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OTHER DISCUSSIONS => General Synthesis => Other Hardware/Software => Topic started by: LoboLives on November 16, 2017, 09:32:16 AM

Title: Baloran The River
Post by: LoboLives on November 16, 2017, 09:32:16 AM
Surprised this hasn't been mentioned. You all get your MemoryMoog wish thanks to the french. :)

http://www.baloran.com/store/index.php?route=journal2/blog/post&journal_blog_post_id=19

8 voice polyphony,
2 VCOs/voice, based on the Moog Source, but more advanced
Ladder VCF
VCO mod via ENV, PWM, F
Discrete LFOs & ENVs (2x) + global digital LFO
8 x multi-timbral
Arpeggiator & Sequencer/Voic
5 Oct Fatar TP/8S Keyboard
Analog TriChorus
Modulation matrix

I HATE the name. I'm not sure what is with companies naming synths dumb things as of late but the capabilities are nuts.

Only 20 made for the pre order and so far on the GearSlutz forum...a lot of them have been snapped up by members there. 
Title: Re: Baloran The River
Post by: Sacred Synthesis on November 16, 2017, 11:39:26 AM
My favorite feature?  The flat top, making the close stacking of keyboards possible.
Title: Re: Baloran The River
Post by: LoboLives on November 16, 2017, 01:15:17 PM
My favorite feature?  The flat top, making the close stacking of keyboards possible.

Or a perfect resting place for your morning glass of scotch.
Title: Re: Baloran The River
Post by: Sacred Synthesis on November 16, 2017, 01:40:27 PM
Isn't that a little risky? 
Title: Re: Baloran The River
Post by: chysn on November 16, 2017, 01:52:39 PM
I HATE the name. I'm not sure what is with companies naming synths dumb things as of late but the capabilities are nuts.

"What kind of synth do you play?"

"I play a The River!"
Title: Re: Baloran The River
Post by: Paul Dither on November 16, 2017, 02:05:51 PM
Surprised this hasn't been mentioned.

Seems like I missed doing that. I can remember that I wanted to share the info early this year already.

Either way, an impressive project.

The name "The River" was chosen because the voices are based on the Moog Source and many sources lead to a river.
Title: Re: Baloran The River
Post by: LoboLives on November 16, 2017, 04:11:24 PM
Isn't that a little risky?

Depends how early you get up I suppose.
Title: Re: Baloran The River
Post by: LoboLives on November 16, 2017, 04:13:08 PM
Surprised this hasn't been mentioned.


The name "The River" was chosen because the voices are based on the Moog Source and many sources lead to a river.

Oh brother...
Title: Re: Baloran The River
Post by: Paul Dither on November 16, 2017, 04:19:06 PM
Surprised this hasn't been mentioned.


The name "The River" was chosen because the voices are based on the Moog Source and many sources lead to a river.

Oh brother...

See that's what happens if you get up early and have a bottle of scotch.
Title: Re: Baloran The River
Post by: LoboLives on November 16, 2017, 04:42:26 PM
Surprised this hasn't been mentioned.


The name "The River" was chosen because the voices are based on the Moog Source and many sources lead to a river.

Oh brother...

See that's what happens if you get up early and have a bottle of scotch.

I said glass! ;)
Title: Re: Baloran The River
Post by: chysn on November 16, 2017, 04:53:38 PM
Surprised this hasn't been mentioned.


The name "The River" was chosen because the voices are based on the Moog Source and many sources lead to a river.

Oh brother...

See that's what happens if you get up early and have a bottle of scotch.

I like how we went from "glass of scotch" to "bottle of scotch" in just seven posts.
Title: Re: Baloran The River
Post by: Razmo on November 16, 2017, 05:05:13 PM
Surprised this hasn't been mentioned.


The name "The River" was chosen because the voices are based on the Moog Source and many sources lead to a river.

Oh brother...

See that's what happens if you get up early and have a bottle of scotch.

