benjarvis.org

Synth-O-Rama!

Just a few steps closer to a full production studio. I purchased a Korg ER-1 and Korg EA-1. These two stand alone machines fill the same role as a Roland TR-808/909/606 and the Roland TB-303. Of course they aren’t REALLY analog and nothing can really replace the Roland units, but to get the honest to god machines would cost about $6500.

The ER-1 is a percussion synthesizer (fancy talk for drum machine). It has 4 virtual analog synths you can program to make bass drums, zaps, glitchy clicks, etc. and 4 sampled drums (open hi hat, closed hi hat, crash cymbal and hand clap). The samples are similar the 606 or 808 sounds, but the 4 perc synths are TOTALLY customizable. Lots of creative potential. It has a built in sequencer like the 606/808. Unlike those, the ER-1 has MIDI and when you tweak a knob in real-time, it can save the performance as part of the loop. Also it looks dope. For $150, you can’t go wrong.

The EA-1 is a monophonic virtual analog synthesizer that tries its best to pretend to be a TB-303. Like the TB-303, it has a built in sequencer and a monophonic voice. Unlike the TB-303, it has MIDI, built in effects, and is 2 part multitimbral (plays two separate bass/lead lines and sounds per pattern). It also has an audio input jack that passes through the filter. It can use the audio in to modulate OSC 2. Like the ER-1, it can remember the tweaks you do. For instance I can rhythmically tweak the cut off of the filter, save the rhythm, and apply that to my guitar playing.

Only downside is that I had to buy them off eBay as they are out of production. Hopefully there are no issues, but baring that, I should have them by the end of next week. Like Tom Petty said, “waiting is the hardest part”. If I can get this CZ-101 today, then I’ll have my toy to play with until they arrive.