Studio Electronics SE-1 | Borrowing a friend's SE-1 while I contemplate getting a Model D
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 28 сен 2023
- I probably was wrong thinking the SE-1 was anything like a Minimoog (Model D). Come to think of it, I haven't really figured out why it's called the Minimoog and Model D. Or maybe it's Minimoog Model D? Well. I don't know why I want one in the first place. I guess it just looks cool. I've been wondering why I want it, given that I already have the Matriarch and have enjoyed how it sounds. Anyway, after talking with a friend, they offered to let me test out their SE-1. The first thing that stuck out to me is how wildly steppy the cutoff knob is. In some ways, it can actually be interesting what sounds you get out of it, but it's pretty prominent. Another thing that baffles me is that there doesn't appear to be a true 'menu'. You seem to access menu items by pressing a button or twisting a knob. I end up lost at times thinking "There should just be a simple global button to access all the parameters" but there isn't.
Beyond that - it does sound quite lovely. I can tell it's very punchy and 'thick'. It's interesting in that you can activate saw, triangle, and square waves at the same time. Something I don't think the Minimoog can do. It sounds like the pulse width can affect even saw waves, which was surprising. Maybe I was just hearing things, but it sounds like it does. It has something of a mod matrix, but kind of not really how I'd describe it, just that you can take LFOs and ENVs and assign them to various things. The filter itself does sound great - and you're able to use a 24db LP filter or a 12db LP or BP filter. I found myself enjoying the 24db filter more.
After I finished this demo, I sat down with my Matriarch and thought "Wow, this is such a great synth." I'm not sure I'd feel the same way about the Minimoog, as it lacks a lot of things I like including an arpeggiator/sequencer (which the Matriarch has). I found both the SE-1 and Matriarch kind of have similar flavors apart from their obvious differences.
The Minimoog would probably get me 1-5% more 'minimoog' sound that would without a doubt get lost in all the FX I have. But still, it's hard not to want one. I bet it will end the same way the Prophet 10 ended - I was deeply unsatisfied with it for years, and then started to really open it up for some interesting sounds. The Minimoog seems a bit more... simple.
The plan has been to sell a bunch of stuff towards a Minimoog though:
System 8
EMU XL7
Chroma Polaris
Something else I don't quite have on the chopping block yet.
That's the plan. Not sure how it will end.
On that note - here's me playing the SE1 using the DSI Prophet 08 as a controller. It went into the Strymon Volante to my mixer, with Eventide Blackhole VST for reverb. Not my best work, but it was fun to noodle on it.
#Studioelectronics #Minimoog #moog 
Видеоклипы
![How to make PLASTIC / LATEX / RUBBER sounds in Ableton Live | SONIC HYPERREALISM [2]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/ws8yLOIkLms/mqdefault.jpg)
![How to make PLASTIC / LATEX / RUBBER sounds in Ableton Live | SONIC HYPERREALISM [2]](/img/tr.png)
Wow! Nice! It is like liquid heaven. Never underestimate analog.
Thanks!
Very very complex sounds, I really like this session, great!
Thanks :)
You will absolutely slay the Minimoog Model D. I have all of the recent Moogs since the Voyager XL, and they are lovely and unique in their own right, but I cannot recommend the Minimoog Model D enough, especially to somebody as talented as you - so I do hope you fulfill your destiny! ✨
What do you think about the Matriarch? I couldn't get the sweet paraphony on the sub37 on it, seemed like notes would just muddy
Ah thanks - yeah... I'm working on it. I just feel like the Matriarch is sufficient. Hard to spend the money on one, but it seems really cool.
Not so obvious from this session, but the SE-1 really excels at big, vibey, characterful leads and basses. It has a weighty presence in the mix. The architecture can dish up a few different timbres as well, with ring mod, sync, PWMx3, and 4 invertable envelopes. The only thing I don't like is the sloooow envelopes. Both my SE-1 and 1X have been modified (resistor change) to make them faster, but still not perfect for 16th note lines. Also using an SE-02 a lot and really liking that. SE ATC-1 is also a fantastic beefy VCO machine, but again, the slow envelopes.
I quite liked how the sound ended up here. What I did not like was the somewhat cheap build quality of the unit, although I'm not sure what I was expecting. Worse, I found it surprisingly difficult to navigate. For something that seemed like it should be so simple, it wasn't. Finally, what really killed it for me (which should not have because as a rack mounted device I can see this might not be a 'players' device) - there was horrible stepping with the filter cutoff. Awful.
But I trust your judgement on here. I may not showcase what it excels at. I leave that to the aficionados.
@@MIDERA Yeah, the soundtrack/ambient sounds worked out well. The stepping is less noticeable on the -1X btw, but no getting away from those key combos to get to the osc level page!
@modulosonoro yeah. It’s still cool, I didn’t mind how it sounded!
Well… that escalated quickly 🤣
Hahahahaha. That... is very true.
There's unfortunately no real comparison between these two instruments (maybe they sound similar)? I found the overall workflow of the SE-1 confusing and not very enjoyable. Is a Minimoog worth $5000? I guess I found out.
The sound of this is sick, I was considering the se1 as well. What are you looking for in a synth?
The model d is great for its immediacy, but have you considered any udo synths?
Good question. I think the honest answer is that it’s GAS. For the minimoog. I likely don’t need it it anything else. I’ve got a matriarch, a Prophet 10, a JP6, an SH-101, virus ti, poly evolver, etc…. I definitely don’t need it. I also don’t need the UDO, lol. I think I just want a minimoog. If it was for the sound, I’d get the boog. But the minimoog just looks so cool….