I said glass! ;)

I have glasses that will hold a full bottle :)
Title: Re: Baloran The River
Post by: Razmo on November 16, 2017, 05:08:23 PM
a lot of sources that becomes a river... and then what if that synth becomes another project? ... The Sunami? The Flood? ... at some point they will have to name a synth down the line "Atlantis" I suppose... but that name has probably already been used...
Title: Re: Baloran The River
Post by: Sacred Synthesis on November 16, 2017, 07:44:34 PM
As always, I'm waiting for the monophonic version.  It'll be called "The Drip".
Title: Re: Baloran The River
Post by: Shaw on November 16, 2017, 07:52:19 PM
As always, I'm waiting for the monophonic version.  It'll be called "The Drip".
Ha!   The Desktop unit will be "The Puddle".
Title: Re: Baloran The River
Post by: LoboLives on November 16, 2017, 08:19:15 PM
 I know this is silly but I do sort of put importance in a name. I know it has nothing to do with the quality of the instrument but I actually sort of get put off by a dumb name. I mean look at how fast it’s become a joke just in this thread.

I do wish that synth names would somewhat be more simplified and include numbers. I applaud DSI for doing this with the Prophets. There is something about a name like Yamaha DX7 or Kurzweil 2500 or Korg M1 or Yamaha CS-80 that sounds better than Montage or Peak or The River.

Even DSI is somewhat guilty of this with names like Mopho. Hell, I sort of think Tempest is a lame name but it’s far superior to its original names (MetroGnome and Boom Chick) but could we not have simply gone with the Linn Drum 2 or LS-6 (for Linn and Smith plus number of polyphony).

I dunno maybe I’m alone. But even the $25,000 Schmidt’s name puts me off more than the price tag! 
Title: Re: Baloran The River
Post by: Sacred Synthesis on November 16, 2017, 08:59:52 PM
As always, I'm waiting for the monophonic version.  It'll be called "The Drip".
Ha!   The Desktop unit will be "The Puddle".

I was thinking instead "The Drop".
Title: Re: Baloran The River
Post by: Sacred Synthesis on November 16, 2017, 09:04:48 PM
I dunno maybe I’m alone. But even the $25,000 Schmidt’s name puts me off more than the price tag!

No, you're not; I feel the same way.  I most certainly would have bought a Mopho SE or x4, had the name not stopped me.  My wife even tried to persuade me to ask DSI if they would make just one of these instruments without the name on the body, because she didn't want such a filthy name in the house either.   

I realize many musicians don't care about such things.  As long as the instrument sounds cool, they wouldn't care if it was covered with swastikas.  But I consider an instrument's name to be an important finishing touch, a prominent statement that can either dignify it or disgrace it.
Title: Re: Baloran The River
Post by: chysn on November 17, 2017, 05:20:11 AM
In my view, Moog wins the award for both best name (Minitaur) and worst name (Moogerfooger). Thankfully, they haven't released a series of "Motherfooger" eurorack modules yet, but I'm always afraid that it's coming.
Title: Re: Baloran The River
Post by: Razmo on November 17, 2017, 05:30:51 AM
I dunno maybe I’m alone. But even the $25,000 Schmidt’s name puts me off more than the price tag!

No, you're not; I feel the same way.  I most certainly would have bought a Mopho SE or x4, had the name not stopped me.  My wife even tried to persuade me to ask DSI if they would make just one of these instruments without the name on the body, because she didn't want such a filthy name in the house either.   

I realize many musicians don't care about such things.  As long as the instrument sounds cool, they wouldn't care if it was covered with swastikas.  But I consider an instrument's name to be an important finishing touch, a prominent statement that can either dignify it or disgrace it.

Isn't that taking it a bit far, to compare with nazi signs!? ... I definitely would not want a synth with that, but "Mopho" really does not aggravate me the slightest.... did anyone think that the name could actually stand for "MOnoPHOnic" ? :D

I personally like the name Mopho better than those plain boring letters and numbers other companies use...
Title: Re: Baloran The River
Post by: Razmo on November 17, 2017, 05:41:44 AM
In general I don't care much about the name... it's the sound that matters, and I'd certainly not diss a really cool synth, just because it had an ugly name, or even a bit dirty one... my line is crossed when it's names that signal inhumanity... profanity I really do not care about...

