Which DSI Synth Should I Buy?
It all depends on what you’re looking for in terms of features. The chart below shows how each synth differs.
FEATURE OB-6 PROPHET 12 PROPHET-6 PROPHET ‘08 PRO 2 TETRA MOPHO MOPHO KEYBOARD MOPHO SE MOPHO x4 EVOLVER
Voices 6 12 6 8 mono/4-voice paraphonic 4 1 1 1 4 1
Split/Stack 2-way split/bi-timbral 2-way split/bi-timbral 4-part multitimbral
Oscillators per voice 2 (plus sub osc) 4 (plus sub osc) 2 (plus sub osc) 2 4 (plus sub osc) 2 (plus 2 sub osc per voice) 2 (plus 2 sub osc per voice) 2 (plus 2 sub osc per voice) 2 (plus 2 sub osc per voice) 2 (plus 2 sub osc per voice) 4 (two analog, 2 digital)
Oscillator Type analog VCO digital analog VCO analog DCO digital analog DCO analog DCO analog DCO analog DCO analog DCO 2 analog DCO + 2 digital
Superwaves Yes
Linear FM Synthesis
(DX-style)
Analog Filters state-variable (custom discrete) 1 low-pass (Curtis)
Effects Dual digital effects processor
(Chorus, Flanger, Phaser, Ring Mod,
Delay, Bucket-Brigade Delay, Reverb Hall, Room, Plate, Spring)
Stereo Analog Distortion
Mod Matrix “X-Mod”
2 sources (Filter Env, VCO 2)
5 destinations (Freq 1, Shape 1, PW
1, LPF, HPF)
LFOs 1 global 4 per voice 1 global 4 per voice 4 per voice 4 4 4 4 4 per voice 4
Envelopes 2 4 2 3 5 3 3 3 3 3 3 per voice
Sequencer 64-step, polyphonic 64-step, polyphonic 16 x 4 gated step sequencer 16 steps x 16 tracks or
Arpeggiator Yes Yes, programmable Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
CV In/Out Yes, 4 x 4
Ext Audio Input Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Performance Touch Sliders 2 2
Yes
1 high-pass (custom discrete)
4 Digital Delays
5 Character FX (Girth, Air, Hack,
Decimate, Drive)
Feedback
Stereo Analog Distortion
16 x 2
26 sources
100 destinations
1 low-pass (custom discrete)
1 high-pass (custom discrete)
Dual digital effects processor (Chorus,
Flanger, Phaser, Ring Mod, Delay, Bucket-Brigade Delay, Reverb - Hall, Room,
Plate, Spring) Stereo Analog Distortion
“Poly Mod”
2 sources (Filter Env, Osc 2)
5 destinations (Freq 1, Shape 1, PW 1,
LPF, HPF)
1 low-pass (Curtis)
2- or 4-pole operation
3 Digital Delays
4 x 2
20 sources
43 destinations
1 low-pass (custom discrete)
1 state-variable (custom discrete)
1 BBD emulation
5 Character FX (Girth, Air, Hack,
Decimate, Drive)
Feedback
Stereo Analog Distortion
16 x 2
50 sources
140 destinations
32 steps x 8 tracks
monophonic
1 low-pass (Curtis)
2 or 4-pole operation
3 Digital Delays
4 x 2
20 sources
43 destinations
16 x 4 gated step sequencer 16 x 4 gated step sequencer 16 x 4 gated step sequencer 16 x 4 gated step sequencer 16 x 4 gated step sequencer 16 x 4 gated step sequencer
1 low-pass (Curtis)
2 or 4-pole operation
4 x 2
20 sources
43 destinations
1 low-pass (Curtis)
2 or 4-pole operation
4 x 2
20 sources
43 destinations
1 low-pass (Curtis)
2 or 4-pole operation
4 x 2
20 sources
43 destinations
1 low-pass (Curtis)
2 or 4-pole operation
4 x 2
20 sources
43 destinations
1 low-pass (Curtis)
2 or 4-pole operation
Distortion
Tuned Feedback
Hack (bit crushing)
High-pass lter
4 x 2
24 sources
75 destinations
Desktop version available? Yes Yes desktop only desktop synth Yes (Mopho) Yes (Mopho) desktop only
Polychain Yes, 16 voices max Yes, 16 voices max Yes, 16 voices max Yes, 16 voices max Yes, 16 voices max Yes, 16 voices max Yes, 20 voices max
Keyboard Length 4 octaves, 49 keys 5 octaves, 61 keys 4 octaves, 49 keys 5 octaves, 61 keys 3.5 octaves, 44 keys 5 octaves, 61 keys 2.5 octaves, 32 keys 3.5 octaves, 44 keys 3.5 octaves, 44 keys
USB Yes Yes Yes Ye s Yes Yes Yes Yes
MIDI In, Out, Thru In, Out, Thru In, Out, Thru In, Out, Thru, Poly Chain In, Out, Out 2/Thru In, Out/Thru, Poly Chain In, Out/Thru, Poly Chain In, Ou/ Thru, Poly Chain In, Out/Thru, Poly Chain In, Out/Thru, Poly Chain In, Out/Thru, Poly Chain
Pedal Inputs 1 sustain, 1 volume,
1 LP lter cutoff, 1 seq start/stop
Recommended For: Classic big, punchy, analog
Oberheim sound. Excels at
everything a vintage poly synth
does, but with a broader tonal
palette and greater reliability. Fat
tone, ease of use, built-in effects,
and portability make it a natural
for on stage. Equally well suited
to studio work due to its superb
sound and ability to sit well in a
mix. Sets the standard for modern
analog poly synths.
