Help me choose... Pro One, Odyssey, or Source?

[cram1960]

I have an Andromeda plus a few other synths, but am looking into a vintage monosynth. I can't decide between these three which I should pursue. What do you think? One thing I won't need it for is drum sounds, and <grin> pads. Please disregard the price differential too.

Thanks!

Craig

Disregard all synths I own other than Andromeda, Blofeld, and the MFB/Blacet modulars.

[V301H]

A white face or early black face Odyssey would be my choice. Overall best for sound, functions, and build quality. All discrete electronics. Amazing S&H. Very useful basic HP filter follows the LP Resonant filter. Capable of a wider range of sounds than the other choices.

[Zamise]

That is a hard choice, I think it would depend on the condition and price of each which will likely vary pretty greatly. The Oddys are mono and dual phonic actually, its the only one I've got of the ones you list. I also have a CS-15 and for the prices they usually go for its a pretty bad a*s mono synth, may be worth considering too if you run across one.

[7Hz]

If it is mainly for bass and toughness - Pro One. Best synth Dave ever made.

Odysseys not as tough but quite funky. Usually more expensive for some reason, maybe build quality (but sliders are problematic) and (for whiteface) geek factor.

Source is a nice synth, but a bit brassy, I'd even say a Moog LP is better.

[Christopher Winkels]

Having owned all three, I have to concur with what a lot of people have said. My take on the three of them:

The Odyssey is subjectively the best all 'round synth in my book. Probably the most flexible in terms of programming yet easy to dial in quickly. It feels like a quality piece and has that lovely ARP nasal sound that's great for doing everything from Tony Banks to Billy Currie. The design is a marvel of early '70s space-age thinking too. The sliders are dust magnets though, so check them out fully before buying. Later Oddys are apparently easier to work on, but have the PPC controller, which people either love or hate. Not the best "player's" synth in some ways though, since there's no mod wheel and adding LFO modulation to pitch requires reaching for one of the sliders (on non-PPC versions at least). For my money there is no modern equivalent of this synth (and I wish there was).

The Source is sort of the Gibson to the Oddy's Fender. Woolier and woodier sounding than the Odyssey, it has that classic Moog sound. It's the only one of the three with memory locations, and it has a (rubbish) sequencer. It does the world's best swept hard sync sound, ever. Modulation is seriously lacking though. There's no routing the LFO to get PWM and no envelope modulation of pitch or pulse width, which is a shame. You're also at the behest of the single knob and single-parameter access. Classy wooden ends too. I can never get enough of those. If you want a modern version, buy a Little Phatty.

The Pro-One is the most aggressive sounding of the three. People rave about how snappy the envelopes are, so it's the best of the bunch for percussive sounds. Sequencer is c**p as well, but it has a nice arpeggiator. The only trouble is that the LFO must be synced to their clock, which while useful in some conditions is annoying in others (the Source suffers from this as well). Something about the layout on the Pro-One annoys me; I can't quite put my finger on why or how, but perhaps it's the rather nasty, flimsy build quality vibe it gives off. It just doesn't feel as substantial as the Moog or the ARP and the switches have a gritchy sticky quality. Later versions have a membrane keyboard that's tricky to repair. Looking for an (even better and more flexible) modern version? Buy a Future-Retro XS.

I can recommend all three, but definitely in the order of Oddy, then Source, and finally Pro-One.

[SWAN]

I had Pro 1 and now have a SOurce. Hands down I prefer the sound of the Source - but I think it is a preference thing...People rave about the Pro One - but it seems more for the utility aspect - IE fast envelopes and good modulation section. The sound is good - but IMO the vintage Moog sound is special.
From what I understand about the Arp - I agree with the above - it is as nice but a different quality. Again a preference thing. Its filter is more 'sour' you could call it nasty...
I wish my Source had better modulation. Im actually thinking of having it modified so I can pitch the sync and LFO->PWM...then it would be perfect...

