Dave Smith Tetra Desktop Analog Polysynth

[@smokey5100]

2022 still loving my Tetra! #RIPDaveSmith

[@SionTreforMusic]

I know it's a pretty old video, but this is by far the best run down and introduction to the Tetra going. Hugely appreciated, cheers!

[@JonathanKillstring]

8 years later, and I agree!

[@noiselabproject9659]

I was gonna sell mine after getting a Prophet Rev 2 but glad I didnt as its now become an essential part of my compact portable setup in its 4 different monosynths mode !

[@jeevespreston]

The best SonicState review I've ever seen, much better than endless noodling... Thank you for the in-depth, educated look at a great synth!!!

[@frankfarrellmusic]

Just bought one of these and found this incredibly useful. Best reviewer I've seen on here. Thanks

[@M3sslah]

I love how you hear the sound growling away in the background, what a beast.

[@harrymerchant456]

This guys undoubtedly does the best reviews of gear on youtube. ATT manufacturers. This guy should get all your hardware free. He undoubtedly helps sell a lot of your gear

[@noiselabproject9659]

Y`know what I just bought one in 2017, a new one ! possibly the last new one anywhere for the 2009 price of £549 pounds as well ! ! BARGAIN & a good step up from my Desktop Mopho, oh yes, `appy days

[@foketesz]

Amazing! Elvis Costello us not only an amazing artist, but also a really nice reviewer LOL

[@SionTreforMusic]

Really appreciate the thoroughness of this review. Personally I think it's a fair trade in terms of great sounds vs what looks to be cumbersome editing software. How much of a gap is there between the LE editor and the proper $39 version? I've got a Tetra in the post, can't wait to give it a go!

[@niallos1]

I still don't understand why the mopho x4 was released as opposed to the tetra keys

[@neotokyo4860]

Niall O'Brien-Bird what's wrong with mopho?

[@noiselabproject9659]

@@neotokyo4860 its the same but no 4 synth mode no layer mode and no combi mode so basically a hampered Tetra

[@halion9]

just to say Nick was using an early version of the soundtower tetra editor in this review. Ive been using the 1.5 free version for my mac osx on el capitan and have to say its a good looking editor and I find it to be totally stable. I like the way it instantlysyncs with tetras front panel too. Will probably buy the full version for the librarian and to support the developers.

[@XYtoTheDoubleG]

Dude.. your demos rock man! YAY for sonicstate!

[@123stefannnnn]

fantastic review, please dont ever stop them!

[@Alpinestars91]

Yes, absolutely the best reviewer on the whole youtube.

[@sharethehouse]

@liverawkstar thanks for the detailed reply. yes i finally got this, and was impressed what its capable of and also it suits my taste. Although it is far from that MOOG sound, which i think Doepfer Dark Energy is more suitable for those sounds probably. cheers

[@MadelnMachines]

The soundtower VST/AU version is available now too :)

[@isoldeisobelle552]

The last update to the Soundtower editor is stable. I create my patches with that and then control the real time parameters via a Behringer BCR 2000... it works well.

[@DamienPagan]

Same, sort of. I use an Axiom. But it works great.

[@mastersoftoday]

that's a sample from Backdrifts by Radiohead in the intro, right?

[@KILLAGORILLA7000]

+mastersoftoday Sssshhhhh!

[@jmb102093]

see obviously the guy that created this synth kept the customers needs in mind . THe whole power supply thing is such a great addition .

[@blissetmizz]

Love your review!! honest and useful! Thanks!

[@sergeytsygankov]

Does the editor have a "learn" function? So that I could use my Behringer B-Control to assign most of live parameters into it, and change the sound without the mouse.

[@UncleWiggler]

YOU MAKE THE BEST SYNTH DEMOES OUT THERE GUYS :D

[@vicksplace]

These reviews are brilliant. You should be on the telly.

[@YouzTube99]

@Vicky Stevens: Why go backward? YT is better than telly, especially five years on.

[@Funbia]

Why moog does not make poly synths¿Tks¡

[@meldmagic]

Imo DSI should make a semi-modular synth. e.g. you can choose from 3 keyboard sizes, and you dock the synth module of a tetra, evolver or prophet into the keyboard. Most parameter knobs and buttons are going to be universal anyway across the range so those common controllers are on the keyboard module. The knobs that are only specific to a particular synth module are on the module itself. The pair of mod-wheels would be user-swappable for a joystick or ribbon controller.

