Prophet 600 vs tetra

[imperets]

Which one would you get and why? Disregard tetras interface, I'm compAring sound quality.

[jizmatron]

I owned a prophet 600 until recently...
I've only demoed the tetra in a store so I couldn't give you an in-depth analysis, but I thought they sounded remarkably similar...
Holding out for the tempest personally!

[Carey M]

Had a Tetra on loan for a couple of days before I (re-)bought a P-600 and I've owned a dEvo. For some things the Tetra sounded better to me, than the P-600, and concerning analogue sounds, better than the Evolver. The low end is more focused and the envelopes are tighter, snappier, faster, etc. Ie. it does tight bass sounds better than the P-600.

And the Tetra also has a lot more features, sequencers, extensive modulation, blah blah blah... But to my ears the P-600 was still a clear winner sound wise. Fuller, smoother if needed, a nicely saturating filter, a ripping sync sound, yadda-yadda-yadda... It has "that sound".

There's something about the DSI sound that I don't really gel with.. especially noticeable in pads, strings, leads... A dry papery-abrasive sound... Reminds me of puffed rice cakes.

That's my 0,02€.

- CM

[TheKeytarist]

I'd go with the P-600 just for the fact that it's vintage, besides the extra 2 voices of polyphony, the amount of hands on control. The P-600 has a sequencer and a polymod section, similar to the tetra...

[GuyaGuy]

I'd go with the P-600 just for the fact that it's vintage, besides the extra 2 voices of polyphony, the amount of hands on control. The P-600 has a sequencer and a polymod section, similar to the tetra...

It should be pointed out that the sequencer and polymod section of the Tetra are a LOT deeper.

I owned a prophet 600 until recently...
I've only demoed the tetra in a store so I couldn't give you an in-depth analysis, but I thought they sounded remarkably similar...
Holding out for the tempest personally!

They do indeed sound very similar once you get the "oscillator slop" on the Tetra going.

I don't think one sounds better than the other. It just depends on what is more appealing to you: the Tetra's sequencing, wild LFOs and sub oscillators or the P600's hands-on controls and arpeggiator.

[Carey M]

They do indeed sound very similar once you get the "oscillator slop" on the Tetra going.

I don't think one sounds better than the other. It just depends on what is more appealing to you: the Tetra's sequencing, wild LFOs and sub oscillators or the P600's hands-on controls and arpeggiator.

Regarding the oscillator slop, I never found it to be a night-and-day difference. The sound did get a bit more alive, but I didn't find it to recreate the sound and feel of real VCOs.

I do think that the P-600 is a lot better than the Tetra, if you are after classic analogue polysynth sounds. But if you want better low end and generally a more focused sound, tight envelopes, a more modern sound, the arp/seq features (the arp/seq on the P-600 is rather poor), the Tetra (or P'08) fares better in my opinion. Some will undoubtedly disagree, we all have different ears and brains.

- CM

[GuyaGuy]

Regarding the oscillator slop, I never found it to be a night-and-day difference. The sound did get a bit more alive, but I didn't find it to recreate the sound and feel of real VCOs.

I do think that the P-600 is a lot better than the Tetra, if you are after classic analogue polysynth sounds. But if you want better low end and generally a more focused sound, tight envelopes, a more modern sound, the arp/seq features (the arp/seq on the P-600 is rather poor), the Tetra (or P'08) fares better in my opinion. Some will undoubtedly disagree, we all have different ears and brains.

- CM

Yeah, not night and day but audible. And they increased the slop on the Tetra compared to the Evolver. But "real slop" is often subtle too.

What you said earlier is correct: The filters on the P600 are on the slow side. Also, the knob values are stepped, which is audible if you are moving the knob slowly. Of course, you can use the mod wheel if you want but that might not be helpful if you live-tweak more than one parameter. However...I kind of liked that stepped sound for some things. I almost wish I had it as an option on one of my synths!