Each has their pros and cons well described above...it really depends on what is most important to you...

[WhinyLittleRunt]

I've never played a Source, but regularly play a mini and if they're similar in sound, I would say there's never a reason not to own a Moog.

I also play a Pro One regularly, and I will say Christopher is definitely right that it is aggressive and brash in comparison, though I actually do like the sequencer (as odd and hard to program accurately) because when you just wanna throw a two-man jam together quickly it's a nice touch. I like the punchiness of the Pro One; different than the Moog but I think it compliments the A6 and seems to fit the majority of the time.

[Solderman]

The Pro-One is the most aggressive sounding of the three. People rave about how snappy the envelopes are, so it's the best of the bunch for percussive sounds. Sequencer is c**p as well, but it has a nice arpeggiator. The only trouble is that the LFO must be synced to their clock, which while useful in some conditions is annoying in others.

With the Pro~One, you can trigger the gate with the Audio Input, and gate the sequencer with the external Gate Input, both freeing you from the LFO rate. The LFO itself cannot be synched.
I can only comment on the Pro~One. See this versus thread for my info. It does not always sound aggressive, contrary to popular belief. Just before self-oscillation is reached with resonance, it sounds rather wimpy actually. If you set the filter and envelopes right(which takes ages) you can get some rather bouncy basses. I sold mine because I was never quite satisfied with it, even after hours of tweaking. I have a Moog Voyager and a Polivoks that cover most of its ground and beyond.
My old Pro~One demo:

[meatballfulton]

I'd take the Odyssey hands down. It has a number of features lacking on the other two machines like EG retriggering, a true S&H (not just an LFO waveform), high pass filter.

I'd also buy a Little Phatty over a Source. Some people insist the Source sounds better but why buy a 30 year old synth with all the attending maintenance headaches over a new Moog with more features for the same price...no-brainer.

[nadafarms]

cough... well ody is the best but obviously cost a lot more than either the source or the pro one. i'm selling a whiteface odyssey for $2160 shipped paypal. it's really really nice.

[Tsarik]

i'm going to ignore your entire question and just suggest an entirely different synth.

each of those vintage synths are awesome and worthy items to own. my only problem with vintage is if you aren't after a very specific sound then your money would, in my opinion, be better spent with one of the companies currently making analog synths.

so.. consider some of the following mono synths if you already haven't.. and if you have... well aren't I a d**k

Future Retro - XS (my favorite)

Studio Electronics - SE1x

[cram1960]

i'm going to ignore your entire question and just suggest an entirely different synth.

each of those vintage synths are awesome and worthy items to own. my only problem with vintage is if you aren't after a very specific sound then your money would, in my opinion, be better spent with one of the companies currently making analog synths.

so.. consider some of the following mono synths if you already haven't.. and if you have... well aren't I a d**k

Future Retro - XS (my favorite)

Studio Electronics - SE1x

Not offended at all.

I considered the XS but figured on the Pro One for the specific sound. Plus the XS just sounded...kinda 2 dimensional...not alive/vibrant in the demos I've heard ( I have to admit though that those were techno based...which holds no interest to me).

I really like the SE-1x. But this is specifically for a vintage synth. Once that is covered, after some more sales/savings, then the next step. If I play my cards right maybe an Omega ! I want to purge my middling synths and have fewer sublime pieces.

[cram1960]

got the Pro One.

thanks guys/gals.

[Synthaholic]

got the Pro One.

thanks guys/gals.

Great choice! I have one coming too. Can't wait to play with it.

Of the 3 originally mentioned, it's definitely the best bang for the buck.

[wiss]

PRO-ONE~ key's are worthless, poorly built, afraid to move it
ODYSSEY~the sliders are poor and can be a pain
SOURCE~membrane can suck a*s, the one knob sucks

I think the pro-one maybe the best out of three as far as overall sound, I am not sure what you are looking but the MONO/POLY as far as modulation goes is second to none for portable monophonic synths.