this post was submitted on 14 Jun 2023
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Synthesizers
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My setup has been in a state of flux lately - the stuff in the second list is kind of on the chopping block at the moment. I just got a Push 3, so if I like it the MPC One will almost certainly be going. Feel free to ask about anything, I love talking about it all!
Things I use constantly:
Things I use less often:
A handful of FX pedals:
It all gets recorded into Ableton, where I finish the song. I actually don't use the FX pedals in finished productions too much, aside from the Microfreak chain - I like having more control in the arrangement phase.
I'm curious about your thoughts on the SH-4D. Guitar Center talked me into buying one because they didn't have it on display and "you can just try it at home and return it if you don't like it", but with the end of the return window coming up I'm struggling to make a decision.
I've gotten some really satisfying sounds out of it, but it's disappointing that some of the oscillator models don't let you modulate most of the parameters, and the list of samples in the PCM model is surprisingly short. Those aren't necessarily dealbreakers, but I guess I'm still trying to figure out if it's really adding enough that isn't covered by my other synths.
I got mine in mid April and my feelings on it are very mixed. It sounds really good, but it can be kind of a pain to use. Most of the menus make sense, but putting the mixer behind a shift function is baffling, and pretty much kills it for live use for me. I really hate the save structure as well.
I really only use a couple of the oscillator models, so a lot of its potential is wasted on me - I mostly use 3d, 4d, Juno and 101 models, I don't really care for the others. Like you said modulation options are really lacking, and even though I like some of the sounds I had a really hard time fitting them into something that sounds like me rather than like Roland.
I got it primarily for the 101 and Juno models, and those turned out to be either just an overlay for the interface rather than actual emulations, or a really mediocre emulation. I picked up the S-1, which is amazing, and now I am thinking about selling the 4d. I just don't know if I can justify the space it takes and I think I would rather put that money somewhere else.
Yeah, the UI definitely has some odd and frustrating design choices. The main thing tempting me to keep it is the portability, but I can't really do more than sketch out short ideas on the go. I've got a bajillion of those lying around already and really need to focus more on finishing stuff.