This is very relevant to me as I keep thinking about getting one but the Roland S-1 is much cheaper and does a lot of the same stuff of you can get over it being digital.
I think it really depends on what you want the S1 to do. If itâs just about the sound, I think Nymphes will get you there like 80 percent. And can do a lot more sounds the S1 would struggle to make.
However, SH 101 to me is all about the interface, itâs the most playable, instrument like synth to me. Giving you just enough control to change a lot on the fly without being overwhelming. Itâs so inviting and rewarding! Donât know how well that translates to S1 interface, but I guess itâs also quite hands on. Potential deal breaker for me is how much range you get on the cutoff on S1, itâs the one slider on SH01a that I feel should be bigger, cause itâs hard not to make it sound steppy if youâre slowly raising cutoff. But who knows, maybe S1 is better in that department.
So short story: If youâre looking for a poly with a wide palette that can also do the Roland basses and leads, Nymphes. If youâre mainly looking for a characterful Mono thatâs perfect for playing live, but can also be a nice poly for some occasions, get S1 (or a used SH01a).
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I would say get it. Maybe look at which controls are hidden in the menu plus knob function, which is okay but not that intuitive. Everything involving shift is working fine for live imo and will be easy to remember after a few sessions I think. If presets are important to you, you might also check how you navigate them on Nymphes and if you feel comfortable doing that live.
The only analog poly alternative to me thatâs as portable and runs on batteries is JX-08, and Nymphes absolutely eats that thing in terms of sound and versatility imo, that became clear after only a few days.
Let me know if thereâs any particular sound or slider action you would like to hear before buying, I can try it.
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A big thanks again, friend!
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Itâs a ridiculously good synth for the money - I had mine for sale for under 300 quid that noone picked up which I thought was crazy! (I was only selling to cover costs of another purchase, nothing to do with the synth)
The only thing I donât really like about it is the saving - itâs easy to delete a save. That said itâs also very easy to patch from scratch, and sounded wise its just sounds so lovely and old, in a similar way to how a cs5 does: simple yet lovely!
Sure there are limitations, but itâs well worth getting one if you like what you hear - sounds great!
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I would usually never have a synth with the kind of UI that Nymphes has. Itâs easy to override patches, and itâs easy to lose track of whatâs doing what, when there are SHIFT-functions for the sliders.
But, despite of these âflawsâ, Iâm still very, very fond of the Nymphes. What it lacks in UI it offers in sound and footprint. I think I somewhat consider it a synth without memory, because Iâve fucked it up few too many times, so itâs instead become my fondle-around-for-a-bit-and-then-record-synth - and I actually find that quite nice. Itâs simple, but very, very satisfying.
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Good to hear! Thatâs my intention as well. I love how I never use presets on SH 01a and was looking for a poly that I can use the same way. Not sure if this will work out for a structured live set, but I can already tell it will give me these moments of just creating something in the moment, record it, and use as is for texture or even main elements in a track.
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Good to see the love for the Nymphes, I too think its an amazing synth and its price is incredible om top of that. I just love that Dreadbox sound, a little unruly, a little dirty and unpredictable, always rich and lively. UI of the synth could have been better (eg why are envelopes a SHIFT function?), but itâs simple enough a synth to be able to work it still. Re patch saving etc, I just treat it like it doesnât have patch storage and just design the sounds I want on the go. Nice side effect, it makes for a more intimate relationship with its sound engine for me.
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I hate the saving system in this synth but sounds amazing, and itâs a keeper in the studio. Small form factor, built like a tank and great sound.
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I use it in the same way - itâs a quick work around so thereâs not too much need to save everything. Occasionally I try to and remind myself why I stopped!
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I have a question about Program Change. I know there are 49 save Slots. If I use the DT, will the Slots be on the same Bank/Sub Bank?
About the saving process : for me, it should be easy if I use the quick Save Function (Shift+Save then Save again) assuming that this Function saves automatically in the Slot Iâm on?
Yes, there are 2 banks of 49 each (factory, user), and yes, the Shift +Save combo will save the patch to the current slot. You can pick a slot using the user interface. Changing programs and running expression (MW, AT, via knobs or LFO) through the DT works like a dream for me.
The envelope question you had above: Iâd guess it varies from unit to unit and user to user. On mine I really have to go looking for it (lowest octave, zero attack, a puff of noise as the note engages), and it all but disappears as the box warms up, 20 minutes or so. Itâs also not the snappiest envelope out there.
My sense is that it may not be for everyone, and not âshinyâ sounding like the Take 5 say, but I find itâs a blast, especially with a guitar pedal or two (Iâve got a univibe-style phaser thatâs too much fun with it).
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Thank you @Humanprogram!
How do you access those 2 Banks on the DT? Do they reside in the same Bank/Sub Bank on the DT? Letâs say DT Sub Bank 1, Presets 1 to 49 are the Nymphes Factory and 50 to 98 are for the Nymphes User?
Yes, it makes things easier for sure.
Thatâs good to hear, I donât want a second Take 5. 
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Bank 1 PC 1-49 is user patches, Bank 2 1-49 is Factory. (On the machine, factory patches are individually accessed with a long press of the Load button, and upthread I posted a sysex with init patches in the factory bank.)
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To close this off, itâs hard to argue with the aesthetics of that combo 
:
And because size comparisons can never hurt:
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If anyoneâs been waiting for a dealâŚ
âŹ288 until Monday
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crazy bargain
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A complimentary review of the Nymphes on Bad Gear, good sounds on the outro jam, and a valiant effort at using the reverb earlier onâŚ
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Hi yâall
Does anymore have compared Nymphes with the original Minilogue?
Iâm more interested in sound comparisons, since Nymphes interface is not a deal breaker for me, and both are in similar price ranges.
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I had a Minilogue and now have a Nymphes and iâd really like to have a Nymphes with the Minilogue UI.
Sounds of synths are hard to describe but to me the Minilogue sounds a bit cleaner. And i prefer the filter of the Nymphes, especially the resonance. More squelchy? Idk as i said itâs hard to explain. I just get more satisfying sounds out of the Nymphes.
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