Made in the USA Analog Synth Shootout

[ekwipt]

Cool GFX

I voted the Moog after reading your write up but have wanted a SEM more after listening to sounds

[djugel]

If I had to just pick out of the 3 I'd go SEM.

But the whole Mopho Key w/Tetra combo seems very "useful"

[Goodfellow]

Can you add studio electronics please?

[ctrlshft]

The best part about all three is that they're amazing sounding and great deals no matter which you choose.

If I had to break down the strengths, I'd say:

-Oscillators-

1st Place: SEM
2nd Place: Slim Phatty
3rd Place: Mopho

-Filter-

1st Place: Slim Phatty
2nd Place: SEM
3rd Place: Mopho

-Modulation-

1st Place: Mopho
2nd Place: Slim Phatty
3rd Place: SEM

[Gringo Starr]

Originally Posted by Goodfellow

Can you add studio electronics please?

[Dpro]

Originally Posted by Goodfellow

Can you add studio electronics please?

I agree with this.

[vmachine]

Originally Posted by ctrlshft

The best part about all three is that they're amazing sounding and great deals no matter which you choose.

If I had to break down the strengths, I'd say:

-Oscillators-

1st Place: SEM
2nd Place: Slim Phatty
3rd Place: Mopho

-Filter-

1st Place: Slim Phatty
2nd Place: SEM
3rd Place: Mopho

-Modulation-

1st Place: Mopho
2nd Place: Slim Phatty
3rd Place: SEM

I would've liked to include a deeper analysis of sounds in the shootout along with some audio examples. But it could've grown out of control, possibly to epic proportions.

[gordonmerrick]

There are lots of good modular manufacturers in the US... just saying.

[vmachine]

[Goodfellow]

Originally Posted by vmachine

Used...

Yeah, saw that seconds after my post. Still, would be interesting to up the number to $1500. While not linked directly to a historical brand, I'd say that the SE-1 has a historically grounded sound. Arguably more Moog than the modern ones of the name.

[vmachine]

If it were $1500, then the Future Retro XS would need to be added too. I kinda think the XS is the next level up as far as features go.

[Hazmatic]

Tetra should be in the mix there...but I guess not since it doesn't have an audio input.

[djugel]

Or a decent interface.,...

[zahush76]

I don't understand this "American-centric" issue. It's interesting and productive to discuss synths in light of their features, materials that they are made of, their inner structure and such.
Since when nationality is an interesting and productive category to annalyze synths?!
There are also german, french, italian, japanease, indian etc - synths.

[vmachine]

Anyone feel like saying why they choose one over the other two?

I like the SEM the best because I think it sounds better than the other two. The white paint job is cool too. The new SEM seems primitive and raw. Like it didn't need to evolve or get any upgrades to still sounds better than almost everything else over the last 30-whatever years.

[vmachine]

Originally Posted by zahush76

I don't understand this "American-centric" issue. It's interesting and productive to discuss synths in light of their features, materials that they are made of, their inner structure and such.
Since when nationality is an interesting and productive category to annalyze synths?!
There are also german, french, italian, japanease, indian etc - synths.

I think it's actually pretty interesting to look at synthesizer design from a cultural perspective. And the shootout is "American-centric" cause the USA rocks at building synthesizers.

[Hazmatic]

Originally Posted by vmachine

Anyone feel like saying why they choose one over the other two?

The Mopho because it's very versatile and sounds great.

The white paint job is cool too.

And that's what I hate about it. White is so blah.

The new SEM seems primitive and raw. Like it didn't need to evolve or get any upgrades to still sounds better than almost everything else over the last 30-whatever years.

That's a bold statement. Personally, I've never been into the Oberheim "sound." Moog, yes. Sequential Circuits/DSI, yes. Roland, yes. Korg, yes. Oberheim, not really.

[ctrlshft]

Originally Posted by Hazmatic

That's a bold statement. Personally, I've never been into the Oberheim "sound." Moog, yes. Sequential Circuits/DSI, yes. Roland, yes. Korg, yes. Oberheim, not really.

You might not be in to the Oberheim filter sound, but trust me, you might be in to the oscillator sound even if you don't know it.

It's got the biggest, hairiest, most pendulous oscs you've ever heard. Run through a Moog filter for some truly obscene bass. The oscs sound quite a bit like the Minitaur's do.

[10 ton splash]

I like American products. The missiles, uncle Sama-el, and guns in your pic are corny.

[nebelfrau]

Originally Posted by 10 ton splash

I like American products. The missiles, uncle Sama-el, and guns in your pic are corny.

It shoulda had naked girls with fake tits and a whole crapload of Miller Highlife.

My vote: SEM

[vmachine]

Originally Posted by 10 ton splash

I like American products. The missiles, uncle Sama-el, and guns in your pic are corny.

It's supposed to be. I wanted it to have that "local car dealership on the 4th of July commercial" look to it.

[moneyforsluts]

Originally Posted by Hazmatic

That's a bold statement. Personally, I've never been into the Oberheim "sound." Moog, yes. Sequential Circuits/DSI, yes. Roland, yes. Korg, yes. Oberheim, not really.

I never really like the "SEM" filter they put on other synths, but the real SEM filter sounds great. It's a lot stronger than you might think.

[kcearl]

I voted the slim phatty because i own it...

[The Real MC]

No Minitaur?

[Gliesegarden]

Based on my subjective opinion about the sound character only:

1. Phatty
2. Mopho
3. SEM

I've got a lot of criticism about the new SEM sound. Long story short, it sounds harsh, which I don't like.

[10 ton splash]

Originally Posted by vmachine

It's supposed to be. I wanted it to have that "local car dealership on the 4th of July commercial" look to it.

Hahaha, ok Team America like!