New possible Macbeth minisynth???

[droolmaster0]

The de is apparently expandable, and you can connect them together by removing one of the wood panels. If this is relatively easy to do (I'm somewhat incompetent when it comes to this stuff) I might wind up getting a second.

It's true - the Doepfer is not as powerful as the mfb. That's probably a very good comparison in terms of a contrast of features at about the same price point.

They sound very different. I wouldn't say that one sounds better than the other - it's easy for me to say that I prefer the DE sound because I just bought one, whereas I sold the mfb, but I know how that psychology works. Obviously the mfb is much more flexible - in terms of flexibility it ranks with semi-modulars that are a lot more expensive. What's really nice about the Doepfer is that it's much simpler to use, and you can get great contrasts in timbre very quickly. I find myself rather taken witih it, whereas while I 'respected' the mfb, I was never as taken with it.

I've never really been much of a doepfer fan in terms of sound...up until now, really, the only thing of theirs that has really impressed me has been the a154/a155 sequencer, which does things that no other sequencer can do in the analog world. But I find myself fantasizing about a second DE.

Originally Posted by axm311

I think DE sounds good. it sucks it doesnt have an extra osc, but what is worse imo is you can't access every component separately. I'd have to look at the manual again to specify, but i dont think you can access the osc on its own without the filter, or maybe its vice versa?

so for the USD price*, i think there are better (or i should say more full featured) options for just a bit more cash, like the Kraftzwerg (which is what I ultimately bought instead). since i wanted it as a kick off to a euro setup this was important. this macbeth thing looks really cool, and on the muffwiggler thread he said he was doing it in module form too. he did erase the post with the price though, so maybe it will be more than 1000 uk pounds

*with that said at the euro price i prob would have picked one up. not like it's loads cheaper but at $625 vs $799 the MFB was a nobrainer, at $500 I prob would have picked up DE and a euro case instead

[axm311]

Originally Posted by droolmaster0

Obviously the mfb is much more flexible - in terms of flexibility it ranks with semi-modulars that are a lot more expensive.

yeah this was the kicker for me. sometimes I feel I didn't give enough consideration to the FRXS when making my decision but I'm happy with it so far. it's also my first VCO analog so there's a bit of extra enchantment there too

Originally Posted by droolmaster0

What's really nice about the Doepfer is that it's much simpler to use, and you can get great contrasts in timbre very quickly. I find myself rather taken witih it, whereas while I 'respected' the mfb, I was never as taken with it.

this is an interesting comment, as this is the sort of intangible thing you can't get just from researching stuff online and looking at spec sheets. timbre wise, I've also heard a lot of awesome FM demos on the DE, and i can't seem to get this right on the kraftzwerg. this could be due to user error though

I'd actually still really like a DE, particularly if he added that "pt 2" module with additional VCO, noise and multimode filter that was rumored. Do you think there is a lot of overlap with the MFB and DE then, since the basic tone is different?

I wonder if anyone's connected two of them as you mentioned. I've never really heard of anyone actually doing it and was curious myself (as I'm also pretty inept at such matters)

[droolmaster0]

Overlap? That's a hard question in that obviously there is some overlap between 2 patchable analog synths. They sound different, and the overall experience is quite different - but these are subjective judgements.

Originally Posted by axm311

yeah this was the kicker for me. sometimes I feel I didn't give enough consideration to the FRXS when making my decision but I'm happy with it so far. it's also my first VCO analog so there's a bit of extra enchantment there too



this is an interesting comment, as this is the sort of intangible thing you can't get just from researching stuff online and looking at spec sheets. timbre wise, I've also heard a lot of awesome FM demos on the DE, and i can't seem to get this right on the kraftzwerg. this could be due to user error though

I'd actually still really like a DE, particularly if he added that "pt 2" module with additional VCO, noise and multimode filter that was rumored. Do you think there is a lot of overlap with the MFB and DE then, since the basic tone is different?

I wonder if anyone's connected two of them as you mentioned. I've never really heard of anyone actually doing it and was curious myself (as I'm also pretty inept at such matters)

[axm311]

ok instead I guess I'll say, having used both, what do you think would be more fun to interact with the MFB? another patchable analog synth, or the equivalent $ amount in euro modules that would add additional utility/sound

my guess is the latter, but that damn case expense really is a buzzkill, and my synth money is pretty tight these days

[SWAN808]

Originally Posted by axm311

so for the USD price*, i think there are better (or i should say more full featured) options for just a bit more cash, like the Kraftzwerg (which is what I ultimately bought instead). since i wanted it as a kick off to a euro setup this was important. this macbeth thing looks really cool, and on the muffwiggler thread he said he was doing it in module form too. he did erase the post with the price though, so maybe it will be more than 1000 uk pounds

I have a kraftzwerg and its not what I call a high end analogue sound......IMO... my Moog Source or sound examples of say the SEM sound more pleasant from a 'tone' perspective....hope to not offend MFB owners-as they are great stuff...I like it as a noise box its great value but you get what you pay for...

[axm311]

Originally Posted by SWAN808

I have a kraftzwerg and its not what I call a high end analogue sound...I like it as a noise box its great value but you get what you pay for...

well i was comparing it to things around the same price. I'm certainly not comparing it to the macbeth osc sound. what high end analog sound is available in that price range? (with semi modular capabilities)

forgot about SEM, but the patch point version didnt have midi so that was out for me

out of things I've played i think it sounds better than the spectral audio neptune 2 for example, and people would flame the shit out of me for saying this but I prefer it to the juno 106 i had too, though obviously that's poly and i never was never that much in love with the 106's sound anyway (and i just bought the krafzwerg) so i'm biased

[droolmaster0]

Originally Posted by axm311

ok instead I guess I'll say, having used both, what do you think would be more fun to interact with the MFB? another patchable analog synth, or the equivalent $ amount in euro modules that would add additional utility/sound

my guess is the latter, but that damn case expense really is a buzzkill, and my synth money is pretty tight these days

Well, it's hard to predict what would be more fun for you, especially given that you can expand further in the future. The upside of a more modular setup is that you have more choices and flexibility, but the downside in terms of fun is that you're pretty much starting from scratch all of the time. It is nice to have both kinds of instruments, but in what order you want to build it all up would be a personal thing.

