Title link takes you to shots and first impressions on SoNiCbRaT. You have to check out the crazy packaging for this one. : )Update via the world of next tuesday in the comments:
"Many Soviet synths have copied Moog filters. This one doesn't. Maybe the seller just describes all his Soviet analogs like that? I'd say from what I've heard it has by far the best most original sound of anything easily obtainable. Other Soviet synths can certainly produce some good sounds too though a lot of them I'd chalk up to moog-like filters. Though there is said to be a change in sound between earlier and late filters. I have the earlier filter. The sound on mine is wonderfully overdriven though maybe not so on units built later on. It's not "thin" to me unless you set the bandpass that way rather than use the lowpass. The resonance is nasty ("without pity" says David Korn), which can be used to it's advantage, but it's not going to ever come near doing things like Moog does with resonance for better or worse. The looping envelopes combined with the LFO can do some sounds most monosynths can't do. (then again so can a decent modular but that's another topic). I wound up cleaning a lot of pots. I'm not using any chemicals because I don't know what they are made out of. I got them all working and quiet but a year later they are quite noisy again. The switches and rotary knobs can make noises too."
I don't want to register to post this on that guy's blog so I guess I'll post it here ;-)
ReplyDeleteMany Soviet synths have copied Moog filters. This one doesn't. Maybe the seller just describes all his Soviet analogs like that? I'd say from what I've heard it has by far the best most original sound of anything easily obtainable. Other Soviet synths can certainly produce some good sounds too though a lot of them I'd chalk up to moog-like filters. Though there is said to be a change in sound between earlier and late filters. I have the earlier filter. The sound on mine is wonderfully overdriven though maybe not so on units built later on. It's not "thin" to me unless you set the bandpass that way rather than use the lowpass. The resonance is nasty ("without pity" says David Korn), which can be used to it's advantage, but it's not going to ever come near doing things like Moog does with resonance for better or worse. The looping envelopes combined with the LFO can do some sounds most monosynths can't do. (then again so can a decent modular but that's another topic). I wound up cleaning a lot of pots. I'm not using any chemicals because I don't know what they are made out of. I got them all working and quiet but a year later they are quite noisy again. The switches and rotary knobs can make noises too.
Hi, thanks on the comment. The filters really did not impressed me enough. But I must really say that it does have a rather unique monosynth sound albeit it's simple 2 oscillators... I do like the modulations (and the choice of different wave forms)... Honestly, it will have it's place in my recordings... I was lucky that my pots are clean though.
ReplyDeleteMy "mini" and inaccurate review of the synth is based on my first impression with the Polivoks... so any info is good info and very welcomed. Thanks again! Will noodle at it now as we so speak... :)
Hmmm just a side thought... I was searching online for any "Chinese made" synths... it's proving hard to find... I am looking at authentic, chinese synths... not based on any american or european models or format... I just thought it would be interesting to see if the chinese scientists did anything at all... might be cool?
ReplyDeleteJust imagine all the labels being chinese... Hmmm I guess I will start by finding the translations for all the jargons... :D