ZeeByeZon « A real compact polyphonic and not too expensive analog synth »
Published on 02/28/16 at 14:14
Best value:
Excellent
Audience:
Advanced Users
I use this synth in my home studio alongside other analog and digital synths. I have a SH101 for basses, leads & FX, it has a round, warm sound. I also have a Polysix which is a natural choice for pads, due to it being polyphonic and relatively unstable. The minilogue is polyphonic too, but not enough to be 100% at easy for pads, especially with long envelopes. But, it has a sharp sound and works well for agressive leads, bright stabs, fast sequences and so on.
The metal front and knobs seem reliable. The controls are pleasant to use. This synth is small (50cm/20in large) and a real lightweight. So, it is quite easy to transport.
The keayboard is not standard-sizes, keys are smaller than usual. The problem is, it takes some time to get used to it so as to play it correctly. The good point is, you get three full octaves in only 50 cm. The keys feel pleasant to play and rather silent.
Each parameter can be controlled from its dedicated control on the front, except for portamento, LFO sync, VCA velocity switching and sequence settings (steps and swing). The knobs are mere, "normal" knobs, so when you load a patch their position do not match the current settings.
The 8 VCOs (2 per voice), 4 VCFs (1 per voice) and VCAs are analog. Envelopes and LFOs are digital.
The only effect this synth includes is a delay. From what I heard it seems to be digital, but when tou use it you'd swera it is analog. So much that it quickly becomes noisy when used with time settings over a few dozen milliseconds.
Overall, in its price range, this product offers a lot of strong points:
- 4 analog voices
- 2 VCOs per voice with a wide variety of waveshapes (variable in continuous) + noise
- Possibility to sync the VCOs + FM + AM (ring)
- VCF can be set to 12 or 24dB/oct - and it sounds good
- 8 voice assign modes (poly, mono, unison, duo unison, arpeggiator, ...)
- an easy-to-use 16 step sequencer
But:
- No hold or latch for the arpeggiator
- Enveloppes a little too digital, especially for longer time settings
- No metronome for realtime recording on the sequencer (a real practical problem)
- Portamento setting through a menu that is not so easy to access
- And, some BUGS :
- VCF keyboard following doesn't work in legato mode
- USB sequencer sync is a bit messy: I can't get my sequence to begin from its starting point
- I have several times had the VCF resonance stuck at max value on 2 voices out of 4
- ...
The metal front and knobs seem reliable. The controls are pleasant to use. This synth is small (50cm/20in large) and a real lightweight. So, it is quite easy to transport.
The keayboard is not standard-sizes, keys are smaller than usual. The problem is, it takes some time to get used to it so as to play it correctly. The good point is, you get three full octaves in only 50 cm. The keys feel pleasant to play and rather silent.
Each parameter can be controlled from its dedicated control on the front, except for portamento, LFO sync, VCA velocity switching and sequence settings (steps and swing). The knobs are mere, "normal" knobs, so when you load a patch their position do not match the current settings.
The 8 VCOs (2 per voice), 4 VCFs (1 per voice) and VCAs are analog. Envelopes and LFOs are digital.
The only effect this synth includes is a delay. From what I heard it seems to be digital, but when tou use it you'd swera it is analog. So much that it quickly becomes noisy when used with time settings over a few dozen milliseconds.
Overall, in its price range, this product offers a lot of strong points:
- 4 analog voices
- 2 VCOs per voice with a wide variety of waveshapes (variable in continuous) + noise
- Possibility to sync the VCOs + FM + AM (ring)
- VCF can be set to 12 or 24dB/oct - and it sounds good
- 8 voice assign modes (poly, mono, unison, duo unison, arpeggiator, ...)
- an easy-to-use 16 step sequencer
But:
- No hold or latch for the arpeggiator
- Enveloppes a little too digital, especially for longer time settings
- No metronome for realtime recording on the sequencer (a real practical problem)
- Portamento setting through a menu that is not so easy to access
- And, some BUGS :
- VCF keyboard following doesn't work in legato mode
- USB sequencer sync is a bit messy: I can't get my sequence to begin from its starting point
- I have several times had the VCF resonance stuck at max value on 2 voices out of 4
- ...