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Conference napalm::commusic_v1

Title:* * Computer Music, MIDI, and Related Topics * *
Notice:Conference has been write-locked. Use new version.
Moderator:DYPSS1::SCHAFER
Created:Thu Feb 20 1986
Last Modified:Mon Aug 29 1994
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:2852
Total number of notes:33157

699.0. "Effects - Roland DEP5 vs. Yamaha SPX90" by PILOU::MULELID (Madman across the water.) Sat Feb 21 1987 12:58

    I have now come to a stage where I want to add more effects
    to the synths I have. The two units I am thinking of is the
    Yamaha SPX90 and Roland DEP-5. It seems like the SPX90 is the
    most common used by the readers of this notes file, but I 
    wonder if anybody have some input on which is best of the two.
    
    So far I have found some differences that makes me think that 
    the DEP-5 is "better" than the SPX90, but I'm open for inputs.
    
    In France the DEP-5 can be bought for 1000,- FF less than the
    SPX90 so that is really one thing I consider as important.
    Also the DEP can use three effects at the same time, while the
    SPX is limmited to one. The DEP have two inputs and two outputs
    while the SPX have only one input and two outputs. Going on the
    SPX seems to have a max delay of 500ms versus DEP 2000ms, and
    the DEP have real controls on the front while the SPX only have
    the arrow keys to select params and change values.
    
    Then on to MIDI connection and use. How usefull is this feature,
    do anybody really use it? I have not found any indication that
    the SPX can be programmed via MIDI while the DEP can via system
    exclusives.
    
    So there I am thinking that DEP is the best choise but as I said
    I would like some advise on which of the features to consider as
    important.
    
    Svein
    
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699.1The DEP-5 was our choiceNEWVAX::BOWLESFELECIASat Feb 21 1987 17:4616
    My husband says that the DEP-5 for what it can produce and the
    versatility of it producing more than one function at a time is
    a better value.  Both units are equally clean in sound, but you 
    have more control with the DEP-5.  For price, the prices were 
    comparable here, but the DEP-5 was chosen for us for the reasons 
    mentioned above.
    
    Though the SPX90 is easier to set up, (not saying that the DEP-5 
    is difficult) with patience, the DEP-5 can deliver some surprising
    effects.             
    
    Good luck on your choice.
    
    Felecia                  
       
    
699.2DEP-5 ? My choice too !SHIRE::BOULMIERMon Feb 23 1987 05:5515
    I bought the DEP-5 too, I usually use it during disco party, I'm
    a dj. The only thing against the DEP-5 is it hasn't any mic-amplifiers
    in input, so, if you want to use it with a mike, you have to add
    an amplifier for your mike.
    I believe that the DEP was designed for instruments or mixing console,
    but try it with your voice, it's amazing !
    I believe the DEP is better than the SPX on stage, it's really easy
    to control the DEP with seven potentiometers on the front panel.
    For midi controlling, you can recall any program from the memory,
    and you can adjust any parameters.
    
    This is the right choice !
    
    Patrick
    
699.3just the specs, m'amGNERIC::ROSSwockin' juanMon Feb 23 1987 16:5411
    
    Live .NE. Studio
    
    What is the bandwidth of the effects on each.
    
    The SPX is 15khz max I believe. For effect other than
    reverb, this could be better....
    
    DEP?
    
    
699.4My preference...COROT::CERTOTue Feb 24 1987 20:5233
    
    I compared the two units (and others) quite a bit before buying.
    The SPX90 was consistantly the prefered unit for *my needs*.
    
    I normally would prefer constantly variable knobs to buttons, however
    that utility on the DEP-5 was outweighed by the fact that you have
    to remember what each knob does (since it changes per patch) and
    whether its active.  I think they had a good idea for a user interface,
    but its not quite there yet:
                              
    The SPX90's display shows the name of the patch, and parameters,
    values, etc; easy.  The DEP-5, correct me if I'm wrong, shows numbers 
    that have to be looked up to see the various meanings, and tiny 
    rectangles that light up in a non-intuitive way: get out the manual. 
                                                     
    The dep-5 claims to have muliple effects at once, but if you look 
    closely, you will see that the SPX90 provides a lot more versatility
    in that respect.  LaSalle's said that people had returned dep-5's
    siting false claims.
    
    Also, and for me this is the kicker, the SPX90 provides *lots* of
    effects that the dep5 doesn't have, things I appreciate in my 
    home studio: Reverb, Delay, Chorus, Gated Reverb, Flange, Phase,
    Chorus, Pitch Change and Harmonizing, Panning, Noise Gate, 
    Compressor, Parametric EQ, and *more*.  Also, the parameters multiply
    the functionality.
    
