Mi ni ma ni ma ni mo…
1 Like
@afuera This is good to know about Levin’s. I used their text message option that they tout, but they never reply via it. I’m just going to call. How are you liking the pb6?
@HoldMyBeer trust me - I’ve used that plenty of times, and it’s certainly an option. But when you are talking such high price points, along with how big they are, I was just trying to evaluate as much as I could before going down that route.
@nerv0en this is great to hear, thank you. I have been eyeing their site, but I just didn’t have a concept of what’s on the floor. They have a minimoog in stock too that I would love to play around on
@SoundRider thank you for the feedback. Obviously, the moog sounds awesome in videos. I’m just trying to get out of the habit of basing opinions solely on presets and sounds others created. One tangible spec I have is that if I go on GuitarCenter, there are loads of used Muses for sale - not a single PB12. It makes me wonder if the talk about issue on the Muse isn’t overblown. It’s hard for me to judge!
@Sip I hear you man - maybe i just have a case of GAS. The PB12 does get me on the morphing potential. From a live adjustment perspective, there is just so much to do.
@plragde thank you! I’m going to keep searching. it’s such a big investment - even if I can return whatever I buy, I want to make as educated guess as possible as to what i’ll enjoy most. truth be told - i’d probably be happy with whatever I buy
@Azzarole lol that’s a good idea - maybe I should do that!
@yoyz2k I’m lucky enough to have a bit of space in my office. It’s not endless, but I could keep a polysynth stationary on one of my stands.
@Mumdad honestly, i was right there with you - the first time i heard the muse, I put it in my cart and was ready to purchase - then I started researching just a bit, and read about tuning issues, and whether or not they are overblown, i pumped the brakes. As far as presets and YT videos, the Muse grabs me the most.
1 Like
Honestly, I’d probably be just as happy with the end result
1 Like
It’s maybe worth it to check out the forthcoming Dreadbox Artemis. I didn’t check if you need a keyboard, though.
2 Likes
Thanks! I actually subscribe, and this was on my watch list. I can get by with a module via the nord, but just wouldn’t have polyphonic aftertouch.
1 Like
TBH - IMO manufacturers in the US might have quality problems from time to time. I have experienced issues with Moog, Dave Smith, and Oberheim. Synths from Japan or built in the EU - even built in the 80ies do well since I got them.
Example: Brand new Moog Voyager was delivered with one modulation lane dead. Oberheim brand new Two Voice Pro came with “wrong parts” assembled in both SEMs, which rendered the envelopes useless. Sub37 has an VCO octave switch dead and so forth … this all can be repaired of course, but its annoying.
As for the Polybrute and Arturia I think they provide reliable quality all the time. I had no issues with Polybrute nor Matrixbrute.
1 Like
But don’t expect from any “traditional” synth concept much more than you might listen to during preset show-offs.
IMO Moogs have their particular moogish sweetspot. Its huge but also not unlimited. I love it and that’s why I have not only one in my studio. It’s Moog sound and it will only be Moog sound, which is fine for me.
If you search for your own personal signature sound you should look outside the “great sounding traditional synths” realm, because their sounds have been used over and over again - and for a good reason - they sound great.
If you are more into sound design and want a keyboard - go for:
- analogue: Polybrute
- digital: Quantum (polyphonic AT), Iridium (polyphonic AT), or Virus
2 Likes
Around here it’s allegedly available next week.
One of these days I’ll understand why one would deliberately cripple a otherwise decent synth with two oscillators by lumping together the waveform selection for both oscillators into one knob.
Can’t be the price, for €1300 they might just be able to fit in an extra knob. It’s all digitally controlled anyway.
I’m pretty sure there is a solid reason why some people would not want to combine a sawtooth with a triangle, or modulate one oscillator’s waveform, but not the other, or in different directions even.
Their Murmux, however, does not suffer from that affliction:
Sadly it’s not in production currently, and a tad expensive, too.
1 Like
I appreciate all of your perspectives. As for issues, what I’ve been doing is just typing in ‘[keyboard] issues’, and seeing what comes up. The Muse seems to be the most pernicious, and like I said - all of the used ones on guitar center could potentially confirm that. Maybe the PolyBrute really is for me. It’s on my to do to do a broad search in other areas to see if anyone has the PB. I know that I can add external effects as needed, and I know that I can even get external effects that dwarf that of the PB, but it’s nice that the PB has them on hand. The Nord Stage 4 has spoiled me in that regard.
Actually, after I posted last, I did a search in my town (Lisbon) and I can’t find any music retailer who even has the PB12 on its Web page. I’ll be in Paris in June, I imagine I’ll have better luck there.