1 sustain, 2 expression 1 sustain, 1 volume,
A sound designer and performer’s
polyphonic dream synth. Super
versatile, it has the depth of a
modular but is faster and easier to
use. Crystal-clear tone is great for
complex pads, effects, and evolving textures, but handles classic
synth sounds equally well. Nearly
endless sonic possibilities.
1 LP lter cutoff, 1 seq start/stop
Classic big, punchy, analog sound.
Excels at everything a vintage poly
synth does, but with a broader tonal
palette and greater reliability. Fat tone,
ease of use, built-in effects, and portability make it a natural for on stage.
Equally well suited to studio work due
to its superb sound and ability to sit
well in a mix. Sets the standard for
modern analog poly synths.
1 sustain, 1 expression 1 sustain, 1 expression 1 sustain, 1 expression 1 sustain, 1 expression 1 sustain, 1 expression
Classic thick, warm, analog
sound. Great for vintage synth
tones and more through its exible modulation matrix. Two-part
sound stacking and splitting
adds variety and exibility. A
solid analog poly performer in
the studio or on stage.
Like the Prophet 12, a sound
designer’s dream that performs
as either a mono synth or a
4-voice paraphonic synth. It has
the depth of a modular and the
CV connectivity to interface with
one. Sophisticated multitrack
sequencer ties into mod matrix
and adds vast possibilities.
Massive sound is well-suited to
leads, basses, effects, complex
evolving textures, and more.
Nearly endless sonic possibilities.
Like a 4-voice, 4-part multitimbral
Prophet ‘08 with additions such
as 2 sub oscs and a feedback
loop per voice. Same classic
warm, analog sound as Prophet
‘08. Great for vintage synth tones
and more through its exible
modulation matrix. Four-part
multitimbral operation adds great
exibility. A solid analog poly
performer in the studio or on
stage. 4-part multitimbral operation makes it great for sequencing
multiple parts.
All-analog mono synth. Classic
fat sound. Great for vintage synth
tones and more through its exible modulation matrix. Compact
and affordable but has a big,
powerful sound. Maximum bang
for the buck.
All-analog mono synth. Same
sound engine as Mopho but with
a 32-note keyboard. Classic fat
sound. Great for vintage synth
tones and more through its exible modulation matrix. Compact
and affordable but has a big,
powerful sound. Maximum bang
for the buck.
All-analog mono synth. Same
sound engine as Mopho but with
a 44-key keyboard. Classic fat
sound. Great for vintage synth
tones and more through its exible modulation matrix. Compact
and affordable but has a big,
powerful sound. Maximum bang
for the buck.
All-analog, 4-voice poly synth.
Same sound engine as Mopho
and Mopho SE. Classic fat analog
sound. Great for vintage tones
and more. Flexible modulation
matrix. A compact and versatile
performer in the studio or on
stage.
Monstrously powerful analog/digital
hybrid mono synth with true stereo
lters and ampliers. Has both analog
warmth and digital grit. Digital waveshapes from the Prophet VS, distortion,
tuned feedback, and bit crushing can
create edgy, aggresive textures unlike
any other synth. A sound designer’s
dream with a truly massive sound that
can go from smooth to threatening with
the turn of a knob.
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