My own personal view on naming a synth is that it's original, and has some relevance to the synth... thus MoPho for MonoPhonic suits me rather well.... Prophet on the other hand sounds cool, but what does a prophet even relate to when it comes to a synthesizer!?

The River is referring to The Source, so the name fits with it's meaning... it just sounds pretty lame and even more if you do not know the reason.

I personally like names that is a kind of analogy for what it really is.... when I once designed my own little synth based on the Commodore 64 SID chip, I called it "ParaSID" ("parasite" for those who do not get it). These are the kind of naming I like.... if I had to decide.... which I do not, so I just cope with whatever the creators want to call their creations... halleluja! :D
Title: Re: Baloran The River
Post by: Paul Dither on November 17, 2017, 06:01:14 AM
Prophet on the other hand sounds cool, but what does a prophet even relate to when it comes to a synthesizer!?

According to The Prophet from Silicon Valley, they were shooting for something mystical and magical, probably inspired by the Prog Rock movement. It was in fact Rick Wakeman, the only musician who got a sneak preview of what the Prophet-5 should become, who suggested that the synth should be given a proper name. In the early stages, the Prophet-5 should have just been called the Model 1000, following Sequential Circuits' Model 600, 700, and 800 (the sequencers and the programmer). Alternative name suggestions included "Seer" and "Wizard". So the pool of names was mostly genre-related or rather related to what sort of narratives the Prog genre was often referring to: mythological and phantasy stories, the kind of stuff you'd expect from keyboard players dressed in a wizard cape.
Title: Re: Baloran The River
Post by: Razmo on November 17, 2017, 06:28:57 AM
Prophet on the other hand sounds cool, but what does a prophet even relate to when it comes to a synthesizer!?

According to The Prophet from Silicon Valley, they were shooting for something mystical and magical, probably inspired by the Prog Rock movement. It was in fact Rick Wakeman, the only musician who got a sneak preview of what the Prophet-5 should become, who suggested that the synth should be given a proper name. In the early stages, the Prophet-5 should have just been called the Model 1000, following Sequential Circuits' Model 600, 700, and 800 (the sequencers and the programmer). Alternative name suggestions included "Seer" and "Wizard". So the pool of names was mostly genre-related or rather related to what sort of narratives the Prog genre was often referring to: mythological and phantasy stories, the kind of stuff you'd expect from keyboard players dressed in a wizard cape.

Well... that would be me then... I adore fantasy in every aspect... I even have a roleplaying wizard's robe somewhere :D
Title: Re: Baloran The River
Post by: LoboLives on November 17, 2017, 07:22:43 AM
I would have just called the Schmidt-GOLIATH 80 (Massive size and 8 voices)

I would have just called The River-POLYSOURCE.

Title: Re: Baloran The River
Post by: dslsynth on November 17, 2017, 08:39:58 AM
On the first page of this topic you guys managed to prove Godwin's law (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godwin%27s_law) and have even started drinking. Seems like the product got quite some marketing potential. Or is it an audience artifact!?
Title: Re: Baloran The River
Post by: Sacred Synthesis on November 18, 2017, 02:22:12 PM
I dunno maybe I’m alone. But even the $25,000 Schmidt’s name puts me off more than the price tag!

No, you're not; I feel the same way.  I most certainly would have bought a Mopho SE or x4, had the name not stopped me.  My wife even tried to persuade me to ask DSI if they would make just one of these instruments without the name on the body, because she didn't want such a filthy name in the house either.   

I realize many musicians don't care about such things.  As long as the instrument sounds cool, they wouldn't care if it was covered with swastikas.  But I consider an instrument's name to be an important finishing touch, a prominent statement that can either dignify it or disgrace it.

Isn't that taking it a bit far, to compare with nazi signs!? ... I definitely would not want a synth with that, but "Mopho" really does not aggravate me the slightest.... did anyone think that the name could actually stand for "MOnoPHOnic" ? :D

I personally like the name Mopho better than those plain boring letters and numbers other companies use...

Yes, of course.  That fuller name is right on the front of the Desktop.  But you don't notice the full spelling as well as "Mopho." 

