I bit the bullet and got a Pro 3. First impressions are that it sounds fantastic. I immediately feel connected to the core sound, which is a great feeling. When you can buy an instrument and the sound immediately feels personal vs having to convince yourself you like the sound (quick glance at Matrixbrute).
I’ve definitely noticed a couple bugs that I’ve read about, such as: the encoder jumping to a whole other parameter page for no reason, strange behavior when saving a new patch, and a faint digital swirling noise on some patches. Some of the encoders give me bad memories of the Mopho desktop, where if you wiggle an encoder in place, it flops all over the place. And if you turn too quickly, it feels like it almost stalls out. Not my favorite thing and surprised they still use those, but oh well.
However, I was mainly interested in using the sequencer and seeing what happens in conjunction with being sequenced simultaneously with a Digitakt. I wanted to see if I could utilize the DT for real time note recording, while still using the sequencer lanes for modulation on the Pro 3. My first attempts were a little clumsy but I’m starting to see what it is/isn’t able to do. Some of the seq modes like the trig (step thru) is great to have. Reminds me of the step advance on the DFAM, and is a cool way to sequence the sequence and get more irregular rhythms going.
Has anyone tried to sequence the Pro 3 externally along with the internal sequencer? Any take aways from your experience? I think the Pro 3 will be a great instrument and I’m happy to accept the built in limitations. However I must say, though I knew not having real time note record was a draw back before buying, it would be SO much better with that feature. It’s just such a flow killer to step input.
Also, does anyone else find the sequence/pattern clearing awkward? I hope i’m missing something. I love how the Minilogue’s have real time rest recording! So you can also carve back into the sequence with some sort of playability. I’m hopeful that an external sequencing buddy will be the ticket somehow.
I would think just using the DT in live record mode would suffice for ‘live note’ recording. But you would probably have to run midi out from the pro3 into the DT to record input from the pro3 keyboard if using the DT keyboard mode would be too limiting octave wise.
I got mine to replace a Moog Sub37. I couldn’t be happier. It’s a fantastic synth and the buggy sequencer clock from the Rev2 are not present (thank god).
Has anyone here had reason to dismantle an SE? Reason I ask is that although iv’e had my Pro 3 for a while (bought used) I’ve only just discovered that the reset button doesn’t seem to work. I haven’t really had cause to use it until recently when I wanted to experiment with some polyrhythmic type sequences, is there a way to change step length without using reset+step button?
I thought perhaps a dab of dioxit under the button might do the trick, but it doesn’t look like the simplest job to get inside the top panel and I’m worried I’ll break something doing so.
Have you tried hitting that button (with a little force) like 50-100 times in a row. This has worked for me with a synth or two in the past. Sometimes you just need to wake it up.
I’ve repeatedly clicked it over and over as sequential state that the switches are self cleaning but not with any real force. I’ll try applying a little more pressure but I don’t think it will help, the button gives the same click/resistance as all the others.
It actually worked!!! I did try dropping some deoxit in the gap around the button so whether that aided in its resurrection I don’t know, just thankful I’ve a fully functioning pro 3
I agree. Not a deal breaker by any means but having owned my pro3 for a few years now real time recording (of notes, unquantized) is at the top of my list of desired features. I don’t think the omission is necessarily a flaw either, I just prefer real time note entry in general and this is one of very few areas where I have found myself at odds with Dave’s offerings.
Do you have a DT/ST/DN by chance? I spent some more time with the Digitakt and Pro 3 today, and it’s actually a very interesting combo. It took me awhile to understand how the Pro 3 responds and what’s possible, but this is a fruitful work around for interjecting more real time control while still utilizing the Pro 3’s sequencer. I’m happy to describe my findings but it’s lengthy, and don’t want to bogart the thread. Let me know if you’re/anyone’s interested.
Also a bonus, running the DT audio thru the Pro 3 at the same time gets what I imagine I might have wanted from a Analogue Heat! Some nice flavors of drive and distortion with modulation over frequency and 2 simple FX. Nice.
I used to have a DN but I never really connected with it so I eventually sold it. I do have other gear that I could use for sequencing the pro3 that way though (rytm, m:c, etc) so I’d be interested in hearing your thoughts on this subject if they’re applicable outside of the digi trio.
Great! I’m actually starting a Gdoc which I may just link to. This is going to be a MAMMOTH post otherwise, haha. Give me some time to flush out my thoughts and describe my findings. Be back shortly…
Are you sure? I can sense a lag in the LFOs when synced with a sequence. As a matter of fact, the LFO is on the voice, not the sequencer portion of the chips on the board, so this might be the explanation.
The sequencer (gates) and the arpeggiator sync when synced to my cirklon which is clocking my ARmkii. No track delays or anything required to get them super tight.
After reading your post I thought I’d give it a test with an init patch. You were right. The clock sync LFO can be a bit out. They are in time but the phase can shift on the beat differently on each press of play. The Horror! Then I remembered that key sync wasn’t on and would probably sort that out and it does. You had me worried for a second. Do you have key sync turned on?
In any case, if you do have midi clocking issues on LFOs and you want to rhythmic stuff with them, just make sure they reset on keypress and tune them by ear. That way lies wonderment and joy. Fuck clocked LFOs! You can still get tight rhythms going and you’re not a slave to dodgy midi clock jitter.
My main issue with the Rev2 gate sequencer is that you have to trigger the notes early (24 midi ticks) or it badly lags behind the beat.
But this is totally different. Without the key sync, you can for example build a drum sequence and make the LFO modulate the cutoff in the correct spots of the beat to imitate a snare. With the key sync you won’t achieve that effect because the LFO will go back to 0 with each new note.
Doesn’t bother me because I’d use the sequencer to do rhythmic patterns. In all the ways I’d use this synth the LFOs clock perfectly. They clearly don’t reset on a midi start stop message so they just get the tempo from the clock. I’m not going to tie myself in knots trying to make that work when it works so great in other areas. It would like be expecting the main 3 oscillators to reset on midi start. They either free run or key sync. Same for the LFOs. It’s not a fault or bug.
Raising the thread from the dead . How do you all feel about the Pro 3 in late 24? I’m thinking about picking one up as I find my A4 MKII a bit lacking in core tone but want something with robust sequencer capabilities. Not saying that I’m selling the A4MKII though, love the sequencer workflow on that thing.
Thx, I had a Syntakt and I don’t love it, great box though. I have a Take 5, and that thing kicks, but lacks a sophisticated sequencer. TEO-5 is on the radar too, but again, no sophisticated sequencer.
I love my Syntakt, but it can’t even remotely approach the tone my Pro-3 had. The Pro-3 really has a special something I’ve not been able to replicate with any other synth I’ve used.
You can still get tight rhythms going and you’re not a slave to dodgy midi clock jitter.
. How do you all feel about the Pro 3 in late 24? I’m thinking about picking one up as I find my A4 MKII a bit lacking in core tone but want something with robust sequencer capabilities. Not saying that I’m selling the A4MKII though, love the sequencer workflow on that thing.