Yes, I know the P12 oscs are digital. But parts of its path are analog too, which gives it its unique character, in part.
Title edited, to be closer to the point.
I should have been more clear that the issue isn’t mixing so much as my problem with the intrinsic sound of the synth when contrasted with my other synth voices. I was hoping the topic could be more about some great polys that could fit my requirements, rather than a “you can make the P12 work” thread.
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I was going to protest that the P12 is really great at sitting in mixes and not overpowering them, but your clarification that it just doesn’t fit right sonically is totally fair.
it’s just sonically fitting awkwardly with my other voices (currently OT, AR, M32, Volca Keys)
Discounting the OT (which more or less sounds like whatever it samples), you’ve got analog drums, a classic Moog voice, and Volca analog.
am now spoiled by, everything the P12 offers functionally. My requirements are: poly, good ui, super-wide sound palette, hopefully under $2k. Multi-timbral a plus.
I would look into the Prophet Rev 2. It’s got a similar functionality/UI and deep mod matrix like the P12, a wide range of sonic capability, (digitally controlled) analog oscillators to fit better with your analog gear, is bi-timbral like the P12, and can be bought for under $2000 new. I would not look into a Prophet 6 or OB-6, as they are significantly more limited than the P12 in terms of functionality, modulation options, and sound palette (they do sound really freaking good, though, which is why I traded my P12 for an OB-6).
Deepmind 12 isn’t multitimbral, but otherwise fits the bill. Sounds great, is versatile and doesn’t break the bank.
Yes- I agree that the P12 does not overpower the mix and makes room for other instruments. That’s actually something I’m worried about losing if I change synths.
The Rev 2 is actually pretty high on my list, since it retains most of the features that make the P12 great. I only wish I could get the Rev 2 with the SEM rather than Curtis filter. That would be perfect. I am definitely looking at the Virus as well, but have been (perhaps unfairly) discounting it because of its “trance machine” reputation. I’d also like to know how weird the Nord Lead 4 can get. 
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The Blofeld (Keys) could be of interest. Its one of the most underrated devices you can get. And it has a modest pricing so you dont have to rob a bank. Many ppl find it unconvenient to use but I find it relatively easy. The upcoming Kyra maybe also worth the wait…
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I was originally very interested in the Blo, but after listening to much YT, my conclusion was that its character was a little icy for my taste. But again, I dont think any of these synths sound the same way in person. Its hard- unfortunately I dont have a local shop that stocks this stuff where I could test.
Thats indeed unfortunate. A shop where you can try the synths is very nice to have. Most YT videos have the synths sound like the owner wants them to, and that mostly does not reveal what they can do for you…
It’s “mutate” function takes it to very weird places. But sonically, the Lead A1 has an edge over it (i have both), the L4 has a darker/dulled tone.
Pity about the A1’s weird panel.
I don’t use the internal sequencer the midi timing is not great… only from daw or sometime my Avalon’s sequencer.
So when your using for pads are you playing from the keyboard or sequencing in daw…
Your recording will the audio into daw to mix I’m assuming.
Maybe play your pads, record the midi to daw not the audio. Edit the velocity down in the midi in daw, press play and record the audio.
See if that makes a difference.
Agree wholeheartedly. The Access Virus can sit in a mix very well and has the versatility to provide a vast array of sounds. Some synths just are heavier in certain areas, frequency-wise and need a little massaging of the eq / filters to sit right in a mix.
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I never knew you could do this… I playing pads from Qu-Nexus.
I dunno, it just seems to be whenever i get a sound to sort of fill in background it’s just so muddy in the low mids/mids every time. I could use the filter to make it less muddy but then you dont get the same feeling, it’s hard to explain really but other peoples music seems to have the exact same warm feeling and it’s not muddy what-so ever… Even if I dont have any real bass freqs going on I just cant get the P6 to fit in the mix behind whatever I have going on…
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I know I’m not alone in wanting to hear recordings of this P12 not gelling in a mix with other synths. I’m struggling to imagine how this could be a problem.
The problem with curtis filter is that it doesn’t sound very pleasant to many. That’s probably why it’s replaced with a different filter in some of the more expensive DSI synths.
I’ve never thought the Pro-One, Evolver, ESQ1 or Chroma Polaris suffered because of their CEM filters. Certainly, everyone has their own opinion though.
Does the P12 make use of individual panning for the oscillators and do the factory patches make use of this if so? I recall some early factory patches on the Evolver did this in an inelegant fashion.
Dont give up on it…i have 2 moogs and i had to learn better mixing techniques to get them to sit in a mix together as they were each overwhelming as they were each so sonicly rich, the mix wasnt big enough for the two of them…!!!
the problem wasn’t the synths it was my lack of ability to mix them??? Same sought of thing when i first got a virus, everything else in the track sounded week and 2D next to it, so the synth challenged me to learn new skills to make my drums and bass sound bigger and bolder and wider if that makes sense…?
I think you have an amazing synth that is calling out the engineer in you to learn a few tricks. There are many that would kill for that particular bit of kit.
There would be a few tricks to find its sweetspot or to gett your other gear on the same playing field all playing nice together im sure…
There are some great jack joeseph puig waves plugins that although you may not find vst works with your flow or set up, the plugins teach you alot about how some professionals treat multiple versions of the same signal, each processed in different ways to emphesis different attributtes of what shapes a sound…so you can add or subtract things like, presence, warmth, width, attack, verb, edge…its much more eye opening to see sounds in this way. I have the guitar plugin strapped over my tx81z to add presence and one on my microbrute to add edge so they sitt well in a mix next to 2 moogs and a virus.
Anywho even if you try them and then give them the flick they are a great way to learn more about how we can treat sound to make it play nice with outhers with emphasis / de_ emphasis of the key elements instead of volume pan and eq…
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you are right… sequentials/DSI can be easily put into some internal drive in filters, vcas, etc… well actually this is, what i love with this machines :-)))… also more settle filter settings help a lot
i know what you mean. (i always love that, but its taste)…
i think you really love a warm sound? i own the pro 2 and prophet 08… both need a lot more closed filters, then i thought when programming a sound, to get warmer results…
it also helps to dial out over 6-8 Khz and make a a cut in between 300-700 hz… then i usually get the right results… (and for sure low cut, if its not the bass)
anyway… try out the novation peak… you will love it… gorgeous synth, great sound and flexibel engine
virus is stil a classic and great (i never bought one, cause for me the sounds are somehow to steril)
good luck finding your perfect keys
I sent my Rev2 back because of this. It‘s a great synth but I had exactly the same problem. I knew it was possible to make it fit … but why bother if there are synth out there for 1/3 of the price which would fit into the mix from the start without tinkering?
as long as i just mix and arrange for myself on my speakers, i also love that pure power of a modular (in terms of bass) or the AR. As soon as i start to mix and to reference with other tracks, i have the problem with every other synth, except the DSIs. :-)… the rest sounds way to muddy, only my two prophets sound exactly how they should… .-)
another thing in noticed. when seeing the synth live (james blake, rival consoles, etc) it really makes a different, cause as soon as it is on big speakers it really punches away every other synth and creates a huge warm punch…
but, yeah… its all a point of perspective and personal liking 