What a horrible accident! I may PM you about jiu-jitsu, as I feel like I may be done with it, and I'm still in conflict about it. I've been training in martial arts for the last 17 years, but unfortunately most of it was in a traditional art... Only a bit over three years in jiu-jitsu. I'm in my early '50's, and some of the injuries seem like they may be permanent. I haven't trained since before the quarantining started, and that has given me a lot more time for music.
I actually stopped practicing about 15yrs ago... been a while. I'm in my mid 40s now... a sad, fragile old man
Just the thought of randori makes me ache. Respect to you for going into 50s!.. It's definitely tough on the body though. My sensei was in his 50s when I was practicing... he had all sorts of knee and back issues after years of competition and teaching.
I appreciate the generous remarks, Creativespiral. You've obviously made a tremendous contribition to the field of Prophet '08/Rev2 sound design, and I thank you for that.
Unfortunately, I don't yet have a Rev2. I'm waiting most anxiously for the next OS update and the reports on it from others. I don't plan on waiting forever, though. There are plenty of used Prophet '08s available in mint condition, and they're looking better to me every day. And I do value the criticims and concerns discussed in this thread.
Like yourself, I was deeply influenced by the Evolver experience. About ten years ago, I used to make identical patches on the P'08 and the PEK; then I'd compare their ambient sonic character. I'd play them, record them, and even trigger a sequence and sit back or walk around the room listening. I couldn't figure out why the Evolver patches almost always sounded far richer to me. At about the same time, Dave Smith somewhere commented that, if you want strings, go for the Prophet '08, but if you want bizarre and wild sound effects, go for the Poly Evolver. I thought to myself, "No, I don't agree. The PEK is superb at lush strings and all those gorgeous classic pads." My point is, I could hardly believe that it all came down to a stereo image, but it's true. In synthesisis, especially in the domain of large-scale polyphonic patches, there is no comparing a patch in stereo to a patch in mono.
When I translated this knowledge to the Prophet '08 by linking keyboard and module units - and not to expand the number of voices, but to double and split idential sounds to opposite channels - then my P'08 patches suddenly matched or surpassed the same sounds on the PEK.
My method is laughably simple to some of you, I know: simply pan each unit at an analog mixer. Others have devised different methods of achieving the same result, but I still prefer this one for several reasons. First, it's expensive - yes - but very simple to set up and doesn't cost an LFO; second, it introduces the mixer as an extension of the synthesizer, in that the channel controls are used to add or subtract a layer as needed, or to alter the effects depths to either layer; and third, since each unit is an entire layer, it's very easy and enjoyable to go back and forth between them as you design bi-timbral patches.
Again, I don't have a Rev2, and it's hard to imagine having a better system than the one I presently have. But I'd be interested to here your comments on all of this, especially since you seem to be an original thinker.
Yeah, seems like we definitely have similar sound design inclinations. Thanks to the Evolver for opening that doorway!.. The binaural / stereo routing is something that many people gloss over, but it creates such huge and beautiful sounds. Once you've experimented with it, it's easy to become addicted. Ultimately, it's creating an effect like double tracking. In recording studios, guitar parts (and synth parts) are very often double tracked for song mixes... for both rhythm and lead parts... (usually not for bass)
With this technique, we're accomplishing the same end result of double tracking, without having to do a second pass recording... it's all done "in the box", in real time. By hard panning left/right, it creates the two parts, and the small natural offsets of the oscillator fine tuning, filter and envelope precision create that natural chorusing / phasing.. that's what double tracking really is. By emphasizing the differences between left/right with voice modeling, or just making micro adjustments to envelope ADR, tuning or cutoff, it just widens the stereo field and loosens the double track feel. As you play in real time, you're outputting a the sound of a polished multi-track recording session. Sounds so epic and beautiful
Regarding the Rev2... I misread... thought you got one. Anyways, my take on your situation - the biggest upgrade from having two P08s is going to be the 8 mod slots per layer. With two P08s you've only got half that amount of mod capability. For me, I use all eight slots often, along with the separate pressure, velocity, mod wheel slots. You can just expand upon the complexity of the sound, the animation, and the fine tuning of sounds up and down the keybed. I use the Note Number modulator on virtually every patch (often as a multiplexed through slot) that allows fine tuning of bass vs treble tones. And if you want to get into voice modeling, having eight mod slots per layer is vital. So, yeah, I'd say the biggest gain you're going to see is double the mod slots per layer.
Beyond the mod slots, having the effects per layer is nice to add a little polish direct in unit, or achieve some unique sound shaping with the ability to modulate parameters from key pressure, mod wheel, etc. Also, you might get some usage with the sub-oscillator per layer as well. (an extra square osc per layer, one octave beneath osc1) And there may be a convenience to being able to do it all within a single unit with layer panning / stacking... although, you've got your mixer / dual unit paradigm, so the end result is the same... but yeah, might just be a bit more convenient. And finally, the keybed is great on the Rev2. If I didn't have a separate KK s61 mk2, I would use the Rev2 as my master keyboard for all various desktop, rack units and computer. The Rev2 keybed is really nice feeling, with good aftertouch sensitivity.