Dave Smith Instruments‘ Mopho Keyboard, introduced at the 2010 NAMM Show, is now available.
Mopho Keyboard Features:
- Excellent “bang for the buck”: full-featured analog synth at a great price
- Real analog sound
- Immediate, hands-on control of all aspects of the sound and performance
- Compact, but with full-sized keys and wheels
- Couple with DSI Tetra for expanded polyphony
This preview video comes via AudioMIDI.com, but it’s available at other large synth vendors, too.
The Mopho Keyboard retails for a relatively sane $799.
At $799, does the DSI Mopho Keyboard make paying higher prices for vintage synths like the Sequential Circuits Pro One obsolete?
The Mopho Keyboard
The Mopho Keyboard is an affordable, full-featured mono synth with a 100% analog audio path. Mopho features 32 full-sized, semi-weighted keys with velocity and aftertouch in a package about the same size as most 25-note controller keyboards. Choose from 384 preset sounds or craft your own with 25 soft-touch knobs and 20 switches.
Mopho features 2 oscillators, 2 sub-octave generators, a classic Curtis low-pass filter (2- or 4-pole), 3 5-stage envelope generators (ADSR plus delay), 4 LFOs, and real analog VCAs. Other features include an arpeggiator, a gated 16 x 4 step sequencer (1 sequence per program), feedback, the ability to process external audio, and an extensive modulation matrix. Tap tempo to beat match or sync the arpeggiator, sequencer, and LFOs to MIDI clock.
Integrate and automate the Mopho Keyboard with your computer and other hardware via standard MIDI jacks or with a direct USB connection. For a ridiculously compact analog poly synth, use the Poly Chain output along with a DSI Tetra to expand Mopho’s polyphony.
The Mopho Keyboard delivers the renowned DSI sound in an ultra-portable, feature-rich performance synth.
Specs:
- Dimensions/Weight-Box: 7.875” x 25.5” x 15.375/13” – 13 lbs (Product inside box)
- Dimensions/Weight-Keyboard: 3.35” x 18.65” x 11.1/10” 10 lbs (Product only)
via AudioMIDI
I have a Tetra, I'd kill for a keyboard version! Diggie, you should hear the nice fat tones these things generate before judging them on DCO vs VCO 🙂
@amoeba all recent DSI synths are DCO. It says so on their own page: http://www.davesmithinstruments.com/products/tetr…
@scotte I am not judging it, I was just responding to the question in the article by saying it doesn't obsolete the vintage analogs 🙂 The "slop" control is specifically there to go some way to reproducing their sound in fact.
"At $799, does the DSI Mopho Keyboard make paying higher prices for vintage synths like the Sequential Circuits Pro One obsolete?"
No, because the Mopho is DCO + analog filter. The Pro One (and others) are VCO and have real drift.
@ diggie
everything i've read states the mopho has VCO's. where have you heard about the DCO thing?
@ diggie
everything i've read states the mopho has VCO's. where have you heard about the DCO thing?
@ diggie
everything i've read states the mopho has VCO's. where have you heard about the DCO thing?
@ diggie
everything i've read states the mopho has VCO's. where have you heard about the DCO thing?
@ diggie
everything i've read states the mopho has VCO's. where have you heard about the DCO thing?
@ diggie
everything i've read states the mopho has VCO's. where have you heard about the DCO thing?
I have a Tetra, I'd kill for a keyboard version! Diggie, you should hear the nice fat tones these things generate before judging them on DCO vs VCO 🙂
I have a Tetra, I'd kill for a keyboard version! Diggie, you should hear the nice fat tones these things generate before judging them on DCO vs VCO 🙂
I have a Tetra, I'd kill for a keyboard version! Diggie, you should hear the nice fat tones these things generate before judging them on DCO vs VCO 🙂
I have a Tetra, I'd kill for a keyboard version! Diggie, you should hear the nice fat tones these things generate before judging them on DCO vs VCO 🙂
Drift is now good?
