|
A dance control synth backed up by a fully programmable S+S machine, three independent effects units, built in 8 part sequencer. The S+S has many great live features and pre-programmed patterns in a multitude of different dance styles from the late nineties. The sequencer is also full of subtle editing features. I use it mainly as a sketch pad before refining my ideas on my computer based sequencing package. It records lots of real time edit events like the filter cut-off and the resonance. This has become obligatory for the "control synth" label. There are many other dance friendly features like delay and LFO that can be synchronized to the current tempo. Its not hard to program once you get the hang of it, it makes full use of the button panel on the right. For instance in patch edit mode the first 4 of the middle row of buttons act as mute buttons for you 4 sound sources (oscillators or partials) and the second 4 let you select witch of the sound sources you are currently modifying. It helps to be familiar with Roland LA Synthesis as some of the concepts are common. SoundsIt is has the sounds of the MC-505 which is a standard for dance music production. Loads of useful and freaky wave forms. Can do a reasonable impression of lots of synths. D-50, FM, Oberheim and Prophet are amongst the names that suggest the sources of the samples. Can do a good imitation of a SH-101. There are many sounds that are named after the reborn dance legend the TB-303 but they don't do as good a job as rebirth. Despite unconvinced critics and cognisors with some creative programming you can create great and dynamic dance screamers, growlers and buzzers that the old TB-303 is simply incapable of. Many of the freakier sounds are usually associated with a non-preset sampler. On top of all of the dance sounds inherited from the it has a bank of performance oriented samples, piano, organs, etc. that give it an around usability the "Hard Rhodes" is particularly impressive. I thaught the Rhodes patch was a it was a "dead ringer" for that wacky riff in "Expression" by Salt and Pepper but on listening to it again I think that its better, the salt and pepper e-piano is a bit thin. Relations A MC-505 translated into a live keyboard with more samples and no d-beam. These are are amongst the raw material for the powerful synth engine. Only distantly related to the MC-303, MC-305. The synth engine is similar to the JV range JV-1010 etc.
Pro
Con
|
