I have a Analog Rytm and TB-03 currently, but looking for a polysynth to round out my setup so I can just live jam without working ITB. Right now I’m doing most of my polysynth work in Ableton while playing the TB-03 and AR. The synths I’ve looked at are the Minilogue XD, Analog Four, and System-8 (or 1) so far. I always end up just unsure about the decision tbh. Does anyone have any insight that maybe produces similar music?
System 8 is a good shout, the sequencer isn’t a patch on the Elektron one but it’s still very usable. Plug outs are great but so is the native S8 engine too. A cheaper alternative might be something like the UltraNova. You sacrifice the sequencer but you still get a decent arp and chord memory. Sounds good to my ears too. If you’re thinking about the S8 you’re around the price point of the Sequential T5 too. Great sound, sequencer and arp, better FX imo that the S8 and it doesn’t take up much space either. You might not get that supersaw sounds ala the JP8000 or UltraNova but I bet you could get close in unison mode with some detune and modulation. It’s not a sound I’ve tried to programme on the T5 yet.
Yeah, just the arp on board. Compared to the other two it’s considerabke cheaper on the second hand market so that might leave you something left over for a sequencer. That might not be the way you want to go tho? For me, I couldn’t be without a hardware sequencer of one description or another. I use the DN for a lot of jobs but I’ve also used the onboard S8 seq to drive other synths over midi. As I say it all depends on your workflow but an external sequencer can be a really handy tool
Another sequencer option might be one of the older grooveboxes such as the Yamaha RM1X if you don’t mind going the second hand route. I used mine for years and still use it for some stuff. Sequencer is based on the QY range and they did quite a few models over the years. Also you could consider one of the older Roland MC’s such as the 505. I can’t speak from experience but some of those older hardware sequencers/grooveboxes had pretty good sequencing facilities.
Yeah I like mine (although it’s out on long term loan at the mo). I wouldn’t say it would be my first choice for a poly and the sequencer is a fairly limited from memory. But it can sound good and would cover some of those supersaw type sounds. Bear in mind it’s paraphonic rather than fully polyphonic so the oscillators share a filter and amp where as the others mentioned are full poly synths
Ah yeah I noticed the sequencer is more of a memory sequencer which could be a PITA when programming. I really like how affordable it is and it produces some cool sounds, but maybe not what I’m looking for. It’s funny how easy it was to get the AR and TB03, but when it comes to a polyphonic synth it becomes much harder to find at least for me.
Looking at it, the MC101 might be a solid choice because it has a sequencer and all the classic Roland sounds (JP, Juno, SH101, etc.)
I owned an MC-505 for years and, while the seuqencer is quite good, the sound quality is sub-par. The marketing literature claimed that the synth engine was based on the Roland JV series. While that was true in terms of waveform list and architecture/signal path, the waveforms themselves were compressed to shit and sounded very thin. Not recommended if you want to make polysynths that have that up-front vibe in those hard/acid records.