You knew it was coming
So my goal for my setup is to use modern gear to mimic John Carpenter/Alan Howarth's setup they used to score Big Trouble In Little China. I think it is the ultimate synth set up in history.
Prophet-5 and Prophet-10 (w/Poly Sequencers)
ARP Avatar (x2) w/ARP Sequencer.
Emulator 1 and 2.
Prophet VS.
Prophet 2000.
Kurzweil K250.
Oberheim SEM Four Voice.
Linn LM1 and Linn Drum and EMU SP-12 for a monster percussion/drum ensemble.
Right now. I'm thinking this for my settup
Prophet-6 and possibly a Prophet REV 2-This is to mimic the Prophet 5 and Prophet 10. The Prophet 6 I already have but I'm still undecided about the REV2. While I would love to see Sequential follow up the Prophet 6 with a monster VCO synth...I don't think it will happen....so the REV2 (8 Voice) might just be the only compromise.
ARP Odyssey Desktops (x2)-Avatars were essentially Odysseys-I'm interested in getting the ARP edition of the Korg SQ-1 but it's missing one crucial feature...the ability to transpose the sequence with the external synth. I may actually get a Linnstrument and use the sequencer on that to control the Odysseys. (This will also allow me to use the Linnstrument to articulate the Prophet X's violin and fretless bass samples when doing orchestral work)
Sequential Prophet X and XL to mimic the Emulator 1 and 2. Why the X and XL? Because I'm so comfortable with the interface and architecture and while I would prefer a Prophet XS (desktop module) I know it's unlikely to happen and there is something about having two of these things going at once. Especially with one doing more percussion and rhythm oriented sounds while you play melodies and leads over top with the other. Plus playing piano/organ sounds on the XL feels excellent.
Prophet VS.-This is what I'm hoping Sequential's next synth brings. Not a reissue but a synth that has the same type of wavetable oscillators in the Pro 3. Perhaps something along the lines of the VCO/Wavetable oscillators type architecture (which will hopefully include the Prophet VS waveforms as well as some more complex wavetables/user wavetables that you can sweep) If this is the case, then perhaps I can tick off the Prophet 10/Prophet VS in one go with a single synth.
For the Prophet 2000. I suppose technically the Prophet X would be the appropriate synth to go for for this but as the PX and XL are taking up the Emulator duties, I might try and find a desktop type sampler...perhaps a Tasty Chips GR-1 or I might just skip this all together.
Now for the Kurzweil K250 there are a lot of excellent options from Kurzweil currently and I've had my eye on the PC4 but I would really like to see Kurzweil bring out a desktop or module version of their V.A.S.T. engine. Truth be told, I was actually looking at the desktop module from Dexibell. Yes it's a completely different sound/company but I think having an 88 key synth is going to prove a bit problematic real estate wise. I was thinking about just having the PC4 and Prophet X together as opposed to the Prophet X and Prophet XL but I actually feel I wouldn't utilizing the scope of the Kurzweil engine enough as opposed to the PX/XL engines.
I was aiming for the Oberheim Two Voice Pro to mimic the duties of the Oberheim SEM Four Voice (Which was mostly used as a bass synth) but that plan did not work out as everyone knows. I still might try and get a second hand one but from the second hand prices I'm seeing (close to $8-9K) I might just have to find an alternative.
For the Linn LM1 and Linn Drum and EMU SP-12 ensemble I have the Tempest and ISLA S2400 drum machines....I was leaning towards an Arturia DrumBrute to add to the mix as well...which is obviously nothing like any of the Carpenter/Howarth setup but it would give me some more variety.....that being said if Sequential do come out with a new drum machine or when Roger Linn comes out with his new drum machine...I'd take that over the DrumBrute obviously)