Do you have an analog sequencer?

[axm311]

Originally Posted by droolmaster0

Do you have an analog sequencer?

no. I'm sequencing the MFB from Maschine currently

I'd prefer to go the modular route, but I'm running low on space and even a 6U would be a little unergonomic for me which ultimately i know would affect my productivity. 3U would be ideal for now but there aren't many off the shelf options for that and I'm all thumbs when it comes to DIY. I was thinking of a small beauty case expansion but thats almost too small, too bad there's nothing in between

[axm311]

Originally Posted by clusterchord

all you have to do is add a filter of choice to this module, and you're on the roll.. .

i think it has a filter as well (there are knobs for freq and resonance)

[boon]

Originally Posted by axm311

i think it has a filter as well (there are knobs for freq and resonance)

it does. 24db LP

[grumphh]

This is what it says in the matrixsynth link - seems some of you people don't like following links?

"it comes with 3 oscillators, 2 envelopes, vca, 24 db filter, noise, x-mod, and Kenton midi."

So a fully equipped but basic synth. Actually more features than my JP 4...

[murphythecat87]

Can anyone post the link to muffwiggler?

will it be the "same" architecture of the backend filter.

Will the vco's will be exactly like the one's you find in the euro format and 5u?

[Acid Hazard]

If it's the same VCOs and Backend VCF, then it would cost WAY over $1000. I would guess they're slimmed down version, but will still sound incredible.

[murphythecat87]

Originally Posted by Acid Hazard

If it's the same VCOs and Backend VCF, then it would cost WAY over $1000. I would guess they're slimmed down version, but will still sound incredible.

I suspect them to be a scale down version, but maybe just less versatile osc and filter, but the same sound?

[Acid Hazard]

Most likely. I doubt he would design all new VCOs and a new VCF.

[SovietSpaceChild]

Originally Posted by Acid Hazard

Most likely. I doubt he would design all new VCOs and a new VCF.

He'll do it just to spite Murphy.

[msl]

want want want want want, must find spare grand now.....





.

[murphythecat87]

Originally Posted by SovietSpaceChild

He'll do it just to spite Murphy.

haha, And I wouldn't even realize it

[asynchro_nous]

That looks gorgeous, and it will of course sound spectacular -- I'm just afraid it will be such a limited run that I'll never get one...

[boon]

Originally Posted by asynchro_nous

That looks gorgeous, and it will of course sound spectacular -- I'm just afraid it will be such a limited run that I'll never get one...

he mentioned 100 in a thread on muffs but then the thread was edited so i think if you are really interested in grabbing one you should email him.

but it's too soon to confirm an actual price or number that will be produced. i'm sure he'll make an official announcement when the time comes.

[clusterchord]

Originally Posted by axm311

i think it has a filter as well (there are knobs for freq and resonance)

wow, i totally missed that (deleted the post) anywaysss now its gettin really interesting. so this would be like a mini-minimoog sorta..


its what i need for live perfomance. small, simple but killer.


but how will he stuff all the components needed for his vintage built oscillators, times three, amplifier, two envs, AND a transistor ladder ... in that tiny box..?!? anyway... if it sounds like the x-modules, and the mk1 modular series... whooooaaa
i can almost feel money leaving my pocket..

[rids]

Originally Posted by clusterchord

i can almost feel money leaving my pocket..

Yeah, me too. I can't afford his other modules right now, but I would put my name on a waiting list for this. I've only ever been on a waiting list once (the FR XS) and this looks like it will be worthy by far. I owned the M3X for quite a while but didn't like the lack of snap. It could do plucky stuff, but it was sluggish. I'm wondering how snappy the amp and envs are? That is the final question for me. The sound is a no brainer, but I'm going to have to look into this part more.

(Btw, I heard there was a version 2 of the M3X that had the amp+envs acting snappier, but am not sure about how much more snappier)

[boon]

he updated his post on muffs.

will have X-mod between osc's, filter and switches to assign other mod routings.. wtf. this thing is gonna be a well spec'd tight little package. also has osc sync.

[Alex.T]

Also check out the Vermona Lancet

[Belaya]

Originally Posted by boon

he updated his post on muffs.

will have X-mod between osc's, filter and switches to assign other mod routings.. wtf. this thing is gonna be a well spec'd tight little package. also has osc sync.

[networkacid]

Very very awesome!

[boon]

more pics.. the panel graphics are obviously just for the prototype. the case as well. final case will be metal according to ken.

[Spectral Climax]

Originally Posted by boon

more pics.. the panel graphics are obviously just for the prototype. the case as well. final case will be metal according to ken.

So, it's a complete classic styled synth with sync and "VCO as LFO" and X-Mod possibilities...f$%^ cooollll!!!

[ignatius]

i really want to hear this thing. i like small synths.. especially w/3 VCOs!

[Ossicle]

I hope they keep those sexy looking VCO freq knobs!!!

In fact, I hope they won't change anything in the aesthetic design apart from the case. This type of no bulls!t design would surely appeal to the target audience, n'est-ce pas?

Looks like I won't order the SEM just yet...