I think the Matriarch has you covered. The Matriarch imo very much covers that 'classic/vintage' Moog sound already, perfectly. If you use software you're already covered, since Minimoog has to be ones of the most emulated synths out there I reckon, with GForce Minimonsta II being my favourite by far. Have you looked at other SE synths? I personally think the Omega/Code 8 is one of the best analog synths around/depending on the mods. It reminds me a lot of the Voyetra 8, which is a very rare and unique beast.
Ah yeah... The Matriarch for sure has me covered. Why aren't there more videos comparing the Minimoog and Matriarch? Although I'm certain I wouldn't learn anything. Because the desire to have the Minimoog isn't grounded in sound. It's grounded in the fact that 1) it's a minimoog and 2) because if they stop making them, it would be valuable. So really, it's a financially stupid decision.
I've got my Spectralis which I absolutely love (it's monosynth engine) and the Matriarch. It's hard to argue with that.
I am not huge into VSTs, only because I just don't use them.
Omega/Code 8 seems really cool - but I think they're all rack mounted gear which I don't totally gel with.
Thanks for the thoughtful comments!
Hello. No words.....I just want to be one of your listeners.
You sound so close to me!!!!
Thanks!
@@MIDERA Any time, man!!!!
Sounds wonderful. I’ve been contemplating purchasing a used SE-1 or the newer SE-3X. I played the Mini Moog and it felt meh for me. I thought the same thing about what I was getting once it’s in the mix and effects applied. The Mini Moog and the OBX seem to take up a lot of space in the mix and always feel like they should be the focal point on a track.
Ultimately went with a Prophet-5 to round out the analog warmth I was looking for. I’ve paired that with the Quantum and I’m able to get all the sounds I need.
After listening to this I’m still on the fence. It does sound great though!
I did not like the SE-1 at all. I found the UI confusing and did not like the stepping of the filter. Got the minimoog and loved it instantly… I had wanted to love the SE in case it could save me from buying a Mini. It didn’t.
If I were getting a non-mini… I’d probably go for a Roland SE-02.
Thanks for feedback. I’ve read a lot of the same from others about how the UI is weak. I’ve got to say that I’m absolutely in love with the Quantum UI. It’s really logical and little to no menu diving. That’s saying a lot for a synth that has the multitude of features and sound engines that it has.
Glad to hear you like the Mini Moog. Nothing worse than dropping some serious coin and end up not feeling it was worth it.
Have you messed with the Voyager at all? If so, how would you compare it to the Mini?
Are your thoughts about getting a model D influenced by the recent changes at Moog moving manufacturing to Taiwan ? I will admit it did accelerate my plan to acquire my model D.
Add to this that i purchased the model D in addition to my Sub37 and Matriarch.
Yep. Probably… maybe, I don’t know. I’ve wanted one for a while, but probably accelerated by that for sure.
Like it
Thanks :)
How bad is the stepping and is there really no feedback/drive?
It was pretty audible. You can hear it when I dial in the sounds.
If what you are considering is Moog's re-issue Minimoog 44 key Model D, it's not a completely unreasonable case of GAS. Iconic synth with glorious form factor. If your ethics allow, why not pick up a Behringer rack mount for a couple of months and low-cost test? Maybe that would wreck the dream, I don't know. If you've simply got 4-5K burning a hole in your pocket, I would love to hear what you can come up with on a 3rd-Wave. So much possibility. You'd master that thing, I know it.
The Behringer Model-D is pretty adequate
I think that's what it is. Iconic synth with the form factor.
I could pick up the behringer, but my brain would tell me that the reason I don't like it is because of the form factor. It's much smaller.
Definitely dont have 4-5k to burn. I would have to burn some gear to do it. Sell my System 8, possibly my Prophet 12, JX-3P, etc.
Yeah do it. Def sell the p12 - you have a p10. The jx3p and the system 8 can go too. I was collecting analog synths for decades before I got a model D. It should have been my first synth and I could have saved a lot of time.
I have a good friend, and collector who has a Model D, who you might want to connect with, if you can't give up this obsession,...........this sounds great............so unstable and alive...................................so much of the appeal lies in the stereo.fx............which (the Mod D does not offer.......but) is so amazing......................
Oh? Would they provide me with some much needed wisdom? I don’t think I ever know what I want! The SE-1 definitely sounds unstable. In a good way. Thanks :)
I know my friend has been considering selling his beloved Model D........I think the instability of this upload is awesome.......so much character and a really exceptional vibe................
Definitely get me in touch with him :)
I was really lusting after a Model D reissue last month. I think if it was ~$3k, I’d do it, but $4-5k is just too much for what it does.
I agree. But then it’ll just get bumped up for more and more. Sigh…
I’m pretty sure the 2016 reissue went for $3500? Wonder why this is $1500 more.
Always nice to hear the SE1, well done. I love mine. However I'd say this one needs tuning (unless it was detuned on purpose) and also immersing it in shimmer reverb doesn't do it justice in my humble view (though I like shimmer reverb!). The SE1X has the filter stepping much improved so I'd say go for one of those if you are after an SE1. Can't compare with a Model D but the SE1(X) also offers a SEM filter and the ability to mix shapes (like on the Prophet) and has 4 envelopes so its really more than a Moog.
I had a slight pitch shift on it. Being monophonic I’d be surprised if you could tell it was out of tune… or do you mean the oscillators against each other?
I don’t have shimmer reverb on it, just the space reverb and strymon Volante which dirtied it up. But I understand. Probably shouldn’t have used the delay at least. I just tend to like it myself.
don't sell that stuff, it's way cooler than the minimoog
Oof. Well, probably gonna part with the XL7. I never use it. The System 8 could stay, but I rarely use that too. Surprised to hear it’s cooler than the minimoog. Why do you think that? No judgement, I only have gas for the minimoog. And also thought it could get me to sell a bunch of stuff I don’t use to consolidate.
It sounds sour
👍