polarbear
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A special synth to buy
So I'm a software guy all around... I've never been interested in playing with hardware synthesizers... I respect them, I think they look cool, I love the music that's been made with them... But for me, I've never known what I would do with one that I can't do with software (with a big stressing on the word "I" because I know other people could get all kinds of crazy stuff out of them, but I don't know about me specifically).
So with that said, if I wanted to spend a little money and add ONE to my studio to sit next to my MIDI controller that I normally use with 100% software... What would be one that would be not crazy expensive, but special and something that's going to be well... DIFFERENT from what I can already do with all the software I have?
Just something I've been thinking about...
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synkrotron
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Re: A special synth to buy
2016/09/20 16:51:01
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polarbear
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Re: A special synth to buy
2016/09/20 17:09:17
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Honestly at this point it's just thinking out loud but lets say staying under $1000 for sure... Preferably lower than that.
http://www.bydavidrosen.com http://www.imdb.me/davidrosenWinner of Best Song of 2007 at Acidplanet.com! PC Audio Labs Rokbox OB1 - Gigabyte X99-UD4-CF - Intel Core i7 5820K @ 3.30GHz - 32GB RAM - ATI Radeon HD 7700 - Windows 7 Pro Sonar Platinum - Komplete 9 Ultimate - Spectrasonics Omnisphere - reFX Nexus2 - And the list goes on... RME BabyFace Pro - M-Audio Keystation 88es
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Jeff Evans
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Re: A special synth to buy
2016/09/20 18:14:19
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I have got a few hardware synths actually and yes there are some that no software can emulate well. One is the Kawai K5000W and the other a Roland JD800.
But for me right now the ultimate machine is the new Dave Smith OB6 which is a combination Oberheim and Prophet instrument. OMG! Out of your price range though but maybe keep an open mind about the new Behringer Deep Mind 12. I think you will find it will be well priced and sound pretty decent too.
One thing to keep in mind. If you are going to invest make sure it has a lot of control over its parameters. eg many sliders and knobs such as the Roland JD800. The Kawai is not good in this area, it just has a sound like no other. Being able to make sounds from scratch or edit them on the fly while playing is really something else.
Another idea is a second hand Supernova II. Although it is a modeling device it sounds amazing and very nice to use.
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Cactus Music
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Re: A special synth to buy
2016/09/20 19:11:47
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If I had the money I'd buy a Roland http://www.musiciansfriend.com/synthesizers/roland-vr-09-v-combo-organ?src=3soswxxa Second hand I'd go looking for the VK-7 . I use a lot of Hammond sounds on my tracks so it would be cool to have one just to inspire.. I already have an old Korg Poly 8000 which is fun to mess around with if I need a big fat synth sound. Got it for $50. It makes a cool controller but it takes up too much room on my desk.
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Mosvalve
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Re: A special synth to buy
2016/09/20 20:47:24
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I have a Roland Juno 106 that my keyboard player gave me back in the 80's. The last time I fired it up was in 2000. It worked fine as far as I can tell because I don't know how to use it. Lol. I never learned how to use it. I don't like musical instruments going to waste sitting in a closet. I found a Youtube video of a guy demonstrating it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0xOcfzrMG0
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xiwix
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Re: A special synth to buy
2016/09/21 13:55:42
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I would suggest a used Moog Phatty.
#1 reason - it's a Moog
#2 it is simple and fun to play and sounds fantastic
and it isn't so shabby of a midi controller itself
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polarbear
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Re: A special synth to buy
2016/09/21 14:48:59
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I've had a few people suggest that Behringer DeepMind 12 and it definitely looks awesome. I have plenty of reading up and Youtube videos to watch on all these different models, but thanks for all the suggestions. Definitely helps with narrowing down a little bit :-)
http://www.bydavidrosen.com http://www.imdb.me/davidrosenWinner of Best Song of 2007 at Acidplanet.com! PC Audio Labs Rokbox OB1 - Gigabyte X99-UD4-CF - Intel Core i7 5820K @ 3.30GHz - 32GB RAM - ATI Radeon HD 7700 - Windows 7 Pro Sonar Platinum - Komplete 9 Ultimate - Spectrasonics Omnisphere - reFX Nexus2 - And the list goes on... RME BabyFace Pro - M-Audio Keystation 88es
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Shambler
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Re: A special synth to buy
2016/09/21 14:55:42
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I think you have to be looking at the opposite end of the scale, go analogue and see if the grass is greener. I've been thinking about getting a monophonic bass synth myself...not sure which to go for.
post edited by Shambler - 2016/09/21 15:18:05
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Rob[at]Sound-Rehab
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Re: A special synth to buy
2016/09/21 14:57:39
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anything with 42 in the name ;-)
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Fleer
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Re: A special synth to buy
2016/09/23 11:20:53
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"We're just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl" (Wish You Were Here)
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tlw
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Re: A special synth to buy
2016/09/24 10:58:05
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I'd suggest an analogue monosynth, preferably with plenty of knobs and sliders. Software synths and digital hardware synths are both programs running on computers, so unless the hardware has a distinctive sound unique to that manufacturer (e.g. Waldorf) might well not be that different in sound quality.
As for which synth, any Moog, the MS20-mini or Korg ARP reissue, Waldorf Pulse 2 (uses a control matrix but it's a good and easy to understand one), Arturia Mini or MicroBrute or something like a Doepfer Dark Energy/Dark Time combination. Or even take a look at the Korg Volca range. They're cheap and not exactly the highest quality components, but the bass and drums ones in particular sound pretty good.
I also suggest looking for a synth that has MIDI ability for at least note pitch for convenience, but functions as a voltage controlled synth. Voltage control makes smooth pitch and filter sweeps possible without the stepping effect MIDI often causes.
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abacab
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Re: A special synth to buy
2016/09/24 13:23:13
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DAW: CbB; Sonar Platinum, and others ...
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pwalpwal
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Re: A special synth to buy
2016/09/24 13:30:20
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polarbear not crazy expensive, but special
good luck with that!
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