Prophet 08 and Alesis A6

[Oli]

Originally Posted by greenlights

The A6 Im looking at cost $4,500.00 and the Prophet is @$2099.99

Those prices are high. Where are you based?

From first glance, I don't think either of those deals are ones to jump on.

I'm not sure others opinions on the sound will help you or not. Presumably you have your reasons for liking both the A6 and the P08, as well as the TI. The P08 should be easy enough to demo (in major cities at least). Would you have the chance to demo the A6? Playing the instruments yourself is always different from hearing others demos and opinions.

[greenlights]

I wish I had the chance, but unfortunately I don't think that'll ever happen. Im only in love with it because of the demos I've watched over the years. I was going to buy one from Sweetwater right when they stopped making them. I was on the list to get one, but then they gave me the bad news. Im in Austin, Texas as of now. I was going to buy the Prophet from a regular online dealer and the A6 is on ebay.

[Zombie H]

I loved my A6 but they just ain't worth 4,500 bux

[greenlights]

I have played the Prophet 08, and I know I liked it. Im just wondering if I bought the Prophet 08, can the Virus catch what the A6 would have been able to do?

[greenlights]

Originally Posted by Zombie H

I loved my A6 but they just ain't worth 4,500 bux

Thats a start(lol)! What do you feel it's worth?

[Zombie H]

Originally Posted by greenlights

Thats a start(lol)! What do you feel it's worth?

Well thats up to each buyer but I wouldn't pay more than 3.5k, I sold mine after buying a model D - the andromeda is a killer synth but it has some weak points (imho) like FM, LFO, and the Osc waveform sounds are kinda meh

I think the A6 is head and shoulders above the prophet 8

[Warren]

I'm a previous owner of the TI2 and the P08 and I miss them very much... I never owned the Andromeda but from what you have in the ps note I'm thinking you're going to like to add the DSI synth. It's a great keyboard in all aspects.

[NEXUS-6]

I own all three A6 TI2 & P08..

I would say bang for buck keep the Virus & get the P08 you can do a lot of damage with just those 2...& not much overlap. The P08 is going to be a lot more instant gratification than the A6.. A6 takes dedication & a "long haul"
perspective because of the steep learning curve IMO...

[davidfuego]

I own an Andromeda and have played the prophet 08 and I have heard a lot of demos of the Virus Ti2.

As for the Andromeda, There are a lot of things about it that writing it is not suficient. It is a very complex beast. You have to dedicate a lot of time, read the manual and older forums but most of all touch it and play it for hours and hours. Why? Because if you only touch the surface, it could let you down. As for me I: I definitely love it. I feel that it is probably the most complete producers and players analog instrument and it keeps growing with time. I use it for live performance and in almost every rehearsal and people people get amazed with it. I know that the Andy could let me down so I am aware that i need to have a backup (other analog or VA), but I know that the moments that makes me feel like in heaven are worth and erases the moments when it let´s me down. Mine is a red Andromeda #31 jajaj One of the first ones and I would never trade it for another synth or instrument.

As for the Prophet I feel that it lacks a lot of character, it is very straightforward, contrary from an Andy and if you do not like the presets, to me there is a big chance that you would not like it at all. I personally prefer The older Sequetial Prophet or the Pek. but It is still a good synth.

The Virus (judging by demos I have heard), the sound could get monotonous after a while and it is very trancy jajja which is not bad but sometimes I think a Synth is more interesting when you can make it create many different Vibes just like the Andy. But anyway,I have not played it and I know it is a very powerful VA synth.

Now if money is not an issue, first my advice is to check very well about tuning, and that voices are perfect. Be aware that finding parts are very very difficult. If you get a bad andy it can cost you a lot. Ask a lot about the reliability of the one they are offering you. As for the Prophet it is definitely easier to find replacements and if it has issues the company DSI is excellent at support. I think that having a virus is excellent if one of the analogs let you down or something, especially if you play gigs.

To me go with the Andy and Virus or Prophet and virus. You have the best of both worlds. And add a Jupiter or a powerful mono like a Moog.

[davidfuego]

If money is not an issue

[kpsiegel]

I have a TI2 and an A6. I don't have a P08 and have not played one so I can't offer any opinion on that. The price on the A6 you quote is too high even in mint condition.

I love my A6 a lot more than my TI2 but I see them as very different and really not overlapping. Here are some of my reasons:

Obviously the A6 is analog and it does sound different as a result.

The A6 has loopable envelope stages and selectable stage curves. This is incredibly powerful and absolutely fantastic once you understand how to use it. Really more than anything you just start playing with patches and vary the stuff to get a good feel for it. This is THE killer feature on the A6.

Almost no synth can touch a TI2 for effects so if this matters to you a lot then the A6 will not make you happy. The effects are its weakest point. Personally I could care less cause I have tons of effects and the first thing I do is turn them off on my A6 anyway.

