I really enjoy reading this thread (didn’t think I would at first), so here is my contribution. I’ve been back into making music in 2020-2021 after a several years break, so quite a lot of fun rebuilding the studio so to say.
Hits :
Elektron Machinedrum. A while ago I had a mk2 UW/+Drive and didn’t click with it (I was then the eurorack kind of person). I found the sound was a bit cold and sterile, as some people say. Used it on a track or two and sold it (mostly for chopped voice samples, so…). A few months ago, I was lured into the Machinedrum again when I heard of os X, and found a mint mk2 (no UW). What an great device. I love the sound (this time), the user experience is perfect. I agree with what is often said : it really feels like an instrument, more than a tool. Because of this, I don’t really feel it has any « limitation » (a violin sure cannot sound like a piano, but that is no limitation), as compared, for example, with my Digitakt, which feels like a (formidable, I think) tool, with some annoying limitations. The two works very well together (thank you Digitakt’s conditionnal trigs and stuff, thank you Machinedrum song mode). Also, I realized that, though I am a lot into synthesis, for some reason I have always been relying on samples when it comes to drum sounds. Well, this is over. Took me some time. Plus, this has freed my Digitakt for more creative samples mangling / texturing.
Nord Modular G1. I don’t think it’s necessary to explain how great that is. In the past, had three micromodulars, a nord modular rack. I am happy I found the keys version. Also, pretty cute. I am still wondering why the nord modular concept don’t seem to have any legacy. It seems to me people would jump on it, but I might be wrong.
SSL Six. I didn’t think that I would ever think of a mixer has one of my favorite piece of gear, but that happened. Indredible flexibility, ease of use, like everyone says.
Ferrofish Pulse 16 / RME Digiface combo. Works well with the SSL Six. I don’t know how people can do without Total Mix.
Moog Subharmonicon. From times to times I think : well, I don’t know, maybe it’s a bit limited, etc. ; end then something beautiful and unexpected comes out of it. I am thinking I should get a DFAM.
Norand Mono. Kinda the opposite of the Subharmonicon sound wise. Screaming and raucous, modulate everything. Filter FM. Probably a bit expensive, and I think I am not a fan of the envelopes shapes, but still. Designed in Vannes where I spend my holidays by the sea.
Not sure :
Sonicware ELZ 1. There is a lot to love about it. Nice form factor, portable, some curious synth engines (very well laid out FM engine, where the succession of the algorithms makes sense, for once). But, despite the numerous firmaware upgrades, still lacking in the modulation department. That with the fact that it doesn’t respond to midi cc’s makes for quite a static / not very expressive sound generator. Wondering if I should sell it. On the other hand it does some sounds that my others synths don’t. Though I think I don’t love 8 bit that much. Oh, well.
No real definitive misses for me this year. End of 2020 miss, though : Polyend Tracker.
