Any Cheetah MS6 Users?

[Xero]

soundwise and architecture wise, it's kinda similar to the matrix 1000/matrix 6

but from what I recall, allows live tweaking a bit better than the matrix did, which hangs when you send it tons of midi data.

[Acid Mitch]

I have one.There is good reason that they are cheap and not sought after.
It's ok for shapeless pads and that's about it imho.
The envelopes are a bit slow and linear. I dont like them. I can never get the right shape and often the length I want is inbetween steps.
Programing is slow. Enter a parameter number and then use up/down buttons to change the value.
The keys are numbered one to eight , so there is no zero, ten,twenty,etc for patch numbers. Numbering of patches goes one to eight ,then eleven to 18,twenty one to twenty eight ,etc which can make it tricky sending program changes and finding the sound you want.
MIDI response is a bit slow,so I dont use it in multimberal mode.
Most parameters only have 64 steps (filter cut off goes to 99 .Yipee!!) instead of the usual 128 MIDI gives you making it a bit limited.
It can sound old and dated but not in a good way. I mostly only use it for the one pad sound.
Mine has the Maad OS upgrade. If for some strange reason you prefer it to the Tetra or Juno I'll swap you

[Acid Mitch]

Originally Posted by Xero

soundwise and architecture wise, it's kinda similar to the matrix 1000/matrix 6.

It uises the same voice chips but the rest of the curcuitry in the cheatah is low quality.

Originally Posted by Xero

but from what I recall, allows live tweaking a bit better than the matrix did, which hangs when you send it tons of midi data.

The MS6 goes all wobbley(timing wise) when you send it moderate amounts of MIDI data.

[Jontif]

I have used the MS6 for a number of years and its pretty underrated in my opinion. I have got some fantastic sounds with a bit of tweaking and the filter is great. The Cheetah DOES sound like a Matrix 6 as the architecture is nearly identical but I think its more programmable and its that sound is what counts - I find it similar to the Oberheim sound heartbreaking & gentle but with strong filters. I think if you can get past the user interface then you'll get some great sounds out of it. Im not sure if you can post urls in here but if you want to hear some stuff I've got out of it then PM me and I'll send you some links.

[projectwoofer]

Never had that one but I believe it's essentially the same as an Oberheim Matrix 6/1000 minus the complex modulation matrix plus multitimbrality...

This guy makes it sound very nice IMO:

michal23pl - YouTube

[plikestechno]

It's nice for pads and you can get some great layers and multi line arpeggios going with it. I saw one go for over $700 in an auction a little while ago. That's nuts. But in the 3-500 range it's perfectly acceptable. If it was made with six seperate outs it would be much more usable.

[Touchmaster]

I have one and I think its really great personally, and well worth the money they are going for.

Def get the maad upgrade as it allows remote editing and tweaking which makes life a lot more fun.

I use it on every track - and I have an Andromeda A6 and a decent size modular, so its got serious analogue competition. I personally would rather have it than a Juno 106 as it is much more capable, except the Juno is worth more so you could sell it and get three or four cheetahs! Dont know about the tetra - they have similarish voice chips right? i also think it sounds slightly different to the matrix and I actually prefer it.

I would say that external effects are a must for it to shine though, I have mine going through an ensemble chorus clone and a dimension D clone by default and its sounds absolutely beautiful. Old in a very GOOD (and almost haunting) way in my opinion, contrary to what others have said. Its never likely to be your first go to for punchy leads or basses though - but why should it be?

Maybe Acid Mitch's is broken?

[dr_Jezz]

Originally Posted by MJS7

Hey all,
Any Cheetah MS6 users out there? Just saw one on ebay and pulled the trigger on a whim. I heard they are hard to find and I'm impulsive and had money to blow (ok not really) so done deal.

Mixed reviews on it and not too much info on it out there. Didn't really 'need' another synth, and I'm now wondering how it will compare to my other synths (DSI Tetra, Juno 106). I'll probably end up selling the weakest link.