Everybody knows the incestuous meaning of that slang word.  That, in principle, is enough reason to avoid it.  But to give one among many possible practical examples:  My wife is a music teacher for K-4th grade.  I often accompany on piano her music performances with the kids, and we'd like to use a synthesizer one of these days.  What do you think the reaction would be from students, teachers, administration, and parents to an instrument that says on the back, "Mopho"?  And what about a religious setting, such as a Christmas concert?  Or a rest home?  Etc. etc.  A name such as "Mopho" - offensive as it is in itself - puts immediate restrictions on its public use.

I don't mean to be shocking, but the rock and roll standard doesn't hold everywhere; it really isn't the social norm, thank God.  You can disagree with all of this if it doesn't personally bother you, but that doesn't change the facts.  People are justifiably offended by trash talk.  Personally, I don't want to hear such filth, and I sure don't want to see it every time I go in my music room.
Title: Re: Baloran The River
Post by: dslsynth on November 18, 2017, 02:43:52 PM
I don't mean to be shocking, but the rock and roll standard doesn't hold everywhere;

Maybe people like myself who are not native english speakers and furthermore lives in a culture where such words do not matter too much are far less concerned about the Mopho name than someone like you are. Cultural context! I have seen american musicians putting a black piece of tape over the logo on a Mokey. Personally I found that move ridiculously funny. But not everyone do that.
Title: Re: Baloran The River
Post by: Sacred Synthesis on November 18, 2017, 04:12:12 PM
Yes, it's true that, if you don't know the meaning of a foreign word, you won't be bothered by its meaning.  But once you learn its meaning, shouldn't you then care if it's perverse? 

So I could use any crude term I please here, without concern that I might offend someone?  We all know that's not true.  So why is an abbreviation of "mother----er" tolerated?  Are there no mothers who would like to comment on this, no feminists or social justice warriors? 

During this past summer, someone started a thread about 'synth babes'.  It was quickly denounced as offensive and completely removed. And yet, the expletive "mopho" is considered cool?  It's a tad inconsistent, don't you think?
Title: Re: Baloran The River
Post by: Shaw on November 18, 2017, 04:39:01 PM
No, you're not; I feel the same way.  I most certainly would have bought a Mopho SE or x4, had the name not stopped me.  My wife even tried to persuade me to ask DSI if they would make just one of these instruments without the name on the body, because she didn't want such a filthy name in the house either. 
I had a similar but slightly different take on the MoPho name.  I never seriously looked at or considered the synth because I assumed (largely due to the name) that it wasn’t a professional piece of gear.  I don’t think I did any of this consciously; quite the contrary, I’m sure it was a base, subconscious reaction.  One that cost DSI a potential sale.  With a different name, I may have considered it as an alternative to the rather-cool-named Moog Minitaur.


My 2¢
Title: Re: Baloran The River
Post by: Sacred Synthesis on November 18, 2017, 04:42:48 PM
Good point.  That's the other side of the coin.

What would have been wrong with the name "Monophonic"?  Jeepers, I would have been happy with "Nonic," as in moNOphoNIC.
Title: Re: Baloran The River
Post by: Shaw on November 18, 2017, 04:46:33 PM
Good point.  That's the other side of the coin.

What would have been wrong with the name "Monophonic"?  Jeepers, I would have been happy with "Nonic," as in moNOphoNIC.


DS-1

Keep it simple.
Title: Re: Baloran The River
Post by: megamarkd on November 18, 2017, 05:01:41 PM
Ah the little monosynth and it's funny self-explanatory name.
Mopho (mofo), in it's full form, was originally a way to describe a very good musician.  Frank Zappa, the megalomaniac he was,  originally wanted to call his band a cut down version of the term but was told to just leave off the "f" word was not enough, thus the "of Invention" bit was added.  Somewhere during the 70's the term was appropriated by the street culture and by the 90's had a new meaning associated with USA gangster culture.

I remember thinking when I first saw the yellow box in the store display that the name was clever, but at the same time I was very disappointed that a synth from a speciality company like DSI would use a name I'd expect out of a guitar pedal company.  And considering Moog had previously tried to engage the guitarist market, I was fearing the worst.  Part of me was happy it was something I could afford and fit into my space, but part of me was let down by such a simple synth (compared to what I was used to) with what seemed like a novelty theme.  I am happy DSI didn't release the Analogue PhaFlaDelia next (but I've got a feeling Elektron may have that device on the way).

