This is a a pretty basic.
When I scroll through the presets, the volume level seems radically different for some patches.
This is a monster PITA for managing the trim on my mixer and overall mix, if I want to experiment live.
Anyone else see this?
Any suggestions on how to keep the synth volume more stable as patches change?
Adjust the presets volume and save it⌠Iâve done it on my AF mk2 and adjusted tuning
Itâs under âmiscellaneousâ I think, quite near the end of the patch parameters towards the arp/sequencer
1 Like
Great call out. Thank you. The docs say itâs meant to keep the volume roughly the same from patch to patch.
Seems that, out of the box, itâs doing exactly the opposite.
The AS-1âs FX cause a volume drop (way more than the Prophet~6 does).
I was really surprised at the volume jump on some patches.
Itâs annoying. Iâm expecting, like with everything else, Iâll get used to it over time, and it wonât be a problem.
Jumping in to say I got my AS-1 in the mail this weekend, and Iâm loving it so far. Itâs funny how this has almost been marketed more as a âDJ Toolâ than a proper synth, considering how deep it goes and how great it sounds. It really is a Prophet. If they were to drop the silly keyboard and put more knobs in their place it would probably be my favorite mono of all time. Iâm definitely enjoying the patch memory after a few years with a Boog, thatâs for sure.
Also wanted to note that I got it for $425 (thatâs with tax included) from Pro Sound Gear. You just need to punch in your email to become a âVIPâ member, whatever that means.
3 Likes
I thought ProSoundGear doesnât collect tax, and that itâs your responsibility to pay the tax to the government at the end of the year. Has this changed?
OhâŚweird. I didnât even consider that. I didnât get charged tax, so I guess thatâs still the case. No idea how thatâs supposed to work, but Iâll keep it in mind come tax season.
1 Like
Theyâve got some real good deals! Thanks (sorta, ha) for reminding me. Rolands, AKAI, Novation, all cheaper than most other places. Had to remind myself I donât need any new gear, as much as an AS-1 and TR-6S tempt me!
2 Likes
If it helps, I got a chance to play with the TR-6, and it felt like a toy, as it is a really light plastic box. The UI was a bitâŚeh, and not too inviting. The little buttons and fat fingers donât get along, and the using of knobs to adjust specific parameters is a slight hassle. Was really excited about it, and now Iâm only slightly (30-40%) sure Iâll pick one up, as before I was 100% sure.
Haha
1 Like
I like toys, though. Canât be more plastic as my trusty DR-110, or the original TR-606.
So not much help. Made a bunch of patterns on my PO Robot last night for OT import.
Thanks though!
But that brings up a good question for AS-1 owners, how is the build quality on the AS-1? How does it hold up years after purchase? Iâve always had good luck with Pioneer gear. Even the plastic stuff.
Build quality of the AS1 is quite nice. The (few) knobs are similar to whatâs on a Prophet Rev 2 and in general the box makes a complete / solid impression. Feel is also good. Even the little touch keyboard is surprisingly playable. But I agree with the previous post, if they would have ditched the keyboard for more knobs that would have been a game changer. Anyway, a Faderfox EC4 or a Midi Fighter Twister solve that problem, Midi implementation is excellent on the AS1.
2 Likes
Yeah I will say the menu system of the AS-1 is a bit more cumbersome than I was hoping. Maybe itâs because I donât understand DSIs architecture as thoroughly as Moogâs, but Iâm having a hard time seeing the big picture while scrolling through things, and a lot of the values end up feeling abstract to me. I miss the muscle memory and birdâs eye view of the Model D.
HoweverâŚlack of preset memory had its own set of problems. Yes it was tactile and easy, but I was in constant fear of forgetting that perfect patch, which had me taking a bunch of photos, or not wanting to adjust anything until a track was âfinishedâ. With the AS-1 I can easily jump around and experiment way more, even if the process itself isnât as fun. I really wish I could have the best of both worlds.
Maybe Iâll just buckle and buy a Faderfox (ouch) like you suggestedâŚor a Prophet 6 
1 Like
I still have the impression, when i play my AS-1, (and being a former P6 ownerâŚ), that the AS-1 is kind of sound optimized. Maybe more EQed or compressed to make it sound more punchy? I can´t describe. Those factory presets are soooo good!
2 Likes
Donât hold me to it, but I could just about ditch all my synth gear for nothing but the AS1 and my Zoom H5 recorder (just talking noodling at home situation).
Huge variety of great presets, and they always to me just sound âfinishedâ when you layer them together. The only thing missing is a decent snare or clap sound.
Love the dicky little keyboard for playing and making sequences. More knobs wouldnât hurt but eh, I think Iâd rather keep the keyboard thingy than have more knobs.
For me, with its sequencer and paired with a recorder it just encourages a pure workflow⌠kick pattern, commit⌠hihats, commit⌠bass, commit⌠and so on
2 Likes
I totally hear you! I mean the parameters on the AS1 are clustered into groups that translate to a traditional subtractive synth structure, but still, scrolling through that menu is no fun.
I definitely recommend a Faderfox EC4 or any other midi controller that can send high-resolution/NRPN midi msgs. It turns the AS1 into a hands-on synth that is very programmable on the fly.
I usually wouldnât bother with such a âworkaroundâ (I also like my synths to be mainly knob-per-function usually) but the AS1 is worth the hassle & extra expense.
2 Likes
I have the nagging feeling that I wonât be happy until I at least own the as-1 for a bit to test out. need to sell my mopho and go for it.
5 Likes
Using a Kenton Freak for that matter and it really has opened up this synth for me 
3 Likes
Yeah - this may be the way to go. Does the EC4 show the actual value of what youâre changing? IE: If I map it to the Oscillator frequencies will the screen on the EC4 say âC1, D1â etc? Or does it just show the values as numbers 1-100? I feel like this would be pretty important feedback in order to really know what youâre doing.
Edit: Going off Loopopâs video it looks like thereâs no note values, so you have to remember which numbers coincide to each note/octave. There may be a firmware update at some point though.