Complementary polysynth

[Reverend Sunrise]

As usual, I find myself lusting for some more synthesized love and I wanted the opinions of the good people on this forum before pulling any triggers. I'm hesistant to post this because I know these things are subjective, but I've spent a considerable amount of time doing "research" on the matter and am at a standstill. The bottom line of my pursuit is that I want a beefier (than all of the DCO synths I own), "budgetesque", VCO poly to partner-up with my Pro-One and Nord Electro 3 on stage, and and to use for recording as well. I've narrowed it down to the Prophet 600 and Polysix, and believe that I couldn't go wrong with either one of these, but I guess my main question is, with the Prophet 600 would there be significant degree of redundancy since I have a Pro One already? I love the sound of Sequential s**t, so this isn't a major issue, but I think it's also good to diversify one's set-up, and I have no Korg action in my life. I know the issues with both: P600 has slow envelopes, step-zippering filter, shady membrane panel; P6's leaking batteries, single VCO, etc. Youtube demos reveal good sounds to be had from both. Really just was hoping that based on my set-up someone might feel inclined to offer a golden nugget of guidance and luv for a decision. Will probably ending buying both at some point, but for shits and giggles I'd be welcome to any suggestions or thoughts. Peace.

[Stab Frenzy]

I think the Polysix sounds awesome. Get it. P600 is also good though, I think you know enough about to not have to be asking this here.

[Reverend Sunrise]

You're right, not trying to waste anybody's time, just like talking s**t with people about synths! Prolly can't go wrong with either so I reckon I'll just have to buy 'em both at some point.

[Stab Frenzy]

Oh yeah, I hear you. I wasn't trying to be dismissive, half the threads I post here I know the answer to in my head already as well.

I reckon if I had a Pro One I'd always be a little bit disappointed by a P600, cause it's so close but not quite as usable. The P1 is probably my favourite sounding synth.

[Reverend Sunrise]

Yeah the Pro One is my work horse. In some ways I like it more than my Model D. Out of all the s**t I've owned over the years it satisfies me and inspires me more than anything else, and I can instantly rip out some cosmic death funk on stage with it. Really has held up well over the past couple of years that I've had it and I play the s**t out of it. P600 probably would be redundant at this point, and the Polysix sounds impressive and would be undoubtedly different than anything else in my rig. Wondering how close it is to Mono/Poly though....that wasn't really my thing (at the time anyway.)

[Stab Frenzy]

I haven't used a Mono/Poly much at all but a band that played a few shows with mine ages ago have a Polysix and a M/P and they sounded moderately different to me. Might have just been the patches they used though.

[otto]

I like the P-600. All things considered, with a current price of all other 2 VCO CEM synths, it’s a steal. I can’t compare it to a Pro-one but I can compare it to a P5. It has a harsher, darker sound than the P5. I thought it would make a very horror soundtrack synth. The P600 shares the same VCO as the Pro-one but the filter and VCA’s are different chips. The polysix has a korg VCO as used in the Trident and not the same as the Monopoly, which uses an SSM VCO. However, it does share the same VCF as the Monopoly. You are getting into SSM territory with the P6. Some people make a great deal about the differences in sound between SSM and CEM. I really don’t think it’s as great a divide as some might lead you to believe, make up your own mind. While you lose the polymod and second oscillator you gain a suboscillator and onboard chorus. Of course you could always run the P600 through a chorus and let’s face it, manufacturers put chorus on single oscillatory synths as a cheap way to fatten them up to make up for lack of a second oscillator or an otherwise thin sound. The P6 will probably sound more different to your P1 than a P600 would but if you really love the sequential sound you might still like the P600 better.

[Synthaholic]

I can't speak for the P600 since I've never played with one, but at one time I had a Polysix and I loved it. So, cast one vote for the P6.

If you take care of the battery issue right away, and give the synth a good tune-up, it should serve you well for a long time.

[pricklyrobot]

P600 has...step-zippering filter

Only when using the actual cutoff knob. If you're modulating cutoff with the LFO or using the handy +10V CV input on the back (it's easy to make a CV pedal from a volume pedal and a 9V battery), then it's totally smooth.

shady membrane panel

You can find newly-manufactured replacements for these. ChipForBrains/Technology Transplant periodically has them for sale on Ebay (price is around $40-something I think). I picked one up a while ago, just to have it, but so far the original membrane hasn't given me any problems. In fact I got my 600 off some random dude on Ebay about 3 years ago, and haven't really had any issues with it, aside from a few dirty key contacts, which are pretty straightforward—though admittedly time consuming—to clean.

I haven't played a Polysix, but I love the 600. Couldn't picture ever selling it unless it was to help fund some deluxe purchase like an Andromeda.

[code green]

like prickly, i haven't played the p6 but will weigh in on the p600. first, yes, it's the frequency cutoff controller that steps (audible with high-res, and not necessarily undesirable), not the filter itself.

it sounds awesome. those two oscillators roar and sputter. chorus? pah! this synth don't need no chorus. it excels at traditional analog sounds but the modulation section makes it capable of producing metallic sounds as well. it's been my primary board for five years now--in the studio and onstage--and i think it will always have a place among my gear. i have two--one that needed some servicing after buying it on ebay (including, after a time, the keypad replaced, via chips for brains)...and another that i bought when that one was being serviced, needed only a slight calibration, and has served me without a hitch. i don't think it's more service-prone than other vintage synths.

as a complement to the pro one, i can't think of anything better, since punchy bass is the one thing that isn't its strength (it can be achieved, however, with some ingenuity)...but big leads and thoroughly psychedelic pads, metallic clangery, horror noises, and all kinds of mind-bending two osc bigness--it can do that. it's vicious.

[Automatic Gainsay]

If you're looking specifically for a polysynth, I don't think you're going to be satisfied with the MonoPoly. Using the MonoPoly as a polysynth requires special techniques which irritate people who are used to standard polysynths. That isn't to say you can't get cool sounds out of it, or play it as a polysynth, just don't expect it to behave like "normal" polysynths. This is due, as you probably know, to the fact that the four independent oscillators all go through a single VCA/VCF arrangement... plus the fact that you really have to keep all four oscs in tune if you're playing them polyphonically. There are unique sounds you can get as a result (having each note of the chord a different waveform, octave setting, etc), but most people get frustrated trying to play it like a standard polysynth.

[Stab Frenzy]

Dude already has a M/P, discussing a P6 or P600.

[Automatic Gainsay]

Dude already has a M/P, discussing a P6 or P600.

I misread, but thanks for keeping me on track.

[Pro5]

Polysex more like! - yes I love this thing.