Review: MoPho Analog Synthesizer by Dave Smith Instruments

[@Shaded07]

Thanks for the pros and cons... It's good to know that unbiased folks are still out there and not afraid to show buyers remorse.. Not saying you are feeling that way... Before I buy, I research, and try to find as many reviews as possible. You Tube is a great place to review stuff... Cus ordinary people like me... are on here expressing themselves.. usually in the state of the products conclusion. Once again, thank you..

[@GospelMusicians]

Thanks, thanks so much for being honest. Many reviewers rank every single thing super high, so you never get a chance to hear an honest review with the good and the bad.

[@txdap]

I enjoyed your sense of humor along with the review.

[@bypolarbares]

Regarding your minus point about the input gain knob not having a big enough sweet spot for fb, there is an internal parameter linked to this knob which will effect it's range/sensitivity and adjusting it accordingly will create a larger sweet spot on the knob.

[@klepetar]

it's always more interesting when the guy can play.. more informative and gives the video a better credit.. good work..thanks

[@jjustian]

The filter is analog (Curtis), and the oscillators are DCO.

[@TiltingAtCthulhu]

Thanks for the spot-on review. The Mopho has been my live Lead/Bass for about 1,5 years because I don't want a PC that might crash on stage if I don't need it, and for that purpose it's a most perfect synth. It's a great buy. I agree with all your + and - about the Mopho, from my experiences I could add that the Pots are a bit flimsy and not firmly attached (lost my cutoff pot several times on stage :-/ ) and that sometimes the synth crashes (no audio output until you re-plug the DC). Cheers, M

[@farquoi]

these videos are so well done.. it's too bad you haven't continue producing more

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

yea I wish Dave Smith had kept these in production they look awesome and portable value.

[@eFFeeMMe]

I wish I could uprate this more. This is a PERFECT review.

[@Jauly]

the novation k-station keyboard. best sound for the price, and best overview and parameter control of a synth on a keyboard. cheers

[@FreeThink1984]

really wish 3:50 was the video's thumbnail, highlights it perfectly. excellent review, thanks

[@deathlove13]

@jpmartineau Though the Mopho Keyboard does have a Tap tempo feature

[@monkeyxx]

you are the 60 Minutes of KZbin gear reviewers :-) I like the journalistic style

[@donaldfreeman3433]

Wicked piece of kit

[@TheodoreChell]

Saw - Triangle - Saw/Triangle - Pulse wave are the "sounds". And with that you can do a lot of sounds. And "a lot of " is an understatement.

[@javiceres]

If feedback doesn´t have sweet spot may be the trick is playing with OSCs levels as well.

[@f1flick]

Excellent video. Have had one for years and still am too lazy to figure it out though. Give me a panel of knobs!

[@braxted18]

Have you tried the keyboard version and if so do you think editing is easier?

[@gitarreundeffekte]

Mopho definately sounds good, I have one, but the handling is... you can use a mopho editing-software. that helps.

[@elfwing5400]

Fantastic atmosphere. Liked.

[@TheLazerTank]

My GC once had a Little Phatty, their first, and last analogue. It didn't last long before it was gone. I asked an employee, he said it was broken. I believe they dont know what monophonic is.

[@drtritri]

We want more! We want more! We want more!

[@nax247]

Thank you! I hope my music store carries it and btw whats cheers?

[@nax247]

Oh thanks Jauly but what would you recomend for a first synth?

[@julianmartin1142]

Do you share your Mopho presets somewhere over the web ? Or are they just factory presets or just maybe "fast" programed stuff for this review ? Anyway, very good sounds !

[@benskia]

Hey. Sulu off of Star Trek. Thanks for the voice over! Great Review.

[@Chasehead]

Woah at 2:53 was that the bassline that plays at the end of the Bauhaus song "She's in Parties"? You'd be the raddest if it was.

[@SernoMusic]

intro was genius

[@Digiphex]

So if I play one note at a time with the MoPho, and one note at a time with the Prophet, there is no advantage with the Prophet, such as several oscillators playing at one time?

[@g00thier]

Finally a review where some pushes it!!!!

[@RoyalBlue43]

Haha that last melody is "Kalliope", one of the stock presets, but you made it sound waay cooler.

[@scruz4774]

Great Review, thanks.

[@orioneriksen]

How would this work for dirty house basses? they are showing off the arpegiator a little to much I feel.

[@alexcoxcox87]

Can anyone recommend something as small and compact as the Mopho, but where I have more real time control of the actual hardware unit itself instead of having to program a sound from scratch within the software editor? Thanks

[@insidesynthesis]

@pogohead - I don't think you followed the conversation correctly, or saw the video, as I do pronounce it correctly. "The guy" you're referring to is the one who apparently doesn't know the correct pronunciation.

[@CaptainErn]

can this do vintage atari type stuff and ufo sace music? not sure if that's clear enough...

[@mack_solo]

3:54 - sssso TRUE :D (and this is 13 years later! )😄

[@nax247]

What is the name of the accual keboard in this video i wanna get my first synth and that looks like what I want.

[@Jauly]

its a nord modular g2 keyboad. the best virtual analog synthesizer built to date, regarding soundquality (very warm... better sounding than any other nord or virus) and complexity (full modular). but as a first synth, I would definitely not recommend it.

[@SRDhain]

na, his hands must be full with the roger linn collaboration. I did email him last year saying that the mopho would be great in a evolver keyboard style package..maybe hes changed his mind and is doing that.

[@moogus8000]

good review man, thanks.

