Mopho or Blofeld ?

[nutrinoland]

Hi guys...
i need some advice...
I've been saving up some money for a new synth...
I already got a Virus Snow.
I was thinking about getting a Mopho....
But I am confused whether i should get a Mopho or a Blofeld...
I already have an awesome VA synth - the snow, so i was thinking about getting an analog synth - the Mopho, for bass mostly...
is it silly to want a blofeld when i already have a snow ????
should i just go for the Mopho now without thinking about this anymore ???
what would you do ??

thanks

[PaPi]

Hi guys...
i need some advice...
I've been saving up some money for a new synth...
I already got a Virus Snow.
I was thinking about getting a Mopho....
But I am confused whether i should get a Mopho or a Blofeld...
I already have an awesome VA synth - the snow, so i was thinking about getting an analog synth - the Mopho, for bass mostly...
is it silly to want a blofeld when i already have a snow ????
should i just go for the Mopho now without thinking about this anymore ???
what would you do ??

thanks

Not all analog or VA synths are created equal. They do sound very different and they have different capabilities. Having more than one is definitely not redundant.

Mopho has limited applications, it's a mono synth. Basically an analog bass/lead synthesizer. If that's what you need, go for it.

Blofeld is more like a traditional analog polysynth. IMHO it's a bit overpriced for what you get (for the same money, you can get a used Novation Supernova or Korg RADIAS, which are much more capable synths.) It would be great if it had something like the Virus total integration, but unfortunately it doesn't have that.

Especially in consideration of their rock bottom prices, I would take a good look at the Alesis Micron or the Microkorg XL (or even the slightly better specced and better built R3.) Actually you can probably get both (Micron and Microkorg XL/R3) used on eBay for the price of a new Blofeld. If you like the Waldorf sound, you might also consider a used Micro Q (I don't think they make it anymore), which will cost you less than half the price of a new Blofeld for a very similar sound texture.

PS: the new Microkorg XL and the old Microkorg are two completely different beasts. The former uses the RADIAS engine, the latter that of the MS2000. You definitely want the XL.

[ShortBus]

Mopho keyboard isnt too pricey try looking into that. All synths have there own unique charactor I have three analog and 1 VA (TIpolar) and they all sound completely different. You get way more options and fx with digital synths but analog has a certain warmth ,grit and imperfections.

[nashsnazzy]

I picked up a Mopho module about six weeks ago. I love it. I love it so much I preordered the Mopho Keyboard. There is just something so tangible about it's sound that you won't quite get out of your Virus Snow. Thats not a knock on the Virus Snow its just that the Mopho is different.

I dont' want to steer the thread off topic but someone but why isn't the Blofeld considered powerful compared to Radius or SuperNova? Is it just the polyphony or lack there of? The Blofeld can mimic the Q and it has wavetables too. That sounds fairly powerful to me.

[PaPi]

I dont' want to steer the thread off topic but someone but why isn't the Blofeld considered powerful compared to Radius or SuperNova? Is it just the polyphony or lack there of? The Blofeld can mimic the Q and it has wavetables too. That sounds fairly powerful to me.

I meant that as a VA synth, the Blofeld is no match for the complexity of the other two. Its wavetables aren't of any particular interest to me. If you want a digital synth, there are far more sophisticated products on the market in the softsynth arena, particularly Alchemy, Omnisphere and Absynth.

[~BHG~]

To bad you cant do a real Live PA with software synths!;) Gear + Live = Win

[Matt van k]

Think about a DSI Evolver Desktop.He has more Features(Sequencer for external gear,Delay,outputhack,highpassfilter,2digital/2analog OSC´s) as a Mopho but of course mopho is a mopho.He sounds different(like a Kettenraucher) but you get more out of an evolver.

