Mopho x4 vs Prophet 08

[gruvsyco]

Originally Posted by Franc

I look forward to hearing what you think of the X4. I wonder how many people posting in this thread even played one??

I would love to try out a Poly Evolver someday.

*raises hand*

I've had one for a few weeks now. I think it sounds brilliant and is exactly what I was looking for.

[Synth80s]

Originally Posted by Franc

I look forward to hearing what you think of the X4. I wonder how many people posting in this thread even played one??

Probably not many, but most of the comments in this thread are based on feature comparisons and other factual elements, and even those comments that are experiential are largely based (fairly, I think) on peoples' hands on knowledge of the Tetra, Mopho and Prophet 08.

It's not as if the X4 will sound different than a Tetra or be different to control than a Mopho Keyboard, so it doesn't take much of a stretch of the imagination to figure out where this new model fits in the marketplace.

[ozy]

Originally Posted by solipsynth

I have a Mopho x4 coming this weekend so I'll see firsthand how the keybed feels.

This is a test I want to read.

I am interested into the opinion of a fellow musician (as opposed to "a magazine").

I owned the mophokey and the prophet08 keyboard version (this last, I used daily for three years), and I literally hated both keybeds.

aftertouch was erratic, keys were plasticky and flimsy, their range too short and shallow.

I later played a CME keyboard and I recognized the feel. I have no PROOF the DSI keybeds are CME, but they are as bad as the CME.

I asked Dave Smith why he couldn't publish the velocity curves correspondent to the four curve settings on the prophet08 [I needed the data as a reference for external midi modules] and he answered that

"we are using this odd chinese keybed which has a very odd and irregular curve, with jumps from an octave to the next. I had to fine-tune the curves in the software in order to suit the hardware, so the 4 curves are basically handwritten"

It is possible that DSI has changed its keybed supplier for the mopho x4.

It is possible that it has a good (kurzweil-like, or roland-like), bodily, synth-action with a smooth aftertouch.

In that case, it would be a HUGE plus for the mopho x4 by reference to the mophokey

Please post your impressions

[verve92]

The whole key bed issue is about cost. How many options are there for them? Its not like guitar pick-ups or bridges where there is a high demand.
A different key bad would add significantly to cost so the questions are:
Do I live with the key bed or be willing to pay more?
If there were a way, DSI would do it.
The Moog Little Phatty key bed is not great either. But we hear what happens after the key is hit, not the key itself.
As long as the keys work is what matters. After touch curves I can live without. Not a major issue for me.

[neuromantik]

Is the keybed the same as on the PEK? Because the PEK one is the best one I've ever played (and I have a Nord G2X, Virus TI + Blofeld)

[ozy]

Originally Posted by verve92

The whole key bed issue is about cost.

on a 2000 bucks synthesizer?!?

I may accept bad keys on a 500 bucks trance/oriented VA,

but on a flagship (the 3000 bucks voyager is as bad as the 2000 bucks prophet),

I don't want my FINGERS to hate what my EARS love.

As for aftertouch: of course it's subjective, but, for somebody who CAN use it, it is important and it has to be smooth.

[verve92]

I have just rarely heard bad things about any DSI keybed. Maybe its subjective also.
Market share economics here. Nothing personal from manufacturers.

[Polarelch]

I'm currently in the decision phase about Mopho X4 vs. Prophet 08, will need it mostly for pads and "normal" synths sounds for band use. Which of the both would be better for that, the Prophet because it has higher polyphony and can layer 2 sounds, or the Mopho X4 because it's more portable?
Which would you pick?

[himalaya]

Originally Posted by Polarelch

I'm currently in the decision phase about Mopho X4 vs. Prophet 08, will need it mostly for pads and "normal" synths sounds for band use. Which of the both would be better for that, the Prophet because it has higher polyphony and can layer 2 sounds, or the Mopho X4 because it's more portable?
Which would you pick?

The Prophet.
The extra polyphony really makes a difference for pads. Set a long release and when you play a chord progression the sound will nicely 'blend'. This is different than if using reverb or delay. In fact, with a nicely detuned 2 osc sound and long env release, reverb or delay may not be needed.

[Luke44]

@Polarelch

+1 P08

have had it for about a month, its awesome for pads and textures, and a dream to program...

wanted to also add, I love the keybed, nicest KBD ive ever played, its on a different level

[ozy]

Originally Posted by Luke44

@Polarelch +1 P08

Originally Posted by himalaya

extra polyphony

+1

one octave less from 5 to 4 doesn't entail "better portability".

25 keys vs 61 keys = backpack vs case. scooter vs car. that's a difference.

76 vs 88 keys --> smaller car. that's a difference as well.

but speaking of an expensive analogue with knobs (i.e. a fragile unit which requires a solid case),

one octave doesn't change much as far as portability is concerned

[Polarelch]

It actually does make a difference, not when you compare octaves, but length.. then it's 88 cm vs. 64 cm, and 10 kg vs. 4,3 kg.
It's very hard to find a light trolley suitcase over 80 cm, and I might want to pack more stuff into it.. Prophet would require a dedicated case. I don't have a car so that matters for me... but that's just one aspect of it all.

I don't think I can go wrong with either. I just tested both again this afternoon... both have their ups and downs. I prefer the oscillator selection in the MX4 (buttons vs. knob), but I guess the Prophet can sound a lot more "deep".

[SoonerBJJ]

I'm but a rank novice and the Mopho X4 is my first synth purchase since 1987 but at the price point I couldn't be happier. Just when I thought it couldn't be any better, FedEx just dropped off an Eventide Space.

[solipsynth]

Originally Posted by ozy

This is a test I want to read.

