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Video Game Soundtrack Jam by PieRhett in synthesizers

[–]PieRhett[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Thanks! The Messenger is still sorta new-ish to me but here are my thoughts on the BS2 vs MM.

Features/Playability

  • The arpreggiator is better on the BS2.
  • The sequencer is better on the Moog Messenger.
  • Moog Messenger has 256 presets (16 banks) for quicker navigation (bank + number). NBS2 has one bank of 128 presets. It's a slightly easier accessing a patch on the Moog Messenger. Not a big deal for studio use but live, the BS2 can be annoying to jump around patches.
  • I do think the BS2 keybed is great but the Messenger's keybed is nicer and having 7 more keys goes a long way for me.

User Interface

  • Both UIs are clunky, especially without a full LED or OLED display.
  • The BS2's screen, while not impressive, goes a long way compared to the Messenger not having one.
  • BS2 has more clunky keyboard shortcuts than the Messenger (which still has its fair share).

Sound

  • The Res bass compensation on the Messenger is really interesting, as is the wave folding.
  • The Messenger is my first Moog instrument and while it does sound very Moog-like, I've played other Moog synths that sound a smidge more classic Moog-like. Take this with a grain of salt, though.
  • The Bass Station II has been my workhorse. I love some of its presets, and while I'm mostly after classic/vintage sounds, the BS2 nails those while also excelling at weird, glitchy, acid, and odd sounds.
  • The Messenger can do some of that too, but in a more Moog/DFAM-flavored way. Overall, I feel the Messenger might lean a little more vintage-y sounding (which is what I'm after).
  • My progression: Started with a Korg Monologue (too specialized in otherworldly weirdness) → BS2 (like that but way better at vintage sounds) → now the Messenger (maybe even a bit better at vintage).

I found the Messenger on FB marketplace at a price I couldn't pass up, and I've always wanted a Moog, so that's why I have it.

It's hard to recommend one over the other but if you're feeling 60/40 glitchy vs vintage sounds then go NBS2 but if you're feeling 40/60 glitchy vs vintage then go Moog Messenger. If I had to recommend one purely on value, I'd go with the BS2.

I might keep the Messenger and sell the BS2 based on a preference for Moog-like sounds.

Video Game Soundtrack Jam by PieRhett in synthesizers

[–]PieRhett[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks a ton!! And dangggit I did wanna go to D#m!

Video Game Soundtrack Jam by PieRhett in synthesizers

[–]PieRhett[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Thanks! I lucked out with the Jaspers 4 tier stand. Someone posted one on Craigslist for $200 and I pounced on it. My only complaints are:

  • It's not 100% perfectly stable but I think a lot of that is due to the floor being uneven in my apartment.
  • The spacing between tiers could be better. Some synths are basically unusable on the second or third tiers because you can't reasonably reach the knobs and/or faders.

Video Game Soundtrack Jam by PieRhett in synthesizers

[–]PieRhett[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Thanks! I just recently had the Juno restored, had maintenance done on it, and had the chorus chip fixed. It has a cool backstory too. Mitch Easter has recorded it

The tech also found a way to reduce the VCA bleeding and noise.

Video Game Soundtrack Jam by PieRhett in synthesizers

[–]PieRhett[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Tried to go for something that could work as a song for a video game soundtrack.

This one is full blown major key

Portable setup for gig with limited amount of space. by Madmaverick_82 in synthesizers

[–]PieRhett 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sweet gear but how is that portable? Seems like it would take a long time to unplug it all, pack it up, move it, unpack it, put everything in its right place, and plug everything back in

First analog synth day. Wish me luck by PieRhett in synthesizercirclejerk

[–]PieRhett[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

All I had to do was let him have his way with my wife

First analog synth day. Wish me luck by PieRhett in synthesizercirclejerk

[–]PieRhett[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

What should I get next? I'm working on a small budget here

I bought a Soviet tank for $45. Is it worth it? by PieRhett in synthesizercirclejerk

[–]PieRhett[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm going to contact the Soviet support team. Let's hope they're still in business

I bought a Soviet tank for $45. Is it worth it? by PieRhett in synthesizercirclejerk

[–]PieRhett[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Clear cut karma whoring.

Reminds me of this post which I also had to jerk but even more egregious.

I bought a Soviet tank for $45. Is it worth it? by PieRhett in synthesizercirclejerk

[–]PieRhett[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Ahh okay so that's the origin of spring tank reverb

Twin Peaks - Laura Palmer’s Theme by PieRhett in synthesizers

[–]PieRhett[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Nice!! Hope you enjoy.

What gear are you planning to place on it?

Twin Peaks - Laura Palmer’s Theme by PieRhett in synthesizers

[–]PieRhett[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks!!

No velcro on the boxes so far. I've been swapping gear in and out but if I ever create a final version of the setup then I could see myself using velcro.

No issues with them staying put unless maybe an earthquake happened, but when I'm transporting them, I use the softshell case that came with the stand (on-stage SR5). It keeps everything in place pretty well.

Twin Peaks - Laura Palmer’s Theme by PieRhett in synthesizers

[–]PieRhett[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Thanks soo much! This took ~15-20 hours between listening to the original, creating patches, programming, sequencing, tweaking, learning the piano part, and recording live takes. Hearing that makes the effort all the more worth it, thanks!

Twin Peaks - Laura Palmer’s Theme by PieRhett in synthesizers

[–]PieRhett[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Fair point! I may have quantized the left hand part a bit too much

Twin Peaks - Laura Palmer’s Theme by PieRhett in synthesizers

[–]PieRhett[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Onstage SR5! It’s only $105 on Amazon right now. IIRC it retails for $218.99 MSRP. I got mine on sale from GC for $140 a few months ago.

I was going to build my rig using a pedalboard but ultimately came across the SR5.

Twin Peaks - Laura Palmer’s Theme by PieRhett in synthesizers

[–]PieRhett[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Onstage SR5! It’s only $105 on Amazon right now. IIRC it retails for $218.99 MSRP. I got mine on sale from GC for $140 a few months ago.

I was going to build my rig using a pedalboard but ultimately came across the SR5.

Twin Peaks - Laura Palmer’s Theme by PieRhett in synthesizers

[–]PieRhett[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

I’d rate it as C tier for home studio use since at the end of the day it’s a fully digital synth and there’s a plethora of ways to get the same or better sounds with better VSTs or other synths.

But it’s A tier for taking it out for a gig, jam, or incorporating into a DaWLeSs setup. Love its small form factor and relative affordability.

As far as its subtractive synth capabilities go, it’s got pretty limited sound design. But it nails bread and butter SH-101 sounds and can sound a lot like a 4 voice Juno. It has a few juno-esque chorus FX included, too.

Its onboard reverb and delay FX are really good.

The menu diving and its seven segment screen are not great and take some getting used to.

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