Hi guys, good Thursday.
As stated in the title I am in search of a portable, battery operated synth to take with my m8 tracker.
I’d prefer some hands on semi-modular, even if my budget is under 500.
I know the MAKE NOISE 0-coast, I am trying to understand it, you are more than welcome to name your ideas or something similar to that o-coast
0-Coast is simply the best semi-modular available. Incredible bass tones. Look no further.
I’m considering another one to pair with Model:Samples. Other than that one, it would either require a lot more money to get Cascadia or to go down the weird route of Subharmonicon.
I don’t think there are any battery-operated semi-modulars, except for maybe the Korg Volca Modular, which I wouldn’t recommend. 0-Coast is a solid choice, but if you want a more traditional patching experience, the Erica Pico System is excellent.
Agree with @craig, 0-Coast is the way to go. Sounds great, super flexible when you get into patching. Really nice toolbox of “modules” within the semi-mod environment.
I have gripes with the Moog semi-modulars — I don’t like how all of the patch points are contained on one side, separate from their associated knobs on the panel, so you have to read the tiny label or memorize their placement to know what you’re patching. I also don’t love the set of patch points you’re given, it can feel restrictive (mostly speaking from having owned the SubHarmonicon). But of course they’re still great synths, I’m just airing my grievances.
The East Beast and West Pest have always seemed interesting. Pittsburgh SV-1 is also cool.
I am not looking especially for bass tones or other notes, i would need something that can do many things anc can actuallybe played.
one thing keeping me away frome 0-coast is that, if i understood, it is still a module and not a semimodular as the crave, so maybe it is made to perorm better in a modular system
Bastl Softpop might be an interesting option
Are there any major differences between the softpop and softpop2
M8 is MIDI out only, right? I think a nice battery powered option would be the Bastl Softpop 2 but you might need to save for a bit longer or shop used to meet your budget. It will do lots of interesting sounds and has its own sequencer too.
The original Softpop didn’t have all the patch points like the 2 does.
I could see the PWM Malevolent being quite a cool pairing with the M8. Gives you some proper fruity analog to add to the palette and its wildness would probably generate some pretty nice sample fodder.
nope it has in and out
What makes you think that? It is a synthesizer that has all the elements you need, which has patch points, but all of them are normalled so you can use them without patching anything. That’s basically the definition of a semimodular synth.
Not true. With just midi and no patching there’s a lot of mileage with just the envelope and dynamics circuits being triggered by note on and (I think) velocity info. It’s a mono synth in a more traditional sense with midi. Patching is where it’s at tho. And, of course, midi can be combined with patching.
Oh, I meant “and so it doesn’t have CV”. That would rule out the Volca Modular (and probably others) if the OP wanted to sequence from the M8.
My bad, thought it was more of a modular thing to use in the “racks”, saw some other videos, it’s a beast. Make noise has some amazing things
Understood, thanks. It is really nice sounding but also the soft pop 2 is interesting