I guess the point is that the thread is specifically about multi-timbral synths in production, not just any and all such instruments.
From the OP:
I’ve only just realised that the Waldorf Iridium Core is two-part multitimbral - two layers, each with its own MIDI channel, 12 voices total shared between two layers but each voice is three oscillators (and five different synth engine options for each) so one voice goes a long way.
Came out (I think) about a year ago and very much still in production. Deep deep deep sound design monster, and a lot smaller than the Iridium Desktop (which is pretty bloody enormous IMO). It is high on my GAS list at the moment.
Price has come down recently in UK (and EU also I think) and is only about £200 more than a Digitone 2. US prices are still bonkers though IIRC because of the weird US distribution deal (aka the “Korg tax”) that Waldorf have with Korg USA.
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Hey! Big thanks by the way! I didn’t notice this in the settings somehow. I definitely appreciate having a catch mode. Nice little improvement to my experience with this thing.
The goat.
The Korg Wavestate is 4-part multi-timbral but only has one stereo ouput.
Speaking of that, another helpful tip related to the catch mode: if you press shift and turn a knob it tells you the current value without changing it. Super helpful when changing parts.
As for the threads topic. It’s likely that the SH-4d is not the best multi timbral synth in production. But for value? It can’t be beat in any way, I think.
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Well, each oscialllator is effectivly its own layer - you can modulate oscillator volume - it just shares the same filter setup. To achieve the same complexity on a blofeld you would have to layer 6 sounds, and you dont have the performance control over the individual sound, in the same way as a iridium has. (As the Multitmbral setup allows less tweaking of the sound.) (But yes - i would also prefer to have 8 layers of Irdium surly.)
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Kodamo Mask1 is 4 part multitimbral, 10 voice polyphony.
Now 12 voices (2 voices added in firmware update), and 5 part multitimbral (relying on split voice for the currently selected part).
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Gas and decision paralysis hitting hard as I’m now in the market for a multi-timbral module.
Digitone 2 and Multi/poly module are both heavy contenders right now.
Heck, there’s even the UB-xa D.
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Nord A2 Rack Modules sound incredible still and are cheaper than ever.
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If you’re considering the UB-XA D you should wait until they fix the MIDI implementation. I tried one and I was getting system lockups (requiring reboot of the instrument) from simply changing the patches too quickly from another controller sending program changes.
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If you’re playing live, you’ll want something reliable. Personally I would play with a Nord Modular G2 Engine if given the opportunity. They seem extremely well built with very few moving parts.
But to cover the ground that you’d want…to me, the choice is EASY:
Elektron Digitone 2 and Korg Multi/Poly Desktop
• Quality build
• Hands on control / ability to tweak and improvise
• Built-in effects (better than the Nord Modular’s at this point)
• You’d have a total of 2 stereo outs
• Many of the other synths people are listing are 1 trick ponies - only subtractive analog, or obscure digital. These two would cover a HUGE range of synthesis methods including very rich virtual analog, FM, wavefolding, user wavetable loading should you want some classic “ROMpler” type sounds. The versatility across these two alone can easily power 2 full hours of live performance that would have the dynamism of a DJ set, if your programming and musicality is up to par.
I mean, sure, we ALL want the experience of hearing a Moog SubPhatty or Sequential Prophet pumped through a huge soundsystem with an all analog signal path - and if that’s what you absolutely live for, you go and get it - I can relate! But if the need to have real analog kneecaps you from being able to play a really diverse and dynamic set list to the point where you’re not getting any bookings, then what’s the point? I’ve always felt like a good, controllable, multitimbral digital synth like a Korg Radias or Multi/Poly with built-in EQ, compression, and effects makes for more dynamic live productions than a buttery amazing analog that can only do “one thing” really well.
• with this combo you’re getting a total of 20 multitimbral parts
• I finally feel like–with a combo like this–the venerable Virus Ti is finally starting to get precarious on its pedestal. The hands-on UI of these new synths are getting really good. Korg’s new UI takes some time to get your head around, but at this point I’d prefer it over a Virus.
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Is this still an issue? I’ve been eyeing this one.
No idea – I returned the one I had bought for a refund. You might check the firmware release notes to see if there’s any hint that this has been addressed.
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