@amoeba all recent DSI synths are DCO. It says so on their own page: http://www.davesmithinstruments.com/products/tetr…
@scotte I am not judging it, I was just responding to the question in the article by saying it doesn't obsolete the vintage analogs 🙂 The "slop" control is specifically there to go some way to reproducing their sound in fact.
@amoeba all recent DSI synths are DCO. It says so on their own page: http://www.davesmithinstruments.com/products/tetr…
@scotte I am not judging it, I was just responding to the question in the article by saying it doesn't obsolete the vintage analogs 🙂 The "slop" control is specifically there to go some way to reproducing their sound in fact.
@amoeba all recent DSI synths are DCO. It says so on their own page: http://www.davesmithinstruments.com/products/tetr…
@scotte I am not judging it, I was just responding to the question in the article by saying it doesn't obsolete the vintage analogs 🙂 The "slop" control is specifically there to go some way to reproducing their sound in fact.
@amoeba all recent DSI synths are DCO. It says so on their own page: http://www.davesmithinstruments.com/products/tetr…
@scotte I am not judging it, I was just responding to the question in the article by saying it doesn't obsolete the vintage analogs 🙂 The "slop" control is specifically there to go some way to reproducing their sound in fact.
The keyboard seems to have added $450 to the prices of the Mopho, which seems like a lot. If the Tetra goes down a similar path that means we might see Tetra keyboard for $1250. That seems like a better deal. Actually a Tetra keyboard with a chained Tetra might obsolete the P'08 since it has sub-osc's and would cost about the same.
The AudioMidi demo vid sounds cool.
It's a digitally controlled analogue oscillator, to be specific.
I don't think it would make any consideration of a vintage Pro One obsolete… the vintage instrument has a certain character due to the specifics of the circuit design and components, only part of which is the subtle unpredictability of the fully analogue control circuitry.
It does, however, make it a much more difficult decision, as there's more to recommend the Mopho… the sub-oscs, the sequencers, the poly-chain… everything except the "vintage analogue something". No ancient Mojo for the Mopho, as it were. But that modern Mojo is DAMN fine!
It's a digitally controlled analogue oscillator, to be specific.
I don't think it would make any consideration of a vintage Pro One obsolete… the vintage instrument has a certain character due to the specifics of the circuit design and components, only part of which is the subtle unpredictability of the fully analogue control circuitry.
It does, however, make it a much more difficult decision, as there's more to recommend the Mopho… the sub-oscs, the sequencers, the poly-chain… everything except the "vintage analogue something". No ancient Mojo for the Mopho, as it were. But that modern Mojo is DAMN fine!
It's a digitally controlled analogue oscillator, to be specific.
I don't think it would make any consideration of a vintage Pro One obsolete… the vintage instrument has a certain character due to the specifics of the circuit design and components, only part of which is the subtle unpredictability of the fully analogue control circuitry.
It does, however, make it a much more difficult decision, as there's more to recommend the Mopho… the sub-oscs, the sequencers, the poly-chain… everything except the "vintage analogue something". No ancient Mojo for the Mopho, as it were. But that modern Mojo is DAMN fine!
It's a digitally controlled analogue oscillator, to be specific.
I don't think it would make any consideration of a vintage Pro One obsolete… the vintage instrument has a certain character due to the specifics of the circuit design and components, only part of which is the subtle unpredictability of the fully analogue control circuitry.
It does, however, make it a much more difficult decision, as there's more to recommend the Mopho… the sub-oscs, the sequencers, the poly-chain… everything except the "vintage analogue something". No ancient Mojo for the Mopho, as it were. But that modern Mojo is DAMN fine!
It's a digitally controlled analogue oscillator, to be specific.
I don't think it would make any consideration of a vintage Pro One obsolete… the vintage instrument has a certain character due to the specifics of the circuit design and components, only part of which is the subtle unpredictability of the fully analogue control circuitry.
It does, however, make it a much more difficult decision, as there's more to recommend the Mopho… the sub-oscs, the sequencers, the poly-chain… everything except the "vintage analogue something". No ancient Mojo for the Mopho, as it were. But that modern Mojo is DAMN fine!
