Discuss the various methods you use in music production, from compressor settings to equipment type.
By dmarz45 Sun Aug 07, 2011 1:55 am
I was wondering what you guys think about the Slim Phatty for hiphop to any of you who have it? Im looking for that Detriot type production sound and I know most of those guys use Moogs. The Slim Phatty seems to be a great price at $800 and I was thinking about getting one. From what I heard alot of the sounds really sound suited for dance\electro type music. What do u guys think? Should I just stick with my soft synths? Or does this thing really blow soft synths out of the water? Im going to be using it for mostly bass sounds.
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By Metatron72 Sun Aug 07, 2011 3:37 am
I don't have one, but considered picking up a Little Phatty numerous times. I see them on Craigslist for about the same price as the Slim Phatty, although they are always the first model (which can be upgraded). One that I passed on ended up in my local GC, and I got to try it out there. It sounded great, although not quite as thick as a Voyager, but it's not $3500. :D

It's an analog synth with the classic Moog sound and filters, so it's suited for whatever you want to program into it. I have an extensive amount of softsynths and in my opinion very few come close to a true analog sound. XILS lab, DCAM and to a slightly lesser degree the Arturia stuff are the only VST's to my ears that even sound close to real analog. I love my Massive, Electra X etc. , but to me good digital is good digital. By that I mean I probably wouldn't ever buy a Virus because I feel I can achieve a similar sound in the box, but I would definitely buy a real analog synth, because I hear the difference between the virtual and the real thing.

The Phatty's are monophonic, so think about how important polyphony is to your workflow. Personally I think I'm going to go with a Dave Smith Tetra over a Phatty, because even with only 4 voices, it's a lot more versatile. I'll miss out on the general character of the Moog and the creamy LP filter, but the Dave Smith stuff sounds good too, just different.
By dmarz45 Sun Aug 07, 2011 4:37 pm
I think im gonna just save $300 and see if I can get a used voyager
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By Metatron72 Sun Aug 07, 2011 5:47 pm
dmarz45 wrote:I think im gonna just save $300 and see if I can get a used voyager


Did you mean something else? A used Voyager would cost about $2500. I'm gonna mention Dave Smith again, his single voice Mopho is only $399 brand new. So if monophonic fits the bill that's a good choice.
By Emilie Sun Aug 07, 2011 7:55 pm
dmarz45 wrote:Im looking for that Detriot type production sound


As i recall the "Detroid sound" is rather thin, and the phatty has alot of fatness to it. It is also expensive compared to whar you get. I would recommend a Dave Smith MoPho which will give you alot more value for the money + it sounds just as good as the moog(music) stuff.
By dmarz45 Sun Aug 07, 2011 8:00 pm
Metatron72 wrote:
dmarz45 wrote:I think im gonna just save $300 and see if I can get a used voyager


Did you mean something else? A used Voyager would cost about $2500. I'm gonna mention Dave Smith again, his single voice Mopho is only $399 brand new. So if monophonic fits the bill that's a good choice.


I've seen the Voyager rack for a little over $1000 used on ebay I think.
By dmarz45 Sun Aug 07, 2011 8:03 pm
eimer wrote:
dmarz45 wrote:Im looking for that Detriot type production sound


As i recall the "Detroid sound" is rather thin, and the phatty has alot of fatness to it. It is also expensive compared to whar you get. I would recommend a Dave Smith MoPho which will give you alot more value for the money + it sounds just as good as the moog(music) stuff.



which Dave Smith synth would you recommend for under $1000. I see the Mopho, Tetra, and Evolver desktop synths. Which one is the best for hiphop?
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By Metatron72 Sun Aug 07, 2011 8:06 pm
dmarz45 wrote:
Metatron72 wrote:
dmarz45 wrote:I think im gonna just save $300 and see if I can get a used voyager


Did you mean something else? A used Voyager would cost about $2500. I'm gonna mention Dave Smith again, his single voice Mopho is only $399 brand new. So if monophonic fits the bill that's a good choice.


I've seen the Voyager rack for a little over $1000 used on ebay I think.


My bad, I was quoting the keyboard prices. I love Moog, but I'm still not sure I could spend that much on a single voice synth. But you did say Voyager, so it's one hell of a voice. :D
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By Metatron72 Sun Aug 07, 2011 8:14 pm
dmarz45 wrote:
eimer wrote:
dmarz45 wrote:Im looking for that Detriot type production sound


As i recall the "Detroid sound" is rather thin, and the phatty has alot of fatness to it. It is also expensive compared to whar you get. I would recommend a Dave Smith MoPho which will give you alot more value for the money + it sounds just as good as the moog(music) stuff.



which Dave Smith synth would you recommend for under $1000. I see the Mopho, Tetra, and Evolver desktop synths. Which one is the best for hiphop?


All of them are great for any genre, certainly will cover all your bass needs.

Mopho- Monophonic, minimal knobs, needs software editor to really program deeply - $399
Mopho Keyboard - same thing, quality 37 note keyboard, more knobs, less need for the editor - $799
Tetra - 4 Voice, minimal knobs, needs editor to go deep. Basically 4xMophos minus the audio input - $799

All the Dave Smith stuff can be chained together. Mopho keyboard + Tetra = 5 voice synth for example. 2 Tetras = 8 voices etc.

I'll be buying something from them soon, I'm just waiting for the release of their Tempest drum machine, as that doubles as a 6 voice synth. At 2g's for that though, I'll probably opt for the Tetra.
By disco technique Mon Aug 08, 2011 1:14 am
dmarz45 wrote:
eimer wrote:
dmarz45 wrote:Im looking for that Detriot type production sound


As i recall the "Detroid sound" is rather thin, and the phatty has alot of fatness to it. It is also expensive compared to whar you get. I would recommend a Dave Smith MoPho which will give you alot more value for the money + it sounds just as good as the moog(music) stuff.



which Dave Smith synth would you recommend for under $1000. I see the Mopho, Tetra, and Evolver desktop synths. Which one is the best for hiphop?



if you are asking this question, you need to understand the basic principles of synthesis.

best look into it before you spend your money.

personally i'm not a great fan of the new moogs or dave smith instruments, but they do what you tell 'em to.

i like old moogs, oberheims, and anything else with vintage cherry wood panels.... 8)

all i'm saying is that to the untrained ear, one analogue synth sounds like another, and can do pretty much do the same thing.

i think each manufacturer and model has it's own 'character'.

a lot can be achieved with pitch bend and modulation.....
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By Wal Martian Mon Aug 08, 2011 8:36 pm
dmarz45 wrote:
Metatron72 wrote:
dmarz45 wrote:I think im gonna just save $300 and see if I can get a used voyager


Did you mean something else? A used Voyager would cost about $2500. I'm gonna mention Dave Smith again, his single voice Mopho is only $399 brand new. So if monophonic fits the bill that's a good choice.


I've seen the Voyager rack for a little over $1000 used on ebay I think.

I have never seen one this cheap, not recently.