I recently decided that I want to change my Virus Ti Polar for a compact analog poly, since I also have the Iridium Core and Opsix and I need more analog warmth in my tracks. What I like is 90s ambient stuff like Irrestible Force, Higher Intelligence Agency, Biosphere to name a few, but also psychill from that era like The Infinity Project, Makyo, Solar Quest, etc.
So, I’ve narrowed down the choice to Take 5 and Teo 5, which have very similar architecture, but different sound due to the filter. I don’t have the space for more keys - 44 is the maximum I can cram in.
I was really convinced that Teo 5 is what I want, since it is the newer kid and was very close to pull the trigger on the preorder, but the more demos of Take 5 I watched, the more I liked what I hear, especially that raw character, compared to the glossier sound of Teo 5 to my ears.
Definitely comes down to what flavor synth you prefer. I have the Take 5 and that’s definitely the right one for me, but basically because I knew I wanted something Prophet like. The Jexus patches really nail the sound I’m after, but I’m not going for the sounds you are after, so no idea what’s right for you. Both great synths, so just listen to as many demos you can and decide that way unless you can go play them in person.
I am not familiar with the stuff you posted, but if this is the kind of sound you are after it sounds very Take 5 to me. Listen to the Jexus patches on YouTube.
The synth sounds in that album (very cool by the way!) have what I think of as “old documentary film synth sounds”. That’s exactly what the Take 5 excels at in my mind. It does other stuff as well of course, but is really great at capturing those really old school film synth sounds.
Here is a track I did a long time ago with the Take 5 and Moog Grandmother, which was sort of my attempt at like late 1970s, early 1980s sci-fi film vibes…which is also where the Take 5 is amazing.
What about an analog heat behind the Virus TI polar? It ends up in the digital domain anyway. I own a prophet 6 and the Virus emulator on pc and quitte impressed by the Virus. Live straight thru analog mixer and monitors the virus lacks that “pure electric current ear candy”’ the PRO6 delivers, but once in the mix and digital domain the amount of patches that keep that raw quality decrease. Just my 2 pennies. I love analog gear but the Virus has some nice colour of it’s own.
Well, the Virus Ti Polar has the Analog Heat behind already… My problem with the Virus is that it sounds a little thinner than how an analog like Take 5 can pierce through the mix, and somehow the filter doesn’t inspire me like those in the title.
Actually my plans for the Virus are to let it rest for a bit, will never sell it, as it contains the whole psytrance era I have grown with…
you nailed it perfectly, I am really after those kinds of sounds…
now what is left is if someone can tell what kind of sounds Teo or other Oberheims it draws from excel at, From what I can tell, it’s a little bit more trancey and also synthwave-y kind of sound.
I might be totally off base, but the Oberheim sound to me feels thicker, colder, heavier. Like something I would want to reach for it if I was doing an early 1980s cyborg cop movie…so maybe synthwave isn’t too far off the mark.
Can’t speak to both synths, but if you like what you’re hearing from the Take 5 that has the exact form factor you’re going for, you might as well just get that one used. It’s out longer so there should be some good deals for a used unit that’s still quite new (hasn’t been released that long ago). You won’t find these for the Teo. There should also be more patches, demos, experienced user tips etc. for the Take 5 that should make it easier to know what you’re getting and have more fun with it when you bought it.
If you don’t want to buy used, maybe just look at what are the essential differences that only Take 5 or Teo offer you. Then see if one of these is really important to you. Or if there’s something missing from either of these that’s crucial to you.
Then you should probably not overthink it and just get that one, unless there’s some crucial feature on the Teo that the Take 5 doesn’t have. Like I said above, lots of upsides to getting a (used) Take 5.
Sounds like the Take 5 is the one to go with. Honestly, I was searching forever to figure out what synth had the tone I was after. I even made a thread about it.
I actually first dismissed the Take 5, thinking I wanted a Prophet 5 or Prophet 6. So glad I decided to give it a go as it’s ended up being perfect for me. Some people say the Take 5 also has sort of old school Roland vibes, which is also good for the sounds I like.
I find it pairs super well with the deep earthy tones from the Moog Grandmother (often described as Moog modular sounding). Prophet and old school Moogs go together like peanut butter and chocolate.
I had Grandmother, but sold it, because of the lack of preset memory and I always tended to use the same patch, just out of laziness probably. Then I bought the Subsequent 37 and I use it now for all bass duties. For some reason, I think I liked the sound of the GM better.
I also have the Prophet 08 desktop and I really dig the sound, but I am currently selling it to fund the Take 5/Teo 5 purchase.
Through-Zero FM on the TEO-5 is a super-power - love the sound of the Neoni (through zero FM oscillator). Harmonically pleasing FM basslines will get you far in the electronica domain.
As well as the general analog poly-ness.
Glad you made this topic, was thinking of asking almost the same thing. I’ve been looking at switching up from my Minilogue XD for a while, and the Take/Teo 5 look perfect in terms of capabilities, modulation, size, etc.
I’m also struggling to pick, had almost settled on the Take 5, when the TEO-5 was announced. Both look amazing really.
I’m in no rush, and the TEO is only just starting to go out from the sounds of things, so I’ll probably sit tight another few months until some more actual non-synthfluencer reviews come out.
I’ve already pulled the trigger on the Take 5. Just bought it new from Thomann, so if it is not what I expect it to be, I can return it and order the Teo instead.
I will report soon
My problem with the Virus is that it sounds a little thinner than how an analog like Take 5 can pierce through the mix, and somehow the filter doesn’t inspire me like those in the title.
