StarskyCarr’s Synth Smackdown: Take 5 vs TEO 5

Kicking things off, StarskyCarr takes us down memory lane to his stint at the Superbooth in Berlin, a must-hit for synth heads. Picture this: a forest filled with fellow knob-tweakers and gear enthusiasts chatting up all things synth. Starsky not only mingled but pinpointed nearly every piece of gear he owns, from the Prophet 8 to the Supernova. Fast forward, and voilà! Sequential hands him not one, but two juicy synths for a test drive—the Sequential Take 5 and Oberheim TEO 5. It’s like Christmas for the synth aficionado. Starsky’s got us hooked right from the get-go with his casual, engaging storytelling and a promise of insights on these intriguing desktop units.

Welcome to synth desk heaven, folks, where smaller doesn’t mean sacrificing quality. Starsky swings open the gate to discuss the aesthetics and build of both the Take 5 and the TEO 5, declaring them as rock-solid as a jazz drummer keeping time. Both units shine as desktop warriors, fitting like a glove in tight studio setups. No need to worry about milquetoast keyboards; Starsky’s checked all the nooks and crannies, including robust metal shafts on those pots and pro-level power connectors. He appreciates how they don’t seem compact or constrained—rather, they roll in as full-fledged polysynths that keep your creativity blazing. With top-notch build quality and accessibility all around, these synths scream professionalism, minus the baggage of size.

Dive into the heart of these machines, and you might find twins with some twists. Starsky dishes out the specs of the Take 5 and TEO 5, pointing out their five-voice polyphonic prowess, dual oscillators, and abundance of effects. He lays out their skeletal similarities, yet it’s their vital differences that give them unique flavor. They both come decked with analog filters and the same envelope designs, inspired by legendary synths like the Prophet 5. But hey, it’s in those nitty-gritty sections—oscillators, mix, and filters—where they carve out distinct personalities. If you’ve ever wanted a polysynth with street cred that doesn’t bloat, these synths could be what your studio dreams are made of.

Let the oscillator games begin! Starsky pulls apart the technical nuances of each synth’s oscillators, showing how the same chip can yield strikingly different sound designs. It’s a sonic tug-of-war, with the Take 5 manipulating wave shapes like a DJ spinning turntables—seamlessly transitioning from sign to pulse. Meanwhile, the TEO 5 offers a buffet of wave combinations, laying down the law with Oberheim’s signature sound. Got a keen ear for FM and sync? Starsky walks us through the unique implementations on both synths. It’s clear that the Take 5 and TEO 5 take two very different paths to sound glory, proving that sometimes the journey is just as sweet as the destination. Starsky’s love for synth discovery takes center stage here, drawing us into the details with his relatable approach.

Filter fanatics, rejoice! Starsky unleashes the full spectrum of what these synths can do, cranking up the resonance and letting the filters sing. Each synth has its own mojo; the Take 5 brings the gritty, raw energy, delivering a profit-style punch that gets under your skin. The TEO 5, on the other hand, floats smooth like jazz, with a state-variable SCM filter that dances between harmonics. Starsky highlights the Take 5’s overdrive power, a feature that kicks the synth into overdrive for that extra edge. Meanwhile, the TEO 5 offers filter bypass options, making your sound palette as expansive as the Chicago skyline. Whether it’s about punching through a mix or sitting back with lush pads, Starsky’s insights shed light on where each synth truly shines.

Starsky wraps up with a look under the hood at modulation possibilities, diving right into FM realms. The TEO 5’s through-zero FM stands out—a blessing for those who crave complex modulations without the headaches of pitch drift. Starsky cleverly contrasts this with the Take 5’s approach, flirting with classic vibes reminiscent of a minimoog’s mod madness. Digging into menus for hidden treasures, Starsky reveals both synths pack plenty of modulation punch; it’s just a matter of which interface feels more intuitive in your jam session. His exploration reminds us that it’s not just about the tool, but how you wield it—proof that with these desktops, you’re not just playing a synth, you’re committing to a symphony.