Worst case, you could ask Sweetwater if you could go up to Fort Wayne to try a Polybrute there. They have them in stock ATM. I’m not sure if they have a year-round showroom but you could ask.
Guitar Center also sells them. That means you could get one shipped to you, then arrange a return and drop it off at the nearest GC store if you didn’t like it. I have always found the return process to be easy with them, they don’t want to fight with you. Only thing with GC is, I wouldn’t buy used/open box there unless you are willing to be sent something broken, it’s a crapshoot. Edit: You can also have the synth delivered to the store and pick it up, which can be good if you’re not home to meet your packages.
If it’s between going to Indiana, or having GC ship to my home and returning, i’ll go with the latter lol. I’m going to take my time - I’m going to call GC if they still have the Muse in a week or so to see if its on the floor. I’ll hit Chuck Levin’s in DC for the OBX8. And then I’ll hunt for a PB. If I don’t find a PB and still think it’s good option after playing the others, I’ll just go the order and return if needed route.
1 Like
I actually just cast a wide net with Guitar Center, and I couldn’t find any PB’s in the surrounding states.
1 Like
Looks like you’re about 4 hours from Alto music in Middletown, NY.
Internet shows they carry PB12. Is 4 hours too far for you? Because if not, I’d check and see if they have a display model that you can try.
I just started looking based on a generic MD zip code so if I come up with anywhere closer I’ll let you know.
2 Likes
That’s not exactly the strategy I’m proposing.
What I’m saying is: If you have the cash or credit free, you could buy and try from Guitar Center’s site. Both Polybrute and Polybrute 12 show as in stock on the site, so they presumably have them in the warehouse to send you, probably from Kansas City IIRC.
The attraction of this approach is that if needed you can return and/or pickup the Polybrute the warehouse sends at your local Guitar Center, even though the local GC doesn’t stock it now.
Edit: Just saw your other response to me. Looks like you’re aware of your options. Good luck with it.
I’d be careful evaluating things in store with effects vs. those without effects. Don’t be seduced by onboard effects is my point. It’s not a good comparison.
@shigginpit That’s really nice of you! If you see anything I’ll definitely take you up on it. I was curious, and a lot of the local or close enough Guitar Centers have the Muse now. I might call some of them on Monday and see if they have the Muse on the floor - and if they do, I’m going to call my closest store and say…umm - do I really need to drive to another store to try this out?
@percussionboy Yeah I’m def not opposed to just ordering and trying.
@donato I’m going to do my best to see what I think of the sound clean
Overall, my initial impressions/opinions of the 3 I already named - OBX8, Muse, and Polybrute are that the Muse is my favorite sound wise, then PB, then OBX8. Early in my research, I just focused on the promo videos from the companies. To me, a promotional video is when the company will (you would hope) show off the best of the best of the best - and when looking at those videos, the Muse is for me. The PolyBrute wins in terms of features, especially with the MPE and Ribbon which would add a whole new level of expressiveness to my playing. If I had to choose sight unseen, I’d probably go with the Muse because of the sound, it’s 20lbs lighter which means it’s easier to move, and even gig with, and appears to have a more approachable workflow. I’m just concerned with the hardware issues I’m hearing about. IF I were to get a Muse, I’d have to wait until I have a lot of time on my hands - I’d want to make sure it came at a time when I have less on my plate so that I could really devote time and energy to it - that way I can find out more quickly if mine has issues.
2 Likes
Chuck levins has the Polybrute (6 voice) on display too. I sold all my Eurorack and bought one. They are occasional b stock deals - I got mine from Detroit modular for 1699 and it was in flawless condition - and have seen similar deals since I got mine last summer.
The expressiveness on it is crazy, it’s my only board with poly aftertouch but I am in a dry spell music wise and haven’t been able to play it as much as I’d like (I also have a 2 year old which takes a lot of time).
The OBX8 didn’t grab me much in the store but I also have an OB-6. The OBX8 didn’t seem quite as immediate to me which is an important criterion.
Chuck levins also has a minimoog reissue which is a cool grail piece to play 
1 Like
The FX of the PB are quite good - but I confirm, there are better external FX. I use the internal FX for sound-design and getting close to what I want to achieve. If the internal FX is not sufficiant enough, I replace them during production of a track.
1 Like
IMO - if you like the sound-demos of the PB already and love its way of modular patching freedom you probably will keep it. Morphing between two patches - like someone is moving all the knobs for you - was a unique selling point for me.
The presets are nice - but they don’t keep up with the real strengths of this instrument. It seems to me the most modern, complex, versatile, and easy to use analogue synth on the market.
1 Like