I trend to want to go deep with my synths. As an example i reallly liked Peak, but its mod matrix was such a pita that it was a chore to program. Rev2 looks incredible in that it’s all basically knob per function with LOADS of modulation.
Funnily enough there is a prophet 5 desktop available for a fair price as well, but i feel like i could dive that deep with it.
it certainly is that.
yeah the P5 isn’t nearly as deep. there’s plenty for me (and what’s there is well thought-out), but I generally want fairly simple polyphonic sounds.
If that’s the case, get it… you’ll always be able to flip it if it’s not for you.
The Rev2 is a fantastic concept synth, as in most things you think up wanting to try it’ll be able to do it… and it can sound superb, there’s tons of examples of it sounding great out there in lots of different contexts.
I’ve been sat with a bunch of different synths in this poly category for a while (Rev2, Prophet 6, Prophet 12, Peak, Arturia Polybrute, Roland JDXA) and the Rev2 is the one I’ve always gravitated too.
(That’s only been challenged very recently for me as I’ve got to the Prophet X.)
With regards to the slightly sterile sound, I have found that the vintage voice modelling trick shown in the video below is an absolute game changer. Really beefs up the sound and generates a more old school analogy poly tone to the rev2. In my opinion it’s a lovely synth and well worth spending time with.
that is a killer tip. i was mainly gonna try and use the sequencer to get gated sounds akin to Flume, but this is also an awesome way to use the gate sequencer
The rev2 mod matrix is a little quicker to dial in (in some cases) than the peak, but it has its quirks, too.
For example if you want a global LFO you don’t really have one, some of the effects can result in harsh noise when modulated (especially if you send a poly mod source to a mono destination like delay time).
That said, I like that slop is front panel and generally good enough for most rapid patch creation duties. I’m comparing the keyboard to the summit though, and the summit’s FM and filter FM is a bit more useful for me. There are times the hold button to select source/destination does not cooperate, but you learn what those cases are
Anyway, I think they are pretty similar in terms of modulation depth. You’ll probably edit the wrong part of a split a few times before you get used to how it wants you to manage that.
That technique works really well with the 16 voice version too, as you’re often using it stacked as an 8-voice synth.
Definite +1 on voice modeling with the gated sequencer, when you’re looking for that VCO sound.
Also, I find that using the Sound Tower app is incredibly useful for sound design. Having all the settings for both layers legible at the same time goes a long way. Once a sound is dialed in, the controls make it very playable with just the front panel, but it’s easy (for me at least) to get lost without that visual framework showing me what’s going on when trying to make something that’s more complex.
If getting deep is your thing, there is a lot to explore here.
Unlike many others, I really like the filter, and also the distortion has an unusual character that I also like.
The REV2 DCO’s are much brighter than the Prophet 5/6 VCO’s. While it doesn’t sound as “good” on the init patch or a raw unfiltered/unmodulated sound, it can still get really close to the 5/6 and actually be easier to fit into a mix when it’s brighter from the start in my experience. It can be like people don’t like the sound of the Analog Four but if you know what you are doing, you can make it sound like an old vintage synth if you want to.
It lacks the vintage knob feature but with the gated sequencer you can make your own “vintage knob” if you put some time into tuning each step/voice (voice modelling, look it upon youtube). It can also be split left/right with the A/B-part and be “binaural” (like a UDO synth or something) but with manual control over each parameter. Also, the modulation matrix on the Sequentials is much preferred to other brands in my opinion. I will never sell my 16-voice desktop 
I’ll always regret selling my Rev2. I was in the midst of trying out different poly’s and it ended up being my favorite but i never got around to re-acquiring one. I found it to be one of the most pleasing user experiences with regards to sound design and the ability to quickly dial up great patches. I also love the look and feel of the knobs compared to some of Sequential’s other synths like the Take 5 and Pro 3. I also loved that it told you what a parameter’s original value was after you changed it. Great synth! I will get a Rev2 again one day!
I got a chance to give one a spin earlier this year. Fantastic synth. For me, its best feature was creating binaural sounds, hardpanning one voice to the left and one to the right, and still having an eight-voice polysynth despite the stereo voice panning. I don’t love how it sounds when the filter is opened up all the way, but it’s beautiful when it’s dialled into those warmer tones.
I haven’t played any of the other DSI synths or big polys. But I‘d also say it’s definitely a sound design dream synth. With the four LFOs, three envelopes, mod matrix plus dedicated buttons for pan spread and cross mod, you can always sit down and just have nice sound design sessions for a long time before running out of options. And then you haven’t even started to get into using split or layer mode. Assigning stuff is straightforward.
I‘d actually say it shares a lot of characteristics with A4. But unlike A4, it sounds pretty beefy out of the gate and you‘ll easily find sweet spots. That’s at least how I would put the „doesn’t sound great, you have to work for it“ into perspective. Different beast than A4.
It does however have „that DSI sound“ that you have to like. And the filter is not to everyone‘s taste. You can end up in brassy territory rather easily, but it’s also not that hard to find completely different sounds.
Big advantage over the more expensive DSIs imo is that it has a display and that show/compare button. Makes it easier to program or deconstruct patches, and of course you can also name them. And it has four outputs of you use multi timbrality.
I agree with others here that it’s a lot of work to get great sounds out of it. Usually I’m willing to do that work especially with a synth that is made for sound design and the great amount of modulation options was the reason that I went for Rev2. My main problem with it is the lack of fat low end that the top Sequential synths have. There’s no resonance bass compensation and as soon as you crank up the resonance you’ll lose quite a bit of low end.
I really wanted the 3rd wave…
which has tons of low end and while comparing the two in my studio I found that IMO the 3rd Wave is a much better synth. They are of course very different. Rev2 has a real analog tone which the 3rd Wave doesn’t really have out of the box and while it can do great analog patches the difference is quite clear when comparing the two. But it’s good enough analog for me while getting so much more with the 3rd W.
I’m selling my Rev2 because of these reasons but I’m definitely not saying Rev2 is a bad synth.
If I want a real analog again I’ll be going for the OB-6 or the Prophet 6.
Ive never considered that aspect of the synth, I’ve seen it mentioned in other places as well but haven’t really looked into it
This is another great feature for my current setup as well! Since I both multi track and sequence several synths.
I’m very tempted, but I will wait a couple of days to see if my GAS cools off, hopefully it’s not sold by then.
If you’re interested in the keyboard version, I would say it’s a really good keyboard, especially for that price. I‘m not a keys player, but to me it felt leagues ahead of Minilogue or other cheaper synths as well as the Prologue 16 that originally was direct competition. I especially liked how aftertouch felt - it made me understand what that even is and how you use it for the first time.
Sadly I don’t have any room for a keyboard version. But I would love to have one as I really enjoy playing piano… my wife would kill me though, my synth space takes up to much room on the work desk as it is
Not meant to be a plug, but here’s a Rev2 patch I cooked up relatively quickly. Notice the binaural sound of it, not quite chorus, but like a part recorded twice and then hard panned to the left and right. It fills the stereo space unlike most other synths, and unlike any effects can do.
The Rev2 has been on my sale list since I got it 10 years ago, but I never sold it. It’s very versatile, a joy to program and it can sound very nice. It can, but it doesn’t get my juices flowing enough to REALLY love it. There’s nothing quite like it though and it’s a very stable and well thought-out workhorse…
Still miss my Rev2s. I’m really enjoying the OB-6 of course, and I can get Prophety with the 3rd Wave, but the Rev2 actually has a certain something to it. I would love to have desktop one eventually with the rest of these guys. We’ll see. 