Dave Smith Instruments Mopho synth VST editor overview

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Hey what’s good fam, just wanted to follow up my DSI Mopho review with a look at the editor I had mentioned.

One of the main reasons I don’t particularly use the editor is because it the mopho doesn’t have a usb connection so it requires a different setup for me to connect the midi in/out to my computer and still be able to play it from my keys. I prefer to be able to play it directly as I usually just sample/play all my hardware in real time into Maschine or Ableton or whatever software I’m using.

However I did want to show what it looks like and the version I use.

I use the PlugSE version from soundtower though I’ve bought it as well as the mopho editor from rekon audio.  I prefer the soundtower plugin version over the rekon audio vst because of the visual graphs for the filter and envelope settings. I also prefer the PlugSE version over the standalone soundtower version as in my experience it is a little more “refined” design wise as well as it seems to be more reliable for me in terms of bi-directional communication between the mopho and my computer.

One thing I will say about editors, thought I do love tweaking stuff from hardware units I also love having an editor available, when it works properly it’s quite a useful feature. I’m definitely a “hybrid” type of person in that I like the best features and functionality of hardware and software. So I can get the sound, character, and fun factor of hardware with the deep editing and control, as well as big screen that software provides.

I honstly feel all synths these days should come with a usb port for basic software connectivity, I don’t need them to be vst editors personally, I just love having the ability to dig into a synth on my big monitor and going back and forth between that and hands on control is really cool.

Things like programming arps and sequencers, modulations, etc, really become fast when using an editor.

Anyway, this editor isn’t free, I paid $59.99 for it and the standalone “Pro” editor in a package. Though I use this one pretty much exclusively.

You can get it from soundtower: http://www.soundtower.com/mopho/index.htm

Let me know your thoughts on hardware synths and workstations coming with their own software editors

18 Comments

  1. SJ: This is a nice vst. I do think it may take some tweaking for someone new to get things just right. I do like it…Thanks for bringing this one to us.

    Reply
  2. Hey saintjoe, thanks for this review. I just got my mopho and i love it, but i had a quick question about the editor i thought u might be able to help me with. Im thinking about buying the plug in version from soundtower. I just downloaded the demo of it, and ive tried out the standalone LE as well. I can get it to work so that when i change a parameter in the editor it changes the parameter in the hardware with no problem. But whatever i do, if i tweak a knob on the mopho the parameter change doesnt register in the editor. I saw you had no problem doing this in your review. Ive tried various midi setups so im not sure how to fix it. i would really appreciate and pointers or midi setup advice you have concerning how you got that to work. Thanks!

    Reply
  3. James Elijah Vialpando · Edit

    Hey cool review! I like that mopho! I have a question about your studio setup. How much RAM does your pc have? and what type of studio monitors do you use! Im looking to upgrade and thought Id ask ya

    PS: Love Your Reviews! Only Site I trust!

    Reply
    • Indeed, I forgot about that one! I have it too. I’m no longer using the editors these days, just recording audio live and controlling from my keyboard. I’m looking to upgrade to the Tetra and then I’ll probably use an editor for that since it’s got a usb connection and I don’t have to give up my midi input/output.

      But yes, the MKDR.net editor is nice as well. I thought this one had a bit more polish graphically.

      Reply

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