Analogue Solutions Vostok

Modular synthesizer, monophonic, 3 VCO + sub, 2 LFO, ENV 2, 1 Filter type MS20, 1 Ring Mod, Noise 1, 1 S + H, 1 VCA, 1 Seq 8 steps, 1 MIDI-CV, 1 Joystick mixer, 2 multis and one matrix patch.
Supply voltage switchable, all mounted in a metal briefcase black the most beautiful effect: it sounds like a machine designated by the KGB.
No effect, nothing is pre-wired, everything is editable (Normal for a modular you say.)

UTILIZATION

Use who know how to use a modular we can not classic.

It is possible to patch via the jacks on the front panel or via the matrix.
The advantage of the matrix is ​​that it acts as both multiple and therefore allows many signals to stack and make complex patches well without overloading the facade cables.
All signals are present on the patch on the front, but the reverse is not true, some are in front, as the different waveforms of VCO, and the Subosc RingMod.

8 steps sequencer is basic but quite fun. Each step can be bypassed independently, but switch to choose the amplitude of resumes sent, reset via a gate.

A pushpull on envelopes allows them to loop, only the attack and release then act. Small flat anyway, it will loop that while a voltage is applied to the input, I wish to add a switch to lock this mode (I think it add myself suddenly).

The MIDI interface is a bit too limited for my taste although very useful. I would have liked to recover the clock MIDI and one or two more DC modulation. More it happens to be a bit temperamental and zap notes on or off during rapid sequence a little (nothing dramatic though).

One or two additional VCA was not luxury either.

SOUNDS

The Vostok is clearly a synthetic character.
It sounds pretty gross and wish to be rough (thank you filter and VCO very powerful!) But it is also possible to obtain sounds pretty sweet playing on the input and output levels.
I quite agree with its level the previous opinion, sounds perfect for finding the chemical brothers, aphex twin et al.
For FX is also a treat, it can go far (thank you modular)
After all analog synth like, take the time to ring its patches as quickly as it can sound flat. Do not hesitate to stick behind good effects.

OVERALL OPINION

Having bought and sold my Vostok, I just buy me one and I do not regret my purchase. I must say he missed me a lot and I found this little monster with pleasure.

I've owned and tried a few analog synths before (roland sh-1, x0xb0x, Monopoly, wasp, CS50, prophet8) and it is clearly one of my favorite. I love that sound good punchy and aggressive (I come from punk and metal) with him I am more than served.
Modular side is a treat for those who like to experiment.

The +:
- Modular
- Quality of the VCO and filter
- The matrix that allows to stack patch
- Compact, fairly complete, quality and open.

The -:
- Mode loop envelope perfectible (a switch is activated to let more).
- One VCA.
- Module MIDI-CV pretty basic.
- Some fake contacts on patch points in front.

I do not regret my purchase and I plan to complete my vostok with another modular and even make mods to it: separate output waveform LFO, EG loop switchable, addition of a pink noise level output subosc and why not a speed range on the ENV and LFO (to see if it is useful

Updating with me ...

This is a black metal case, it is 19 "wide (rack)
2 metal clips that look good solid fairly extensive interior design, a few hi-tech, with metal reinforcement behind a thick transparent rubber rivets etc. .. at first .. ca do something (I agree with d '.. xl + is an object showcase a utility), nothing seems gadget, Joystik metallic flexible, light and very pro free throws Thurs .. ca! really very nice machine

The Vostok was part of his fly box., which for me is a box + a real fly. (on my Vostok, the cover has a slight defect on the side)

only the front part comes off (the back block is vostok) .. the design looks very robust, everything is black metal .. But when a transport is better to invest in a real fly strengthened to avoid surprises
we note the presence of nuts in potentiometers (strength) + some other fluid (of mine), but nothing very important given the nut against a contrary example Machinedrum / all is very correct and perfect for last time
it's very nice., attention has to lose the pines that seem very fragile and Tordable (they are small)

on the power supply, two 500 mA fuses protect the unit, which is really awesome I must say (with respect to the sfx6 of electron)-ability to go from going 230 v. 115. without burning machine by mistake (one never knows), the power supply is positioned on the left side ... I feel very good thing because for one to set it states simply changes the voltage and it's good, unable to have cares surge .. . short indestructible

the look is very nice, you'd think the Soviet spy apparatus, such as a radio in the Cold War Soviet period .. .. with all these cables look beautiful, mysterious, small is powerful .. it is well named and to elsewhere in exactly the ca ... very Russian grand ... chui personal fascination with this wonder

UTILIZATION

So voila,
At the sound potential is very impressive anything out of this little black box
in all ca is close to the MS20, but it is aggressive or soft + finally well certainty acid afx twin
when we begin to understand the principle ca becomes a real treat because, unlike a device like the sherman can really live .. from the Vostok + musical is at the filters (I had read reviews that said the Conversely it has little time)
the signal is very thorough, the possibility of dirty, make it very powerful through the filters ... I understand better certain compounds of junky ... at the sequencer, it's interesting, rather unusual at the beginning

I begin to see a perfect mastery of the envelopes, LFO and especially of the matrix that allows to add some parts .. for example add an envelope of a waveform to the mix already full ... a wonder in the tones
if you like big bass mounted analog, go for it, is one of the highlights of the infernal machine ... apareil for drum and bass may
I advice this unit has all lovers of acid or low subbass .. but those who like a fiddle playing the cutoff .. LFOs have a tendency to AFX Analord

SOUNDS

Sometimes I feel like being in a Chemical Brothers album viel .. it's very addictive, a feast of stalling on LFOs waveforms, slow them down, put the envelope etc. ..
the sounds are very effective, I like the rough side or playing on LFOs while opening the filter frequency

I think it's very oriented / breakbeat, metal, rock, drum and bass, industrial, synthesis ... aggressive tone, sometimes via a pitch electronica + acute

Sometimes the sound is smooth, I like less (but it is a matter of dosage because when we understand what we did that surprise becomes in terms of sound harmonies, sometimes you come out of the magical things vostok
.. I have not noticed the squeals as we go .. sherman grain rather low bass (afx) has a grain granular way MS20 ..

OVERALL OPINION

What I like least .. the doc, the tiny connectors, some cables (black) are false contact me .. strange)

I love this ... its power, everything else, it's a nice little concept, surprising given its size very easy to understand ..

Ca 2600 euro's worth, despite some quality there is in some respects very craft (the fly box that closes wrong .. false contacts)

but overall it matches what I was looking
I might be preferred that they do not put no sequencer 8, and the price is lowered
further notice over time
parcontre in terms of sustainability (tank) / power / transportation is a very very good machine
should not be messing around for the argus (lol) 1500 euros for this gem, it seems very very low considering the quality of the product, knowing that at the level of the matrix we can add some patches, I begin to completely control my little vostok

With experience it may be that in 2006 I resumed a
(April 2006) Toujouse also fun, a real treat, it has its limits though, but it's interesting in a prod, it gives the punch a beautiful way