Thanks for the detailed response, Dewster! I checked out the recordings you linked—very helpful to hear the before-and-after of both the Aetherwellen mod and the YAEWSBM v2. It’s interesting how these mods impact the tone, especially with that "meowing" effect you mentioned. I agree that this might come down to personal taste, but I can see why some might prefer the raw, stock sound.
For me, the idea of improving linearity is tempting, especially since my current pitch field feels a bit inconsistent in the far range. I’d probably prioritize that over any tonal changes, even if it meant losing some of the original bass timbre. You’re right, though—having a reversible option like the Aetherwellen mod makes it less of a commitment compared to the semi-permanent changes with the ESPE01 or YAEWSBM.
Out of curiosity, do you think there’s a "sweet spot" for balancing linearity improvements without overly compromising the timbre? Or is it pretty much a trade-off no matter what?
Thanks again for the insights and for sharing your thoughts on these mods!
Oh and TIL you developed the D-Lev synth that I hear about so often! Wowzers