This is actually something of a GAS antidote for myself but to my surprise I couldn’t find a thread (except for a couple of specific ones) where we could express our love for the synth we’re having the most fun with right now.
For me right now it’s the Prophet 6 (desktop). I’ve had it for about eight months now and I’m kinda finding a new, more quiet, fragile side of it - something that I really love about synths! I think the layout on the synth is absolutely perfect, knob per function like it should be, and I’m just loving the sound, loving spending time with it right now. Feel really inspired by the sounds that it’s giving me and can see a bunch of songs just waiting to get written on it in the near future.
I must admit that although this is a love letter, I don’t love the onboard fx (especially the reverbs) but that’s alright - I’m trying my best not to rely too much on the fx in sound design anyway.
So what’s your favourite piece of gear right now, and why?
Can’t think of another gear that bends to my will or bring me to uncharted territories like this one.
The trip is far from over.
Longest honeymoon ever.
i got a full closet of gear, but whatever setup i use, these 3 little things are always there:
Axoloti – my secret weapon. arpeggiator, modulator, MIDI processor, input handler, etc etc etc (and also the only device that allows me coding in C without real C knowledge )
Launchpad [X/Pro] – perfect input device, and nice UI to my secret weapon.
RK-006 – simplified and compacted all my setups a lot.
Right now for me would be the Vermona Mono Lancet '15, it’s defintiely a honeymoon period haha
I think it’s a hugely underrated synth, especially for the cost. Has everything I need in a mono synth, in a neat package whilst being totally tactile. The modular dock also enables it to occupy this nice middleground between desktop synth and eurorack module (although I do wish there were a VCA out). I’d been struggling to create the kind of dual-oscillator mono synth I like in my rack and as many will know creating basic subtractive synthesis in eurorack is clunky and expensive.
I’m enjoying its sound so much right now I’m struggling to not overwhelm the mix with it - it’s so juicy!
Right now Novation Circuit Rhythm, loaded with my own samples, so fast and direct to get ideas happening, in terms of raw user interface it feels very 21st century, where a lot of gear still feels a bit 20th century.
By no means is it a be all and end all machine, indeed there are a few things I wish it had, but it is enough to make finished tracks with. It is also quite nice to perform/jam on, the portability, form factor and physical aspects are almost perfect for me. The pads are some of very few that I’ve used which have a fairly even response across their range.
Using it has also made me think about ways of using some of my other gear too, including Octatrack.
I’m noticing a different way of working is affecting the outcome of my sound in a positive and interesting way.
Often when I’m “in the zone” I find that most sequencers can “get in the way” due to some kind of housekeeping/necessity operation being required to move on, CR keeps this kind of thing to a minimum.
In addition the structure is very well thought out, you can just create a bunch of stuff, then organise it later within some reasonable but not overly restrictive restrictions.
Interesting that you and circuitghost have both been praising the CR lately. I’m still not sure I grasp what use case it’s really suited to… drum machine? hip-hop-type sampling?
I had similar reservations, I don’t think the name Circuit Rhythm is helping, it is a lot more than a drum machine, and loaded up with a bunch of your favourite sounds I think you’d enjoy it, especially given you like the other Circuits (you were one of those responsible for putting the idea of Circuit back in my brain )
For me it is the sketchpad aspect, I load it up with about half drum and half synth samples, and away. It sounds nice, and is super convenient, the old adage the best gear is the gear you use is apt here.
Dear favourite gear can we hang out together
Dear favourite gear your really pretty
Dear favourite gear i think im in love with you
Dear favourite gear can we become an item
Dear favourite gear why did you do that
Dear favourite gear im not talking to you right now
Dear favourite gear when are you moving out
Dear favourite gear ive met someone else
Dear favourite gear goodbye
Ever since pick-up, our relationship has been far from static. I am amazed every time you flex your musical muscles. I love you thru and thru. Even when you are out of sight, it feels you are as close as my neighbor.
You are the buffer to my recorder, the chaos to my order
I will probably never grasp your full depth, but I will keep exploring until there is no exploration left.
Mpc Live ii.
She’s like a very solid relationship that brings out the best of me and despite I’ve known her for a while, I still discover new things every now and then.
Plus Akai sends her to the hairdresser and it comes back the same but with something new about her. And she learns new things that push you even further.
Sure, sometimes I might do some window shopping but that’s a half hearted thing.
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