[A6] modern analogs

[F.A.S. Truhan III]

> > I'm starting to get the opinion
> > that you simply can't build a big, fat sounding analog
> > synth using ASICS, surface mount components, and modern
> > multi-layer circuit boards.
> 
> Isn't that generally accepted knowledge already? I've always 
> understood that synths (or indeed any audio cicuitry) with discrete 
> components will always sound "fatter" and "warmer" than stuff 
> made with integrated circuits - at least in this universe.

     I'm pretty sure everyone would agree with that. Discrete vs IC sound
is noticeable.
 
> But you are right of course: the A6 does not replace a 
> MemoryMoog, Jupiter-8 or other legends of yesteryear.
> IMHO it lacks the "right-in-your-faceness" of those monsters.

     This argument, however, holds no water in my opinion. I think the A6
ASIC sound is every bit as animated as the old IC polys. I'd be willing to
venture it in fact sounds bigger than most of them. Frankly, I think it
practically creams anything poly made by Roland or SCI. The only matches in
class for shear largeness in sound is the MemoryMoog or the OB-X/OB-XA. 
     I will say however (especially giving credit to people like Tom
Moravansky who knows his synths), that it would be easy to mistake the A6
for sounding far smaller, as it does take alot of programming effort and
knowledge to open it up to it's full potential as far as lushness goes. I
for one at first thought it was only capable of say, a Jupiter 6 class of
sound for the first few weeks, perhaps even months, that I owned it. The
longer you own it and the more you dig, I think most people will discover
it can sound alot larger than you at first would think from cursory
listening/programming. It's not really a question of the UI, it's not
really hard to get at the parameters, it just has SO MANY damned
parameters. It's not like a Jupiter where all the tools you need are right
on the panel in front of your face. With the A6, you have to dig for some
of the stuff you need to make it as large and animated as it can be. A few
major examples of that would be the need to take full advantage of the
Engine Optimizer, to pay critical attention to pre and post filter mixer
levels, and also to explore all the options for envelope slopes. These are
all key details in unlocking it's full potential. Easier said than done
(especially concerning the envelope slopes), but the efforts pay off in
spades.

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