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Dave Smith - Mopho
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aciduss
IsraTrance Full Member
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1490
Posted : Nov 14, 2010 08:34:46
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Hey... there is a Mopho i think on buying... it is cheap and has nice sound from what i've heard...
I have heard nice things of it as a bass synth but since it is analog like i don't think i can have it for psybass (unless sampled) but i was thinking maybe some fat acid lines and / or other kind of leads, stabs and overall crispy crunchy fat pitch bending stuff...
Do you guys think it is a good idea? Since i might be buying it over the net i cant testdrive it before... i have been watching mostly all available demo video of the machine but most of them suck completely since they are not psytrance oriented of course, not even some solid electro house or serious techno but well... since my synthesis skills are somehow good i thought i could squeeze some acid from that yellow box.
Please tell me wat u think and maybe share some experiences if there happens to be a mopho owner around.
Only other hardware synth i own is nord micromodular but since it is VA i wanted something A, my budget is kinda low, so i was excited with the DS Mopho price...
thanks 4 yer time. |
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Mike A
Subra
Started Topics :
185
Posts :
3954
Posted : Nov 14, 2010 14:39
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Quote:
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On 2010-11-14 08:34:46, aciduss wrote:
but since it is analog like i don't think i can have it for psybass
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Why is that?
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Psydust
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
14
Posts :
91
Posted : Nov 14, 2010 17:32
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i also had my eyes on that gear for a while now.
yes why cant you make psy bass?
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aciduss
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
112
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Posted : Nov 14, 2010 19:56
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well i like steady KBBB bass so i guess one could make psybass but should have to sample the wave form in order to keep the sound the same on every note.
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Mike A
Subra
Started Topics :
185
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Posted : Nov 14, 2010 20:14
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Who said you have to keep the sound the same on every note?
And I'll answer myself as well.
Make yourself a rule - never keep the sound on every note.
This is the number one reason why basslines suck and sound boring.
Take it as an advantage, not a disadvantage.
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aciduss
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
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Posted : Nov 14, 2010 20:27
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Sorry, but even excellent synths as logic ones that do not retrigger osc sound inconsistent to my ears. I like attack of each not to sound precise and nice.
BTW my basslines don't suck or bore. I think that has to do much more with note and it's placement, overall melody and harmony, groovey patterns and such... i hardly think the difference between running free osc or retriggered ones can change the bassline character that much... i will, however, take your advice and see it as an advantage, thanks.
Can we talk about the Mopho please? Do you even own one MikeA?
I am interested more on the synthlines one can get with it and if it is worth the price for producing some psy... |
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Mike A
Subra
Started Topics :
185
Posts :
3954
Posted : Nov 14, 2010 21:11
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First of all, sorry if it seemed like I was attacking you. I didn't mean to.
All I was saying is that people are afraid of "notes sounding a bit different", for some obscure reason, and they must get the same note at all costs. So this is why basslines (not YOURS, any bassline) sound boring. It's the same.
About the Mopho, you can always sample it for consistency.
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aciduss
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
112
Posts :
1490
Posted : Nov 14, 2010 22:50
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It's ok bro, didn't take it personal 
anyone with a mopho??? |
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jeeboomba
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
55
Posts :
516
Posted : Nov 19, 2010 07:59
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i think when you dont bounce, you wont have control on the note changes.. |
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TimeTraveller
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
80
Posts :
3207
Posted : Nov 19, 2010 14:58
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All I've seen so far from Dave Smith is affordable and looks promising and the critics I've read about his works were always very good.
But so far I haven't had any practical expiriences with his synth .
Although I think it should be something solid,reasonable/good since Dave Smith is also resposible for the Midi Protocol itself.
 https://soundcloud.com/shivagarden |
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Axis Mundi
Axis Mundi
Started Topics :
75
Posts :
1848
Posted : Nov 19, 2010 17:55
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The Mopho keyboard looks nice, but for the same money, the Ultranova looks like it might be better at least for my own personal use.
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-aeon-
Aeon
Started Topics :
10
Posts :
546
Posted : Nov 29, 2010 19:33
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hey there, here's my mini-review of the mopho... you might find it helpful!
i think the best expression is one that Chris Randall from Audio Damage uses liberally as an endorsement for stuff: FULL OF TECHNO.
