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Any VA/Softsynth That Nails the SSM Sound?


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Was thinking about this at work. I've uploaded some samples from my very much missed Korg Mono/Poly to give you an idea what I'm talking about. I love SSM filters and don't know why the designs aren't used more in modern analogs.

 

http://share.ovi.com/media/lhm1138.public/lhm1138.10015

http://share.ovi.com/media/lhm1138.public/lhm1138.10020

http://share.ovi.com/media/lhm1138.public/lhm1138.10017

http://share.ovi.com/media/lhm1138.public/lhm1138.10021

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Was thinking about this at work. I've uploaded some samples from my very much missed Korg Mono/Poly to give you an idea what I'm talking about. I love SSM filters and don't know why the designs aren't used more in modern analogs.





 

 

Korg Analog Collection maybe?

 

http://www.kvraudio.com/news/6595.html

 

Why did you get rid of the Mono/Poly?

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I think the Nord Lead/2/2X filter is pretty much modeled after an SSM. I took some patches on my Nord Lead 1, opened the filter wide then ran it through a Doepfer A105 SSM filter and it sounded very similar.

 

High Res settings will sound better on a real SSM chip though, and that has always been a shortcoming with any VA or softsynth.

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Korg Analog Collection maybe?




Why did you get rid of the Mono/Poly?

 

 

Stupidity. This was before I knew much about how important the individual components are to a synth's sound. I foolishly thought an ATC-quad could get me most of those sounds. Not even close. Not to mention the wondeful polymode.

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Stupidity. This was before I knew much about how important the individual components are to a synth's sound. I foolishly thought an ATC-quad could get me most of those sounds. Not even close. Not to mention the wondeful polymode.

 

 

Ah that sucks man...I've always wanted a Mono/Poly myself. While certainly not cheap, they seem to sell for ~$750 used which isnt heinously expensive compared to other vintage analogs.

Have you checked out the Korg VSTi version? I've never used it but it seems to get good reviews.

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I think the Nord Lead/2/2X filter is pretty much modeled after an SSM. I took some patches on my Nord Lead 1, opened the filter wide then ran it through a Doepfer A105 SSM filter and it sounded very similar.


High Res settings will sound better on a real SSM chip though, and that has always been a shortcoming with any VA or softsynth.

 

 

I have to agree with you on this. Today, after reading your comment about Nord 2X/SSM similarity I fired up my Trident. The resonance character on the 2X really seem to be borrowed from SSM filters. Good point!

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The Bowen Solaris has an SSM emulation, doesn't it?

 

Also, there is the MOTM-440 filter. It's modular, and it's hardware, but it is an actual recreation of the internal transconductance cells in the SSM 2040, using external hardware.

 

It sounds magnificent.

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Also, there is the MOTM-440 filter. It's modular, and it's hardware, but it is an actual recreation of the internal transconductance cells in the SSM 2040, using external hardware.


It sounds magnificent.

 

You, Sir, have a remarkable talent for understatement, ;)

 

 

cheers,

Ian

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Maybe the OPX VSTi? Closest sounding synth i have heard to an Oberheim.

 

Oberheim used CEM chips. Kinda similar, kinda different depending on how picky your ears are.

I have OP-X though, and it does sound really nice. :thu: I actually sold my Nord Lead because of it.

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Oberheim used CEM chips. Kinda similar, kinda different depending on how picky your ears are.

I have OP-X though, and it does sound really nice.
:thu:
I actually sold my Nord Lead because of it.

 

no:cop: not all

specially those that have owned 4 v, 8 v, ob-x, early ob-1?

would disagree

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I love the NL2. Can't really get the same sound, though there are some similar characteristics. It's looking like a small modular rack with some filter units is my best option.

 

I'm pleased I'm not alone in my love of SSM. Why do you guys think SSM designs aren't used more, like in DSI stuff? Is it a cost/licensing thing?

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no:cop: not all

specially those that have owned 4 v, 8 v, ob-x, early ob-1?

would disagree

 

For those of use who haven't owned a 4 v, 8 v, ob-x, or early ob-1 (Matrix 1000 is as close as I get), OP-X is a fully acceptable alternative.

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I'm pleased I'm not alone in my love of SSM. Why do you guys think SSM designs aren't used more, like in DSI stuff? Is it a cost/licensing thing?

 

The original SSM gave way to the CEM because it was more susceptible to being accidentally destroyed by static electricity. Manufacturers switched over to CEM wholesale because they were more reliable. Nobody ever thought that they sounded better though.

 

I used to have tubes and tubes of the 20XX series SSMs that I used to build an early 8 voice poly synth, using a synth-on-a card design that E-MU provided. They really were marvelous sounding. Wish I still had this synth.

 

polymonster.jpg

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I used to have tubes and tubes of the 20XX series SSMs that I used to build an early 8 voice poly synth, using a synth-on-a card design that E-MU provided. They really were marvelous sounding. Wish I still had this synth.

 

 

The SSM204x filters were very good sounding VCFs. One of my favorites.

 

The CEM-equipped rev3 Prophet-5 stayed in tune better but the filters just did not measure up to the SSM2040s used in earlier revs.

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