    So for me, the SPX-90 is the better deal.
    I might mention that the Roland SRV-2000 has a good sound (and a 
    large following in this notes file) so you might consider it too,
    if you're still contemplating the dep-5.
                                      
    Fredric
699.5Tech for DEP-5SHIRE::BOULMIERWed Feb 25 1987 07:3633
    answer to 699.3
    
    frequency response (direct): 10Hz - 100KHz +0/-3 dB
                       (effect): 30Hz -  13KHz +0/-3 dB
    
    total harmonic distortion: 0,008% (direct)
                               0,03 % (effect)
    
    Dynamic: 105 Db (direct)
              95 dB (effect)
    
    delay time: 0 - 2000ms
    
    signal/noise: 95 dB (direct)
                  80 dB (effect)
    
    equaliser: Low: 100 Hz +/- 12 dB
    
               mid: 300 Hz - 12 Khz
                    +/- 12 dB
                    Q: 0.2 - 9.0
    
              high: 10 kHz +/- 12 dB
    
    more ? just send a memo to SIRE::BOULMIER
    
    Round here, DEP-5 is still the best at the price/performance point
    of view !
    
    Waiting for the next generation of Korg-Yamaha .
    
    Patrick
    
699.6Think it will be a DEP-5.PILOU::MULELIDStill crazy after all these years.Wed Mar 11 1987 11:3216
    Thanks to all for the replies to my question. I think its a difficult
    choise, but I think I still will go for the DEP-5. Main reason is
    the price difference here in France. SPX90 is $1076 and DEP-5 is
    $920, leaving a difference of $156. If the prices was the same I
    might have gone for the SPX. The only effect I have not found in
    the SPX that the DEP do not have is the freez (sampling) but I dont
    think I would be using that anyway. 
    
    I'm off to Paris today so maybe I'll come back with the DEP-5 under
    the arm. I also saw that there is a DEP-3 out but dont know the
    difference versus the DEP-5.
    
    Thanks again.
    
    Svein.
    
699.7MINDER::KENTWed Mar 11 1987 11:4614
    
    Svein
    
    Have you thought about the possibility of buying your unit export
    through the U.K. My manager is coming to PARIS in the next few weeks
    by car. You could buy it over here free of V.A.T. which would make
    the price about 490 pounds (SPX 90). You could then pick it up from
    him in PARIS. We have dome something similar for Zayed in Geneva
    and he found that there was a considerable cost saving.
    
    					PAUL.F
    
    
    
699.8Thanks, but too late.PILOU::MULELIDStill crazy after all these years.Wed Mar 25 1987 05:319
    Hi Paul.
    
    Thanks a lot for the offer. However I had already bought the DEP-5
    before I got back home and read your note. It was a difficult choise
    but I think the DEP-5 will do most of the effect I excpect it to
    do. 
    
    Svein.
    
699.9Woo WOOMINDER::KENTWed Mar 25 1987 06:395
    
    
    Looking forward to the review !
    
    				Paul
699.10Scrounger on the loose...WEFXEM::COTEThe fool screams no more...Tue Mar 28 1989 20:436
    I just scored a DEP-5 (even trade for an MVII).
    
    Anyone got any good programs to share?
    
    
    Edd
699.11LCD Leaves Cote DeadDCSVAX::COTEA friendly stranger in a black sedanSat Apr 28 1990 13:4120
    Any power supply gurus out there?
    
    The LCD display on my DEP-5 has gone intermittant. Off more than on.
    The sound circuitry works fine.
    
    Being the natural inquisitive type (read: I'll try anything to avoid 
    paying for repairs), I opened it up. There are some voltage TPs for
    +5, +15, -15 and +30. They read fine execpt for +30, which read ~3.0
    when I first tested it (suspected a typo or a misplaced decimal!) but
    dropped steadily while testing it. It eventually went as low as .09.
    
    I shutthe unit down for awhile, and tested again. This time the voltage
    at the +30 TP rose from ~.11 to .20 then dropped steadily.
    
    Question: Would an LCD display run off a 30v supply? If so, any ideas
    what the problem might be?
    
    Thanks,
    
    Edd
699.12I'm so damned clever at times....;^)DCSVAX::COTETo play, turn bottom up...Mon Oct 01 1990 15:278
    Fixed it...
    
    Spent yesterday trouble-shooting. Finally found a broken etch on the 
    PCB, hiding under a 50V capacitor.
    
    A big blob of solder on the PCB is providing a temporary fix...
    
    Edd
699.13Nice goingRANGER::EIRIKURMon Oct 01 1990 17:024
    Score one for the hardware hackers.  Quiet applause.
    
    	Eirikur