It is possible that it has a good (kurzweil-like, or roland-like), bodily, synth-action with a smooth aftertouch.

In that case, it would be a HUGE plus for the mopho x4 by reference to the mophokey

Please post your impressions

I've had the Mopho x4 for a couple weeks now but I don't have any other synth action keyboards on hand for reference so I went to GC and tried a few there today. Unfortunately they did not have any DSI products on display, but there was a Little Phatty, M50-61, and MOX6 I was able to try out.

After playing each of these, I realized with some surprise that the Mx4 action feels quite different--unique even--among synth actions. Whereas the LP, M50 and MOX6 keys all felt as expected--lightweight and springy--the Mx4 keys feel weightier but just as easy to press down (similar spring force). This gives the keys a slight clunkiness that I would typically associate with hammer action keybeds, ie at high velocity the keys hit the bottom with a thud.

In terms of aftertouch, I find the onset and depth to be fairly predictable. However I may not be the best to judge this as I haven't used AT much in my playing, coming from a piano background.

Edit: Now that I'm actually back in front of the Mx4, I find that the spring force IS a bit harder than the other synths I tried earlier. It's also "clackier" or mechanically noisier.

[kalin_progg]

After submitting a request about Mopho X4's keybed and building quality, here's what Carson Day from DSI mailed me back:

"The Mopho X4 has the same keybed as the Mopho Keyboard and Prophet 08. The key's are semi-weighted and feel very nice. The Evolver's keybed is not the same and has a slightly different feel. To my fingers, the Evolver has a slightly "Spongier" feel to it, while the X4, Mopho Keyboard, and Prophet feel a little more precise.

The Mopho X4 has the same durable, robust, and reliable build quality as the Mopho Keyboard. No corners were cut concerning the X4's build quality. The X4 has the same front panel controls as the Mopho Keyboard. The performance based parameters are potentiometers while the data entry parameters are ALPS de-tented encoders. There are 15 potentiometers and 10 encoders on the X4."

Hope that helps.

p.s. To those who don't like Mopho/Prophet keys - since I couldn't try and compare Mopho/Prohet 08 keybed to Evolver's, what exactly bother you? Does MoKey/Pro08 keybed feel too light or what? Thanks.

[ozy]

Originally Posted by kalin_progg

"The Mopho X4 has the same keybed as the Mopho Keyboard and Prophet 08.

Originally Posted by kalin_progg

The key's feel very nice

The above two statements don't compute

Originally Posted by kalin_progg

The key's are semi-weighted

This statement is just not true: there's nothing even remotely "weighted" in the prophet08.

I had my fingers on it for 3 years, and I can tell weight from non-weight and from semi-weight

I also owned the mophokey, and that was definitely a light synth action with unnoticeable aftertouch

Sounds like somebody at DSI attended the Karl Rove School for Advertising

[Palaver]

In case anyone is interested, I'm selling my Prophet 08 PE keyboard synthesizer.

If you want this post to be deleted, just let me know.

Here's the add: http://www.gearslutz.com/board/gears...ml#post8366947

[StringBean]

If you're the type of player who likes to hit the keys pretty hard during fast lines, would you say the DSI keybeds are a good fit?

[Dr Venkman]

Great thread guys, I'm going to be investing in a DSI synth soon so I'm eagerly hoovering up all of this information. I've got a nice controller keyboard (Novation SL Mk2) so I don't think I'll be paying for anything with keys. Seems like I'm heading towards a Prophet module for pads and drones, I might get myself a Mopho module too a bit further down the line so I can take advantage of the feedback feature you guys are all talking about. Seems like there's a few second hand things available in the states but not much at all in the UK so I'll be buying new.

[solipsynth]

Originally Posted by StringBean

If you're the type of player who likes to hit the keys pretty hard during fast lines, would you say the DSI keybeds are a good fit?

I've been playing my Mx4 quite a bit more in the last few weeks and I have been quite hard on the keys. I've noticed in particular that the keys bottom out quite abruptly and with a fairly audible "clack" sound when pressed down with high velocity. This is different from other synth action keybeds I've played in which the bottoming out is much softer and makes little acoustic noise. I don't mind it too much since I'm accustomed to playing hammer action keybeds, some of which also bottom out quite hard and loudly.

[verve92]

Originally Posted by kalin_progg

The Mopho X4 has the same durable, robust, and reliable build quality as the Mopho Keyboard. No corners were cut concerning the X4's build quality. The X4 has the same front panel controls as the Mopho Keyboard. The performance based parameters are potentiometers while the data entry parameters are ALPS de-tented encoders. There are 15 potentiometers and 10 encoders on the X4."

Hope that helps.

p.s. To those who don't like Mopho/Prophet keys - since I couldn't try and compare Mopho/Prohet 08 keybed to Evolver's, what exactly bother you? Does MoKey/Pro08 keybed feel too light or what? Thanks.

Well said. I have two DSI synths and play them hard. Of course they are not going to feel like the old classics or a Fender Rhodes key bed. That was a different era. I know quite a bit about DSI (and so do you if you saw the documentaries I have posted here) and he is on record of saying there are limited options with key bed manufacturers and that they have no option but to outsource them. It would be too costly and they don't have the space at the DSI factory.
Frankly this is all irrelevant whining about stuff. People crying about analog and then bich about the key bed? Fact is DSI along with Moog are the last affordable analogs on earth. Arturia has yet to prove itself.

[kiopo]

I have Mopho, Tetra and P08 and have played the Mopho X4.

My favourite is the P08. I know they are supposed to be identical voice architecture, but the P08 sounds better and less aggressive to me and I love the keyboard and controls (the great feel of the keyboard could be part of that opinion). Suboscillators are useful but can easily be replicated on the P08.