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[quote=“” strawberry""]

Ok, maybe some of you MnM heads can help me here. I’ve been quietly lusting after one of these for a while now, but have held back because:

      1.  I've seen people complain about a narrow sweet spot, and that small parameter changes can radically alter the sound, which I know can be a good thing, but leads me to..
      2.  I'm not the worlds greatest synthesist, is this more of an "advanced" synth? Will I spend 1300 euros to make horrible noises?

      3. Its nearly 10 years old, maybe a new version ( with Overbridge) is due! and does that matter?

Sound wise it fits perfectly with the kind of music I do (ambient, dub techno, odd shit), and also compliments my existing gear ,I think (A4, Virus TI2, TB 3,BS II, Maschine). But do I really need it?

I’m sure that any new vids from Cenk are only going to fuel my GAS more, so come on guys, some perspective please.

sorry if I’m rambling, 3/4 of the way into a really good red!!
[/quote]

  1. The sweet spot has a lot to do with how you program it. I think a lot of the critics never get into the filter tracking in the “assign” menu, and that has a huge impact on the flexibility of the synth. I think Elektron might have had a better impact with it by turning the HPF tracking off by default, because it can make a lot of sounds seem same-y. Personally, I tend to change this automatically (and sometimes the LPF tracking as well, tho I leave it on a lot more as I work with the FM machines), and it expands the range greatly.
  2. It can be a more advanced synth. I think it is helpful to approach the MNM as something like an all-in-one, digital modular unit. You can go extremely deep with this synth, but it is also largely based around subtractive principles, so after you can get the basic language down in relation to the sequencer, you can really fly with it. I can confidently say that it has taught me more about synthesis than any other synth I have ever used, and it still constantly surprises me. I won’t lie, there have been more than a few times that I’ve thought about selling it, but then I fire it up and discover something so cool that I wonder WTF I was even thinking.
  3. I wouldn’t hold my breath for a new version. The Mono, like the MD, is more or less fully realized. Unless they can’t get the parts to build it in the current incarnation, I doubt there will be a replacement in the next 5 years. Elektron are good like that, so you can sleep soundly knowing that the $1,000+ you spend won’t be obsolete next year, unless there is something so pressing that they can’t fix it in firmware. That means no Overbridge, but with 6 outputs for the 6 internal tracks I don’t see this as a problem for the Mono.
    As for if you need it…that’s something only you can answer, but looking at your gear list I think it could fill some places. I think the weakest part of the Mono is with the VA machines, but you’ve got that well covered. The midi sequencing is awesome, so you might find new things in your current gear. If you buy it and put in some time, the rewards are great.