Any tips, tricks, or thoughts on it? Either programming, interface, or the sound itself?

I know the basic specs and am hoping the multi-timbral option works well and sounds good (even though it's one mono out). I also know about the Maad OS upgrade, but don't know how essential it is.

I did a job for a marketing company who dealt with Cheetah (as a tech consultant/synth head). I remember Rick Wakeman loved it for one - he was into the leads for live use and his comment was "this thing will cut through brick". You can get plenty of good sounds out of it IMHO.

[rockmanrock]

I had one but in a downsizing moment I ended up selling it and keeping my Matrix 1000. They're not bad but I think the Matrix is a bit better, the envelopes are more natural and there's a lot more modulation overall. Filter FM too. The LFOs are global on the MS6 rather than per voice, so that gives it a different sound.

[MJS7]

Originally Posted by Acid Mitch

MIDI response is a bit slow,so I dont use it in multimberal mode.

That's a bit worrying, as that's the main reason I got it...
Can anyone else confirm that?

That's funny there's no zero button! Or even one single knob, even for volume.

But in the reviews, seems like people either love it or hate it. I hope I like it, since it's now in the $500 dollar range (after Korean customs tacked a hefty import fine onto it - for a used item that isn't even made anymore).

[MJS7]

Originally Posted by Jontif

... heartbreaking & gentle but with strong filters. I think if you can get past the user interface then you'll get some great sounds out of it. Im not sure if you can post urls in here but if you want to hear some stuff I've got out of it then PM me and I'll send you some links.

I hope you're right about the heartbreaking and gentle part...I can rarely get that out of the Tetra (it's more in your face) but sometimes the Juno comes close. I'm not looking for complex, just melodic tones that fit together well, hence the desire for multi-timbral aspect.

Definitely would like to hear your stuff. I think you can post urls and links here, but if only PM works that's fine too...

[rockmanrock]

Hope you've heard Mr Varaldo's demos: MS6

Edit: just listening to them again, damn it sounds good! Nice reverb/echo on it helps though.

[Atticus Plink]

Originally Posted by MJS7

I hope you're right about the heartbreaking and gentle part...I can rarely get that out of the Tetra (it's more in your face) but sometimes the Juno comes close. I'm not looking for complex, just melodic tones that fit together well, hence the desire for multi-timbral aspect.

Well the 106 is the king of gentle tones that fit together well of course so I wouldn't really look for the MS6 to beat it.

I love the MS6. My first synth really, had nothing else for years. Love, the strings, bell sounds, square wavey bass, rubbery rough acid lines. Stacking six sounds adds up to something massive if you like! Mine had a couple of voices go long ago but I could never part with it.

[MJS7]

Just got it and played it for an hour! Triggering it with an MPC 1000.
I like it so far...
As I read somewhere, it looks like a large 80's digital alarm clock. Super minimal.
A parameter knob would be nice, but actually editing it isn't that bad so far as it's quite simple. Easier than the Tetra in some ways.

The thing that has me baffled is saving my multi-timbral performances. I tried to set up a performance and saved it to bank 8, but nothing plays when I do that. The regular patches can be copied and saved, but seemingly not the performances unless I'm missing something. The MIDI channels are set, the volume and note range are set up, but nothing is playing from the bank 8 performance mode. Any tips?

As for regular play, no problem. Sounds pretty good. NOT a deep bass monster for sure, but some good synth pop sounds in there waiting to be had. I agree it could use running though some effects though. Now if only I could get multi-timbral to work...

[Jontif]

Ive inboxed you re the procedure but basically ensure that you have programmed the midi channel, volume AND polyphony for each performance and press bank twice when editted to save it. Should work fine then

[MJS7]

Originally Posted by Jontif

Ive inboxed you re the procedure but basically ensure that you have programmed the midi channel, volume AND polyphony for each performance and press bank twice when editted to save it. Should work fine then

Just got it working, thanks!
It's dead easy, not sure what I did wrong.
Easier than the Tetra in fact, despite having no knobs...

