Guess the synth!

[dhollmusik]

Thought we might have a guess-the-synth thread


The only clue for now is that the following audio example is completely dry and played live, with no external sequences or overtracking and no post-processing/editing.

http://soundcloud.com/elseedier/guessme

The first to correctly guess wins a mug of Yorkshire Tea!

[Analog Prophet]

It has plenty of LFOs and can make different tasks simultaneous so it does not share resources....hmmm. It also has octave switchers for different parts of the sound. The noise had a special character on the filter (sounded almost like the HPF filter on the soft are Nexus 2. Or ARP2600 filter - but it is mono timbrel), not so common.... Also sounded like the filters had mixed pole on different sounds - 12/18/24. Hmmmm...

Might it be an Xpander/Matrix12?

[flat earth]

Monotron/tribe?

[Don Solaris]

You are supposed to provide a list of 6-7 synthesizers for this game.

[projectwoofer]

Yeah and...more samples maybe?

[Mr. Varaldo]

Originally Posted by Don Solaris

You are supposed to provide a list of 6-7 synthesizers for this game.

Hey, I invented the guess the synth game!!

My rules are

• provide 10 audio examples of the synth
  

• give five choices of synths

[dhollmusik]

Originally Posted by Analog Prophet

It has plenty of LFOs and can make different tasks simultaneous so it does not share resources....hmmm. It also has octave switchers for different parts of the sound. The noise had a special character on the filter (sounded almost like the HPF filter on the soft are Nexus 2. Or ARP2600 filter - but it is mono timbrel), not so common.... Also sounded like the filters had mixed pole on different sounds - 12/18/24. Hmmmm...

Might it be an Xpander/Matrix12?

You're on the right track, as all the clues are in the demo...as you say, not many synths are able to play so many different sounds at the same time.

I wish it was a Matrix 12 or Xpander

Originally Posted by flat earth

Monotron/tribe?

I do now have the Monotron/Tribe combi, not really inspired me too much yet...the Monotribe isn't quite as clean or dynamic sounding as this mystery synth, and even with the Monotron as partner wouldn't be able to do all those sounds. As Analog Prophet says, the resources aren't shared.

Originally Posted by Don Solaris

You are supposed to provide a list of 6-7 synthesizers for this game.

There are rules? haha! Spoilsport If I name 6 or 7 synths you'll all easily be able to guess the correct one.

Originally Posted by projectwoofer

Yeah and...more samples maybe?

The audio has all the clues you need. You just need an encyclopaedic knowledge of synths and their features

Originally Posted by Mr. Varaldo

Hey, I invented the guess the synth game!!

I like your game too, mine's a little different, tho'

[jc2046]

ms-20?

[relis]

Virus

[musden]

I think that is your stomach

[dhollmusik]

Originally Posted by jc2046

ms-20?

On the right track. Somewhere between the MS-20 and Xpander.

Originally Posted by relis

Virus

Good guess, the Virus can also do stuff like this...but I'm sure most of us can hear the nature of the mystery synth.

Originally Posted by musden

I think that is your stomach

The pulse-rhythms are my stomach, the white noise comes from another orifice while the synthie sound is from the actual synth.

[relis]

Kids, never make a mistake I did! Take a guess based on listening on laptop speakers. And I have JBLs with a woofer!

When I think twice, I really don't know.

[judith priest]

Yamaha CS-30?

[dhollmusik]

Originally Posted by relis

Kids, never make a mistake I did! Take a guess based on listening on laptop speakers.

e

Virus was actually a good guess, as it's the only other synth I can think of which makes that much noise with just one play.

Originally Posted by judith priest

Yamaha CS-30?

No, but on the right track along with MS-20 and Xpander.


The mystery synth is pretty unique...at least I've never come across one quite like it and I've used over 20 hardware synths.


Big clue: the synth is like having 4 completely independent oscillators, meaning every possible synthesis action relates to only one oscillator, even the filters.

[flat earth]

Originally Posted by dhollmusik

Big clue: the synth is like having 4 completely independent oscillators, meaning every possible synthesis action relates to only one oscillator, even the filters.

Monopoly?

[Rimwolf]

Originally Posted by dhollmusik

Big clue: the synth is like having 4 completely independent oscillators, meaning every possible synthesis action relates to only one oscillator, even the filters.

Oberheim Four Voice?

[dhollmusik]

Originally Posted by Rimwolf

Oberheim Four Voice?

