From N. Kent Sent Sun, Jun 6th 1999, 13:25
From N. Kent Sent Sun, Jun 6th 1999, 13:25
> I need some advice. > I have not used a synth in about 16 yrs., but am looking to buy > something in the near future. > My problem in deciding comes down to expandability and making a choice > between > something monophonic like the Electrocomp 101 or even the newer Doepfer > systems or an instrument that is polyphonic like the Korg ps3100. > I am tending to lean toward the Korg because of it's polyphony but since > it is volts/hertz controled (someone correct me on this if I am wrong) I > am a little leary to buy one because of the limitations of > expandability. > Any help would be greatly apperciated. > Thanks wow, nothing wrong, but what a strange set of choices. I'd check in the archives on all 3, you'll get a ton of info. Well lets take the Doepfer. Unlike the others you can just call up Enport, and if he's got them in stock you can have it overnight, new and with waranty, which would certainly give you piece of mind. By far the easiest to expand, though many advanced modular users aren't impressed by Doepfers inexpensive modules. I've got 2 cases worth, and while there are shortcomings they do make nice sounds. Certainly of this list, the Doepfer would perform most like everyone's notion of a regular modular (and its the only real modular mentioned) As for the other two, unless you have a handle on buying one you might have to be patient, since while they do come up for sale a few times a year, they aren't exactly something even a big music store will have in their used dept. I'd also be sure they are functional when bought, as like most vintage synths, the more they do, the longer it takes to check out everything is running. As for Hz/Volts, I wouldn't worry as your other choice, the EML runs at 1.20v/oct, which is 20% above the standard :). The PS3100, while unlike the other 2, I don't own, so I have less insight on it. Its realy not some kind of modular-like poly IMHO. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the patchability mostly functions in introducing more complex modulations rather than interfacing with other hardware. Anyway, I'll defer to someone who knows the unit better. You certainly won't be able to control the Korg polyphonically from an external source. Okay the EML is one of those really strange units. You can coax melodies and the like out of it, but its forte seems to be clangerous complex modulation and mean sound effects. While the 40 or so patch jacks at the top give it the air of a modular and while it rightly can be called a semi-modular, I don't find them in use all the time. Maybe a cable or 2, some external filter input, etc. Most of the conceivable modulation routings are obtainable by switches and pots and quite a number of potentially usable patch points juts aren't available on top. For example while you can get to one of the 2 envalopes and 2 of the 4 oscs from the jacks, to get to both envalopes and all 4 oscs in unison, you need to tap into the unit internally via a modification. I suspect the jacks at top mainly serve 2 functions. 1) to interface with the EML 200 or 2) to let you play half the 101 via an EML sequencer while you solo on the other half somehow. There are a few modulation routings up there, but it doesn't seem like traditional patching back to itself was the main focus. nick kent