Monosynth for someone with chronic pain? Pro3 vs Typhon vs AS-1 vs Norand Mono

Mumdad · 2023-03-29T19:06:57.515Z

I thought I’d seen something along these lines before so went and had a look in the Gearspace thread:

About the stiffness of the knobs, just turn each knob fast back and forth for about 30s and they will loosen up considerably. And they stay that way so it is a one time thing.

I’ve got no idea if it’ll be enough but might be worth asking someone to do that for you combined with the fader lube thing? Quite a funny request to make though and I bet it’s one of those things that’s way more tiring to do than you expect!

m0ld · 2023-03-29T19:23:48.006Z

So, I actually tried this when I got mine. I also bought it used, so presumably the previous owner had also wiggled all the knobs before me

And yeah it was actually exhausting lol

styphonthal · 2023-03-29T22:14:39.014Z

What about the Matrixbrute?

Stone262 · 2023-03-29T23:38:01.780Z

Good luck, this is really hard to answer.

For what it’s worth I just ranked the following in order of most to least stiff.

Vermona Perfourmer Mk2; og Circuit, Waldorf STVC, Analog Heat Mk 2, Digitone, Beatstep, AS1.

Although when I tried again there was some second guessing that the elektron were much stiffer than the AS1.

HotdogLothario · 2023-03-29T23:43:24.169Z

Stone262:

Vermona Perfourmer Mk2

Weird, my PerFourmer knobs are like butter.

shigginpit · 2023-03-29T23:45:22.763Z

or perhaps your hands are like knives

HotdogLothario · 2023-03-29T23:51:21.623Z

i do have adamantium claws.

pmags · 2023-03-29T23:55:37.971Z

HotdogLothario:

adamantium claws

snikt!

But I agree, my Vermona knobs are nice and smooth!

shigginpit · 2023-03-29T23:56:34.366Z

sniktety sniktety snakt! should I call you Logan or Weapon X?

Stone262 · 2023-03-30T00:02:27.005Z

It’s probably through lack of use on my part haha. Although I didn’t twist every type on the panel.

JohntheSavage · 2023-03-30T00:17:45.242Z

The lightest encoders in the game currently are on the Modal Argon/Cobalt.

Both are very capable synths, and reasonably priced too.

Cheers!

obscurerobot · 2023-03-30T00:18:24.356Z

The knobs on my Wavestate and OPSIX turn very easily. Assuming Korg uses the same components on their entry level gear, the Monologue should be a good choice.

Anti-recommendation: The Mk1 Syntrx’ knobs are on the stiff side. I enjoy the feel, but don’t have any chronic pain issues.

m0ld · 2023-03-30T01:09:23.263Z

obscurerobot:

The knobs on my Wavestate and OPSIX turn very easily.

Yeah, the Opsix is so smooth to use. One of my favorite devices, partially for that reason.

Lampmeister · 2023-03-30T12:46:00.574Z

Stone262:

For what it’s worth I just ranked the following in order of most to least stiff.

A squirt of contact cleaner and 30 seconds of exercise and they’ll all be the same.

JES · 2023-03-30T13:18:50.777Z

hi @m0ld – I am also a synth player with chronic pain, though mine is different from yours (aren’t they all?). Glad to see someone else in my boat here. I’ll shoot you a PM but here’s some public information for anyone else looking at this thread.

I’ve got both the Mono and the Typhon right now. I have laid hands on recent Sequential synths but don’t own any. Both the Mono and the Typhon have considerably less resistance than a recent Sequential synth would, but are not the absolute loosest pots I’ve played.

The Typhon has bigger pots as well, in case hand position matters at all. Norand recently switched to plastic knobs that are much easier to grip IMO than the metal ones.

The Mono has a lot of key combos to remember and with 2.0, they won’t be labelled on the case (unless Norand decided to sell a new case). Stepping in the filter hasn’t been an issue for me.

The Typhon has a tiny screen and faders, which are maybe easier on the hands than knobs. I find the Typhon screen too tiny for my taste (it’s just hard for me to see in the flow of music-making) and have been meaning to sell mine. But it does sound fabulous.

The Typhon is definitely mellower of the two but has fewer FM options. Those two facts are related.

In my experience, both companies have fantastic customer support. Yes, the 2.0 update is slow coming with the Norand, but that just means they are trying to get it right, which I really appreciate.

Hope this helps, happy to follow up.

delta-c · 2023-03-30T13:30:36.813Z

Something to consider: larger knobs on any pot reduce the force required to turn the pot by increasing the torque generated for the same effort. If you really like a synth but want the knobs to be easier to move, and they’re spaced far enough apart to permit it, simply swapping larger knobs will make it often quite noticeably easier to manipulate.

tinara · 2023-03-30T13:52:36.769Z

Maybe a bit stupid but reading your first post, I though that maybe an interface as https://www.embodme.com/ could provide an alternative while keeping the synth (on condition that you can have full midi cc parameter or the one you want reachable).

m0ld · 2023-03-30T14:09:53.413Z

I was actually looking at these a few days ago! They are high on my list of things that might help.

Tchu · 2023-03-30T14:20:19.714Z

Other suggestion : Moog Sirin/Minitaur. The knobs are really smooth and well spaced.

m0ld · 2023-04-05T19:27:52.596Z

Update:

I bought a Typhon, it came in a few days ago. Sounds great, and I can navigate it with less pain. The footprint is a nice bonus, it’s a perfect size. It should fill the same niche in my setup. I appreciate all the help everyone!