But you can do nothing wrong with DSI and a Virus combination.
The Waldorf sound is a matter of taste i think.He sounds good of course but for my infected ears to harsh;)


What gear also?

hmmm Nordrack 1,2? or an effectproccesor like this beast:
http://www.otomachines.com/ 8bit,analog,delay,

however,
Good luck stranger.May the force be with you:cool:

[PaPi]

To bad you cant do a real Live PA with software synths!;) Gear + Live = Win

Huh? Why not? First you wrap your favorite VST into a standalone (like Savihost), then you connect your laptop to a decent audio interface, the interface to either a keyboard or a DAW (or both) via MIDI and its audio outputs to the PA system, and pronto, you have the equivalent of a Blofeld.

[Mr Ben]

Don't forget about the Waldorf Pulse.;)
Excellent analogue monosynth.

If you can find one

[SHINOBI]

Blofeld rules...just take the time...really powerfull synth ;)

[TechnoMusic]

I meant that as a VA synth, the Blofeld is no match for the complexity of the other two. Its wavetables aren't of any particular interest to me. If you want a digital synth, there are far more sophisticated products on the market in the softsynth arena, particularly Alchemy, Omnisphere and Absynth.

Im in the market for a new VA and was wondering what made you say the Radias is far more powerful than the Blofeld? Im thinking of using a VA as a standalone synthesised percussion unit being controlled completely by my NI Maschine. I do mainly detroit & minimal style techno and want a machine that is very good at doing synthetic percussion sounds.

Of the two which would you recommend the most and Why?

[TechnoMusic]

Blofeld rules...just take the time...really powerfull synth ;)

How is it for synthetic percussion?

[Celestry]

Why don't you try out Largo, first! Different than a Blofeld, (which i have and love, by the way! It's very gritty, also nice and harsh, Bass is nice and slippy) Largo will give you a good idea as to what sort of sound you can get from the Blofeld.

[innervoice]

If you already have a Virus and don't care for presets, look into the Future Retro XS. It'll get you laid (with gearheads)

[Narcissus]

Man, i own a Blofeld and believe me it's an absolute killer beast.
It's filters are razorblades.

I know my Virus TI also has wavetables, but the Blofeld has not only the PPG and Wave wavetables : you can import your own wavetables via USB, and with the license SL (which i have) you can import 60 Mb of samples to use together with the analog and wavetable parts.

I'd say you give it a try.

[nutrinoland]

This is an old thread I pulled up again.

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I eventually got a Mopho.
I do love the sound of it but I have had troubles using it properly. It is a known issue with many users that the mopho desktop has issues with the midi implementation in many DAWs...something about scaling...but basically automating effectively on the Mopho has evaded Me this far...its been 2 years that I have had it, but due to this issue, I have barely used it....I really wanna get the most out of it cause it sounds great.
Any Mopho users here that have some ideas or workarounds or solutions ?
I use Fl studio.

Thanks

[MBTC]

This is an old thread I pulled up again.
Thanks for the suggestions guys. I eventually got a Mopho.
I do love the sound of it but I have had troubles using it properly. It is a known issue with many users that the mopho desktop has issues with the midi implementation in many DAWs...something about scaling...but basically automating effectively on the Mopho has evaded Me this far...its been 2 years that I have had it, but due to this issue, I have barely used it....I really wanna get the most out of it cause it sounds great.
Any Mopho users here that have some ideas or workarounds or solutions ?
I use Fl studio.


As a fellow FLStudio user I'd be interested in what you learn on this, since I've been eyeballing one of these or a Tetra. I recently bought my dream home, and will be turning one of the extra rooms into my dream studio over time, including some new hardware boards, and this one's on the candidate list.

I sometimes wonder if FLStudio is just more fidgety than most DAWs when it comes to hardware... Even when I load up Logic on the Mac, and plug my controller into it, the after touch and everything just works and has a different feel, much more expressive... I can even plug in the USB cable while Logic is running and it just works, I've never been able to do that with FLS. I sometimes wonder if using Logic would alleviate some of the pains I saw with the Virus. I'm sure my studio will be primarily PC based, however.

