Wouldn’t say it’s expensive really. Compared to a Deepmind maybe. It’s slightly cheaper than the Rev2 and looks especially good value next to the System-8 or the Prologue.
Great synth, very good for sound design so definitely suited to creating sample food.
Slightly OT but my RM1X’s were my go to sequencers for years and I still love the workflow of having the RM at the heart of a setup. I’d still have a QY700 or two!
I recently had the same challenge with almost exactly the same criteria. I ended up buying a keenly priced Circuit Mono Station. It’s mono without the traditional keyboard (because a Bass Station II was too big for me). 2 Osc (with PWM), Ring mod, sub osc, 1 LFO and a 3rd sequencer that can be fashioned into an LFO. It has CV out and audio in (to the filter stage) so you could add something else in the future to give yourself effectively a third osc. The envelop can be switched into cyclic mode and used like an LFO.
I like the filters and the mod matrix. It has plenty of good quality knobs which was really important for me since I’d tried a Blofeld and just couldn’t get into making sound with it.
Patch memory, with the ability to programme change from my Digitakt. Lots of CC control. I can sequence it from the Digitakt but I can also sequence it locally, which I didn’t expect to do but actually I rather like it. Both oscillators can be played on separate midi channels, paraphonically.
I think I can use the CV to clock sync a Pocket Operator (although I haven’t had the time to figure that out yet).
I’ve enjoyed the form factor of the Circuit Mono Station. It’s enjoyable to just plug in on its own with some headphones while on the sofa and do some sound design or sequence a lead or bass line, which I can then sample into the Digitakt to free the synth up for another part.
I also considered the SE-02, AS-1, Minitaur (didn’t like the Octave restriction) and the Dominion Club, but ultimately I couldn’t pass on the CMS at £249 and I’m glad I didn’t. Very nearly got an SE-02 but I had a play with one a week after getting the CMS and it turns out the knobs are too close together for my fingers.
Now I’m left wanting a polysynth, so considering something like a DN or a Micromonsta to fill that gap. Originally I thought I’d use a Volca FM for it but I want to play minor7 chords and 3 voices is one too few.
Here’s my setup (the CMS sounds lovely through the MS-100BT):
I mentioned revamping the MnM and MD in DT format to Ess, but he said no basically, adding they would rather focus on the future, which turned out to be the DNK
Now im trying to find one effects processor with nice overdrive especially. Analog heat is probably ideal, but im going to keep looking for something cheaper until i finally give in and grab one.
I just run my DT through an AK track. Sometimes in mono. Still big but with growl
I had the analog heat. Traded it and a mother 32+$100 for the AK. Only thing I miss about the heat are the dedicated knobs and the pots. A little easier to play the filter
Glad you mentioned that. I have been running the digitakt through the a4, but havent gotten around to placing it on a track yet. The chorus is definitely handy and so are the different rev and del.
But i havent been a big fan of the a4 style distortion so far, i have the digitakt so ive been using that to dirty up samples of it.
I’m a bit off my A4 lately, I think I’m probably just bored with the way I use it and need to push myself with it more, I’ve had it for a long time and it was my 1st Elektron. I’ve got a Peak and a virus TI and just like working with polyphony more than mono synths too.
As for the topic, if I had to choose just 1 with the DT, it would have to be the virus, it’s the Octatrack of synths in terms of capability really and most importantly multi-timbral. Thankfully I don’t have to choose and the Peak is a thing of beauty. In my setup I actually sequence a Proteus 2000 from the DT which is also great and these days a bargain.
It’s funny how there has been no modern competitor to the virus, except the Waldorf kyra looks interesting, but it still doesn’t look as versatile as the virus. It will be better sound quality though, like the Peak with serious oversampling. Amazing times.