Originally Posted by flat earth

Monopoly?

no, but those are synths I'd like to try out.


I reckon I will do a second clip...

[squatski]

Originally Posted by dhollmusik

e

Virus was actually a good guess, as it's the only other synth I can think of which makes that much noise with just one play.




No, but on the right track along with MS-20 and Xpander.


The mystery synth is pretty unique...at least I've never come across one quite like it and I've used over 20 hardware synths.


Big clue: the synth is like having 4 completely independent oscillators, meaning every possible synthesis action relates to only one oscillator, even the filters.

dx100

[Don Edgar]

Originally Posted by dhollmusik

Big clue: the synth is like having 4 completely independent oscillators, meaning every possible synthesis action relates to only one oscillator, even the filters.

Perfourmer?

[derekf208]

nord lead

[Mr. Varaldo]

Crumar DS-2 ?

[Dubtek71]

Korg Trident...

[asynchro_nous]

Evolver

[Analog Prophet]

Based on what you mention and on the sound, I wonder if it's some modularish machine. Nord Modular or the MicroModular (had one before, but unfortunaly Clavia discontinued the software support that required for editing) is capable to do such things. It can have four oscillators, but also more more, depending on the complicity of the sound. But still, it does not sound exactly as I remember it...

But it must be some sort of modular in one way or another. It sounds beautiful.

BTW, nice game

[Don Solaris]

Originally Posted by Rimwolf

Oberheim Four Voice?

No matter how hard you try,

you can NEVER,

make an Oberheim Four Voice to start sounding like this crapola.



@dhollmusik: sorry man, i meant no offense. I like the synth games and i thank you for it. I just don't dig the sound of this synth. It sounds like any other VSTi / VA plugin. *Nothing analogue in it. At least not analogue i've used to (FAT and raw vintages from the 70's). Could be some modern SMD based machine.


*Unless some heavy mp3 compression was involved which sucked the life out of it.

[dhollmusik]

Originally Posted by Don Solaris

No matter how hard you try, you can NEVER, make an Oberheim Four Voice to start sounding like this crapola.

Don, if you don't wanna play then don't join the thread.

Originally Posted by Analog Prophet

But it must be some sort of modular in one way or another. It sounds beautiful.

BTW, nice game

Thanks, matey...the synth is of course capable of way more than this little demo, I've only scratched the surface of it and unfortunately have to give it back to its owner...but I'll probably actively hunt it down now

Originally Posted by Don Edgar

Perfourmer?

We have a winner! You win a virtual pot of the best tea in the world:




EDIT: oh wow, you live in Berlin! haha! great coincidence...it means I can make you an actual Yorkshire Tea

[Don Solaris]

Originally Posted by dhollmusik

Don, if you don't wanna play then don't join the thread.

I've edited my post above about the time you put this reply. Didn't saw the correct answer at that time. Anyway i just expressed my opinion about this synth.

I was wrong about VSTi, but i was close with SMD. Performer is SMD based, no?

[The Listener]

I could get those sounds from Arp Odyssey, but I remember them a bit more "meaty".

You should give some more sound clues - basslines, some lead sounds, cool arpeggios if it has an arpeggiator, pads, etc.

[dhollmusik]

Originally Posted by Don Solaris

@dhollmusik: sorry man, i meant no offense. I like the synth games and i thank you for it. I just don't dig the sound of this synth. It sounds like any other VSTi / VA plugin. *Nothing analogue in it. At least not analogue i've used to (FAT and raw vintages from the 70's). Could be some modern SMD based machine.

That's alright, mate. The goodness of sound is a subjective thing, after all...and I admit my demo was nowhere close to the best this synth can do.

Also, I do get the impression that the Perfourmer is an analog synth wanting to sound digital (as opposed to the common theme of a digital synth wanting to sound analog).

I like the sound, it is clean and lively, and very open to outside audio processing. It's generally a very interesting and relatively unique beast, and recommended for synth-freaks who are looking for something a bit different.

But...not recommended for songwriters who need DAW-integration, full-midi communication and patch-saving.

[Don Solaris]

I guess i've became spoiled with the old VCOs and can no longer stand anything that doesn't give the raw analogue sound....

Must be the amount of VSTi's in the modern music production / radio broadcast / around us, everywhere and no defense against it. And i can no longer stand it.


Anyway, thank you for the synth game.