All this does highlight that as much as a name makes no difference to the sound of an instrument, it certainly influences the perception of the performer to the audience and possibly even more importantly, the performer's self-perception.

With regards to the moniker of a limited run of 20 synths assembled by hand for a truly boutique market, they can call it what they want, the buyers will buy it even if it's called the "Dream Rainbow Of Love".

The more and more of these labours of love I see, the more I realise if I want a bespoke ridiculo-synth, I'm gonna need to start making a modular or buy more Evolvers.
Title: Re: Baloran The River
Post by: Gerry Havinga on November 19, 2017, 02:22:19 AM
I don't mean to be shocking, but the rock and roll standard doesn't hold everywhere;


Maybe people like myself who are not native english speakers and furthermore lives in a culture where such words do not matter too much are far less concerned about the Mopho name than someone like you are. Cultural context! I have seen american musicians putting a black piece of tape over the logo on a Mokey. Personally I found that move ridiculously funny. But not everyone do that.
I have absolutely no idea what the Mopho name stands for except monophonic.

Interesting cultural discussion this thread has become. I am sure I can put some extremely offensive words in here without any English native speaker getting offended .....
Title: Re: Baloran The River
Post by: DavidDever on November 19, 2017, 06:28:49 AM
Interesting cultural discussion this thread has become. I am sure I can put some extremely offensive words in here without any English native speaker getting offended .....

That's the spirit!  ;)

Meanwhile, it's time to heat up mo' phở (beef, specifically) for lunch.
Title: Re: Baloran The River
Post by: dslsynth on November 19, 2017, 01:16:29 PM
. o O ( MoRant )
Title: Re: Baloran The River
Post by: Soundquest on November 21, 2017, 06:45:37 AM
Well I think "Sledge" wins the prize for dumb names.  Like something you shovel out of the bottom of a tank :-\    When I went to sell mine I was actually worried that would be a limiting factor.
Title: Re: Baloran The River
Post by: Sacred Synthesis on November 21, 2017, 07:22:37 AM
I loath the whole puerile pop culture world as a primary source for instrument names.  I wish music itself would again be used as a source, as it was in the past - names such as the "Prelude," the "Fugue," the "Finale," the "Crescendo;" or even Italian musical terms such as the "Amoroso," or the "Dolce," and so on.  If a series of models is needed, then the "Opus I," the "Opus II," and so on, as was done somewhat in the past.

A decent name can add such dignity to an instrument, and it can also help to broaden its appeal to other types of musicians and other styles of music than the usual.  I realize this is in vain, but I also wish synthesizer companies would themselves directly make such an appeal, or at least offer an instrument or two for us.  Fortunately, the "Prophet" name is clean and dignified, and DSI has certainly made plenty use of it.  But as for that Evolver logo.... 

Roland is a good example of a company that has directed its efforts towards classical and church musicians, with their digital organs and harpsichords.  But this doesn't include their synthesizers, and that's what I'm primarily speaking about.  I had my hopes in Artisan Electronic Instruments (https://www.artisanelectronicinstruments.com/), but their growth has been painfully slow.  Perhaps they'll eventually get there.  But personally, I'm so tired of having to repeatedly turn to the rock and roll world to find the instruments I need.  It isn't my kind of place, but I'm forced to return to it in order to find the synthesizers I need.   
Title: Re: Baloran The River
Post by: AdamPloof on November 21, 2017, 07:51:44 AM
I had my hopes in Artisan Electronic Instruments (https://www.artisanelectronicinstruments.com/), but their growth has been painfully slow.  Perhaps they'll eventually get there...

I realize this conversation has kind of gone off the rails from the discussion about the river, which looks very interesting, but now you've got me curious about Artisan Electronic Instruments. What particularly are your hopes for that company? That they'll eventually come out with a poly synth?
Title: Re: Baloran The River
Post by: Sacred Synthesis on November 21, 2017, 08:41:17 AM
I don't have specific expectations for Artisan Electronic Instruments.  I simply stumbled across them one day and found them interesting.  So far, they offer a monophonic keyboard and module synthesizer that interests me.  They've also been working on a polyphonic synthesizer that seems impressive.  It certainly would be nice to have a new option in analog synthesizers of the classical sort.  I would be very excited to see that.