[@glassmuxxic]

C'mon mogue, let your body go with the flow. Hey hey hey.

[@isham16]

@ShaneYnclan I don't work a GC (and there are none in my country) BUT I laughed also ;-) very good review !!! even I placed an order on a Tetra which is 4 mopho as far a I understood. Don't understand why people are still not convinced this mopho/Tetra sounds better than best softwares (I have some I use with pleasure...

[@vasupanicker]

nice review post more.

[@mikenagol69]

This is a pretty old review. My question is, is this synth relevant now? I'm in the process of rebuilding my hardware gear because I sold it all in favor of soft synths/DAW type recording and jamming. But I'm burned out on the computer and want to get back to my roots of using a hardware sequencer. I just picked up the new Korg Electribe 2 and was thinking this synth would make a great addition, considering the sound and price tag. Is there a better alternative? The Moog SlimPhatty or maybe the Novation Bass Station?

[@KitsuneCentral]

Just get the Mopho. It's very much still relevant and kicks the pants of most DAW's in terms of quality in audio. As well as there are not many other synths out there that compare to the DSI Mopho. It's cheap, sounds great, and can be completly configured using it's front panel and LCD. The only thing not availible on the Mopho without a PC is the sequencer, but you can just take another synth and use it's MIDI out and plug it into the MIDI in on the Mopho to get a sequencer for it and the other synth simultaneously. If you have cash to shell out, try the Tetra instead. It's 4 Mophos in one and gives amazing audio and features for it's price.

[@KILLAGORILLA7000]

KitsuneCentral Take a look at the Mopho Keyboard, gives you full hands on control of all parameters and you can buy a Tetra later on to expand to 5 voice polyphony! If not, Basstation 2 is the best mono for the buck with the Little / Slim Phatty worth streching a bit further for if you are after that Moog sound!

[@michaelbauers8800]

+mikenagol69 Buy one soon, they are out or going out of production

[@KILLAGORILLA7000]

The Bass Station 2 and Slim Phatty and better monosynths and have great control from the front panel, but the Mopho can be chained with a Tetr4 for 5 voice polyphony! Little desktop Prophet!

[@sukkyatlife]

what are u playing at 2:53 ? it sounds familiar but i cant put my finger on it

[@pixusbubblejet]

Hopefully the new Mopho Keyboard and its controllers will eliminate the need for having to use a computer editor. I prefer hardware only..

[@RobbyJHope]

It can't be that hard to patch a keyboard through it, can it?

[@ArtFluids]

I have the same black shirt with white pinstripes.

[@valueape888]

Ha! I was just in GC lookign around and they had a Moog something but it wasn't plugged in. Kid working there walked by and I asked if he'd plug it in for me so i could hear it. He declined.

[@murph9935]

Can't forget the Moog Minitaur either.

[@gvp999999]

What's analog about this synth? Even their website only mentions the VCA is analog. What about the oscillators, and the filter?

[@Zemael]

I must say I never liked this kind of sound. But one day I found a Mopho Keyboard very cheap here in Brazil. ... Diferent animal, specially if you run it through a valve amp. Now I want a Tetra or another mopho module.

[@insidesynthesis]

@pogohead - What? You just said "he pronounced it right" and then you tell me to look it up on Wiki. I AM THE PERSON IN THE VIDEO.

[@unoaotroa]

What Nord are you using?

[@ddoksurl]

dat intro

[@MicroTones]

It's a Nord, not sure about the model (google Nord).

[@Senj1n]

@haikousei mopho for sure

[@kidchameleon7945]

What decade did the designers think it was? This looks like it came from 1996.

[@georgetempest2469]

I would say it's Lego design like the ridiculous Nord keyboard in 'revolting red' :oD Without trying to sound nasty here, this setup looks like the typical toys for children with learning difficulties - colours attract... But then again, don't all the so called 'boutique style' guitar effects pedals look like this now?I personally prefer vintage style, maybe spray this yellow blob in satin black and stick some wooden ends on it - massive improvement with Moog Slim Phatty looks ;o)

[@orbitalchiller]

What is wrong with colors ? Why everything has to be black or grey, like cars in a rainy town ? I have an Orange guitar amp and it pops among all the blackish gear in the rehearsal room...

[@TooSlowTube]

Yep. What does it matter what colour it is? It would be easy enough to repaint it too. Plus, you don't even really need to look at it at all. All editing can be done from a PC. Mine usually has a duster over it - in matching yellow :) Other colours of duster are available.

[@Allenbass7]

4:44

[@noemarphil1]

Hear Mopho on the three first tracks! kzbin.info/www/bejne/rXyoipWQnNVpgMU

[@ramonkey2939]

Shit you will grow old waiting for guitar center to sell you anything in pro audio

[@insidesynthesis]

I don't know - what is a "mini moguh lol"? I know what a Minimoog is, and how it's pronounced.

[@Cactuken]

whats a mini moguh lol

[@dannymontreal6316]

Anyone else noting a tinny key press noise when you hear the FAT bass. Wtf is that. I have a mopho. It’s great, but that is noticeably distracting.

[@KiR_3d]

UI is a complete shame :( It's Dave Smith! Not some "Quirly Knao" (sorry I can't invent any "non-offensive" name) for 100$ that you'll be happy to present to your little naphew... It looks cheap (moronish "push-it" design), it costs too much for it's possibilities! For this price (a little bit more) I can buy a superb monophonic "Polyvox-2" by our soviet engineers :) Re-created and inserted in a pretty compact box. It gives way more than this machine!

[@LDGextra]

lol, Guitar Center sucks pretty bad lol.