Electribe 2 + what additional hardware???

RedHouse · Post by **RedHouse** » Thu Mar 05, 2015 1:42 pm

NickZoll wrote:RedHouse,
if you have a midi keyboard I would suggest waldorf streichfett, it doest great pads but it is a module without keys. Or you can control it from e2 via midi.

thanks, I'll do some YouTubeing of the Streich tonight. I do have midi keyboards. I have previously considered the Waldorf rocket...still quite keen on it for £139 new!

RedHouse · Post by **RedHouse** » Thu Mar 05, 2015 1:49 pm

ghostly606 wrote:I have tried a load of small-ish synths over the years and the standout for me is the Alesis Micron. Not available new anymore but the Akai Miniak is essentially the same synth in a slightly different shell.

cool, more YouTubeing tonight

Ted3000 · Post by **Ted3000** » Thu Mar 05, 2015 2:12 pm

ghostly606 wrote:I have tried a load of small-ish synths over the years and the standout for me is the Alesis Micron. Not available new anymore but the Akai Miniak is essentially the same synth in a slightly different shell.

Id say: Slightly Better Shell. The wheels are better, the main menu knob is much better. The keys are a little stiff and only 3 octaves - but that old Ion/Micron engine is still fantastic. Over a decade later and no one has beat those stepless filters with their incredible high-res encoders.

It's a menudiver. The vocoder isn't anything special. And it has a very slight amp envelope artifact you can hear on certain patches. But if you are familiar with the format you'll get along fine. And there's a great freeware contrl panel editor.

RedHouse · Post by **RedHouse** » Fri Mar 06, 2015 9:12 am

the Micron and Miniak look amazing "bang for buck", multi timbral aspect is very cool, some excellent analog sounds, but in the dems I listened to I didn't really hear those big trancey supersaws or pads I'm looking for. Maybe they just aren't in the demos?

The Streicfett sounds cool too.

I still feel it could be the Gaia for me.
Anyone got an Ultranova? How's that work for you?

Oh, and the Waldorf Rocket seems too good to be true for £139.00

Spheric El · Post by **Spheric El** » Fri Mar 06, 2015 2:08 pm

Hi RedHouse ,
All good synths you are considering ,but look at the Waldorf Blofeld .
With regards to the Nova ,the Mini looks interesting. It's a more complex sound compared with the MiniAk ,from listening in the shop.- I have a MiniAk and its excellent at analogue-y classic synth sounds. The Nova had lots of dazzling effect type stuff ontop of the sound, but may be more of what you want for your sound. The MiniAk can deffo do pads nice. It's an excellent synth as its so powerful.

Spheric El · Post by **Spheric El** » Fri Mar 06, 2015 2:15 pm

The MicroKorg original has a simpler sound which I actually like.It still sounds good (I prefer it to the demos I heard of the XL) but not a supersaw classic I guess.
I mentioned the Blofeld because it looks really interesting. Check out the soundonsound review.

RedHouse · Post by **RedHouse** » Fri Mar 06, 2015 3:04 pm

I have been checking out the Blofeld today actually, it does look/sound immense. How does it differ from the Pulse 2?

I am also torn between say buying a new Blofeld/MiniNova (warranty etc) or a used Miniak/Micron.

Used Synth buying via ebay etc from the Isle of Man is a risk if arrives DOA unless I buy from someone on here for example.

Spheric El · Post by **Spheric El** » Fri Mar 06, 2015 4:31 pm

The Blofeld is based on wave table synthesis while the pulse is as analogue mono interested in Pulse waves.You get elements of the Q and microwave with the Blofeld and its capable of more spectral type sounds ,well wave table type sounds -more digital in a good way. I've got to say the filters look interesting aswell. -It can run multitimbral which is interesting for an E2 user..
..so can the MiniAk bug it only has 8 voices. If you find it really cheap it's deffo worth a punt.Me personally ,I like buying new.

RedHouse · Post by **RedHouse** » Fri Mar 06, 2015 4:45 pm

Spheric El wrote:The Blofeld is based on wave table synthesis while the pulse is as analogue mono interested in Pulse waves.You get elements of the Q and microwave with the Blofeld and its capable of more spectral type sounds ,well wave table type sounds -more digital in a good way. I've got to say the filters look interesting aswell. -It can run multitimbral which is interesting for an E2 user..
..so can the MiniAk bug it only has 8 voices. If you find it really cheap it's deffo worth a punt.Me personally ,I like buying new.

Cheers buddy, looks like you're just over the pond from me. I like new too, there's a Miniak on ebay for £145 + £25 postage, so for £170 all in, I can probs get a mininova new for £50-60 more than that....

Man this is hard! Maybe I'll just stick with exploring my E2 and hook it to my ipad!

Spheric El · Post by **Spheric El** » Fri Mar 06, 2015 5:39 pm

Lol. Sounds like a plan.

Spheric El · Post by **Spheric El** » Sat Mar 07, 2015 10:50 am

I was thinking maybe the Blofeld is a little too niche for you(early 80s). Its capable of epic leads and pads (VA)but you may be payin for ground you don't need.The MiniNova is deffo ahead in the VA range with the MiniAk close 2nd.The Akai can be fully programmed from the front pannel.I payed £150 from cash converters in new condition,but any more then a MiniNova looks appealing.It will sound good(supersaws/pads),the vocoder is better and animation buttons look good.Try and listen to one locally if you can.The Blofeld is more experimental.If you havnt a VA keyboard yet then a Novation would be a good place to start,unless of corse you can score a cheap MicroKorg or MiniAk.
(Oh by the way my neighbour and friend is from the fair Isle -He's a great muso too,having toured all over and a string expert an all.Tells me often of his youthful summers over there).

RedHouse · Post by **RedHouse** » Sat Mar 07, 2015 12:44 pm

Oh man, I've been listening blofeld demos. What an instrument. So now its, do i want all.that power or an in yet face immediate keys like mininova....

Ted3000 · Post by **Ted3000** » Sat Mar 07, 2015 1:06 pm

RedHouse wrote:Oh man, I've been listening blofeld demos. What an instrument. So now its, do i want all.that power or an in yet face immediate keys like mininova....

I had the MiniNova for a year, and it was great. Those 8 numbered buttons act as latchable on/off momentary switches for a modulation. I don't think the Blofeld's engine is better or deeper, actually. Each provide the same basic stuff, then diverge in different complimentary ways.

It's very fun to have a massive Nova-class engine sitting in a cute, portable minikey format. You'll have access to analog-style true poly sounds you just can't get on the Korg - and the effects are deep.

Spheric El · Post by **Spheric El** » Sat Mar 07, 2015 2:53 pm

The Blofeld has a randomise button that is useful to reverse edit.And it does have that unique sound.I'm gassing for one too...FM mod filter cutoff via Osc's and wacky math modifiers in matrix (which is meant to be very powerful in itself,plus CCs all over).Its a toughy. There are some minor glitches that have been mainly ironed out with updates,but things like delay clicks when changing time.Given the way it works with sample tables stuff -it's not surprising.Like I say they have mainly been ironed out.
I am wondering have I got the table space /work flow time for one- but then I already have VA mini keys..

RedHouse · Post by **RedHouse** » Sun Mar 08, 2015 5:27 pm

Just listened to the Novation sound sets and I am much more impressed. A few dubstep bass demos on YouTube don't do it justice, but the novation sound pack does show it off.

Is it two part multi timbral?