Vintage Synth Explorer Forums

So, I've been totally digging Aalto and using it more and more, which makes me wonder what kind of hardware with lots of knobs could I use to get the kind of chaotic sounds Aalto is capable of ? Having lost my MS20 and being a big fan of the metallic wild s**t it does, I've started making patches with Aalto that have the HP/LP and feedback that I'd bring from the 20, but then I can take it even farther and get wild digital sounds. Having also owned the MEK (though I didn't get as familiar with it as I wish I had since I was doing more basic soft leads / bass sounds), I'm kind of thinking that is quite similar in structure... 2 digital oscillators and 2 analog oscillators; lots and lots of weird routing possibilities etc. So... would that be the closest to kind of having a hardware Aalto or is there something else I'm missing ?? I'd really like to use a piece of hardware when I play out, but I'd also like to get similar sounds.

Well, Aalto is based on a Buchla complex osc and low pass gate plus a delay/waveguide and an SEM filter. So I guess some sort of Buchla plus an SEM reissue? Start saving your pennies! This is one example where softsynths can be worthwhile

As far as MEK...the FM capabilities aren't as good as what Aalto offers, more aliasing for sure. The digital HPF is non resonant which is another limitation. No low pass gate either. Similar territory I suppose but owning an Evo desktop and Aalto I don't find them that similar in sound...then again I haven't tried to dial up the same sound on both so what do I know

meatballfulton wrote:Well, Aalto is based on a Buchla complex osc and low pass gate plus a delay/waveguide and an SEM filter. So I guess some sort of Buchla plus an SEM reissue? Start saving your pennies! This is one example where softsynths can be worthwhile

As far as MEK...the FM capabilities aren't as good as what Aalto offers, more aliasing for sure. The digital HPF is non resonant which is another limitation. No low pass gate either. Similar territory I suppose but owning an Evo desktop and Aalto I don't find them that similar in sound...then again I haven't tried to dial up the same sound on both so what do I know

Ahh Buchla... An often overlooked company. You raise some very good points which I neglected on the MEK. I didn't realize the High pass is a digital filter... And you're right about aliasing. Damn... This is reminding me how much I wanted to start a modular last year

Sounds like you want a Music Easel.

Stab Frenzy wrote:Sounds like you want a Music Easel.

Ooh a worthy goal far in sight.

Hey, what's another $4000 between friends?

Street price is $3600.