I like their philosophy and presentation, but I can't speak for the actual quality of their instruments, since I've never played one.  But I'll be in the market for a new synthesizer between now and May, so I've got my eyes open.  DSI is still my favorite company, but I'm not expecting them to produce an analog mono synth, so this has me interested in Artisan.

By the way, this thread quickly moved to the present topic - seemingly because no one was especially interested in Baloran the River - and it really has been the topic since.  It probably should be split off into a "Synthesizer Names" thread. 
Title: Re: Baloran The River
Post by: LoboLives on November 21, 2017, 09:07:27 AM
I'm shocked that there's not more discussion about the instrument. I guess it's out of people's real estate and price. Still nice. At least someone is stepping up to the plate and doing a MemoryMoog/Poly Moog type thing.
Title: Re: Baloran The River
Post by: Sacred Synthesis on November 21, 2017, 09:10:32 AM
The Ottava Module is $775, and the Trentasette Keyboard is $1050.  I'd be more than willing to spend those modest amounts of money for a really fine monophonic instrument.  These instruments wouldn't be enough synthesizer for most folks here - having only 60 storage patches - but for my needs they could be perfect: simple in architecture, but strong in the fundamentals of synthesis.

What Artisan needs is decent musical demonstrations.  Thus far, they're amazingly poor in content and sound quality.  I'm sure this hasn't helped their business.

Here's a decent overview:
http://www.synthtopia.com/content/2016/10/02/artisan-electronic-instruments-ottava-analog-synthesizer-neurorack-eurorack-modules/
Title: Re: Baloran The River
Post by: Paul Dither on November 21, 2017, 05:19:42 PM
I'm shocked that there's not more discussion about the instrument. I guess it's out of people's real estate and price. Still nice. At least someone is stepping up to the plate and doing a MemoryMoog/Poly Moog type thing.

I think the problem is that only very, very few had a chance to play one already and that it comes - or will come - in rather limited quantities. The price tag might play a role too. It would be nice, though, to hear some quality recordings once it's been shipping. From the demos of which most have been recorded with a camera mic only, it definitely sounds promising and flexible.
Title: Re: Baloran The River
Post by: megamarkd on November 21, 2017, 07:50:09 PM
I'm shocked that there's not more discussion about the instrument. I guess it's out of people's real estate and price. Still nice. At least someone is stepping up to the plate and doing a MemoryMoog/Poly Moog type thing.

I think the problem is that only very, very few had a chance to play one already and that it comes - or will come - in rather limited quantities. The price tag might play a role too. It would be nice, though, to hear some quality recordings once it's been shipping. From the demos of which most have been recorded with a camera mic only, it definitely sounds promising and flexible.

These synths are a hark back to the early years when only successful musicians with an experimental bend would be able to afford the most spectacular synthesisers, but then the music that would come as from them....
I sorta don't like the idea of artificially limiting the numbers available, but by the same token, an instrument like The River and that CS-80 clone would be wasted on me.  Let the likes of Vangelis have them and put some man man beauty into the world with their skill.

Well I think "Sledge" wins the prize for dumb names.  Like something you shovel out of the bottom of a tank :-\    When I went to sell mine I was actually worried that would be a limiting factor.

You are confusing "sledge" with "sludge".  One letter is the difference between a large hammer and industrial waste-product.
I'm assuming here that Waldorf and Studio Logic meant to associate the synth with a hammer used for demolition work and not what Santa rides while being towed by flying reindeer.  Dead sure neither of them wanted to us to think "cool, a synth that sounds sedimentary scum!"
Title: Re: Baloran The River
Post by: Paul Dither on November 22, 2017, 04:45:30 AM
These synths are a hark back to the early years when only successful musicians with an experimental bend would be able to afford the most spectacular synthesisers, but then the music that would come as from them....
I sorta don't like the idea of artificially limiting the numbers available, but by the same token, an instrument like The River and that CS-80 clone would be wasted on me.  Let the likes of Vangelis have them and put some man man beauty into the world with their skill.

