Hi all,

Been looking into the Analogue Solutions Europa. I really like the idea of it and what its does but does the MC808 / ESX1 do anything it couldnt do?

Scratching my head at the price if the answer is no. An MC808 can be had for less and an ESX1 for half the price??

Anyone have any first hand info on this?

Cheers.

I think it comes down to what workflow you prefer. I've no experience with the MC808, the EX or the Europa, but I have a Regelwerk and I have used an MPC in my time. The Regelwerk is unlike other sequencers in that it uses faders to set the note number, which is in someways confusing, but in other ways it is good for creating something you would never think of. The MPC allows the user to bash in their sequence quickly with quick results. Neither are like using Cubase but all sequencers can achive the same or similar results.

The Europa uses the TR style sequencer and I guess it works in the same way, that you can quickly add and remove sounds. How different this is to the Electribe range or the MC range, I don't know.

The x0x has the same step sequencer, but because of the way it interacts with the oscillator, it controls the sequence unlike any other external sequencer would.

edit: I think the biggest selling point of the Europa is this:

Analogue features - analogue tempo clock, 7 analogue trigger outs, analogue sync signals

so if you have a large collection of CV triggered synths, the Europa will control them, whereas the MC and EXS are MIDI only.

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http://soundcloud.com/richie-royale
http://www.mixcrate.com/richieroyale

Hi Richie,

Yeah I love the MPC but find it mainly useful for playing live into. However im not that good a player. Sometimes Id love a roland 606 / 303 style programming sequecer to sync to my MPC. Then I have it all covered.

If the Europa is puerly down to CV, then its way too pricey for me at nealy £600!!. An ESX1 is £200 on Ebay.

I spoke with Analogue Solutions and I must say their customer service and / or interpersoanl skills sucks big time. I wont be buying any of there products.

I asked how the Europa differs from the third of a price Korg ESX and must have hit a raw nerve. Oh well, if they cannot justify why the Europa costs £600 and the ESX £225 ish and what it offers extra without throwing their toys out of the pram.

If they dont belive in their own products and cant rattle of a few reasons and get ultra snooty im sure as hell I cant find a reson to buy either.

Just got a Roland MC808 for £300. Looking forward to seeing how I take to it.

I have to say I have only ever found Tom at Analogue Solutions to be very helpful.. He has a real enthusiasm and passion for the products he makes.
Don't forget it is only a 1-man company and you aren't speaking to "someone in marketing" but the guy who actually designed and built the machine himself.
If you go in with a confrontational attitude of asking someone to justify their product pricing against one made by a large Japanese company then I imagine you will get similar results wherever you go

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MBP 17", PC 100(Nubus Protools) Motu 896, X-Station, Logic9, Reason6, Korg legacy, ACE, Alchemy, Emax II, E-Synth, Evolver MEK, Waldorf Pulse and Blofeld, AS Telemark, AS Leipzig-S

Errm the ESX is not that price, it's new price is £429 and the Europa is £538 inc VAT

Essentially you are comparing a multinational huge firm like Korg with big overheads etc to something that is essentially made in a shed and is more of a niche product.


If you think it's over priced look at this http://www.sequentix.com/cirklon.htm

£100 more could of got you a MC-909, those are class

lol Chevy got there before me

Chevey,

Well I can cut and paste the Emails if you like. Customer service includes justifying the price of your products and what they do. I was seriously buying the Europa but down to him alone decided not to.

Would you like me to cut and paste the dialog from my Ebay account?

I was told to first search for the manual. In other words find my own answers. Do you think that is the way to treat someone who is about to spend £600? I mean, he couldn't be ever arsed to supply a link. "You'll find the manual at ....." was all the reply stated.

Quote:

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If you go in with a confrontational attitude of asking someone to justify their product pricing against one made by a large Japanese company then I imagine you will get similar results wherever you go

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My attitude was not confrontational. It was inquisitive. Confrontational would be slagging his stuff off. I did not do that. I asked what the Europa did that the ESX didn't. How exactly is that confrontational?? Obviously I hit a raw nerve.


Vinyl Junkie

Quote:

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Errm the ESX is not that price, it's new price is £429 and the Europa is £538 inc VAT

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Yes your right. I was quoting the second hand market. There inst one for the Europa but still £225 is what I could get an ESX for. So I wanted to know why I was expected to pay another £300 odd for the Europa.

Yeah Ive used an MC909. They are great. Wanted to try out the MC808 now though. Using it mainly as a sequencer. It doenst have enough outputs for my liking to use as a drum box.

I really like the look of the Europa. Quick, easy access to all parameters. You could make a tune in no time at all.

Yeah thats what attracted me to it and I was prepared to pay a premium for that.

Quote vinyl_junkie:

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Essentially you are comparing a multinational huge firm like Korg with big overheads etc to something that is essentially made in a shed and is more of a niche product.

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Overheads could well be proportionately higher in the shed.

Also see Hugh R's opinion:
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/mar12/articles/sounding-off-0312.htm