Dave Smith Instruments Mopho Keyboard

The Mopho Keyboard is the entry level model of the "neo-retro" line derived from DSI Prophet '08, a small synthesizer 32 keys of a difficult set to miss a yellow.

The construction of good quality (metal frame, wooden side), the knobs are more robust than the fragile encoders first P'08 and Evolvers, but compete with those that can be found on the North or the Virus.

UTILIZATION

Argued that without large (DSI Poly Evolver, Prophet '08, Prophet 12), the ergonomics of Mopho Keyboard is much more pleasant than with the module version, the interface offers significantly more controls.

The panel is divided into sections (oscillators, filter, envelopes ...) and links with the screen allows the advanced user to navigate quickly.

The manual, in English only, is clear, even if it requires a minimum of knowledge synthesis.

SOUNDS

The synth is expressive, versatile, allowing roots to sound as aggressive and pretty crazy things, a DSI synth respectable offering many opportunities for modulation.

And as it is a DSI, the grain is quite distinctive and the Curtis filter is more interesting than 24 dB 12 dB,

OVERALL OPINION

I have four years, I was looking a little like first monophonic analog to expand my set with space constraints and budget.

At the time, the choice of this model was evident as there was in front of the Moog Little Phatty more expensive, larger and more limited.

Since the choice is less clear for other models have appeared on this segment (Novation Bass Station II Minibrute Arturia Moog Subphatty, Korg MS-20 Mini), as well as the catalog of DSI has expanded with a polyphonic version the Mopho and the Pro-2, a different caliber ...

Mono Bi-timbral synth
Sensitive keyboard
Publisher pc etc ...
Very strong and I still practice a lot of trouble with the DSI system and I think it is not very intuitive, I mean, then it takes some time to master the bignou and that's why that I sold!
But with the desktop version prophet08.Pe poly-chain, this is a powerhouse with a real big sound really great to live as solid, compact and relatively lightweight analog.

UTILIZATION

Probably easy to use after a long learning functions and a thorough study of the manual (in English only).
Some functions are only available with the editor and it's unfortunate for those who do not use a computer to make sound. (And yes, it still exists ....)

SOUNDS

My opinion is mixed on this point but the tastes and colors ....
I just think the morpho tends to very, too, quickly saturate the aggressive sounds and lose definition in the attack.
On the softer sounds nothing to say.
The touch-sensitive keypad and a little light and I struggled to play with precision velocity, but I'm not keyboardist so this is a personal impression.

OVERALL OPINION

I bought it for me to use poly-chain with prophet08.PE desktop, making nine in all ways. I just sold it two for one reason, I do not have the patience to learn to master. They are very good machines with a real big analog sound and it's a nickel for the live configuration and operation via a DAW or other live kind.
The machine Dave Smith have bright future.

Monophonic analog synthesizer
Keyboard 32 keys velocity sensitive and the pressure (aftertouch)
Pitch wheel, modulation wheel, 5-octave
DIN MIDI compatible (in, out, thru) and USB (out), CV (in) assignable
Auxiliary input for processing an audio signal pre-existing

COD 2 each with a sub, hard sync and a kind of X-mod with the filter. 3formes wave PWM + fixed each
1 white noise generator
1 Curtis low-pass filter 2/4pôles
3 envelope generators DADSR: 1 for VCA, one for the filter, and assignable.
4 syncable LFOs separately on the keyboard and / or the clock.
1 4-track sequencer 16 steps
1 arpeggiator

UTILIZATION

Operation is completely intuitive for someone who is familiar with subtractive synthesis. The modulation possibilities are absolutely huge.
The manual is in English only, but the console is very intuitive: the pots are arranged by module, like the semi-modular systems.

SOUNDS

The keyboard is very expressive. Its level, bravely confronts the beast synths much more expensive: I compared with a little phatty and I prefer the Mopho would do for modulation possibilities. The machine is capable of producing both big bass punchy well as soft leads.
Among the enormous modulation possibilities I particularly like the three envelope generators DADSR, 4 LFOs and the ability to redirect a control voltage to multiple destinations.
PS: Yes, there is a "filter bleed" but I do not understand why this is annoying

OVERALL OPINION

This is a monophonic instrument. I therefore recommend as first keyboard. In contrast to supplement an existing installation, you can go for it: you've got a very expressive instrument and well crafted (metal chassis, sides varnished wood, impeccable quality acoustic).

For the price of a consumer device, you've got a beautiful musical instrument.

Keyboard 2 octaves and a half feel.
Stereo output, audio input, midi in and out / thru, polychain to chain a tetra or a prophet 8.
Utility pc / mac is not stable enough, no effect, monophonic.

Full of buttons, large modulation possibilities.
3 banks of 128 sounds.

Width it is about the same as a battery rack 1u, with beautiful wooden blanks.

UTILIZATION

The configuration is very simple: it is necessary to know the subtractive synthesis to benefit the most from the machine, but almost everything is accessible via a modified via encode destination switch (eg serie 5 AADSR encoders, which are used to adjust one: the filter housing, 2 the amplitude envelope, 3 ... An envelope assignable

The manual is small but adequate for my taste.

SOUNDS

J loves the character of the Mopho ... despite the curtis filter, which I do not like the moog but brings something else.

curious detail, the presets are not in the same order as on the desktop version, which is not practical for usper polychain ...

OVERALL OPINION

I used for a month. For now my only disappointment is the use of fashion polychain for me unusable. Indeed a score of 2 is sent to the module 1 and a score of 2 in Module 2, even if a note is held, which has the effect of a mute can be fundamental ... is there a setting has do, but I have not found the time rto and frankly, I find this completely absurd way in the state.

+ Construction metal frame, wood side.
Its analog + staff
+ Plenty of buttons to edit the front
+ Value extraordinary price
+ Opportunities modulations


- Editor buggy
- Protects lcd very end and not at the rest of the bike (incompréhensible. .. it looks like scotch ...)
- Mode polychain absurd.
- Filter bleed (see other review)

I would still prefer the little phatty, but Mopho costing almost twice cheaper, and is not so good. it is just different, possibly even more advanced! The Mopho is to consider very seriously, even compared to a vintage overpriced and full of faults.

It deserves the nickname well PRO2 (As shown on the motherboard, filliation its ancestor the Pro one)