[nutrinoland]

Hi MBTC
I have come across a few decent VST's for the Mopho. They are able to sort out this scaling issue in FL studio. Automation also works well with the VST's.
Not all the VSt's made for the mopho are good at sorting out the issue.
Only 2 so far, that I have come across do the job well. There is a demo version for one of them too...U could try it out.

http://www.kvraudio.com/product/mophoed-by-mkdr

I have read about other solutions too...Such as using a behringer BCR2000 midi controller along with the Mopho in FL studio. Google it for more info..

Another VST which supposedly works is available for $ 50-70 ..No demo to verify though...

http://rekonaudio.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=84&category_id=6&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=29&vmcchk=1&Itemid=29

Hope this Helps

:)

[enossified]

The scaling issue is common to all DSI synths. It's because MIDI CCs have only 127 steps and some of the DSI parameters have a wider range (higher resolution)

Have you tried setting up the assignable knobs and recording Mopho MIDI out into your DAW while you twist knobs as the sequence plays back?

[MBTC]

Hi MBTC
I have come across a few decent VST's for the Mopho. They are able to sort out this scaling issue in FL studio. Automation also works well with the VST's.
Not all the VSt's made for the mopho are good at sorting out the issue.
Only 2 so far, that I have come across do the job well. There is a demo version for one of them too...U could try it out.

http://www.kvraudio.com/product/mophoed-by-mkdr

I have read about other solutions too...Such as using a behringer BCR2000 midi controller along with the Mopho in FL studio. Google it for more info..

Another VST which supposedly works is available for $ 50-70 ..No demo to verify though...

http://rekonaudio.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=84&category_id=6&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=29&vmcchk=1&Itemid=29

Hope this Helps

:)

Definitely, thanks for the info!

[namnibor]

Bought the Waldorf Blofeld Black Keyboard early Summer this year once I knew most O.S. updates had fixed most bugs other than the arp first note timing issue that's kind of inherent in alot of Waldorf gear. I actually think it augments/supports diversity in one's set-up as aforementioned, different synths have different sound personalities. Have a few other rack synths by Waldorf and am used to the intuitive interface and it is a very capable synth--can be crazy twilightzone or velvety lush and both at same time in multimode. It's SO distinctly it's own sound, decide not much overlap and have kept my Microwave XT orange beast because it is not really a VA rather, it is a true synth in which I am convinced is reversed engineered alien technology! The Blofeld nowhere reaches sound design abilities of the XT. Having multiple flavors of synths ALSO means in a mix, not having to use massive polyphony on any one instrument and keeps frequencies from canceling each other out rather than becoming muddy.

Have a DSI Evolver Desktop and I think since 2 of 4 oscillators are fully analog and can modulate anything with everything, with a stereo external input, rather than a Mopho, will definitely be adding a MonoEvolver Keyboard to daisychain the two and have all the extra buttons and knobs/control. For versatility, the Evolver wins every time for me over the Mopho as Evolver is definitely not a one trick or two pony and the sounds....lovely madness. It also looks quite nice resting on the Virus KC and there will be just enough room on far right side for the MonoEvolver keyboard to live on my Virus KB...yep, find enough distinct differences between B/C is why have both and the Blofeld holds it's own with that trio!

Should add to be further on-topic that amongst my rack units, there lives the first Supernova, where she too has her own distinctions to contribute. My Maine Coone Cat-Mix keeps them all from quibling by laying upside down on his back spread eagle every time I am playing, right below one of the heavy duty onstage kybd stands:D

[Rick Boogie]

