DPO vs Spectraphon

So how do these two compare? Let's have a friendly 'competition' where both win, a bit of drama and some cool patch examples that show the major differences.
A short observation reveals a similar layout of two VCO's and an FM-bus in the center. But Spectraphon's deck-knobs are used for adjusting the bands in a parametric EQ, while DPO's knobs are used to design and sculpt waveforms. Spectraphon uses statistic models of captured sounds, DPO makes original complex sounds that just can't be captured in a spectrum array - and it offers a mighty wavefolder. So DPO is a fruit, and Spectraphon is a fruit processor that makes/blends juice.
It takes a lot of space to use both in a single case so you may need to make a choice. Using an XPO next to the SP brings you closer to the DPO and you can make a lot of new sounds, but again, the DPO's internal routings make all the difference.
There are four challenges in this video: the 'drone', 'sweet dreams', 'processing audio' and 'bad dreams'. Both modules meet at neutral ground, and can use the same configuration of Marbles, Ripples, Stages, Veils and Clouds. It's been a bit like playing chess against myself so there's no winner. In the 'drone' challenge they were limited to their own rows, the other challenges allowed using everything, including each other. These two rows make up really cool starterkits too.
00:00 Introduction
02:04 Challenge 1: The Drone
06:06 Challenge 2: Sweet Dreams
09:49 Challenge 3: Processing Audio
12:01 Challenge 4: Bad Dreams
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/ @cinematiclaboratory

[@CinematicLaboratory]

I had to reupload because I completely forgot the 'processing audio' part. To avoid the video for becoming too long I cut all the excess footage and made some room for the missing part.

[@chrissherman01]

Wow, the DPO chimes in challenge 2... always good to have a reminder that I haven't even scratched the surface yet in exploring sounds. Well done, sir.

[@blush_response]

your videos are super inspiring. thank you

[@faruambient]

great video! I love the DPO so much, its insane how many different kind of sounds I get out of there.

[@DukeOfPrune]

Another great demo, thanks!

[@robbrobb5543]

Need a round 2 now our Spectraphons are rocking new firmware and the noise is beyond shapeable.

[@CinematicLaboratory]

You're totally right. The odds have turned completely. Definitely going to dedicate a video on the noise/chaos firmware this January.

[@robbrobb5543]

@@CinematicLaboratory 💯 Hells Yeah. I sadly sold my DPO, but it was only because I tried Brenso and that wave shaper is insanity and the FM has a timbre that's either a chefs kiss 🤌 or the bane of the uninitiated 👿.

[@mntbighker]

The Octagon All is fair in love and war Looking forward to a less than 2 hour Arbhar video ;-)

[@jbc1951]

"To modules enter" -> "Two modules enter"

[@CinematicLaboratory]

I can't believe I overlooked that a 1000 times...

[@mastermachetier5594]

I have a tiptop buchla 258t and can’t decide between the two of these for something new 😊

[@user-ng9uc3vu3k]

Well sir, .. this video being quite timely for me (AKA, a modular babe in the woods) & your mention of the "80/20 rule" .. I was just recently feeding Mordax Data's waves out to Rings, and so on .. & ooo, there's more to experience, in just doing this .. let alone, something such as what you've demonstrated. Thanks, much .. :)

[@Nanotopia]

love the DPO AND the Spectraphon. Do you share your patch ideas anywhere (Patreon?)

[@information-source]

13:00 So good to see Clouds' pitch-shifting and lower quality modes get a shout out! I've been playing with Monsoon doing exactly that for a while and it is a beautiful nightmare on tap. And what are low sample rates if not a nice cheap digital LPF...?

[@Probbie]

Both brilliant of course. I have neither.. 😮

[@ModLifeCrisis]

I love the sound of the DPO, chewy and meaty. I’m struggling a bit with the Spectraphon - there’s something about it that reminds me of a dentist’s drill.

[@TerekkiTerekki]

DPO vs SP - only have funds for one - I'm leaning towards the DPO

[@Kenwaldek]

The shared system needs a bigger case

[@sonicspecter]

Think it is fair to do DPO + ModDemix vs Spectraphon: Same amount of HP and cheaper. Also there is a reason why both are in the Shared System…

[@GeorgeLocke]

I'm not sure I can watch this because I'm afraid it will be silly.

[@GeorgeLocke]

TBH I'm more afraid it won't be silly. The world needs more goof.

[@CinematicLaboratory]

@@GeorgeLocke I actually added a new title confirming that it's a silly compare, and honoring to your previous comment :).

[@GeorgeLocke]

@@CinematicLaboratory my life is a sea of confusion from which I will never emerge

[@andrewclevine]

Noticed two errors right at the start: The Make Noise Spectrafon captures (up to) 1.024 samples for each one of up to 16 spectra, but the sound generation uses a DAC to construct a continuous analog output. And of course all possible waveforms can be constructed using only sine waves. Duh 😝

[@andrewclevine]

After just receiving a comment (and yes, I did RTFM ;-) here are some additions: Spectrafon does not care if the source is polyphonic. No mention in the manual, but I assume the analog waveform, be it mono- or polyphonic is sampled as it enters the ADC for further digital processing down the line. #1 Spectrafon samples the audio stream up to 1024 times generating a set of spectra. This takes about one second if not clocked externally. But the playback of audio happens at the sample rate of the DAC, which is up to 192khz. And in the process it of course generates an analog waveform that is continuous-within the restraints of Shannon’s sampling theorem. #2 According to Fourier all waveforms can be decomposed into (a possibly huge) number of sine waves of varying frequency and amplitude.