Which Wavetable synth to get?

paugui · Post by **paugui** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 3:03 pm

Hi

I was wondering which wavetable synth is "the best"...

I was thinking about getting a Fizmo but was thinking if a Waldorf Microwave wouldn't be a better choice...
Since the Fizmo has more polyphony I was thinking about that one.

Also, since the new Waldorf Blofeld has wavetables, would this be a better choice for wavetable synthesis?

Thanks in advance

Paugui

synapsecollapse · Post by **synapsecollapse** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 3:37 pm

while this doesn't include all the info you want it may prove a useful "whos who" of the wave game. a friend of mine made it while we were geeking out over what ones we wanted most (i have 3 of them now and desire a 4th) and sent it to me via email, i am sure he wont mind its duplication:

http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key= ... LSRe7KazLA

the Blofield has all the wavetables the XT did but not the same architecture or filters.

very most importantly, these numbers dont mean very much. listen to demos and even see if anyone in your local area has one they might let you jam on to check out.

anyone feel free to contact me for incorrect info on this excel sheet, as i am the only editor on it right now.

Post by **carbon111** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 4:21 pm

The only synths on that list that can do wavetable synthesis are the Waldorf ones and the Ensoniq ones (except for the SQ-80).

The only other synths that can do true wavetable synthesis are the PPG Wave series.

The Q/Micro only have two wavetables total BTW.

The confusion probably arises because "Wavetable" used to mean a single-cycle waveform (like in the D-50) but these days the term is generally reserved for a synth that can scan through a table of waveforms with a modulator during the duration of a single note.

The Microwave XT and the Fizmo are the only pure wavetable synths on that list though the later Ensoniq synths are certainly capable.

To the OP, I would recommend the Microwave XT or the Blofeld.

synapsecollapse · Post by **synapsecollapse** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 1:12 am

i was on my way to bed when i posted that, i think it has wavetable and vector and something else too. its more than a bit misleading in a number of categories, oops.

Post by **carbon111** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 3:20 am

No problems, I just didn't want people to get the impression that the D-50 or SY-77 had anything to do with wavetable synthesis.

The only hardware synths I know that do true wavetable synthesis are:

PPG:
Wavecomputer
Wave

Waldorf:
Wave
Microwave
Microwave II
Microwave XT
Q
Micro Q
Blofeld

Ensoniq:
VFX
VFX-SD
SD-1
TS10
TS12
Fizmo

Access:
Virus TI

John Bowen Synth Design:
Solaris

...there are a bunch of softsynths that do it as well.

calyx93 · Post by **calyx93** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 5:56 am

Just for completion - don't forget the very useful and unique PPG EVU

paugui · Post by **paugui** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 12:27 pm

If I could get a Fizmo for 400 euros, should I go for that?

Is that Waldorf stuff (except the Blofeld and first Microwaves), seem to be a bit more expensive and with less polyphony which seem useful to me for big pads.

Also the knobs on the Fizmo seem really attractive.

In sonic terms, is the Fizmo quite different from the Waldorfs?

seamonkey · Post by **seamonkey** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 1:25 pm

paugui wrote:
In sonic terms, is the Fizmo quite different from the Waldorfs?

paugui, there are plenty of audio demo's available on the internet to make this determination. This is something only YOUR ears can decide, what sounds best is different for everyone.

Here is a link with some Fizmo mp3's:
http://homepage.mac.com/synth_seal/html/fizmo.html

Huppo · Post by **Huppo** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 2:40 pm

there's also a really long and boring fizmo demo in the sticky at the top of the listening room section.

paugui · Post by **paugui** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 2:19 pm

And how about a Waldorf Microwave I?
Do the analog filters make it sound different or better than the other microwaves?

Also, to get one Microwave I and one Fizmo, would be a bad choice? Would one of these two be enough?

Thanks in advance

Paugui

crystalmsc · Post by **crystalmsc** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 9:41 am

paugui wrote:And how about a Waldorf Microwave I?

some audio demos and comparison with the newer.

frequency · Post by **frequency** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 12:25 pm

I personally prefer the heavier duty knobs on the Microwave XT's.
The Fizmo's seem a little loose, just like the Dave Smith MEK's.
I really have the feeling they might come off if tweaked too hard!!

Vertical · Post by **Vertical** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 12:29 pm

What is 'true' wave table synthesis?

Why wouldn't an evolver qualify?

steveman · Post by **steveman** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 1:09 pm

Vertical wrote:What is 'true' wave table synthesis?

Why wouldn't an evolver qualify?

Because it can't scan through the waveforms during a single note.

... the term is generally reserved for a synth that can scan through a table of waveforms with a modulator during the duration of a single note.

sequence · Post by **sequence** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 4:28 pm

OP if you want a Ens Fizmo make sure the faulty OEM voltage regulator has been replaced, so U don't drop 400 euros on something that may be dead one morning when U power up. Not good.

how much is 400 euros in US dollars? Fizmos that have survived the VR plague are starting to climb back up in price here as of late.