Advantages: a very simple, but effective, introduction to synth sounds with no guitar-midi
Disadvantages: large footprint,may not find its place in every bands sound,no true bypass

...I was looking for a product which I could create sounds which most would define as 'out-there', or at least 'classic synth' for use in a jazz fusion band. The mircro synth excels at the latter, with an ability to quickly dail (or maybe slide) in warm monophonic Moog style sounds. you cannot go any further than monophonic however, a restirction which although seems extreme is actually quite managable once accepted. The low-pass has a large sweep, with the start and stop points being given seperate sliders, which allows for down and up envelope sounds. Due to the resonance control and rate controls, sounds can range from subtle to seriously thick sounding classic mono synth leads, even purcussive or pad sounds can be coaxed out of the unit, and thats before you've even really dealt with the 'voice mix' section or attack slider... Read review

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Advantages: Very entertaining, and superbly engineered
Disadvantages: Some of the electronic effects are a little cheesy

..., including “Promenade” from “Pictures at an Exhibition” by Mussorgsky. ~ The Perfect Blend of Synth and Orchestra ~ The tracks on this album are a carefully crafted mix of original compositions (all but one by John himself) and cover versions of music that was fashionable at the time. Keating had drafted in Francis Monkman, the talented Curved Air keyboard player, to program and play the EMS VCS 3 synthesizer, which at the time was a brand new instrument that many musicians were just beginning to come to terms with (Pink Floyd had used it to wonderful effect on “Dark Side of the Moon”, and who could forget Brian Eno in Roxy Music, playing the synth solo in “Virginia Plain”?). The thing that sets this album apart from the crowd is the unique way in which Keating and Monkman have integrated... Read review

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Advantages: alter-ego synth from the masters
Disadvantages: are you kidding

...“Erasure” - Erasure 1995 Love them or loathe them , Erasure have it has to be admitted certainly left there mark on the British pop scene . Never bowing to the fastidious demands of the pop world and its various fads , Erasure have striven to perfect their particular field of speciality - electro-synth pop , along the way leading where others would eventually follow , that of the cover song ( most studio cd albums have included a cover of some sort ) , who will ever forget the Abba-esque EP . 1995 was the year dominated by guitar based based , and Erasure turned in a new direction , this time into the experimental , almost dark , variation of synth music , yet done with the presence of soul and feeling , to what culminated in the eponymously titled “Erasure” Album . ~ The Tracks ~ 1) Intro ; Guess I’m Into Feeling ( 3 mins... Read review

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Advantages: Meoldies
Disadvantages: Bland and twee

...Orchestral Maneouvres In The Dark were one of the pioneering synth based bands who emerged in the wake of new wave in the late 70’s/early 80’s, consisting largely of bassist Andy McCluskey and synth player Paul Humphreys. They managed to come up with a masterpiece album - Architecture and Morality - in 1981, perhaps the most exquisitely lush study in nostalgia ever released by a rock band. The album yielded the atmospheric hits Souvenir, Joan Of Arc and Maid Of orleans (The Waltz Joan Of Arc), singles which made number 3, 4 and 5 respectively in the UK charts. Lyrically, their obsession seemed to be with the past; when on the road, the two had a penchant for visiting museums and castles. For many OMD were too bland, superficial and twee to be taken seriously. They certainly could pen a good tune, but they were just too nice... Read review

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Advantages: Glorious 1980's Synth Balloons.
Disadvantages: The Lifeless Nineties Efforts.

...as appalling as this you tend appreciate artists who have a modicum of talent. The one scene that fascinated me back then (and to a lesser degree now) was the synth pop genre. Its leading lights included the Human League, Ultravox, Depeche Mode, Erasure and in my opinion the pick of the bunch Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark (OMD). Looking back, OMD were about as fashionable as wellies but their music was laced with such a deep sense of melancholy that even today it's hard not be touched. This collection of OMD singles was released in 1998, two years after their last album release 'Universal'. It includes 18 of their singles and for the most part is a joyous reflection of their musical acumen. I am not really one for greatest hits but for a band who invented the word 'singles band', owning the best of OMD would seem more logical than... Read review

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Advantages: Autumnal electropop for rainy afternoons
Disadvantages: Only lasts for one pot of tea!

...... Read review

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Advantages: Will blow you and your sound system away
Disadvantages: Some tracks can be very wierd

...this music from other sources. The vinyls themselves have the track names on them in the same interesting font as the front cover - can be a bit hard to read if you don't quite know what they are, but I think that could be the whole point. The artwork depicts the sound very well - flowing and glitchy at the same time. Track 1: Even Springs Starts with a pleasant vibey sound with an obscured male vocal and a nice delay - this is definitely plaid I'm listening to. Writing this in real time by the way folks. After about 40 seconds a warm and soothing bassline comes in which has that great plaidesque off-beat on-beat timing. Then your hit with the glitchy synths! My headphones love it! The whole audio experience breaks down into a well choreographed mish mash of sounds and finally breaks into the main tune which would suit... Read review

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