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zebastian21
Joined: Jun 06, 2008
Posts: 36
Location: NYC
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 Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2008 10:11 am Post subject:
Andromeda... Emulator or Real synth? |
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Is the Andromeda a real synth? meaning with its own character and sound that sets it apart from other analog sytnhs? sound wise speaking and not specs wise.
Or is it a kind of synth that try to emulates every other analog synth out there?
I love mine, but it seems the A-6 is just known for being versatile rather than unique soundwise? |
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elektro80
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Joined: Mar 25, 2003
Posts: 21959
Location: Norway
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| Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2008 11:35 am Post subject:
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I´d say A6 is a real synth, but the I´m really not sure if the question is really valid. The A6 is simply just a huge naughty analog polyphonic synth with many unique features. Clearly the designers have never attempted to emulate specific instruments. That said, it is quite possible to make patches with a lot of character, but is it important that the instrument itself is easily recognized? 
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jonkull
Joined: Sep 22, 2006
Posts: 164
Location: Burbank, CA
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| Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2008 11:54 am Post subject:
Re: Andromeda... Emulator or Real synth? |
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| zebastian21 wrote: | Is the Andromeda a real synth? meaning with its own character and sound that sets it apart from other analog sytnhs? sound wise speaking and not specs wise.
Or is it a kind of synth that try to emulates every other analog synth out there?
I love mine, but it seems the A-6 is just known for being versatile rather than unique soundwise? |
I would say it sounds like itself...or whatever you program it to sound like. I think when people say it's versatile they're mostly talking about mod routings and programmability. It's very modular-like in that respect. |
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psionic11
Joined: Jun 05, 2008
Posts: 5
Location: Orlando
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| Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2008 4:52 pm Post subject:
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Try programming a patch with many cross-modulations, and perform it using the ribbon controller and a foot expression pedal. Make sure you use the built-in FX engine. And use lots of self-resonance and custom dual-filter sweeps. You might even try using its polyphonic sequencer and arps to play several parts, each with their own filter types and portamento times, all at the same time in one glorious, real-time musical escapade...
Then you have a synth with its own, unique, character.  |
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zebastian21
Joined: Jun 06, 2008
Posts: 36
Location: NYC
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| Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2008 5:01 pm Post subject:
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| psionic11 wrote: | Try programming a patch with many cross-modulations, and perform it using the ribbon controller and a foot expression pedal. Make sure you use the built-in FX engine. And use lots of self-resonance and custom dual-filter sweeps. You might even try using its polyphonic sequencer and arps to play several parts, each with their own filter types and portamento times, all at the same time in one glorious, real-time musical escapade...
Then you have a synth with its own, unique, character. |
I get your point... but im NOT trashing the A6...Even though Im new to it I love it. Im asking because some analog sytnhs have their own color that can be distinguished among others...such as Roland Jupiter, Prophets, Moog, Oberheim...you know what I mean?
and the A6 seems to be a combination of all of them? but its not known for its sound as the others I mentioned.
Last edited by zebastian21 on Sat Jul 26, 2008 6:36 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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elektro80
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| Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2008 5:43 pm Post subject:
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Well.. ok....
Keep in mind that the A6 haven´t been around for that long anyways.. and it is far less limited than any of the so called old school classics. Of course the Odyssey and Minimoog had their own sound. The very architecture explains why you couldn´t really do shit with any of them and most of what people managed to do were pretty much variations of the same theme.
Am I harsh? Not really, and I still think both synths were pretty good all things considered. The A6 is something else. The A6 is a real synth.
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psionic11
Joined: Jun 05, 2008
Posts: 5
Location: Orlando
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| Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2008 6:07 pm Post subject:
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| zebastian21 wrote: | | psionic11 wrote: | Try programming a patch with many cross-modulations, and perform it using the ribbon controller and a foot expression pedal. Make sure you use the built-in FX engine. And use lots of self-resonance and custom dual-filter sweeps. You might even try using its polyphonic sequencer and arps to play several parts, each with their own filter types and portamento times, all at the same time in one glorious, real-time musical escapade...
Then you have a synth with its own, unique, character. |
I get your point... but im trashing the A6...Even though Im new to it I love it. Im asking because some analog sytnhs have their own color that can be distinguished among others...such as Roland Jupiter, Prophets, Moog, Oberheim...you know what I mean?
and the A6 seems to be a combination of all of them? but its not known for its sound as the others I mentioned. |
It's mostly the filters that distinguished the old vintage synths. The Andy has a variety of filters for the very purpose of emulating others' characteristics... if you want unique in this way then, that's where you take its mod matrix and do all kinds of tricks with its filters.... something the others cannot do.
The Andromeda represents a mature culmination of previous real analog subtractive synthesizers. Its defining characteristics are both its ability to emulate as well venture into sonic territory no single other can achieve. The limitations are the operators and factory presets, not the machine itself... |
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jonkull
Joined: Sep 22, 2006
Posts: 164
Location: Burbank, CA
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| Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2008 9:21 pm Post subject:
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| zebastian21 wrote: | I get your point... but im NOT trashing the A6...Even though Im new to it I love it. Im asking because some analog sytnhs have their own color that can be distinguished among others...such as Roland Jupiter, Prophets, Moog, Oberheim...you know what I mean?
and the A6 seems to be a combination of all of them? but its not known for its sound as the others I mentioned. |
I get where you're coming from... You can listen to a recording and pick out a Moog, Obie, Prophet, etc. because they sound like a Moog, Obie, Prophet, etc. Most people can't do the same with an Andromeda. But what you have to consider is that those other synths have been used countless times over decades. You also have to take into consideration that unlike the Andromeda they are all fairly limited (programming-wise) and therefore consistent in the way they sound.
I think that a lot of people buy Andromedas with the intent of trying to emulate those older synths. So the Andromeda has never really been given a proper voice of it's own.
But that's all just one man's opinion... |
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soundwave106
Joined: Nov 24, 2004
Posts: 331
Location: Elmo's Mud Wrestling Club
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| Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2008 2:43 pm Post subject:
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| elektro80 wrote: | | Keep in mind that the A6 haven´t been around for that long anyways.. and it is far less limited than any of the so called old school classics. Of course the Odyssey and Minimoog had their own sound. The very architecture explains why you couldn´t really do shit with any of them and most of what people managed to do were pretty much variations of the same theme. |
The Alesis Andromeda's two filters, however, *do* have their own sound, and there is a certain EQ profile to the Andromeda by default. A lot of this can be changed, of course, through FX and studio technique -- and since everyone has access to this these days, people do change the basic tone more and more. Still, there's enough of a basic sound there that some people like, some people don't like it, you know.
I think it's worthwhile pointing out that a lot of other synths are difficult to tell each other apart, after studio processing and with similar patches. Even people attempting to trainspot something simple like a Minimoog or a Juno bassline get it wrong sometimes. The only synths, frankly, that are easy to trainspot are either synths with such unique features you can't help IDing them, or fantastic soundsets that everyone and their mother used because patch RAM was limited to 32 sounds or so.
The Andromeda does have a couple of unique aspects -- its insane modulation in the analog domain, its poly dual-filter type patches, and its *huge* unison detune sounds. But if someone uses these, these aren't something that you're going to stand up and point out off the bat. I mean, more people are going to call out that simple recognizable Juno rez sound than are going to call out that weird custom programmed evolving Matrix 12 or Andromeda pad. |
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