Mopho is definitely full of techno. i never really 'got' onboard synth sequencers, but every time i sit down to record some audio for a demo i end up flicking the Mopho's sequencers (four of 'em!) on an just tweaking for ages. even with the limited user interface, it reminds me why Synthesis Is Fun, whether you're actually making music or not.
it has more bass than a sea bass drinking a pint of Bass Bitter playing a double bass solo on the Valve system. with two sub oscillators in addition to the two main oscs (pitched 1 and 2 octaves below, respectively) it just produces fucking big bass. i imagine it would swallow your mix whole quite happily. even with the sub oscs off, even with just one osc, it's huge. the saw is really, really chunky. i spend quite a lot of time just filtering a plain sawtooth and grinning like a hopeless dickhead.
the Mopho can play nice (some of the flute sounds are quite delicious) and the 12db filter is actually quite a refined and gentle beast. but on the whole, i think the yellow/orange colour scheme is appropriate, what with those being nature's danger colours. after spending maybe two hours with it i think i can safely say that despite its button-cute pick-me-up adorableness, in its heart of hearts the Mopho is an evil little fucker that quite wants to destroy you and all your shit start tweaking pretty much any patch and it gets nasty nasty, super fasty. it's basically like a reverse Gremlin... under certain conditions it can be cute, but by default it hates you. in a good way, natch.
i've outlined my thoughts about the filter above. only two things to add: firstly, under certain conditions it 'leaks' a little bit. sometimes you can hear some high-frequency whistling, it's neat. second: filter feedback is awesome. it makes for much gronk.
another interesting thing: through my really nice studio cans i noticed just how much high-end it puts out... all these little whistles and squeaks and stuff happening way up high. i think it would be very easy to tinnitusise yourself with, especially since the sound of high-resonance filter sweeps is so much nicer than on any digital synth i've heard.
the software editor is great; it gives you a sense of just how much techno is crammed into this little box. and it really is little, by the way - a bit taller and a bit chunkier than the Micro Modular, but still only about the size of a paperback.
quibbles?
1. the pitch knob is stepped, so if you want smooth squelchy oscillator pitch control you need to assign an LFO or envelope or other modulator. that sucks a bit.
2. the knobs do feel very cheap and flimsy - even the volume pot, which is the only one that's not an endless rotary.
3. er... i don't have it with me right now? seriously, a battery power pack would be ace. i <3 it that much.
final thought:
don't buy this as a first synth, or as a do-everything box for psy. it's not that. it is personality in a box. i bought it because i have a few different flavours of virtual analogue, and hoped this would complement my existing setup. and this is the key thing, for me: i was always a little bit of an analogue sceptic. i didn't really see the point / fuss / difference... i dunno, i just felt for the type of music i make that VA was plenty sufficient. i thought analogue snobs were just elitist wankers (of course, many probably are). but there is something... different about the Mopho. there is something ever so slightly magical about analogue. it's not better, necessarily; it's just another flavour that none of my other synths (nord, virus, akai, yamaha) have. when i want a certain screaming sync lead, or a chunky slow-opened lowpassed filter sweep sound, or a warm characterful Vibasphere mono-lead, or a howl of feedback, i will look to Mopho.
http://www.myspace.com/aeonaeon |
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tlann
Started Topics :
1
Posts :
20
Posted : Nov 30, 2010 00:55
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Quote:
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On 2010-11-29 19:33, -aeon- wrote:
hey there, here's my mini-review of the mopho... you might find it helpful!
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Have you looked at the Tetra?
I just keep looking at the Mopho and the Tetra and thinking it is probably a more cost effective to get the Tetra.
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aciduss
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
112
Posts :
1490
Posted : Dec 2, 2010 23:42
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Hey aeon... can mopho produce good acid like sounds?
You know sawtooth resonance sweeping stuff?
Can it glide / legato?
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-aeon-
Aeon
Started Topics :
10
Posts :
546
Posted : Dec 5, 2010 13:20
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it certainly can... the onboard sequencer is really good for doing acid lines and the filter is screamy screamy with high resonance.
there is glide, yes, with a few options - not as flexible as e.g. some VAs with multiple mono modes, but still perfectly usable and sounds great.
i will try record a demo.
http://www.myspace.com/aeonaeon |
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