#41

I have now confirmed that the Mel9 is pretty cool with the Lyra, but it is too delicate to accept more than two or three very simple voices. Even then there is a tendency for weird dynamics when releasing keys, causing the Mel9 output to get louder briefly rather than quieter. Some of the Mel9 modes sound pretty nice when layered with the Lyra voices, though, and as anticipated it works very well with my looper for laying down a simple vocal background drone.

Overall I would say the pairing gets a 6/10 compatibility rating. You should only get a Mel9 for your Lyra if you are comfortable not being able to play the Lyra like a Lyra. It cannot turn your Lyra into a Mellotron sampler, but it works well enough for my purposes!

Next test: Mel9 + Kalimba :slight_smile:

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#42

For my own purposes, I was thinking Mel9 + Reface CS. But I’m first going to give Panharmonium + Reface CS a chance :grin:

#43

I am releasing my debut album, “a better place”, today. I mention it here as potentially of interest to those on this thread: the Lyra 8 was the only instrument used in the making of this album, generally each song was multi-tracked in four or more passes into my Tascam DP24SD, which I also used for mixing. In terms of effects I was mainly using tremolo (Rowin Trelicopter guitar pedal) and reverb (Boss RV-500), with a bit of compression in the Tascam. I also used the Ditto X2 on a couple of tracks. The album was mastered by Nathan Moody at ObsidianSound.

It was challenging but also a great pleasure to use the Lyra so exclusively in this way. Most of the time it really felt like a partnership between me and this wonderful instrument. Other times she took the lead and I had to follow as best I could.

The album is available to stream and download at bandcamp (j bowman).

A promo video featuring the first song from the album, “the castle”, is here:

Thanks for listening.

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Latest tracks + videos (archive)
#44

Sounds beautiful! I miss having a Lyra-8. Might have to get another one someday.

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#45

Another mega fan of the Lyra-8 here and an album I released last year made solely on the Lyra-8 apart from some additional reverb/delay. Eagerly anticipating the Pulsar-23 too!

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#46

Thank you - I can see how you would miss it if you let it go! The sound and experience of playing it definitely gets under your skin.

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#47

Thanks EBCIDIC - your wonderful Lyra album was definitely a huge inspiration! You showed it could be done, maybe you were the first!

J

2 Likes
#48

Thanks for the kind words!

#49

Does anyone know whether the soft case fits the Lyra-8 with a decksaver on? Trying to determine the best method for traveling without fudging the knobs.

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#50

Yes it does. [source: I have both]

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#51

Proof :smile:

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#52

I found a good deal on an Elektron Analog Heat so will shortly be using it together with my Lyra. If anyone has any experience of how they play together or any hints and tips I would love to hear!

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#53

Someone posted a link to this video on MW, I think Vlad pretty much nails what is special and unique about the Lyra here:

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#54

So good! Thanks for that.

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#55

Loopop (I haven’t seen it yet but he’s usually very good) has just posted his Lyra8 explained video:

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#56

Thanks for the heads up! I really enjoy his videos and been waiting for this.

#57

Your videos were a big inspiration for me to get a Lyra again. Been having a blast running through a volume pedal and Pigtronix Infinity!

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#58

Good review (as usual with Loopop) and a fair summary of this machine.

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#59

Thanks I’m glad! Back in the game :wink:

#60

I had a livestream on Tuesday and my whole studio was down. So I did a Lyra-8 solo (lyra-exclusive: no other processing or overdubs). It went to lots of fun places: I really feel like I can make this synth do what I want it to do.
Lots of big tonal changes on tap :smiley:

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