ssm2044 or cem3378/3379?

[jrp]

Hello,

just wondering, how does the SSM filter differ soundwise from the CEM chip? The CEM has extra building blocks that are useful and i like it´s sound.

Haven´t heard a SSM, but i could imagine they are similar?

[Imp]

I don't know the CEM, but i got Seppoman's  dual SSM  Board in my SID.

Unfortunately it  cuts the bass, as you turn up the resonance.

So I'd rather go the CEM route, next time. Or build something discrete, like a Polivoks clone.

[Altitude]

..

Unfortunately it  cuts the bass, as you turn up the resonance.

..

 

That's why I prefer the CEM part

[jrp]

Thanks for your thoughts! The resonance on the cem works really good, the level stays very solid. Good for the sound but also for a couple of other things.

 

I tried FM and AM (sid output pre VCF applied to the CV ins). Gives you some very interesting sounds, especially with higher resonance settings.

For Highpass operation (LP-dry signal=HP) the small gain variation from increased resonace can be easily compensated with one side of the paning VCA.

 

Relly useful chip, a shame they are dicontinued. Days of the analog dinosours are gone...

 

Rather on the clean side soundwise i would say. Like the big polysynths it was invented for maybe.

 

I think with a selfmade VCF a lot more mojo can be had. Build a moog once and started a steiner. The moog is definitly a beast compared to the cem.

The Polivoks VCF i never build, but i looked at the schematic a couple of times.

You know this page? Good info on the Polivoks. http://modularsynthesis.com/kuzmin/polivoks/polivoks_vcf.htm

[Altitude]

You could always use the Mutable Instruments SMR filter out of the ambika, great sounding LPF and you get a  VCA as well