I’m entertained by the back and forth outrage of a four thousand dollar synth (Sequential Prophet X) being opened up (because it broke) by Espen Kraft, who then pointed out in a video the cheap $70 computer motherboard powering the thing. I think that many people on both sides of the debate are debating the wrong stuff.
Take a cheap computer and load it up with software designed to run a software synth or synths. Now design and build some expensive analog filtering and the equivalent of an expensive sound card and a custom interface, add in a good quality keyboard and a good quality case, and you’ve got a synth like the Prophet X for between $3,500 and $4,000.
Compare that to using the far more powerful computer you already own, the ability to run any kind of virtual synth you want, plus those that haven’t been invented yet, buy a MIDI keyboard controller with knobs and buttons that can be mapped via software, and you have something far more versatile. And far less intuitive.
A middle route might be to build a synth with a computer in it but give it the ability to run a bunch of already made VST synths, design a generic interface designed for live performance mostly, call it the Arturia AstroLab, and sell it for $1,594.
I think a really good question is this: Does the extra hardware such as analog filtering make a big difference in the sound? Does the Prophet X sound $2,000 better than the AstroLab?
Synths have had computers in them since the Prophet V. I don’t think the computer is the issue. I think the real question is whether the extra analog filtering and other stuff is worth the extra 2 grand. I can’t answer that. People who buy the Prophet X are biased. People who can’t afford the Prophet X may also be biased.
The thing that people really want is ease of use. It’s a pain to map knobs and sliders. The issue is that it seems to be pricey to make decided controllers. If I could pick up a box with the exact same sliders, knobs, and layout of a MiniMoog for $60, I’d buy it. And if they also did the Juno 60, I’d buy that, too. How much of this is the expense of building the controller, vs not wanting to get sued by Moog or Roland? I’d love to know.
UPDATE – There IS a dedicated controller for the Juno 60. It’s made by Soundforce, it’s the SFC-60 V3 Juno Software Controller, and it normally sells for $359. The issue is that for a bit more, $399, you can buy the Roland JU-06A Sound Module, which has all the sliders AND is an actual synth that can generate sound. The JU-06A is tiny, though, so all the sliders are tiny, too. It’s NOT the same thing. But it does make the SFC-60 seem a little pricey. Still, no one else seems to be making these well put together controllers. Maybe I should look at the SFC-60. Or maybe I’ll just wait for the Behringer Neptune-80, a full-sized Juno 60 clone at a rumored price of $699.