Tweaking and saving patches isn't that hard from the front panel, but I'm thinking of ordering the Maad OS so I can feed it CC's from the MPC 1000 Q-link sliders (JJOS2XL Q-link sends MIDI CC).

I can see why this synth is kind of hit and miss for people. The GF literally laughed when she saw it: "Cheetah...?? Oh my god." And the presets suck and the sound doesn't quite hit you immediately...until you program it a bit. Mine seems to be working so I'm happy so far.

As a cheap analog synth I think it's basically a success, especially with the multi-timbral capabilities. I think Cheetah accomplished what they set out to do, which was to make a good sounding analog on the cheap. If this thing had separate outs and an encoder for the parameters it would be killer! (IF...)

And as Jontif showed in his Youtube clip, it can make nice bass sounds for sure. With good programming and a little stereo reverb, it seems like the MS6 can really shine.

When I get it going I'll try to post a few clips...

[Jontif]

Id be really interested to hear what you manage to get out of the synth so do post some clips when you can. I have a number of analogue synths but if I had to keep two only I would keep my Pro One and my MS6 because I used these synths most in previous songs and as mentioned the MS6 is underated. I have got some amazing sounds out of this synth with the right programming and effects its a killer.... have fun.

[projectwoofer]

Originally Posted by MJS7

When I get it going I'll try to post a few clips...

I would be very interested in a clip with a comparison to the Tetra. They do share similar voice chips and it'd be very nice to hear the similarities and differences between them...

[Sudad G]

I was a user of Cheetah MS-6. It's based on a Matrix-1000/6/6R, but with 6x layering and multitimbrality to create awsome huge basses and leads.

Be carefull - there is no longer a technical support for this piece. My cheetah died in the late 90s and it was not able to service it:(

I had a lot of fun in the past with it.


Sudad G

[paugui]

Be careful with the battery inside them...
I got my two as New Old Stock in 2006 or 2007 and after a while both had problems...
The one thing that was apparently wrong was the battery that had started leaking a bit, but fortunately I could get them repaired, and they indeed sound great.


Haven't got the Mads OS, but it seems pretty nice.

But without it, it's still possible to control them with Sysex commands, right?
I haven't had time to use my Novation Remote SL Zero yet (not even to make a control for my Roland MKS80 and MKS70...), but it is definitely something I want to do if it's possible...

[Jontif]

There are some places that will stilll service old analogue gear... in the UK there are two I can think of but you have to know where to look. Google is a good starting place.

[MJS7]

oops, double post

[MJS7]

Originally Posted by MJS7

Was just working on putting a few sounds together. Just the presets in multi-timbral performance mode. Pretty good for synth pop so far: simple bass, string, lead type setup.

Ran it through a slight tremolo and reverb (just basic MPC effects), which really helped it out.

When I make a few of my own patches for performance mode, I'll try to post a little jam of it.

Although...someone mentioned above that the MS6 was 'slow' responding to MIDI and triggered late or something. Don't know if it's just in my head, but I'm wondering about this now too.

Just programmed a basic house beat 4/4 to test it, and the Cheetah didn't sit quite right, timing wise, even when strictly quantized.

Anyone else experience this? I'm not saying it's major timing, and maybe the attack was different on that particular patch or something. Maybe I'm just imagining...

[MJS7]

Well, I think I'm going to try to sell the MS6. (reluctantly) Here's the link to the Gearslutz classified:
http://www.gearslutz.com/board/gears...ml#post8265132

I liked the sound, but just didn't have time to delve into it. I'm starting grad school and have to slim down some gear, so maybe someone else can get more out of it than I have.

And, voice 5 started to have an issue. I configured it to bypass it in the settings so it wasn't a major issue, but where I'm living there are no analog techs.