[@Digiphex]

Is it easy to do the sub oscillator thing with the Prophet? It seems so easy on the TETR4

[@feelda303]

so how much in-depth editing can you do on the tetra itself? is it fully editable or just basic editing? in other words - do you need the sw editor to fully edit sounds?

[@jamesearpmusic]

Brilliant review. Always come to see your reviews, you're one of the only people who doesn't try to play rubbish guitar solos on a synth.. If you want to play guitar or trumpet solos, learn the bloody instrument!!

[@Theopolis1]

Great review thanks very much, keep them coming !!

[@CW2SCOGG]

I love this little synth...brings me back to 1981

[@djalexgray]

please, i need help! i bought tetra and it's favolous. But with a sequencer as logic studio 9 can i use the editor as vst? if not, how can use tetra with logic? i tried as external instruments but when i write midi notes in logic, tetra doesn't play. how is it possible?

[@metabog]

Wow that's some great stuff for an analog synth.

[@RundFyrkant]

just picked up a used Tetr4 and it sounds quite remarkable. Fat and lush and superflexible modulation matrix with superfast LFOs routable to almost anything. And theres alot of LFOs aswell making the sound really rubbery. Great for FM stuff and for pads and textures with alot of movement. The weak points and a bit of a bummer is still the supplied editor which feels like an unfinished and fiddly product that is in bad need for a uppdate. But the sounds you get from this small package once it's programmed is nothing else than remarkable for the price.

[@Sid1798]

Someone knows if it's possible to control Tetra`s software editor from an external controller and make real time parameters changes to Tetra?

[@TubewayTracks]

Thank you for that , an excellent review that was really really helpful - much appreciated. :)

[@BobIGomez]

so if I add this to the Prophet 08, I have USB interaction for both Tetra & 08 & 12 voices ? might be helpful..

[@midihooker]

best turtorial guy on youtube..

[@sharethehouse]

i really wanna buy this synth. im looking for vintage disco sounds. would i get these sounds from the tetra?

[@hombredepalabra]

Hi, maybe you can help me with this: if you had to choose between the DSI Tetra and the Moog Slim Phatty, which one you would pick and why? By the way, great reviews!

[@schmittwilli]

Is this Bert Smorenburg´s (Yamaha) brother? : )

[@carbonatedbrainsauce]

I agree about waiting to see if there will be a version with a better interface, that is the only thing that I dislike about the Tetra. Although if DSI does make a Tetra with a better interface (and keyboard) the price will probably be close to the Prophet 08 rackmount version.

[@basswriterNYC]

Thank you! Great job on that review!

[@seanocean]

love the happy quasi 80s commercial music at 4:44 nick. :)

[@ArtFluids]

especially for sampling the Mopho or Tetra in the store.

[@costantinogiorgi]

nice review man

[@elpagna]

Nice video and review =)

[@palo569]

questions: can you load the editor as a vst?

[@clashcame]

great review. thanks

[@soulglasstv]

I did watch it. I was confused about 4 voice polyphony, whether it can play a chord that is more than 4 notes. What's the need to be so rude?

[@shookstylez]

please please review the mopho x4!

[@SernoMusic]

music in the video made by tetra?

[@GreyTheSocraticGamer]

Can someone help me? Is this osmething you plug into a keyboard? Does it have ot be midi or synth or does that even matter?

[@inthefade]

Yes you plug a MIDI controller into it

[@woodswalker88]

It's 2021 and I'm thinking of getting a Tetra. Why? I want to assemble a SMALL rig. Anyway, I'm wondering where I can get the online editor. There was a link somewhere, but it was dead.

[@fraka6160]

did you find the tetra software editor ?

[@woodswalker88]

@@fraka6160 Only the $39 one.

[@murph9935]

So...I guess it's sort of like an Alesis Micron except not digital? That is awesome.

[@deadpolitical]

why no prophet 08 review? because inside synthesis did one? I think he's marvelous, but I think you two have very different styles of reviews, and the p08 would benefit from both of you providing one, especially before the p12 comes out

[@guitarvibe75]

This is so insane. It's like 4 independent Mophos but better than the sum of it's parts!

[@migueldoliveiracomposer]

Great little synth. Powerful sound. Only complaint I have regards the poor quality of its knobs. Other than that, great value for money.

[@liverawkstar]

@sharethehouse they (vintage disco sounds), are certainly more possible with a rig like this, guess it depends on what your calling vintage disco, the sounds of Giorgio Moroder are VERY MOOG, and MOOG in my mind has a signaature like no other... If its purity your after you need to go with MOOG, if its pretty darn close, this will suit your needs fine...

