analog synths (oberheim)

[jusballin]

i was looking into the difference in ananlog synths and was wondering if anyone could:

a. give me some feedback on the difference pros/cons of the oberheim.

b. i guess my main concern was because im fairly new to keyboards is how would i be able to tweak the sounds to get them to sound how i want them to with going with a rack unit.

1. matrix 6 keyboard
2. matrix 6r rack unit
3. matrix 1000 rack unit

it seems that i can get either unit for all around the same price so that not the issue. my setup is mainly for r&b and hip hop and right now my set up includes

1. cubase 5.1
2. mpc2000xl
3. trinity rack
4. fatar 61 key controller
5. planet phatt synth module
6. delta 66 sound card
7. gateway pentium II computer

any help anyone could give would be greatly appreiated

thanks,

jusballin

[Wide Awake]

I have a Matrix 6. It's not a "true" analog synth because it uses DCO's (digital controlled oscillators) instead of VCO's (voltage controlled oscillators). However, it sounds fatter and warmer than any of the modeled virtual analog(VA) synths on the market. Not neccessarily better, just more analog sounding. The modulation section is very powerful, similar to the Oberheim Xpander and Matrix-12.

It's not going to be the easiest synth to program because you are new to synths. It's a fairly deep synth and it takes quite a bit of button pushing to edit sounds. It's easier to program synths that have a lot of knobs and sliders and that's one of the downsides of this synth.

The Matrix 1000 will require software to program. I prefer the Matrix-6R (rackmount) because at least it has an LCD.

[Chriss]

where did my post go????

funky... think about getting an expander if you can, now that's the shit... otherwise the matrix 6 and 6r are still gods within the synth industry but their programming are a bit sick...

[Wide Awake]

Originally posted by Chriss
funky... think about getting an expander if you can, now that's the shit... otherwise the matrix 6 and 6r are still gods within the synth industry but their programming are a bit sick...

Xpanders sell for around $1300 on the used market. The Matrix 6R and 1000 are between $200-300. ( US prices that I took off of Ebay) The Xpander is fantastic but at 5 times the price.

[jusballin]

could anyone give me feedback (pros/cons) of the OB-12. if anyone has noticed it retails for 1499.00 and musicians friend in the new catalog they just sent out has it on sale for 599.99. im wondering if there is a problem with it or is it just being done away with. any feedback anyone can give would be greatly appreciated.

thanks,

ps im still comparing this to the

1. matrix 6
2. matrix 6r
3. matrix 1000

how would i be able to tweak the sounds on the 6r or 1000, would that be possible?

[Wide Awake]

The OB-12 sounds completely digital, not analog. It's sounds are thin and almost similar to the PPG Waves from the 80's. I think it has a unique but limited sound pallette. It won't do fat basses and leads, but accepting it for what it does it's a great deal for $599. I read that they have more orders than the number of units that will be produced, but that could be just a rumor. I'd call Musicians Friend to verify that if you order one you will actually get one.

The OS-operating system had quirks when it first came out but it was revamped not long ago and Sound on Sound magazine thought it was much improved.

It's not as good as the Matrix-6 for richness and big lush sounds, but it would be much easier to program and a better choice if you are into techno and dance music. I have been tempted to buy one but I'm saving for a Yamaha Motif 7 or I might choose to just save my money for my trip to France next year.....I've been promising to take my girlfriend for three years

The Matrix -6 R can be programmed from it's front panel exactly like a Matrix-6 (keyboard version). To program a Matrix 1000 you need editing software. The Matrix 1000 comes with 1000 patches onboard and that's how they arrived at it's name.

[jusballin]

just needed some questions answered. i was interested in the oberheim matrix 6r and was wondering can i edit sounds from the matrix 1000 with this. any help would greatly be appreciated,

thanks

[Badger]

The new ob has gotten pretty much panned by the people who have played them. I really would like to get a chance to play on one for a few days and see what I can get out of it.

IIRC the PPG waves were hardly thin and digital sounding(although they could be). Kinda of a hybrid digital analog. After all, thats what the microwaves are based on, and I get plenty of guts out mine.

You can edit the matrix 1000 with a patch editor, but not from the front panel, IIRC.

[Wide Awake]

Originally posted by Bdgr
IIRC the PPG waves were hardly thin and digital sounding(although they could be). Kinda of a hybrid digital analog. After all, thats what the microwaves are based on, and I get plenty of guts out mine.

You can edit the matrix 1000 with a patch editor, but not from the front panel, IIRC.

I do think the OB12 has a similar sound, but I agree with you. The Microwave and Q-series from Waldorf are fatter and have more balls. Those are amazing unique and powerful synths and the Microwave does sound like the PPG in many ways. I think I remember the the original PPG's being really expensive too.

If you buy a Matrix 1000, you can probably still find patch editing software on the internet. I would make sure before buying it though, because if you CAN'T find the software then you will just have to stick with presets and that would be limiting in my opinion. Even though there are 1000 presets onboard, it can be important to tweak the filters and envelopes sometimes.

[subtractor]

I really like my korg ms2000. It's very fat, and has vocoders, and is dirt cheap right now. They run a little less than 600 new now , $300-$400 used. Cheap! And it's a fairly easy synth to learn (relatively) if you've never programmed.

[brzilian]

Originally posted by subtractor
I really like my korg ms2000. It's very fat, and has vocoders, and is dirt cheap right now. They run a little less than 600 new now , $300-$400 used. Cheap! And it's a fairly easy synth to learn (relatively) if you've never programmed.

BUT it has only 4 note polyphony. Compared to other synths duscussed above it is at quite a disadvantage.