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This is the greatest synthesizer I ever had, in terms of both sound quality and timbral possibilities. I have owned it for 3 months already, so the first thrill passed, and I try to be reviewing it coolheadedly.
First of all, presets are good, but sounds you can make are better for your particular piece than presets. It requires thorough learning to edit it, but one you are acquainted with it, it becomes easy. Learning basics of what are audio spectra, formants and how FM works helps dramatically. Do not think of "waveforms", square, saw or triangle waves - think of spectra, and you'll easily learn to build that sound which sounds in your head.
Second of all, the manual is not that bad as it is often told of. I wrote a software program to control the synth, so I think I understand all the parameters, and the only thing I cound not understand from the manual is what do negative feedback levels mean in the effect blocks (i.e, in a regular "echo" effect, 0 stands for no feedback, and both 63 and -63 provide 0db feedback level with infinite echo repetitions, but I could not hear a difference in sonic quality, and there is no answer in the manual). The manual is concise, but complete.
Third of all, to edit the parameters you will need a software. Panel editing is not easy, and is just impossible for some parameters, such as delay time which changes from 0 to 1365 in 0.1 increments - press "+" button 2000 times to change it from 300 to 500, or hold it for 20 minutes. Sounddiver is said to support this synth, although it never worked for me. As I said, I wrote an editor for it, and if there is an interest in it, I'll spend some time to package it for distribution - please email me at kkm001@msn.com if interested.
Fourth of all, 4 programmable knobs on the front panel are wonderful. They can control virtually any internal parameter through correct programming. The knobs transmit MIDI controller change data, and the controller number for each is assignable. This means that the knobs can be used to control any external piece of MIDI hardware - good reason not to spend $200 on an external knob board like phatboy!
Fifth of all, it has only 4 voices and one effect block, so prepare to record tracks in audio. This was a problem for me initially, but after I get used to it, it appeared not to be discomfortable at all. As an advice on my part, store SysEX dumps of each setup for each separate track, *including* presets - this way you'll just send the setup in a couple clicks from the software into the synth, instead of poking into the front panel. I wrote Cakewalk DRMs for the FS1R, email me at kkm001@msn.com, and I'll send them to you.
Sixth of all, the instrument is in tune, both in terms of frequnecy (so an octave *is* an octave), and stability over time (does not "drift"). There is a master tuning parameter, but I have it set at exactly 0 - my specimen appeared to be in tune with other boxes in my setup.
I would highly recommend this synth, even that it is hard to get in the USA now.
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