I generally agree with that (especially the first half). I doubt, though, that these synths are produced in artificially limited numbers. There's a simple economic reason - not an artificially created one - that makes them limited in the first place: These types of synths are niche, not mass products.

In the market for electronic devices, musical instruments are only a tiny sub group. And within this group you find many specialized niches like analog, digital, or hybrid synths, diverse controllers, etc. And within these niches you again find more sub niches covering everything from beginner's (like the Volcas) to highly exclusive instruments (like the Schmidt), from standardized (keyboard instruments) to more esoteric ones (like the Haken Continuum).

So if you look outside the feedback chambers of synth forums, it becomes obvious what a tiny and unprofitable (by the standards of mass produced electronic devices like computer screens or mobile phones) market this really is, unless your product sells in the region of 100,000 and above like the DX7, the D-50, or the M1. But even that is a rather low number compared to the sales of other electronic devices. Still, if you sell about 3,000 of a product per year, you also can't take advantage of the cost saving options in the production run that apply to really mass produced items.

And then there are also the hardware components for the tactile interaction with an instrument, the field that is not really affected by the technological progress that has made lots of inner components more affordable over the years: A sturdy front plate, knobs, buttons, potentiometers, wood panels, etc.

As for The River: One also has to take into account that this is a project organized by one guy. He doesn't have a large or even a small company to rely upon in terms of resources. In order to not end up in bankruptcy with hundreds of huge synths in his basement, the best thing he could do is to start production based on pre-orders and in test run quantities. If the demand is there and he receives enough positive feedback, he might do another production run, just like Schmidt did. Given the small numbers, any further production and thus the instrument itself won't become any cheaper though.
Title: Re: Baloran The River
Post by: LoboLives on November 22, 2017, 07:55:04 AM
I'm not going to lie...if I had the money to spend. A Schmidt would be a serious consideration.
Title: Re: Baloran The River
Post by: Paul Dither on November 22, 2017, 08:09:29 AM
I'm not going to lie...if I had the money to spend. A Schmidt would be a serious consideration.

The problem is that one cannot simply check one out in a store.
Title: Re: Baloran The River
Post by: LoboLives on November 22, 2017, 10:09:44 AM
I'm not going to lie...if I had the money to spend. A Schmidt would be a serious consideration.

The problem is that one cannot simply check one out in a store.

Yeah and demos online have been hit and miss. It sounds impressive but it seems to be lacking in basic synth features arppegiators and stuff
Title: Re: Baloran The River
Post by: DavidDever on November 22, 2017, 04:15:00 PM
I'm assuming here that Waldorf and Studio Logic meant to associate the synth with a hammer used for demolition work and not what Santa rides while being towed by flying reindeer.

Apparently, "sledge" = "sled"...so who knows?
Title: Re: Baloran The River
Post by: Kim Sand on December 03, 2017, 03:58:19 AM
I like the name, «The River». It sounds organic, alive and powerful, just like the synth. It also reminds me of Bruce Springsteen’s song. So when I hear «The River» I think «The Boss». Which is another name that would befit this behemoth. «What instrument do I play? I play The River.» That sounds damn classy to me.  8)
Title: Re: Baloran The River
Post by: Kim Sand on December 03, 2017, 05:03:15 AM
The name aside, I’m very enthusiastic about The River. I have a Prophet 6, an OB-6 and a Prophet 12. I like them all, and have thought for a long time about poly chaining the Prophet 6 to its module, since I think it has the best overall sound of the three and I hear notes cutting off all the time. But it is also easy to hear that these synths are related. It would be nice with something outside the family.

My Moog Sub 37 fits the bill nicely, and has a darker, bassier sound. A polyphonic Moog would be a great match, which is exactly what The River aims to be. It sounds awesome and has a different set of features. The problem is availability. Depending on what is announced at Namm soon, I might set my aim at The River for the Big Analog Sound.
Title: Re: Baloran The River
Post by: coyote14 on February 15, 2018, 02:08:11 PM
The River will be demonstrated at the SynthFest France in Nantes, starting the 30th march 2018 up to the 1st of April. I will have the great honor to play it on stage.