The keyboard seems to have added $450 to the prices of the Mopho, which seems like a lot. If the Tetra goes down a similar path that means we might see Tetra keyboard for $1250. That seems like a better deal. Actually a Tetra keyboard with a chained Tetra might obsolete the P'08 since it has sub-osc's and would cost about the same.
The AudioMidi demo vid sounds cool.
The keyboard seems to have added $450 to the prices of the Mopho, which seems like a lot. If the Tetra goes down a similar path that means we might see Tetra keyboard for $1250. That seems like a better deal. Actually a Tetra keyboard with a chained Tetra might obsolete the P'08 since it has sub-osc's and would cost about the same.
The AudioMidi demo vid sounds cool.
The keyboard seems to have added $450 to the prices of the Mopho, which seems like a lot. If the Tetra goes down a similar path that means we might see Tetra keyboard for $1250. That seems like a better deal. Actually a Tetra keyboard with a chained Tetra might obsolete the P'08 since it has sub-osc's and would cost about the same.
The AudioMidi demo vid sounds cool.
The keyboard seems to have added $450 to the prices of the Mopho, which seems like a lot. If the Tetra goes down a similar path that means we might see Tetra keyboard for $1250. That seems like a better deal. Actually a Tetra keyboard with a chained Tetra might obsolete the P'08 since it has sub-osc's and would cost about the same.
The AudioMidi demo vid sounds cool.
what is bad about Digitally Controlled Oscillator?.. the oscillator is still analog but the tuning is stable and you move to the upper or higher octaves!.. ant that it harmonic friendly and ear friendly too!.. finding your performance twisting the sensation of tone when you are playing your solo or recorded your performance is really really painful for the soul!.. so?…
Is like Ferrari going from 12 cylinders to 8!.. yea you cant recognize any more the sound of the red bullet from the million ones but they get to the championship after more that 12 year of trying to make that engine to win and nothing but lost!.. so?… i believe new analog is new analog and old analog is just for collectors!… let the party begins!
[youtube -fbDCbshcpIhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fbDCbshcpI youtube]
what is bad about Digitally Controlled Oscillator?.. the oscillator is still analog but the tuning is stable and you move to the upper or higher octaves!.. ant that it harmonic friendly and ear friendly too!.. finding your performance twisting the sensation of tone when you are playing your solo or recorded your performance is really really painful for the soul!.. so?…
Is like Ferrari going from 12 cylinders to 8!.. yea you cant recognize any more the sound of the red bullet from the million ones but they get to the championship after more that 12 year of trying to make that engine to win and nothing but lost!.. so?… i believe new analog is new analog and old analog is just for collectors!… let the party begins!
[youtube -fbDCbshcpIhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fbDCbshcpI youtube]
what is bad about Digitally Controlled Oscillator?.. the oscillator is still analog but the tuning is stable and you move to the upper or higher octaves!.. ant that it harmonic friendly and ear friendly too!.. finding your performance twisting the sensation of tone when you are playing your solo or recorded your performance is really really painful for the soul!.. so?…
Is like Ferrari going from 12 cylinders to 8!.. yea you cant recognize any more the sound of the red bullet from the million ones but they get to the championship after more that 12 year of trying to make that engine to win and nothing but lost!.. so?… i believe new analog is new analog and old analog is just for collectors!… let the party begins!
[youtube -fbDCbshcpIhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fbDCbshcpI youtube]
MOPHO-If you want a modular in a little box he's got it all right here………………………………………
…. Dave Smith did not miss a digit or a resistor when designing and deciding what features to have and how to implement them with the greatest benefit. When you see the manual it looks like a WHOLE LOT MORE went into the design than your average synth. There are pages and pages of useful data and design info to help implement the new keyboard features. What you see on the outside looks great but the capabilities he has put into the keyboard version are beyond extensive and very useable. And you don't have to dig thru menus to use these features either. That LCD is for storing sounds and globals mostly. It is a bit pricey but you get what you pay for and IT IS a whole lot cheaper than a 3k workstation you'd have to force yourself to play.Thru a 8×10 and Ampeg SVT tube head, that's how it sounds good to me! Yes, I do it, to it!