Elektron Musical Instruments

--- angrysavant <angrysavant@...> wrote:
> 2 specific problems make the sidstation a complete
> piece of crap for 
> any musician wanting to push sonic bounderies.  

Opening a rant with such an inane statement is not
likely to put the reader in a frame of mind likely to
give and credit to what you say.  For decades bands
have been pushing sonic bounderies using nothing more
than guitars, tape decks, and unique mixing
techniques.  It's not the tool, it's how you use it.

N.P.  Can -- Ege Bamyasi

> 1.) A slow register update speed of 4x (200hz) is,
> at best, lame.    
> The best sounds (instruments) start at 10x speed

This is the most odd complaint I've ever heard about
the Sidstation.  Slow register update speed.  Right.

1.) It's possible they had to limit it that way to
keep the midi timing accurate.

2.)  I think the best sounds (instruments) start at
782x (minimum)  Ha!   My sonic cock is bigger! 
(that's my subtle way of saying "you're definition of
'best' is different from mine, and maybe you should
have looked into the sidstation more before you bought
it.")

> 2.) Addressing all 3 oscillators with a single MIDI
> channel is just
> stupid. I noticed someone else mentioned this 

I agree with this statement, even if I do disagree
with the way you word it.  If something is a
"necessary feature" for you, you probably should have
made sure it had that feature BEFORE you bought it,
not after.

> I find it funny that Elektron speaks about the most
> active hacker 
> community ever in reference to the sidchip and then
> creates a machine 
> that does nothing to expand on sid chips amazing
> capabilities.  

So I guess:

midi
external audio input
easy interface
dedicated knobs
portablility

Are features the C64 had?  The hacker community for
the C64 is what made it possible to use software like
TFX player to program the sid chip.  If Elektron
hadn't built on that at all, we'd all be using poke
and peek to program the Sidstation.

> I just purchased 2 c64's and am using TFX player
> 2.8.  I can do 
> register updates at 63x for pal frequencies (50hz)

So what you're saying is the Sidstation can't do
anything two C64s can't do, and the C64s can do things
the Sidstation can't?  Firstly, DUH!  They're two
different products!   Hey Elektron!  Why can't I play
Lode Runner on my Sidstation!?!?  

Also, when did they add audio inputs, midi, and a
dedicated sidchip programming menu to the C64?

I don't envy your live setup.  Hauling those 1541s to
shows must be a pain, let alone the TVs.

> If the creaters of the sidstation read this.  I
> suggest an OS update 
> that allows all your users to create atleast 10x
> instruments.  Or is 
> the sidstation limited to 4x50hz?

If the creaters of the Sidstation read this, I just
want to say to them "You can officially drop all
support for the Sidstation and I will still tell
everyone I know that you are the best company on
earth."  I know they won't drop support for it (these
guys obviously love what they do, and aren't in it for
the money.)  I can't really say enough good  things
about these guys.  They designed and sold the product
I fell in love with, not a product I thought could be
cool if they added more features.  If it were the
latter, I wouldn't have bought it.  

> I have to hand it to the Acme design crew - the
> synth is housed in a 
> beatiful retro styled case.  The sidchip is a   
unique
> and beatiful 

Agreed and agreed.

> sound source.  Hopefully this posting will prompt
> the Elektron crew 
> to push their OS a bit and maybe I'll end up a happy
> sidstation 
> owner. 

I think they've already pushed the OS, and if they
wanna let it go at that, I'm fine with it.  I'm
already a happy sidstation owner because I bought the
synth I wanted, instead of buying a synth I would like
if they improved it.  Imagine if everyone who bought a
4-speed car, and then complained because they thought
the company would upgrade them to a 5-speed.

Point being (and I've said this about the MD as well)
is Elektron has filled a niche.  It's a niche I happen
to have wanted filled.  So I bought their products. 
If it isn't your fancy, it doesn't make their product
"weak" or "puny."  It makes it "not your thing." 
Which generally  means you shouldn't buy it.  live and
learn.

c.

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