As discussed in another thread, you and I have very similar set-ups, and more. I had a MoPho kb, but sold it to a bandmate, and replaced it with an MEK, which is beyond awesome a mono synth. Also have a Little Phatty, (my 2nd- sold the 1st one), a Blofeld kb which I also love to death, and a Virus KB. Of the 4 currently, the Blofeld is my most used polysynth, and an absolute joy to dig in and synthesize- the mod matrix is so intelligently laid out, it's a breeze going through each of the 16 modulation slots- and the sound can be anything from lush and sparkly, all the way to crude and vicious. The Phatty does basses and solo's, and sounds, well, like a Moog. MEK can do all that, plus crazy stuff, especially with the sequencer. Sometimes it runs wild while I'm playing something else on another synth. Then, there's my Virus KB, which I love, but if one had to go, this would be the one. Great as it is, between it and Mr Blo, well, what I said about tweaking the Waldorf is true, and Virus is much more challenging. May have to keep all 4, but my music room is crowded with basses/guitars/ amps/pedalboards- I need room. Anyway, that's my 2 cents.

[namnibor]

As discussed in another thread, you and I have very similar set-ups, and more. I had a MoPho kb, but sold it to a bandmate, and replaced it with an MEK, which is beyond awesome a mono synth. Also have a Little Phatty, (my 2nd- sold the 1st one), a Blofeld kb which I also love to death, and a Virus KB. Of the 4 currently, the Blofeld is my most used polysynth, and an absolute joy to dig in and synthesize- the mod matrix is so intelligently laid out, it's a breeze going through each of the 16 modulation slots- and the sound can be anything from lush and sparkly, all the way to crude and vicious. The Phatty does basses and solo's, and sounds, well, like a Moog. MEK can do all that, plus crazy stuff, especially with the sequencer. Sometimes it runs wild while I'm playing something else on another synth. Then, there's my Virus KB, which I love, but if one had to go, this would be the one. Great as it is, between it and Mr Blo, well, what I said about tweaking the Waldorf is true, and Virus is much more challenging. May have to keep all 4, but my music room is crowded with basses/guitars/ amps/pedalboards- I need room. Anyway, that's my 2 cents.

Just remember when space is an issue, MIDI is indeed your best beast of a friend!!! Also, do not negate the fact the KB could be resting outside the stands and used to process audio through her let alone whilst using midi thru to pass signals through your chain when you want.
Yes, the MEK is quite awesome and I have now two desktop evolvers polychained to it and of course the extra audio outs required meant adding another one space 16 channel mixer but oh, the sound!! "I see (and hear) stars!!!"
Agree with you the Virus KB and KC is a bit more challenging but I actually like that because it forces me to see outside the box of possibilities and I know will be learning every day something new and through repetition, will become able to then go even further down the rabbit hole. The Virus has lots of knobs BUT all the menus diving could easily been mostly eliminated if they had utilized even part of the 75% of unused real estate on top of at least the keyboard version. I can see where the design is such that the desktop Virus is laid out exactly same but most of use knob-twiddlers would have paid more for more immediately accessed parameters with dedicated knobs or MORE knobs utilizing the "shift button" for those areas. I am certainly not complaining, just mumbling about.
I have an Alesis Fusion that is going to have to go to someone that can use it as I have my **last** rack gear on way, just scored a yellow Waldorf Q Rack and justified it as another Christmas present from my wacko cat:-)
On the MEK, I have been talking to someone at DSI about some things and speaking of MIDI, when and if you ever get a desktop evolver and polychain it to MEK, the MIDI OUT of the MEK can still drive say, a mono instrument like your Moog. Also, when not using the polychain out, it acts as a second MIDI OUT:-) Learned that it's actually advantagious to have our MEK over the Poly Evolver in that it's more capable when polychained than the PEK because in the PEK, for EACH voice used in a "combo", you lose a voice! With the MEK a person can add up to 20 evolver desktops/voices, and not lose polyphony. The sound is massive even with one polychained and with three...let's just say it's quite enough and the analog side of evolver IMO sounds more fat that the Mopho or Prophet 08.
The aftertouch expressiveness on MEK modulation routings is simply amazing....okay, I will stop!