SynthFest program and details is available here: www.synthfestfrance.com
Title: Re: Baloran The River
Post by: Quatschmacher on August 13, 2018, 12:16:56 PM


Interesting cultural discussion this thread has become. I am sure I can put some extremely offensive words in here without any English native speaker getting offended .....

Ga je gang; ik zou best wel een paar nieuwe Nederlandse scheldwoorden willen leren. :-)
Title: Re: Baloran The River
Post by: Kja on August 16, 2018, 03:36:28 PM
I don't have specific expectations for Artisan Electronic Instruments.  I simply stumbled across them one day and found them interesting.  So far, they offer a monophonic keyboard and module synthesizer that interests me.  They've also been working on a polyphonic synthesizer that seems impressive.  It certainly would be nice to have a new option in analog synthesizers of the classical sort.  I would be very excited to see that.

I like their philosophy and presentation, but I can't speak for the actual quality of their instruments, since I've never played one.  But I'll be in the market for a new synthesizer between now and May, so I've got my eyes open.  DSI is still my favorite company, but I'm not expecting them to produce an analog mono synth, so this has me interested in Artisan.

By the way, this thread quickly moved to the present topic - seemingly because no one was especially interested in Baloran the River - and it really has been the topic since.  It probably should be split off into a "Synthesizer Names" thread.
I own the trentassette, and a prophet 6.. Its a hell of a synth.. People missed out not getting one. Mike is making a new semi modular now with wavetables/wavefolder/ and it has multiple filter types, well you'll see.. Its dope. He's gotta finish his modular stuff first though. The poly will be after his new mono. I don't put videos up of my artisan stuff because he was handmaking them, it was more of an experiment leading to his new synth.
Title: Re: Baloran The River
Post by: Kja on August 16, 2018, 06:52:12 PM
The Ottava Module is $775, and the Trentasette Keyboard is $1050.  I'd be more than willing to spend those modest amounts of money for a really fine monophonic instrument.  These instruments wouldn't be enough synthesizer for most folks here - having only 60 storage patches - but for my needs they could be perfect: simple in architecture, but strong in the fundamentals of synthesis.

What Artisan needs is decent musical demonstrations.  Thus far, they're amazingly poor in content and sound quality.  I'm sure this hasn't helped their business.

Here's a decent overview:
http://www.synthtopia.com/content/2016/10/02/artisan-electronic-instruments-ottava-analog-synthesizer-neurorack-eurorack-modules/
The ottava is one of the easiest synths around, rivaling synths like mcbeth and such.. Just massive balls.. Like if a Odyssey and a moog had a baby.
Title: Re: Baloran The River
Post by: musicmaker on March 13, 2019, 08:21:30 AM
https://youtu.be/4Rbg5COdBNE (https://youtu.be/4Rbg5COdBNE)

http://www.synthtopia.com/content/tag/baloran/
http://www.baloran.com/store/ (http://www.baloran.com/store/)
https://youtu.be/_U9Xi6EhtZ0 (https://youtu.be/_U9Xi6EhtZ0)
http://www.baloran.com/store/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=277
The price of The River goes to 4992€ before tax, is 5990€ with VAT of 20%.

Why would this sound so much better on Youtube than a Moog One.
Can't be all Moog One posts use inferior audio interface or  recording equipment.

Title: Re: Baloran The River
Post by: Quatschmacher on March 13, 2019, 08:30:22 AM
https://youtu.be/4Rbg5COdBNE (https://youtu.be/4Rbg5COdBNE)

http://www.synthtopia.com/content/tag/baloran/
hurl=http://www.baloran.com/store/]http://www.baloran.com/store/[/url]
http://www.baloran.com/store/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=277
The price of The River goes to 4992€ before tax, is 5990€ with VAT of 20%.

Why would this sound so much better on Youtube than a Moog One.
Can't be all Moog One posts use inferior audio interface or  recording equipment.

€2200 is just the deposit. Total is €5990 including the 20% VAT.