Dave B
Joined: 03/04/03
Posts: 5368
Loc: Maidenhead
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Mopho x4
#1002672 - 09/08/12 11:33 PM
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Hmmnnnnn ..... I saw the announcement of a 4 voice keyboard in the Mopho range and it kind
of confuses me. What I _think_ it is, is a 4 voice polyphonic Tetra with no multi mode.
What I was hoping for was more like a keyboard version of the Tetra - 4 voices, but 4
monophonic synths in a nice multi mode unit. Preferably with at least another set of
outputs.
I'm sure it's a lovely synth, but it's half a Prophet 08. Bet it won't
cost half the price. And I still would have to have a Tetra for multiple mono synths in
one unit.
Bit of an odd move in my exceedingly humble opinion. Hope I'm proven
wrong..
--------------------
Veni, Vidi, Aesculi
(I came, I saw, I conkered)
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nathanscribe
Joined: 19/01/07
Posts: 716
Loc: Yorkshire, by gum.
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Re: Mopho x4
[Re: Dave B]
#1002727 - 10/08/12 10:35 AM
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UK list price is £869, which makes it more than half the cost of a P08. Compared to the
Mopho keyboard though it's not a bad deal, and it's still cheaper than the Evolver mono
keyboard.
Regarding multitimbrality, I'm not so sure it's a problem. If
multitimbrality is going to see most use in pre-programmed/sequenced environments, the
Tetra seems like a good choice as it stands. The Mopho X4 keyboard is only 44-key, so
there's not really room for splits, and layering would reduce the voices to one or two
anyway. At which point, you might as well just get a Tetra, and external keyboard for
when you need it. But it seems like a safe way to fill a gap in their line-up - there'll
be plenty of people wanting a new 4-voice analogue poly with decent front-panel control
and and keys for noticeably less than a grand.
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Dave B
Joined: 03/04/03
Posts: 5368
Loc: Maidenhead
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Re: Mopho x4
[Re: Dave B]
#1002812 - 10/08/12 06:05 PM
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DV have it listed for 917 .... where'd you see the 869 price? Yeah ... I think
I want a Tetra. But it would be nice if I didn't have to buy a separate keyboard as well
..  Interesting that one of those + a Tetra is arguably about the same price and a
better synth than a P08!
-------------------- Veni, Vidi, Aesculi
(I came, I saw, I conkered)
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Wimek
Joined: 30/09/04
Posts: 184
Loc: Holland
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Re: Mopho x4
[Re: Dave B]
#1002860 - 11/08/12 07:27 AM
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however, when you're on a tight budget and cannot afford a P8, this is a way to get a full
polyphonic synth in a few steps:
First a Mopho desktop with a cheap midi
controller, then a Mopho 4X, and finally a Tetra to add more voices...
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Chaconne
Joined: 21/02/05
Posts: 1110
Loc: Oxford
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Re: Mopho x4
[Re: Dave B]
#1002915 - 11/08/12 02:59 PM
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It looks really nice and compact, bit like the Sixtrak, which it would mirror if it was
multi timbral - missed a trick there.
Just one thing though - whats with the 4
voices? Most, if not all of the coveted synths from the past were 6 voice. I know
someone will post a list of great 4 voices, but all the nice Rolands, the afforadble
Sequential and Oberheims are six voice, which is just about the minimum. At least it
allows a triad and octave bass support - a signature polysynth power sound - doable on a
P5.
Surely with well developed hybrid digital control technology an extra voice
or two is not a significant outlay?
I guess its all price points for the P8 etc
etc but I think there is a market for a classic 6 voice no nonesense poly.
Anyhow, the DSI line up is looking great right now if no one elses is!
--------------------
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nathanscribe
Joined: 19/01/07
Posts: 716
Loc: Yorkshire, by gum.
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Re: Mopho x4
[Re: Dave B]
#1002946 - 11/08/12 09:21 PM
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Quote Dave B:
DV have it listed
for 917 .... where'd you see the 869 price?
DV. Cheeky blighters put it up! 
As for 4 voices being limiting, well, there's always the Jupiter 4 or Poly Evolver (both
4 voices) and I didn't feel crippled by those. I think it's more about the sound than how
many voices it's got, though I'd consider 4 the minimum for useful poly.
Besides, if 4 turns out to be not enough, you can use the Poly Chain feature to add a
Mopho module, and it'd sit nicely at the right of that top panel...
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Dave B
Joined: 03/04/03
Posts: 5368
Loc: Maidenhead
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Re: Mopho x4
[Re: Chaconne]
#1002982 - 12/08/12 10:29 AM
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Quote Chaconne:
Just one thing
though - whats with the 4 voices? Most, if not all of the coveted synths from the past
were 6 voice. I know someone will post a list of great 4 voices, but all the nice
Rolands, the afforadble Sequential and Oberheims are six voice, which is just about the
minimum. At least it allows a triad and octave bass support - a signature polysynth power
sound - doable on a P5.
Some
synths and their polyphonies :
Roland Jupiter 4
Roland Jupiter 8
Oberheim 2 Voice
Oberheim 4 Voice
Prohpet 5
The clue is in the
name here ..
CS80 was 8 voice.
OBX was actually sold as a 4voice base
unit with optional voice cards to take it to 8 (mine was a 7voice)
Roland only
hit 6 for the Juno range
Sequential only hit six in about 82/83 - and most of
those units were aimed at trying to build a domestic market
You score points
for the Memory Moog, the Matrix 6/1000 and the Jupiter 6 though 
(even though I'd only class one of those as 'coveted')
--------------------
Veni, Vidi, Aesculi
(I came, I saw, I conkered)
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Chaconne
Joined: 21/02/05
Posts: 1110
Loc: Oxford
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Re: Mopho x4
[Re: Dave B]
#1003108 - 12/08/12 07:43 PM
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As I said, I knew a list of great 'less than 6 voice' synths would follow...
Anyhow, my point was, as the technology got better developed, and digital control became
the norm, so price per voice fell. I was just wondering why we cant have a mid priced 6
voice analog poly from someone - I wonder if anyone actually knows about the relative cost
of adding / subtracting actual voices once the overall architecture is in place.
Obviously in the begining, a 'voice' was a whole discreet synthesiser, polyphony
meant multiplying everthing thing just about. Towards the end of the manufacture of
analog synths, you could replace the voice on a 'chip' without to much expense. But does
this mean that adapting the control architecture is any easier than when a voice took up
a whole 'card'?
--------------------
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nathanscribe
Joined: 19/01/07
Posts: 716
Loc: Yorkshire, by gum.
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Re: Mopho x4
[Re: Dave B]
#1003254 - 13/08/12 11:41 AM
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I suspect if they'd gone for a 6-voice, it would impact sales of the P08 more
significantly, and would be nearer to it in cost as well. 4 seems like a workable
compromise. It also fills a little gap in the line-up, as they've now got a complete set
of mono, 4-voice and 8-voice modules and keyboards, in the analogue realm anyway. The
Evolvers have always been mono and 4-voice. But anyway, they can be chained to make as
many voices as you want, supposing you have the wonga.
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