Fizmo ?

monolith · Post by **monolith** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 1:59 pm

Ok...
I'd never heard of a fizmo until i joined this forum, and i must say its starting to invade my thoughts.
I mostly make ambient drone kinda stuff, and it sounds like it could really up the psychedelic factor of my recordings on account of the evolving sounds.
I'd like to save up and get one sometime soon, but i know nothing about wavetable synthesis and so far i've only really enjoyed using/programming analog synths. It seems like the fizmo would be a bit of a shock from what i'm used to.
So i just wanted to know just how hard is the fizmo to program? (I'd rather not use programming software), I see there are lots of knobs handy which looks appealing.
also, i've gathered that it's strength is weird evolving pads and crazy sounds, but i'd also like to know how does it go for more 'everyday' applications? (bass leads etc.)
i'd love any insight, thanks in advance.

M

ps. I've run a search, but these were some things i was still unclear on...

oh one more thing, i've checked for posted demo's in the listening lounge, they're great, can anyone point me in the direction of any more artists/bands/recordings that utilise fizmo?

Box · Post by **Box** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 2:10 pm

Here are some reviews I found:
http://www.sonicstate.com/synth/ensoniq_fizmo.cfm
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/revi ... Fizmo/10/1
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/mar99/a ... nsoniq.htm

This is as far as I can help you I'm afraid, except to tell you to also check youtube for videos.

Post by **tallowwaters** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 3:04 pm

You need to use a computer to fully edit the Fizmo. period.

With the pain in the a*s software, you can fully control the badass FX, multiple envelopes, tons of open modulation assignements. That little 3 character LED works fine for the microkorg; on the Fiz its utter bullshit.

There are a few free VST synths out there that use Fizmo samples as Oscillator waves. STS and ProtoPlasm and both are easily some of the coolest sounding synths I have heard.

It can easily do the VA type thing.

I sold my Fiz a while back. I really loved her, but I had throoughly sampled her and it was time to go. Trying to find one is a nightmare and a half.

Box · Post by **Box** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 3:50 pm

Here's one on eBay that ends in about a day. Not so sure about it though considering the seller has 0 feedback. But anyway, here's the link:
Ensoniq Fizmo

syncretism · Post by **syncretism** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 6:08 pm

Geomatic's Control Agents, on the Triumvirate label, was realized mostly with a Fizmo, according to the label boss. It might be up your street if you're into the dark ambient/industrial thing.

Pighood · Post by **Pighood** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 4:14 am

Had one for about 5 years now...zero overlap with any of my other synths. I used to wish it had FM, but it really doesn't need it to sound unique. The "I" knob goes into realms FM CAN'T.

idiotboy · Post by **idiotboy** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 11:31 pm

The new Noisebug store is open now and they've got a used Fizmo for sale, FYI.

Post by **carbon111** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 11:38 pm

...and I've got one if someone wants to come get it near Seattle, WA. $475

Full description:
http://www.vintagesynth.org/phpBB2/view ... hp?t=40155

Gregor Samsa · Post by **Gregor Samsa** » Sat Jul 12, 2008 2:38 am

I bought tallowater's Fiz, and I do absolutely love it. The sound infects my brain when I play it. I don't think I've heard anything quite like it, and it really is one h**l of a spaced out sound that it can produce. I'm getting a new 8x8 midi interface coming soon and then I'm going to start working with the software because tallowaters is right- editing on the Fiz is a complete pain in the a*s. And after some time I still don't really have much idea what I'm doing with the interface in terms of diving for specific parameters when I need them on the fly. What I have read, and I don't know if it's true or not, is that either some or many of the parameters are completely inaccessible w/o editing software. It's like they went out of their way to make the thing hard to use. I would never recommend it as a first synth (yikes!) or as a main board for sure.

That being said, I don't see myself getting rid of it any time soon. It really is a fantastic and unique sounding board.

The Cancer Years · Post by **The Cancer Years** » Sat Jul 12, 2008 2:33 pm

carbon111 wrote:...and I've got one if someone wants to come get it near Seattle, WA. $475

Full description:
http://www.vintagesynth.org/phpBB2/view ... hp?t=40155

Man if I wasn't moving so soon......Id be calling you up. Stupid deposits!

Fizmo ?

Fizmo ?

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