All user reviews of 4/5 for the Dave Smith Instruments Tetra

The Tetra by Dave Smith, this thing is powerful Forget the fact that Dave Smith is responsible for Sequential Circuits Pro One & Pro 5, or the "Father of MIDI" or for the first computer based synthesizer, or the Korg Wavestation.The synths he has been cranking out the past decade have been damned near unbelievable.


UTILIZATION

The signal path is 100% Analog. What that means is there is no digital conversion of the audio signal path. The oscillators are DCO which stands for Digitally Controlled Oscillators. Even though they are digitally controlled, they are still analog just like the standard VCO's (Voltage Controlled Oscillators).


SOUNDS

The difference is DCO's are digitally fired by electronic pulses that drive the oscillator and generate tone, where as VCO's are fired by capacitors, which, over time will not hold a charge as well as it did when it was new and cause the oscillators to drift out of tune and require regular maintenance to keep in tune. This actually gives the Tetra a leg up compared to some other analog synths.


OVERALL OPINION

Overall, It's biggest downfall is the interface, but, this is of course what keeps the cost down. On analog synths, the keys can make up a large part of the cost of the synth. But, if you get the SoundTower Editor, it is easy to access all of the features on the computer, which this thing has a ton of! But, if you absolutely need hands on control, just get a DSI Mopho Keyboard Synth and polychain it with the Tetra. Not only do you now have a 5 voice Polyphonic synth, but the Mopho becomes the control surface for the Tetra! The editor has a few bugs, but nothing that you can't work around, and I'm sure this stuff will get ironed out as the product matures. Otherwise, I'm in love. The only thing I'd want more is a keyboard version!

A good concept, 4 tilt (including 2 subs), 4 channels playable separately or in harmony, for such a small boitieur is enormous. Its analog (oven-voice multitimbral analog Synthesizer), only 4 controls Front: cutoff, reso, attack and decay / release. For the rest, the sub menu with 4 wheels (choose 4 params to control in front).

Indeed, without the utility, it's still unthinkable to use the monster. The idea is the stuff of his sounds and patches (you can even sequencer inside!) And after a machine is highly mobile, top to live!



UTILIZATION

Problem: The utility is buggy, incomplete firmware and some features are still inaccessible! A shame. Obviously it will surely be corrected, but here is the synth is worth a certain price and you can not use it completely.
Very disappointed by this aspect!

This causes me desync, bugs (note remaining engaged). Height: publisher "pro" pay is not available but it says it works better (according to the list of pro features of this producer I have no printing).
Distrust, be ready to geek out for you.


SOUNDS

The sounds are very good. At first I was disappointed but at heart he is very powerful, it can make beautiful sounds like shit.
Feedback is not my cup of tea but those who seek aggressive sounds are also served. The modular side patchable (via digital editor) opens possibilities crazy.

OVERALL OPINION

It's been two months, I have not tried others in the genre (Would there what? The modular micro?)

Like:
- The 4 votes! Separable or not!
- Small size
- Sounds pretty good
I bade:
- The publisher of m ***** incomplete charge, which limits the machine (I do not understand that Dave Smith reacts no more than that)
- Bugs and all that implies
Despite his galleys it's still a very good machine, in practice, once a little subdued. I would do without doubt the choice because I have not tested yet equivalent, but if I had to I would see the north side home, although I'm scared of its coldest.