In preparing to build up my live stage rig again, I’m looking for a monosynth that is basically a unicorn.
I want a fat sounding analog that can do wavefolding but which also has patch memory! If it can’t do wavefolding, at least could it have a VCO direct out so I could send that to a wavefolder module before going back into the filter and output stages?
Contenders:
Roland SE-02 - fat, compact, patch memory, but no wavefolding or VCO out
Basstation 2 / Circuit Mono Station - fat+dirty, portable, patch memory, no wavefolding or VCO out
Pittsburgh Taiga - incredible sounding, wavefolding for days, no patch memory
Sub37 - best sounding of all, patch memory, no wavefolding or VCO out
Unsatisfactory solution #1: Analog Four MK2 - patch memory, can send a raw VCO to a wavefolder module, then bring back in on another track, but the whole thing has never floored me with the circuit sound…not corpulent like the condenders above.
Unsatisfactory solution #2: Pittsburgh Taiga + Polyend Preset or Befaco MIDI Thing…somehow control 9 or 12 parameters directly to “recall” rough patches. Is this a dangerous idea in live performance with such a deep monosynth?
I’m driving myself into a tizzy trying to check these boxes - I need to be slapped upside the head in some way…
EDIT: Sorry, yes, there are quite a few more that satisfy those criteria (Microfreak, Modal Argon) that are also not analog … I guess you discounted some of these already.
If you’re looking for a analog synth that ticks most of your boxes—fat analog sound, patch memory, and wavefolding—you might want to consider the Korg Minilogue XD. While it doesn’t have a built-in wavefolder in the traditional sense, it offers the ability to load custom effects through its SDK, which can bring you pretty close to what you’re after.
Specifically, I’d recommend checking out the Sinevibes Corrosion orTim Shoebridge’s Fold Processor custom SDKs. These custom oscillators and effects offer wavefolding capabilities that could add the harmonically rich textures you’re seeking. It’s
so two thoughts here… maybe you should´nt go analog (or fully atleast) and maybe look at a poly.
My contenders.
Novation Peak
ASM Hydrasynth.
I have a Peak myself and i can create every type of bass sound i want, since the filter and distortion is analog, i can really crank it up to 11 and get really nice saturated patches.
Would echo this: will say on the patch memory front that I was never able to successfully send PCs to mine. Great synth and miss mine. You have wavefolding options in that you can wavefold the triangle wave or (I think this is the application) everything post-filter?
This is the part tripping you up… 9/10 times ‘analog’ is just a misnomer for hardware…for what you’re asking for here, I’d probably use the Arturia MiniFreak personally if wavefolding was important… if I wanted a fat analog bass I’d go Sub 37 and accept it as is.
The two Arturia PolyBrutes and the MatrixBrute have analogue VCOs, wave folding and patch memory. But IMO are a wee too heavy and big for a live set-up to be carried up a stage … but it’s feasible at least
The Arturia Brute’s metalizer sounds great but is not as flexible compared to some wave folders of my modular gear. Modulation of the metalizer’s depth is feasible using mod sources of the mod matrix.
Check out yourself, whether the matalizer sound is what you want.
Another wave-folding spezialized synth is the Implexus, with MIDI but AFAIK without memories … this is what Loopop thinks about it:
