sound Moogy, but can do loose VCO bass. The filter is somewhat different. Knobs might be a bit small for your liking. I don't see them on the used market much.

writethis · 2nd September 2009

Wow, thanks for the suggestion. Pity there's no preset memory from a workflow standpoint, but I find the sound clips really exciting. Definitely has that loose yet aggressive thing I love. Ideally I'd like to find something with the character of a VCS3 and the gravitas of a Minimoog. From my very limited exposure at this point, the Neptune 2 may hit closest to that ideal. At least considering my meager price point...

thanks again!

cheers

Oli · 2nd September 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by writethis

Wow, thanks for the suggestion. Pity there's no preset memory from a workflow standpoint, but I find the sound clips really exciting. Definitely has that loose yet aggressive thing I love. Ideally I'd like to find something with the character of a VCS3 and the gravitas of a Minimoog. From my very limited exposure at this point, the Neptune 2 may hit closest to that ideal. At least considering my meager price point...

No worries. Glad you liked the demos.

I think it's not the synth for everyone, but it's definitely on my hit list. I think the new price is also very reasonable. The MIDI implementation is limited, though. I think it is the kind of synth one could become very quick at patching though.

Pity they don't appear much on the used market.

There are a few youtube demos of the Neptune 2 which I've enjoyed, so have a look there if you haven't already. Try to get a sense of the filter if you can. To me, it seems a bit different from the various classic vintage sounds. If you specially want have a Moogy sound in the repertoire, it may not do it for you.

Cheers

Feinstrom · 2nd September 2009

I have both a Phatty and an SE-1 (the latter only for a really short time). From this experience I can say the Phatty can sound more aggressive and in-your-face; the SE-1 is warmer, cleaner and mightier - moogier!
Editing is easy on both instruments - the Mono Evolver Keyboard is far more complex, but very rewarding!

I really like all three of them (accompanied by the SH-101 and my Oddulator prototype, which makes a SMASHING gang of five!), but that won't make it any easier for you, sorry!

Cheers,
Bert

onion · 2nd September 2009

i have an SE-1x and absolutely cherish it. it can do moog pretty convincingly, and it can bleep and burp to your heart's content. you said you're into MIDI; my understanding is that the x version includes a significant upgrade to the MIDI implementation, so you might want to look further into that before deciding. the x can clock sync the LFOs, but possibly the previous iteration doesn't. the SE-1 can be factory-upgraded to an x.

don't have much experience with the LP, but i played around with it a bit. it sounds killer, the keybed and controls are very smooth, and the whole interface feels totally modern. i'm pretty sure that the MIDI implementation is comprehensive, and there's an editor/librarian available as well. i connected the LP's MIDI out to a V-Synth XT; the keyboard is polyphonic and generally makes an excellent compact controller.

you're probably aware of the differences in architecture between the LP and the SE-1, although they both were spawned from the same pedigree. i'd say, if MIDI implementation, an editor/lib, and the keyboard are more important, the LP is better. if a wider range of sound design possibilities is important, the SE-1 wins. but the LP does sound hot, too! basically, you really can't go wrong with either.

writethis · 2nd September 2009

thanks for all the info guys!

2nd September 2009	#1
writethis Gear nut Joined: Jan 2003 Location: nashville Posts: 124 Thread Starter	Used SE-1 vs. Little Phatty Stage II vs. ??? Hi, doing music that depending on the track draws comparisons to The Caridgans, Garbage, Beck, Chemical Brothers. Am currently using soft synths, looking to add something analog primarily for basses. Would also use it for bleeps, blurps and textural stuff. Have around $650 to spend at the moment, but if I got the Little Phatty I'd be selling an Akai MPK49 which would get me close to the price of a used one. Live performance not an issue, whatever I get will pretty well remain parked in my studio. FWIW I do have a pretty decent understanding of basic synth architecture. Definitely want something MIDI (love the MIDI Clock sync on the newest Phatty). Also FWIW I lean toward sounds with a bit of analog slop and imperfection (wish I could afford a Synthi!). FWIW I do want the sound and feel of real analog, and will be running whatever I get through old Neve 1272s. Also I have an MS20 filter clone from Frostwave to help dirty things up. I'd like to avoid something with tiny knobs like an Evolver, which I've owned and sold. Thanks in advance for any light you can shed. I've searched pertinent threads here on GS and have watched a bunch of YouTube vids, just looking for any additional perspectives.

2nd September 2009	#5
Feinstrom Lives for gear Joined: Jan 2005 Location: Wallenhorst, Germany Posts: 1,002 1 Review written	I have both a Phatty and an SE-1 (the latter only for a really short time). From this experience I can say the Phatty can sound more aggressive and in-your-face; the SE-1 is warmer, cleaner and mightier - moogier! Editing is easy on both instruments - the Mono Evolver Keyboard is far more complex, but very rewarding! I really like all three of them (accompanied by the SH-101 and my Oddulator prototype, which makes a SMASHING gang of five!), but that won't make it any easier for you, sorry! Cheers, Bert __________________ Sent from my Gameboy using Gearslutz.com App

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2nd September 2009	#2
Oli Lives for gear Joined: Apr 2009 Location: Perth Posts: 1,722	Personally, I think used SE-1 can give really good value for $. LP may be more convenient for mucking around on. Some people don't get into rack kit. Most of my gear is racked, and I find it OK. You could have a look at the Spectral Audio Neptune 2, which sells new for close to your current budget. It won't really sound Moogy, but can do loose VCO bass. The filter is somewhat different. Knobs might be a bit small for your liking. I don't see them on the used market much.

2nd September 2009	#6
onion Gear maniac Joined: May 2005 Location: Brooklyn Posts: 178	i have an SE-1x and absolutely cherish it. it can do moog pretty convincingly, and it can bleep and burp to your heart's content. you said you're into MIDI; my understanding is that the x version includes a significant upgrade to the MIDI implementation, so you might want to look further into that before deciding. the x can clock sync the LFOs, but possibly the previous iteration doesn't. the SE-1 can be factory-upgraded to an x. don't have much experience with the LP, but i played around with it a bit. it sounds killer, the keybed and controls are very smooth, and the whole interface feels totally modern. i'm pretty sure that the MIDI implementation is comprehensive, and there's an editor/librarian available as well. i connected the LP's MIDI out to a V-Synth XT; the keyboard is polyphonic and generally makes an excellent compact controller. you're probably aware of the differences in architecture between the LP and the SE-1, although they both were spawned from the same pedigree. i'd say, if MIDI implementation, an editor/lib, and the keyboard are more important, the LP is better. if a wider range of sound design possibilities is important, the SE-1 wins. but the LP does sound hot, too! basically, you really can't go wrong with either.