The A6 has a non-trivial learning curve so you have to plan on spending time to learn it and to not get frustrated. Sit down and be methodical about it and prepare to make a lot of patches in which you just review different features. If you put in the time the synth is a killer.

I personally find the A6 interface easier than the TI2 now. I didn't at first but once you understand how the Andy works you can whip around in it very quickly. I loved the idea of the DAW integration promised by the TI2 but in practice I found it disappointing because of the limits of the VST provided (only one instance allowed for example).

[NWSooner]

I have an Andromeda, TI2 Desktop, and Mopho (same voice structure as the P8 with an extra subosc). I think all three would be complementary, but if you can only add one to the TI2 I'd go with the A6. Lots more sonic variation.

But not at that price. I bought mine new for $3k; I think you could find a really nice one for around $3.5k.

[Oli]

I this the A6 you are looking at? Shouldn't be $4500, right? Shipping won't be that high to Austin.

Anyway, if you want an A6, I would recommend patience, and just keep an eye out for other opportunities. They can be had for less than $4500.

[greenlights]

The main thing I love with the A6 is the pads. I'm not talking about non-musical soundscapes. I'm talking about basic lush smooth warm pads. Can the Prophet get those? I might have to go with Dave Smith because it seems like the parts that were used to make it is still in production. On the other hand, if something happened to the A6, it's possible that I won't be able to get it serviced and that'll be a waste of money. To the guys with the Prophet and Virus combo, do they compliment each other well, or do y'all not use them together due to them not mixing well?

[Mefistophelees]

I have 2 Andys and a Prophet '08.

Both are great synths but the Andromeda has more depth (and twice as many oscillators).

I like lush thick pads and while they'll both do them they're much easier on the Andromeda. The Andromeda has a unison button that lets you allocate multiple voices to a single note, on a 3 not chord you can allocate 5 voices per note and then detune them for an absolutely huge sound.

You have to work a bit at the Prophet to get a thick sound but it can certainly be done. The modulations come in very useful for this as does the ability to layer 2 sounds.

They also have a quite different basic sound from one another, The Prophet sounds brighter and "brassier" than the Andromeda.

There are pros and cons to both. If repairability is more important, the Prophet'08 is still in production, the Andromeda not. The Prophet is also cheaper and there's also an even cheaper rack version.

[greenlights]

Damn, that sounds awesome! Now I'm looking at the A6 again.

[greenlights]

I'm thinking now that I can't get that brassy sound from the A6, but I can get the Prophet and maybe program similar pads to the A6 on my Virus??? You think that's possible or do you think the Virus can't touch the A6 on pads?

[Synthetica]

@greenlights, Just sent you a PM.

[SWAN808]

buy an andromeda and get a tetra also

[goldphinga]

It's nonsense that the a6 can't do brassy upfront sounds. Honestly- it can replicate the P08 and pretty much any other synth for that matter. If I only had money for one poly it would be the a6 without doubt.

[zahush76]

If you leave aside wether it sounds great or not - do you think it's wise to get one and maybe take the risk something goes wrong, and it's not manufactured anymore so you can't get spare parts - or is it an overlly stable\reliable synth and it's a more or less safe bet?

[goldphinga]

Personally speaking I think the small risk is worth it as it simply does everything you could want from an analogue. General reliability on these is ok, there was just one batch that had some issues.

[triptolemos]

A6 all the way, no question.

[Veck]

I would pay max. $3500 for a used Andromeda. But check everything, Andromedas have quite a lot of "bugs", especially tuning issues and knob problems.

deleted by user

[kpsiegel]

Originally Posted by Veck

I would pay max. $3500 for a used Andromeda. But check everything, Andromedas have quite a lot of "bugs", especially tuning issues and knob problems.

I am an A6 owner and have had zero problems with either so I am not sure where you get this information.

[Bonkks]

Check out the Poly Evolver. About $2000 cheaper than the A6 and a lot more powerful than the P08.

[Augsy]

Personally I wouldn't bother with the p08. It has a bit of a cold brash sound to it that seems to happen with some DCO synths. I tryed to like it for months but in the end I couldn't justify keeping it. On the other hand you'll find plenty of people on here that love it. My only advice is to spend as much time playing one as possible before buying it.

regarding the A6. I would hold out until you find a better price $4500 is way too high.

[cramseur]

Originally Posted by Veck

I would pay max. $3500 for a used Andromeda. But check everything, Andromedas have quite a lot of "bugs", especially tuning issues and knob problems.

I have had a random knob/tuning issue with mine. Osc 1 would suddenly "jump" out of tune.

I dripped some DeOxit down the shaft (about 3 drops)...problem solved.

Other than that, I have never had any issue.