SOUND ON SOUND
Sequential founding father and synth designer Dave Smith made time at Synthplex 2019 to discuss the current state of play of the wonderful world of synthesis.
To create the MR Keyboard line, Ensoniq could simply have taken the insides out of their MR Rack module and grafted on a keyboard. Instead, they've thought long and hard about what a performing and composing musician really needs from his instrument. Julian Colbeck applauds the result.
Expandable and user-friendly, Ensoniq's new synth module favours preset sounds and effects over editing and programming options. Julian Colebeck asks how the Mr Rack stacks up.
Sound On Sound's first decade has been graced by synths that were revolutionary, synths that were fascinating, synths that were seminal, and synths that were simply loved. Julian Colbeck takes a personal look at 10 of the best from synthesizer history.
Roland's latest attempt to part you from your savings boasts no less than 1700 patches, a well-specified sequencer, comprehensive effects section and expandability via Roland's popular wave expansion boards. Julian Colebeck takes it for a spin.
Amongst the black rackmount boxes and sleeky anonymous keyboards, one new hi-tech instrument stands out, as much for what's inside it as for its appearance. SOS brings you the exclusive first look at the latest incarnation of physical modelling technology, korg's adventurous new Wavedrum. Review by Julian Colbeck.
Where can you go to mess about on a Mini Moog, do battle with a Bulcha, operate an Odyssey, programme a PolyVoks or make friends with a modular? The Museum of Synthesizer Technology has all this and much more, and was recently opened by none other than Bob Moog at a star-studded ceremony. Julian Colbeck reports.
Imagine a synth which is a cross between the best of Emu's Proteus and Proformance modules, and also includes the Z-plane filters of the Morpheus. No further need to imagine; it's here, in the form of the new UltraProteus. Julian Colbeck checks out this impressive multitimbral module.
Given the scarcity and high prices of Roland's seriously trendy TB303 Bassline, the field has been wide open for enterprising manufacturers to fill the demand for a cheap and funky bass synth. Novation's BassStation is but the first of three contenders.
Sixteen-part multitimbrality, 32-note polyphony and a respectable set of GM-mapped Tones join some usable and fun auto-accompaniment, and an absurdly low price tag, in a 'home' keyboard that deserves some attention from the studio musician. Julian Colbeck just wants to have fun...