Analog Oscillator Comparison

It is often stated that all oscillators sound alike, and that it is really difficult to discern one oscillator from another, be them analog or digital. I have received a lot of flack regarding my statement that the triangle wave on the Minimoog is special.
So, as a result, I thought it might be interesting to take three of the most popular analog synthesizers and put their oscillators (and filters) to the test.
And you! Can you tell which is which?
The first part of the video demonstrates the waveforms of each synth without naming them. See if you can guess.
Moog Minimoog
ARP 2600
Korg MS-20

State your findings in the comments!

Category:

Music

Tags:

• analog
• synthesizer
• synth
• oscillator
• moog
• korg
• arp
• 2600
• minimoog
• MS-20
• marc
• doty

[albedoshader]

The problem with your comparison is that the slightly lower tuned samples always belong to the ARP. :)

[AutomaticGainsay]

@albedoshader What? Are you serious? : ) Yeah, when I made this video, I was in a bit of a rush and in my exuberance didn't check the tuning. However, this video isn't really about frequency, it's about timbre. : ) While the tuning is a tipoff if you're trying to guess, it bears little importance in regard to comparing the timbre of the oscillators of the various synths.

[albedoshader]

@AutomaticGainsay: Why is the higher quality video private? I’d really like to watch it.

[AutomaticGainsay]

@albedoshader According to my settings, it isn't! : /

[13elieve]

is the arp just naturally de-tuned or what? the detuning of C lends to an obvious bias...but mainly I was really thinking of getting an ARP before seeing this.

[AutomaticGainsay]

@13elieve No, the ARP had a different tuning because of my haste in making the video!

[georgexkr]

I got them all right!

[ShredMetalRoman]

I prefer the moog for most of them, it seems more full while the de tuned 2600 seems muffled. Korg is full too, I heard a more ring with the plain triangle than moog. great video.

[albedoshader]

@albedoshader: Could you send me a direct link? That would be great. Thank you in advance.

[albedoshader]

@AutomaticGainsay: According to YouTube it is. That’s strange.