[@ncheriyan]

Love the real analog sound - unlike digital , it sounds less harsh... Would like to get this since my studio is digital

[@JSprayaEntertainment]

op-1 or tetra ?

[@DJTriplestar]

You should review the Audjoo: Helix vst Its a pretty nice one Great review on this one :)

[@jasonalacrity]

Couldn't agree more. Great synth, dire editor.

[@YomYestreen]

My thoughts exactly on the editor... I was all set to buy a Tetra then found out the software looks to be (by sonicstate's own admission) 3rd-party garbage... Soundtower could just stop supporting it or go out of business at any time, leaving all the Tetra users flapping in the breeze. DSI really needs to take responsibility for the editor and start including it with a Tetra purchase at no additional charge, and if possible make their own editor that will always be supported/available.

[@rodzeroher]

sequence at 5:11 is great

[@t3l3phasicworksh0p]

Just powered up my Tetra after 1 year away. WTF! God help me - the Prophet 12 will be release soon. Dave Smith you are my evil genius nemesis!

[@soulglasstv]

Thanks!

[@Purrrelll]

you are the man.

[@Degenerative1]

The editor does not work very well at all.Really hot and miss. Check the DSI forum for that issue.

[@dialaname]

anyone know if I can make a good 808 bass hit ala lex luger with this?

[@Claidheambmor]

I know it's been seven years but for anyone wondering whether an analog synthesiser can make an 808 bass... The answer is (obviously?) yes

[@ColdWelder]

Dude, WATCH the damn video if you want to know what it can do.

[@harrychristner]

METRES !!! YAY A REVIEW IN ENGLISH!!!

[@IAmBound]

I wish I could buy just the power supply for some of my other stuff.

[@lockahhh]

10:08 woah

[@CreaturesOfSound]

If any of you would like a new selection of patches for your tetra, please check out our youtube demo vid kzbin.info/www/bejne/hWrFdGV_qKtgfMU and follow the link in the description Thankyou Creatures of Sound

[@motherbrain2000]

if you have to hook it up to a computer to have any fun then just get a high end plugin for 1/7 the price. (although in 2009 when this review was done we were just being introduced to these next level tools- like massive for example. )

[@deeroks1]

u r awesome!

[@soulglasstv]

Would I be able to play chords?

[@instrumentalistjade8367]

This is a prophet 8 with less polyphony

[@ChrisCre8tor]

yep

[@oc101289]

so you need to pay another 800 dollars to expand your prophet 08 to 12 voices

[@Degenerative1]

Check at 10 15, The synth is stunning but that software editor is very bad indeed.

[@phbzrs]

Never had problems with the editor. What kind of problems are you talking about?

[@Degenerative1]

I have had loads of problems, the synth doesnt read it . I have been in touch with DSI and they said basically its third party software and they are aare of loads of bugs and glitches in it. I have been on the DSI forum and and the same story. I am very happy it works for you but there are many people who have arrived at the same conclusion as me. My remedy has been to buy a mopho Keyboard !! Works beautifully .

[@phbzrs]

Degenerative1 How are you connecting it? Midi or USB? If it's through USB have you tried disconnecting/changing sockets your other USB connections? I've had some trouble in the past with other devices and found that the problem was some kind of incompatibility between USB devices. Or maybe some kind of incompatibility from the software with some devices. If that's so that really sucks, considering it's a payed software. Have you tried to use it in other computer just to see if it works? Apparently I was lucky since I've used it with 2 different sound cards with no problems.

[@Degenerative1]

I have a teaching certificate and have taught , midi, radio production sampling and sequencing etc I have tried everything suggested by DSI and the company who made the software. It really is no good for any way I am trying. Check the forum out mate there are loads of us it is not working for and to be honest , spending hours and hours trying to get some duff software to work is a pretty poor show. I would not have bought the tetra if I thought it had really poor software to support it . I am ok now with the Mopho keyboard has a programmer.. It is for me and many others really piss poor software and runs badly. I did point out that in the review by sonic state . Not the most stable of editors is a diplomatic term he uses. I would say it is rubbish .

[@phbzrs]

Degenerative1 That's a pity. I'm not doubting you and more are having trouble. Just tried to help since I had absolutely no problem with the software. I own a tetra and a mopho. The mopho is very cool but the tetra is vastly superior IMO and it's a shame that apparently so many are having trouble with it since it's such a good synth.

[@ZethKeeper]

I like the sound of that thing, but the usability is just terrible.

[@JonniSD]

hahaha brilliant

[@RedRider7240]

looks cheap