DSI at NAMM 2016 Speculation

Re: DSI at NAMM 2016 Speculation
« Reply #180 on: January 18, 2016, 03:51:32 PM »
Also I hope that DSI will not make any more monophonic instruments. You may ask: Why!? Well the front panel have a significant cost in itself and by having more voices the instrument gets a better price/performance rating. So my suggestion is that they make a duophonic instead of a monophonic instrument complete with layers and stack/split modes as this allows for stereo panned sounds as well as the usual stack/split use cases.

That would be an excellent idea, and it would offer an alternative to the very expensive Oberheim Two-Voice Pro.
Yeah, I've been lusting after one of those, but might be tempted to pick up a single SEM Pro if there's something desirable at NAMM from DSI that would sway my cash a different direction....

I may be different from others here in that I'm not terribly keen on what I've seen in built-in sequencers; I feel that these ought to latch along the lines of a phrase sampler, or the old Notator / Creator approach. I also prefer built-in pitch and delay effects (not necessarily reverb, though sometimes it's a nice spectral feature), and a good keybed - things that make the occasional live gig super easy, so that one can get lost in the music.

If I had the money, or for the right deal, I'd jump on a Pro-2 or Prophet-6 in a heartbeat; I think that these have the filter sound that I love and are complete instruments.
« Last Edit: January 18, 2016, 03:59:37 PM by DavidDever »
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Re: DSI at NAMM 2016 Speculation
« Reply #181 on: January 18, 2016, 05:02:03 PM »
I may be different from others here in that I'm not terribly keen on what I've seen in built-in sequencers.

Somewhat along those lines, I wish the onboard sequencers would be removed and offered as add-on devices.  It's one way of being able to offer feature-rich synthesizers at a reasonable cost.

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Re: DSI at NAMM 2016 Speculation
« Reply #182 on: January 18, 2016, 08:29:56 PM »
I wish the onboard sequencers would be removed and offered as add-on devices.  It's one way of being able to offer feature-rich synthesizers at a reasonable cost.

That's crazy talk! The sequencer is DSI's killer app, and blows the doors of modulation wide open. And it's pretty much a software thing that isn't going to add to the hardware cost of each instrument.
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Re: DSI at NAMM 2016 Speculation
« Reply #183 on: January 19, 2016, 03:17:17 AM »
I wish the onboard sequencers would be removed and offered as add-on devices.  It's one way of being able to offer feature-rich synthesizers at a reasonable cost.

That's crazy talk! The sequencer is DSI's killer app, and blows the doors of modulation wide open. And it's pretty much a software thing that isn't going to add to the hardware cost of each instrument.

I'll have to agree on this one... Removing internal sequencers will be a huge step backwards, and I remember how many users that actually complained that no sequencers are in the Prophet 12... I still would really like sequencers in it.

Personally I find them useful because of the way I work these days... earlier I just sequenced from my DAW, but more and more I'm live recording into my DAW without metronome, and that makes it really nice to have sequencers build into a synth because it lets you have tight timing (usually much better than a DAW anyway).

When I make ambient, I usually start out by playing some live drones/pads, that last for some time, and then some rhythmic synthy part or bass start going and taking over for a long period of time, and here is where the internal sequencer or Arpeggiator is nice to have... it lays the foundation "metronome" for the tracks to follow.

Also... small rhythmic presets are nice to have for this task, and that it can be saved as part of a preset. This is one of the major reasons I still have my PER... simply because it can do some of the most weird rhythmic sequences... the Prophet 12 simply cannot cut it.

I understand that it is making an instrument a bit more expensive, especially if it has dedicated controls for the sequencer like the Pro 2, but it could be minimized to being internal only, if for a cheaper product... The Tetra was like that, and even the Prophet 08 is in a way, since it doubles a lot of knobs for the sequencer.

I know for certain, that I'm REALLY happy about the Sub 37's internal sequencer too... so I vote for internal sequencers too!  :D
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Re: DSI at NAMM 2016 Speculation
« Reply #184 on: January 19, 2016, 06:04:51 AM »
I wish the onboard sequencers would be removed and offered as add-on devices.  It's one way of being able to offer feature-rich synthesizers at a reasonable cost.

