A workhorse synth that I can’t quit… yet.

This synth is something else. It has a specific sound that some folks love or hate, based on the Curtis filters. The pandemic was the start of my synthesizer journey and learning experience, and I snagged one of these after using some smaller, more limited synthesizers. It was overwhelming, I ended up falling in love with the Sequential Take 5, and sold the Rev2. Fast forward a year later, and I missed the huge, brassy sound of the Rev2. I ended up buying it again, and it’s been my main controller keyboard ever since. Let’s talk about this synth:

Pros Flexibility: This synth can do so much, it’s a total workhorse that is able to accomplish a wide variety of sounds and sonic possibilities. The 4 LFOs, mod matrix, layering and bi-timbral options just open the door to a world of sounds you can’t get in many other synths. I love that! Gated Sequencer: The gated sequencer on the Rev2 allows you to explore really cool sounds and can even get the synth into very lush analog places using VCM (Take a look at Creative Spiral’s Voice Component Modeling). Again, this synth can just do a lot based on the architecture. Keyboard and Build Quality: The key bed on this synth is fantastic, and feels great. I love having 61 keys, and the overall quality is top notch. It’s definitely built to withstand abuse, and I understand why so many bands tour with this board. Good stuff. Sound: It has a specific sound, and it makes Vangelis style, space brass like nobody’s business. Can sound MASSIVE with the right ballpark of patch, and that’s really great. It’s not a synth that I’d go to for huge bass patches, but that’s ok.

Cons Unison mode: You can’t do polyphonic stacked voices, which is a shame. This is self explanatory, I just want this option and it’s disappointing to not have it. Osc mix knob: I prefer individual oscillator level knobs rather than a single mix knob, and this has just been a gripe of mine with the Rev2. A small thing that isn’t a deal breaker and definitely personal preference. One FX channel: Why, oh why can’t every synth have a dedicated reverb, like the Prophet 6, Take 5, Summit, etc? Having to choose between chorus OR Reverb, delay OR reverb is the worst. I kinda always want reverb! Don’t make me choose! Sound: This is a pro and con. Sometimes, I truly feel like I should sell this synth because it’s “meh”, but then I make some big pad sound or discover something new and it stays around. I don’t know, should this be a con?

Summary This synth is still in my studio. I have been using it even more lately, which led to this review. Is it perfect? Nope. Can it truly “do it all?” No, but it’s pretty darn flexible and you can push it into the ballpark of many sounds. I think that it’s a Swiss Army knife that can get the job done for most things, and that in itself has inherent value. And big, space brass Bladerunner sounds? It definitely crushes in that department. So it stays! For how long, we’ll see…

The sounds are amazing.

After playing around and writing a few songs with this guy, I can say this thing sounds amazing. My only beef I have with is, myself, as I didn't read through the manual for it, and or do a real deep dive to scratch what this thing was even capable of. I'm not a huge fan of the knobs on this either. I love my Poly D knobs much more as that feels more fun to play with. I will say that the sheer amount of types of sounds that you could get from this is insane, many retro sci-fi sounds and new fun ones. I wish I could've kept it long enough to discover more! Enjoy this synth!

My best DCO Synth

First of all, it's an analog synth! There are so many modulation options with it

I like it's bi-timbral sound You can play the Pad sound with Arpeggio in same time! (or Pad with Bass and for many other options)

When you feel the sound is lack of something, here are my recommendations 1. Use LFO for make your OSC sounds more alive (Destination for OSC Finetune , and Shape Mod) 2. Use LFO for Noise (I like to use it with Random shape LFO, it makes Rev2 feel like a vintage synth) 3. Tweak the OSC SLOP knob slightly 4. Use Panspread ( That's why I love it to record in stereo )

From Gear Setup

My perfect Poly synth would have only one button thats says "Bladerunner"

I imagine, though, I might get bored after a while. Maybe if it had another button, the "Beaubourg" button for more experimental stuff.

Realistically, though, I'll settle for Sequential's polyphonic sound as it is convincing, has identity and is dark and pure cinematography. I have owned a DS Tetra for some time, a very versatile box of analogue sounds. I wanted to expand on this and be able to play bigger ambient pads and get closer to the CS80 vibe. I was going to add another Tetra or get a Prophet 8 but after trying several models and makes I kept coming back to the Rev2. The more I get to know it the more versatile I find it. Besides the obvious poly flavours you can dial in easily "clangy" sounds thanks to its VCF F.M. and onboard fx Ring Modulator. This is a central tool in my studio now.

Over all a pretty great instrument

I love the possibilities that the DSI REV2 offers and it sounds and plays wonderfully. It would get a 5/5 review from me if it wasn't for a couple issues I have with it. One being the low end is a bit lacking and I also feel DSI went too cheap on the buttons on this thing. For what ever reason I have a Hell of a time getting the buttons (not knobs) to respond. The Record button for the sequencer usually has to be pressed pretty hard and usually multiple times before it gets a response.

Excellent!

When I finally decided I needed a polyphonic analog serendipitously this beauty just came on the market and I snatched up the 16 voice version. I am still learning something new about it every time I use it but even just the presets sound amazing! Am gradually setting up so that I can record this without a DAW and hope to have many years of making great tracks with this dandy!

Sound creating machine

I have this synthesizer for some time now. I use it to create new sounds for studio records. Also for soundtracks for movies. You have a lot op presets and a lot of patches to save your creations. De sound lacks some bass. That is a problem with most polyphonic synthesizers. That is why the moog is so popular.

Awesome

Probably one of the best modern analog poly synth with great modulation capabilities.

From Gear Setup

Phenomenal Synthesizer

This synth completely revolutionized how I make music. I went from mostly relying on software synths to relying on this beast to produce most of my tracks practically overnight.

From Gear Setup

!!!!!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!