michael_r_johnson's Reviews

Amazing modular software

I love the ability to build different instruments and effects, and the addition of Blocks makes it act more like a typical modular synth. There are some things about the Blocks implementation that I think could be improved, but this software is fantastic and inspiring. There is also a HUGE library of user-created ensembles that gives you a lot of premade options,, which you can then customize. or you can build things starting from scratch.

Inexpensive, but solid, lapsteel

I love this lapsteel, though it’s the only one I’ve owned. Sound is pretty good, but I think a better pickup would improve the tone. It’s reliable and simple and fun to play.

Best delay I’ve tried

This is the best delay I own, software or hardware. It sounds fantastic, the interface is quite tweakable, and it has many delay modes. Mind-blowing possibilities. Can also be used as a basic looper. It works just as well on synths as it does on guitars, too.

Great little monster

Tiny, versatile analog semi modular monosynth with some interesting wave shaping options, interfaces well with Eurorack modular, and I love the sub-oscillator. Steiner-Parker filter sounds great. I also like the instrument input.

It’s kind of limited, but great for what it is.

Granular madness, and then some

Clouds is a wonderful module that can do some amazing granular processing, pitch shifting, looping, etc. It’s a source of constant surprises — some good, some bad (and these can be difficult to overcome), but mostly good.

The Parasites alternate firmware adds some more great possibilities, but I find them a bit tedious to use. Also, the lack of attenuators on the CV inputs is often maddening and I need to keep extra utility modules as a result.

Overall it’s fantastic and I love the ability to freeze the buffer and modulate various parameters of it. The modes I use most are the main (granular) mode, pitch shifter, and tempo-synced delay.

The reverb at the end of chain is fantastic, as welll.

Lush analog goodness

I love my Prophet 08. It sounds lush and deep and has many deep modulation possibilities, including a 4-track sequencer that can be used for notes or to modulate parameters. I also love that it’s bitimbral, you can split the keyboard and play one patch on the left side and another patch on the right, or layer the sounds. So many possibilities with this!

It loses one star for the less-than-inspiring Curtis filter, and a few random nitpicks about how things work. The after touch and expression pedal are inspiring to program and play.

Overall, I love it and I’ve used it on many albums.