Utility of the Micro Q

Okay, so I always go back and forth with my MicroQ. I sat down and learned my way around it over the Winter holiday, and I must say it makes good sounds and it certainly has a very wide range of functions. However, when I got back home and I turned on my analog stuff, well, there was no comparison as to which I preferred. So I decided to sell it. Now I am getting cold feet on getting rid of it for two reasons. 1) the arpeggiator and 2) the vocoder.

I have not used the arpeggiator, but it looks insanely more manipulatable than the arpeggiator on my Little Phatty. I have not used the vocoder either.

There does not seem to be a lot of replacement for the Vocoder out there that are inexpensive (I have no interest in a MicroKorg). Perhaps that Paia Vocoder Build Kit.

Before I commit to a sale should I just keep my hands on this little yellow synth even if it is primarily for the arpeggiator and vocoder? I thank you for your opinions....

What difference does it make what anyone else thinks? I could advise you in any one of a number of directions, including selling it and buying a full Q. If you don't like the sound, what are the chances that you'll sell it eventually anyway? How often do you use the arpeggiator? Can you use the midi out of the arpeggiator (as I recall it has it) to control other synths, etc, etc. But why should you care what I think at all? It's easy to find a microQ used if you miss it. (sorry if I sound grumpy, but I just see so many of these threads - should I buy this, should I sell this - and only you can really decide this, although you can use someone else's opinion to do what you really want to do anyway.)

So, you're considering keeping the micro-q for 2 features you haven't even used yet?

My opinion - take a little time and try the arpeggiator and vocoder, then see if you want to keep it for those two features.

It all comes down to whether you'll actually use the unit or not.

If the features that have the quality you want are features you don't usually use anyway, might as well sell it.

"If you haven't used it in the last 6 months, you might as well sell it". Which is equivalent to, "if you can't see yourself actually using it, no use holding on to it".

Thanks for the mini-lecture droolmaster. I love being talked down too. I fail to see how asking other's opinion on features of the MicroQ were any different than you recently asking about the Future Retro XS.

Honestly, I do not have great amount of experience with a wide range synths. I barely have my head wrapped around the gear that I currently have, and this board is a place to get knowledge and opinions I lack. Some one might say for example "I have / had a MicroQ and I found it to have one for nicest sound vocoders I have ever used" or "I have / had a MicroQ it the flexibility of its arpeggiator was second none, you will not find better one in a more expensive synth", or they might say "The arpeggiator sucks and is hard use. I sold mine and bought xxxxx which had a much better arpeggiator accent feature."....for example.

well, it is the only polyphonic (and multi-timbral synth) you have listed if not counting any software synths running in Logic (by the way, you have Logic listed twice).

i grew to hate the sound as well.

I run Logic twice, duplicate at all times....that is how elite I am...

Thanks for the input. At the very least, I think that if the arpeggiator is good, maybe if I run through the Sherman Filterbank that I soon hope to acquire, I can make it sound better...or at least nastier, and use it as good rhythmic element.

If you don't like the sound of the MicroQ,....

there are other synths out there that have Vocoders (Quasimidi Sirius, Korg R3, even Wavestation A/D I think...).

I would think it a waste to hang on to the MicroQ just for the vocoder (if another synth with a Vocoder would give you useful synth sounds as well).

Perhaps even the Use-Audio "Plugiator"- it has a vocoder mode, plus a few softsynths modes you might prefer over the MicroQ.

- If an Arpeggiator is something you'll use often... perhaps you should look for a synth with sounds that you like, and a great arpeggiator?

- say... an AN1x... or a Korg Z1?- someone else here may have a better suggesstion (I am not an arpeggiator aficionado- although they are fun from time to time).

Insight into my personal perspective: I have some Analog synths , and I love the sound of the MicroQ. also> I like the Vocoder on the Boss SE-50 and SE-70.. does the trick for me.

I'm not sure I'd go so far as to call it a "waste." The MicroQ isn't a $500 synth anymore. It's value is so ridiculously low now that it's almost not worth selling it, considering the power that it does have.

My criterion for whether to sell something or not isn't whether I use it frequently but whether I like it when I do. I sold the MicroQ because I didn't like using it. YMMV.

Well, let's see. One big difference was that I asked about what people thought of the synth, which I didn't own or have an opportunity to try, not whether I should buy one, or whether I should sell one. You already owned the synth, and asked whether you should sell it. Totally different questions and circumstances.

I appreciate your lack of experience. we were all there once. However, whether you should keep it or sell it is something that is your decision, and you'll get opinions either way from people with totally different experiences and priorities. You'll do what you want to do, and then you'll either undo it or not.

well said- and 2 good points.

I was thinking it a 'waste' to have something that should be used as a synth and Vocoder- not just a vocoder.

having paid $780 for my MicroQ (way back when...) I suppose I value it higher than it sells for on the used market today.

still sounds great though

What the {censored} ever Drool. I notice that you love to tit-for-tat arguments and I will not engage you, further, but I would appreciate you not lecturing me. I am not some snot nose kid, you dig? My question is as valid as yours. Thanks.

Well, if you don't want to argue, then stop arguing.