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Audiofanzine FR
Published on 12/03/08 at 09:41
(Originally written by Il Sorpasso/translated from Audiofanzine FR)
This keyboard is really nice but it has some limitations due to its old technology (for example it's impossible to use Midi and edit the sound at the same time with the PG200).
The sequencer is very interesting, especially because you can "trigger" it with a TR808 for example or with the sounds of a TR808 (but I have never tested it). Creative device with somewhat limited functions.
The sound synthesis is rather simple: two DCO (saw, square, pulse (?) and noise for the DCO2) and one filter. Filters and DCOs can be modulated by an envelope and/or a LFO (sinus, square or S/H). The device has a high-pass filter and a chorus effect at the end of the synthesis chain.
UTILIZATION
Very good user's manual.
Editing sounds is extremely easy with the PG200.
It isn't that much fun without the PG200, and parameters have only 16 possible values (with the PG200 you also have step values, but controls feel more continuous because the steps are much smaller).
SOUNDS
It doesn't sound authentic but it's very nice. I mainly use it live on stage with a pop band. I can't say it's very versatile but it does offer nice possibilities. Some bass presets work well, and you can also create beautiful pads (using the chorus to get a Badalamenti sound) and a lot of strange sounds. The envelope has a good and fast response, which allows you to get a punchy sound. The device is quite good when it comes to electric pianos and organs. This is very interesting because these sounds match lots of arrangements.
The chorus effect sounds good and it adds a date stamp to the sound. Generally speaking, it's difficult to use it in modern music because its best presets are totally new wave. And it's rather difficult to create different sounds!
It has very present mids so it can easily find a place in a mix. But the overall sound has not enough brilliance. And sometimes the lack of velocity is a problem because I would like it to control the volume and the filter.
OVERALL OPINION
I've been using it for about one year. It's a nice-sounding but not versatile synth. And it's also very appealing, everyone likes to see and hear it! I like to take it everywhere with me. Its price is a big advantage because the synth is not overrated like many others. The lack of velocity is an important limitation when creating an expressive sound.
So it's an average synth (positively and negatively speaking) with a good value for money. It seems to be reliable (but I had to clean the keys several times). The nicest synth!
This keyboard is really nice but it has some limitations due to its old technology (for example it's impossible to use Midi and edit the sound at the same time with the PG200).
The sequencer is very interesting, especially because you can "trigger" it with a TR808 for example or with the sounds of a TR808 (but I have never tested it). Creative device with somewhat limited functions.
The sound synthesis is rather simple: two DCO (saw, square, pulse (?) and noise for the DCO2) and one filter. Filters and DCOs can be modulated by an envelope and/or a LFO (sinus, square or S/H). The device has a high-pass filter and a chorus effect at the end of the synthesis chain.
UTILIZATION
Very good user's manual.
Editing sounds is extremely easy with the PG200.
It isn't that much fun without the PG200, and parameters have only 16 possible values (with the PG200 you also have step values, but controls feel more continuous because the steps are much smaller).
SOUNDS
It doesn't sound authentic but it's very nice. I mainly use it live on stage with a pop band. I can't say it's very versatile but it does offer nice possibilities. Some bass presets work well, and you can also create beautiful pads (using the chorus to get a Badalamenti sound) and a lot of strange sounds. The envelope has a good and fast response, which allows you to get a punchy sound. The device is quite good when it comes to electric pianos and organs. This is very interesting because these sounds match lots of arrangements.
The chorus effect sounds good and it adds a date stamp to the sound. Generally speaking, it's difficult to use it in modern music because its best presets are totally new wave. And it's rather difficult to create different sounds!
It has very present mids so it can easily find a place in a mix. But the overall sound has not enough brilliance. And sometimes the lack of velocity is a problem because I would like it to control the volume and the filter.
OVERALL OPINION
I've been using it for about one year. It's a nice-sounding but not versatile synth. And it's also very appealing, everyone likes to see and hear it! I like to take it everywhere with me. Its price is a big advantage because the synth is not overrated like many others. The lack of velocity is an important limitation when creating an expressive sound.
So it's an average synth (positively and negatively speaking) with a good value for money. It seems to be reliable (but I had to clean the keys several times). The nicest synth!