-----Original Message-----
From: Andy Thompson <andy.thompson@virgin.net>
To: newmellotrongroup <newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Sun, Oct 13, 2013 4:25 pm
Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] Off topic: Analog Fun
Sent: Sunday, October 13, 2013 7:58 PM
Subject: RE: [newmellotrongroup] Off topic: Analog Fun
Gary
Sorry, but let me be the first to say that Banks never used a Sequential Pro-One, but an ARP Pro-Soloist. The rev.2.2 Prophet’s pretty fat in unison mode, too :-)
Andy T.
To be fair the Prophet 5 did even more things that a Pro One never could. But that classic lead sound that Tony Banks used with his Pro One was just plain perfect for those solos! Other than a couple of sounds the Pro One is pretty cheesy until (as Genesis did) you beef it up with effects. With the push of a button the Profit 5 became monophonic in unison mode but it was a much fatter sound than the Pro One… especially the rare Rev.1 which was by far the best sounding but least reliable of the series. I wish I had never sold mine. My Rev 3’s and Prophet 10 never did have the bite of the Rev. 1. I got my Rev. 1 for $500 from a friend at Sequential Circuits after Eddie Jobson turned it in for a newer model. The SSM chips which were designed by Emu sounded great but were prone to failure. After the Rev. 1 they moved to the Curtis chips and never sounded the same. Emu actually designed the scanning keyboard for Sequential as well. I knew people at both companies well so I got some good deals and factory training. They were both groundbreaking companies with sounds you hear on more records and soundtracks than you can imagine.
Cheers!
Gary
Analog polysynths are great but a pro 1 did things the Prophet 5 only dreamed of, Minis and Synthi A's are monophonic for a very good reason.
Whilst saving up for my next keyboard I have bought a Monotribe and a Volca keys. I still love the mellotron but I am doing much more with subtractive synthesis these days. I mainly use the almighty MicroKorg or the wonderful Synth1 plugin. But even to my ears analog synths sound more pleasing, but I can't afford a true analog polysynth. The Volca is polyphonic but works much better as a monophonic synth. These are 2 of my latest efforts for all of you who love endlessly repetitive electronic loop music.
I have more sense now than to buy a vintage synthesizer but I suppose I wouldn't be able to resist a MiniMoog if one turned up here.
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