That's crazy talk! The sequencer is DSI's killer app, and blows the doors of modulation wide open. And it's pretty much a software thing that isn't going to add to the hardware cost of each instrument.

No, it's not crazy talk to want a simple stripped-down inexpensive synthesizer designed to be played entirely with the keyboard.  I realize a sequencer offers certain performance advantages, but jeepers, are there not enough of them already available?  Sequencers require parameters and panel space, so it's not merely a matter of software.  It would be refreshing to have a spacious control panel with larger knobs and features dedicated entirely to sound design.  I'd be happy even to forgo an arpeggiator.  You see, this is why I do like older instruments, and why this preference has nothing to do with nostalgia.

Consider the Oberheim Two-Voice Pro.  Its control panel is two thirds sequencer.  Without the sequencer, how many hundreds of dollars would be knocked off its exorbitant $3,500 price tag, making an excellent instrument finally attainable to musicians of more modest means?
« Last Edit: January 19, 2016, 06:12:06 AM by Sacred Synthesis »

Sacred Synthesis

Re: DSI at NAMM 2016 Speculation
« Reply #185 on: January 19, 2016, 06:16:19 AM »
I'll have to agree on this one... Removing internal sequencers will be a huge step backwards, and I remember how many users that actually complained that no sequencers are in the Prophet 12... I still would really like sequencers in it.

That's only reasonable.  If you pay $3,000 for the big one, you should expect to get a sequencer and all else.  But I'm not talking about an instrument that's anything like the Prophet 12, nor am I including all synthesizers.  I'm talking only about some synthesizers, especially a medium-sized mono synth.  With sequencers available on so many instruments, I think we can afford to have one or two without them.
« Last Edit: January 19, 2016, 06:29:23 AM by Sacred Synthesis »

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Re: DSI at NAMM 2016 Speculation
« Reply #186 on: January 19, 2016, 06:48:51 AM »
Well... with clever thinking, you could create a nice sequencer on any synth, without taking away one third of the space... take a look at the Sub37 for example... it basicaly has no space assigned for the sequencer, but still it's there, and pretty good actualy... you have 16 buttons at the bottom, and that's about it... they also double as very useful preset selection buttons foremost.

Even if you wanted a dedicated area for a sequencer, it could be done without much space needed, or even controls... it's because some people want a knob for every god damned step and even more... you could make it with a simple seven segment display, that show you the current step, maybe one or two knobs in addition to change values and a couple of buttons to start/stop recording/playback.... done... if the synth has a dedicated display, even this could be used for it, like it is also being used for this on Sub 37... yes... it will be a bit more fiddly, I know, but I'd rather have that, than no sequencer at all  :)

But I can see the point in omitting it, on not so expensive synths... especially if it keeps the price down...
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Re: DSI at NAMM 2016 Speculation
« Reply #187 on: January 19, 2016, 09:26:40 AM »
it's because some people want a knob for every god damned step and even more...

Which is what we have on our Prophet '08s without taking up any space!

And the sequencer as it is implemented in DSI synthesizers is in no way replaceable with any external ones, since it ties directly into the modulation matrix. It could be done with a complex MIDI setup, yes, but I see no reason to leave something out that so many people do like quite a lot and has little to no impact on those who don't use it.

Somehow I think a monosynth benefits even more from a sequencer than a polysynth on which you usually play chords. Anyway, I think they're here to stay for DSI/Sequential.
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Re: DSI at NAMM 2016 Speculation
« Reply #188 on: January 19, 2016, 09:30:49 AM »
Just a little while ago…

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Re: DSI at NAMM 2016 Speculation
« Reply #189 on: January 19, 2016, 12:02:03 PM »
DSLSynth, don't give up on DSI.

I wouldn't say that I have completely given up on DSI but it certainly feels like its heading in that direction. I mean, I really like the flagship machines they make with all these new voice architecture goodies. Would just love to have a more affordable slice of it with plenty of modulation options and a good sequencer.

