Hi all,
I've joined you all as a new Prophet 12 fan! I'm primarily a bassist influenced by Geddy, Flea, and Stu Zender, but I'm developing my keyboard and synths skills in parallel. For a good while now I've been wanting an analog synth for my creative and gigging needs. I've yet to fully embrace the DAW and soft synths approach (only have Reaper and OP-X), and for the longest time I was set on getting an Andromeda or the Tetra. After some research and GAS and portability needs, I've settled on the P12m to round out my Kronos6 and Integra 7 and MIDI controller/foot pedal gigging rig.
My first synth was a Juno 106 back in '85 (so close to getting the Six Trak but went for the Roland instead), and in the 90s I gigged with a Korg DW8000. I had to sell those, but I got back into synths in 2009 with the Alesis Fusion 6 and 8 and a Micron. I was hoping to use the P12m as my analog go-to for the power synth 80s stuff, like EVH 1984/5150, Rush Signals to HYF, Kansas/Asia/Boston/Journey/Steve Miller, Billy Idol, The Cars, Night Ranger, Whitesnake, Simple Minds, Thompson Twins, etc.
I like the flexibility of the P12m, approaching it almost as a virtual synth with all its various modulation and OSC types. I was a bit underwhelmed at first with the lack of the Curtis filter's ability to easily push out full, round bottom bass. Using Audio IN, I've done some direct comparisons with the raw oscillators and filters of the Minitaur, P12m, Kronos, and Micron. The Moog of course was the most direct and "phat", but the Kronos and the Micron were no slouches. Despite its toyish look, I'm really re-appreciating the Micron's 19 filter types, dual filter routings, zone-able 8-voice MIDI multi mode configs, and flexible mod routings. I really dig its filters, from the squelchy and bass-friendly TB303, the lush OB 2pole, the smooth Moog 4pole ladder, the various comb and vocal formants, and even the ARP's over-driven 4pole... all lend unique creative possibilities whether from internal, sweepable OSC waveshapes or from external audio IN sources. The Micron sounds fat, expressive, and flexible.
I'm growing to appreciate the Curtis filter's unique, upper mid range resonance qualities. The P12m's OSC types and left/center/right wave-shaping customizations, and of course the FM capabilities, promise to make the P12m a very strong tool in my arsenal. I scour the forums for info, but I also hope a direct approach will spur further conversation and practical tips... Glad to be a part of the community and hope to be a good contributor.
-- Andrew