Ambika seems interesting.
You tried one? What’re they like?[/quote]
Blofeld is the most flexible in terms of sound design parameters. It shines at complex evolving pads, and as Don Solaris’s patch set demonstrates is no slouch as a VA. It has some unique features that I haven’t seen in other hardware implementations (someone correct me if I’m wrong), like using wavetables (and samples, if you shell out $99 for the Sample License) as carriers and modulators in FM and all of its filter drive curves. I like how easy it is to load your own wavetables into it.
The cons are that navigating through menus with the main encoder can be frustrating (and if you disliked the Evolver desktop, you wouldn’t like this any better), and beyond the nice comb filter the analog-modeled filters don’t sound too great with resonance. I’m trying to determine now whether I can be just as satisfied replacing it with an iPad running Nave and Thor, as the interface doesn’t really add value and I’d probably end up just sampling it into my OT for a live performance anyway.
Ambika is a pretty gorgeous hybrid that’s kind of like a Juno 106 on LSD-spiked nootropics. If you stick with the analog-modeled wavetables, its SMR4 filter will yield sounds quite close to a Juno (see this A/B) and some epic strings (listen to the Planar patch at the beginning of [url=“http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsrRIxwBt44”]this video). But beyond that you apply bitcrushing, distortion, hard sync, XOR cross-modulation, and more to the oscillators, which include FM-modeled wavetables that sound lovely, vowel formant wavetables, most of the crazy wavetables (although in lower-res) from its creator’s Eurorack module Braids, and several wavetables plucked straight from Waldorf’s lineage. Also, you get a generous modulation matrix where you can create modulators using math operators or slew, and you have 6-part multitimbrality with 6 individual outs.
The interface is not bad in terms of menu diving – much better than the Blofeld, and comparable to the AR. However, I wish the knobs were encoders rather than potis because the context changes every time you switch pages. Other issues are that you often encounter some unmistakable, hissy aliasing with the filter open on higher notes; on long releases the tail cuts out abruptly a bit too early (this is due to the 8-bit envelopes but could be masked with reverb); the lack of stereo outputs means you will need to use up to 6 mixer/interface inputs for its full stereo image; and if anything should go wrong with a unit, you had better know how to solder or at least be in touch with its original builder.
I think they make a good pair, as the Ambika sounds best with its filter partially closed and IMO the Blofeld does its thing best in the high-frequency spectrum with its filter open (or at least not attempting any resonant sweeps).
FWIW, the A4 sounds quite soft and polite by comparison to the Ambika. I still love it, but I think it’s better used for mono sequences where you can get really freaky with p-locks.
Finally, if you dug the sound of the Prophet 12 and don’t mind having an old keyboard in your rig, I’d encourage you to look into an ESQ-1 or SQ-80. For the price (~$350) they are an insane value. Great for lovely, haunting, warm pads (though not quite Roland DCO territory) and much more besides, with a very usable on-board sequencer to boot.
