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Small Synth / sequences


Kevin Dean
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I'm looking for a small synth that can do basic sequences & add atmosphere when our Key board player isn't available ....I don't expect to sound anything like him but just after after something that might help when doing a 3 piece version , we are doing stuff like The Cure , Killers , Talking Heads , Peter gabriel .
Cheers .

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Akai Miniak has many sequencing possibilities.
Fantastic little thing that in its presets in essence is a complete trip down memory lane, with great virtual analogue copies of all the known sounds. The preset set on the Miniak reportedly is better than the set on the Miniak's sibling, the Alesis Micron.

Rather good keyboard on it, as well as good modulation wheels.

However, its tiny display makes it's a good idea to also get the pc software for editing.
Also, people sometimes use some type of home made prism with mirrors to change the viewing angle for the display - so one doesn't have to move one's head away from the playing position when viewing the display.

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The Microbrute has the following:
[list]
[*]Full Function step sequencer :
[list]
[*]8 memories
[*]up to 64 steps per memory
[*]tap tempo
[*]rate control
[*]step divisions (via software)
[*]trigger modes (via software)
[/list]
[/list]

Further specs here: http://www.arturia.com/evolution/en/products/microbrute/specs.html

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I'm betting it doesn't with the Arturia Microbrute and just stores the sequence of notes/rests - it has physical switches involved in creating a sound patch and that means you cannot involve a switch position in some memory slot - it'd be different with a synth that employs 'soft' switches (buttons and rotary encoders). Looks like you can transpose the sequence on the fly by pressing whatever key you like - this becomes the root note of the sequence. Looks like you can tap tempo for the beat as well. The Microbrute has a lot of connectivity so you can probably drive it with an external clock (like a drum machine or a sequencer).

By the way when you set patches up on these kinds of synth it helps if you take a photo of the top panel switch settings with a smartphone and refer to that for future reference - the old method would be making a paper copy patch card where you wrote all the settings down - some synths had a card template you could drop over the actual knobs and switches and you'd make a note where they were all set.

Edited by HowieBass
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[quote name='Kevin Dean' timestamp='1409652810' post='2541823']
This is all new to me , If you store a sequence to a memory does it save the sounds it was using ?
[/quote]

Yes, depending on model, but one must realise that what is possible hugely depends on the CPU's calculating speed, and as a result, this stuff is very different for the different models.
If you check out YT vids on sequenicng with different models, you can often hear or read about the glitches that are because of the limited processor speed (or the uncritical use of more elements in sequences).


[quote name='xgsjx' timestamp='1410007610' post='2545341']
You could possibly pick up a 2nd hand Korg M50 for @ £400.
[/quote]

Great idea!

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What I understood is that you need a synth workstation in order to have several seq with allocated sounds in memory, polyphonic and some sampled sounds...and why not easy to handle in a live situation.
As "xjsgx" stated you can get very good prices in the preowned market for brands like: Roland, Korg or Yamaha ( to name a few).
Up to you to find the right model that suits your needs.
Best

Edited by TheSiberian
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