Most people don't even care about complex modulation options in terms of quantity.

Good old looks versus contents discussion! Agree that people goes wow on Heinz compatible eurorack setups but there are more to synthesizers than front panel looks.

Yes, a complex voice is a specialist tool and yet both Evolver desktop, Mopho module and Tetra all sold pretty well. Its all about making a new take on such modules containing some of the voice architecture progress DSI have made over the years such as higher CV calculation frequencies and better oscillators/filters. Two or four complex voices in a module would be just perfect. Monophonic modules lives in an overcrowded market.

Its not that I mind DSI have turned into a jewel factory. In fact I am pretty sure we all love their new great machines that steals the NAMM shows year after year. Its just that there are other configurations that are manageable to make for DSI and that an entirely different range of customers are hoping for. Not everyone can afford jewels!

. o O ( what else is new )
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Re: DSI at NAMM 2016 Speculation
« Reply #190 on: January 19, 2016, 12:11:08 PM »
Some times you have to look around real hard to find some old jewels to sell before you can afford new jewels.

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Re: DSI at NAMM 2016 Speculation
« Reply #191 on: January 19, 2016, 12:13:19 PM »
Some times you have to look around real hard to find some old jewels to sell before you can afford new jewels.

I am not into jewels at all! . o O ( ;) )
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Re: DSI at NAMM 2016 Speculation
« Reply #192 on: January 19, 2016, 12:21:33 PM »
Ha ha!  You know what I mean - some electronic devices or instruments that you can do without.

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Re: DSI at NAMM 2016 Speculation
« Reply #193 on: January 19, 2016, 01:50:25 PM »
No, it's not crazy talk to want a simple stripped-down inexpensive synthesizer designed to be played entirely with the keyboard.  I realize a sequencer offers certain performance advantages, but jeepers, are there not enough of them already available?

If you're talking about performance sequencers, then I totally agree with that. For sequencers that record and play back bits of music, you're typically better off with something big and monolithic that controls everything. That's what I use Finale for. It's not a sequencer, technically, but I prefer using notation for everything, and I can print music onto dead tree and file it away in case of robot apocalypse.

But who'd want to give up the DSI-style modulation sequencer on the Evolver? It's twice as fun as LFOs and eight times as fun with LFOs.
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Re: DSI at NAMM 2016 Speculation
« Reply #194 on: January 19, 2016, 02:09:06 PM »
Agreed. In DSI's philosophy, the sequencer is not to be confused with a MIDI sequencer that primarily organizes the playback of notes. It's first and foremost a modulation source and as such almost as indispensable as LFOs.

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Re: DSI at NAMM 2016 Speculation
« Reply #195 on: January 19, 2016, 02:47:23 PM »
Exactly a very useful modulation source. The advantages of having per step timbre and note length (envelope or trigger select). Not to mention having the sequencer running without affecting the envelopes and that possibly with slew between the step values. The full potential of Evolver and Pro 2 sequencers. More of that, please! In fact at least on paper the Pro 2 sequencer is that step above the Evolver sequencer that many of us have dreamed about.
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Re: DSI at NAMM 2016 Speculation
« Reply #196 on: January 20, 2016, 01:59:14 PM »
Looks like they are still working on the presentation!



(via sonicstate press preview day live blog)
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Re: DSI at NAMM 2016 Speculation
« Reply #197 on: January 20, 2016, 02:09:52 PM »
Oh boy, I'd like to hang around there this evening!  Who can wait for the morning?

Re: DSI at NAMM 2016 Speculation
« Reply #198 on: January 20, 2016, 02:21:27 PM »
Nice to see the new Touché controller hooked up to a Pro 2. I'm quite curious about it.


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Re: DSI at NAMM 2016 Speculation
« Reply #199 on: January 20, 2016, 02:24:45 PM »
I am pretty sure DSI will wait until 9am tomorrow to reveal their new instrument much like they did last year. So I can wait. Would be nice to stop by Tom Oberheim for a little synthesizer and aerospace talking no to mention asking if he is aware of the Skylon project.
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