Recommend me a synth please?

Zangetsu

Story all, I'm in the market for a new synth, got about 500 give or take to get one. Was hoping someone could point me in the right direction.

So far I've played:

MicroKorg/MicroKorg XL: Keys are feckin tiny, bit of hassle getting used to the size but I'm sure its something I could get used to. It has a lot of nice sounds and from my brief time with them I can see that the patches are quite easy to mess around with.

Korg MicroX: Amazing sounds, absolutely love it, the display let its down hugely and the patches aren't as easy to edit. Love full sized keys though...

Korg R3: Full sized keys again! Only watched demo's but looks like exactly what I'd go for, only problem is I can't try before I buy... Worth it?

Notice I've only played the Korgs, they seem to be the only ones in my price range, can anyone recommend any other brands that might be good?

Cheers

hubiedubie

The following are all desktops so you would need to buy a midi keyboard to connect to it:


1. Waldorf Blofeld: Virtual Analog, Wavetable, Sample manipulation(with addon).
http://www.thomann.de/ie/waldorf_blofeld.htm: : €399

2. Dave Smith Instruments: Mopho - monophonic real analog synth: €333
http://www.thomann.de/ie/dave_smith_instruments_mopho.htm

3. Dave Smith Instruments Tetra: Four voice version of the Mopho €699
http://www.thomann.de/ie/dave_smith_instruments_tetra.htm

Quiggers

i own a blofeld and have tried a mopho, both are great, the mopho can only play one sound at a time while the blofeld can play 16
but the mopho has a fuller analogue sound while the blofeld aims to be
a big sounding digital synth, and it his the mark too.
I've a few vids on youtube about it
http://www.youtube.com/user/Quiggers1981

there is a keyboard version available too.

but you seem to be aiming for keyboards, are you looking for a way to gig with synth sounds or are you looking to create your own music?
Or are you expanding on your setup?

Zangetsu

Quiggers wrote: »

i own a blofeld and have tried a mopho, both are great, the mopho can only play one sound at a time while the blofeld can play 16
but the mopho has a fuller analogue sound while the blofeld aims to be
a big sounding digital synth, and it his the mark too.
I've a few vids on youtube about it
http://www.youtube.com/user/Quiggers1981

there is a keyboard version available too.

but you seem to be aiming for keyboards, are you looking for a way to gig with synth sounds or are you looking to create your own music?
Or are you expanding on your setup?

Should have specified... I'll be using it live so a keyboard synth is what I'm aiming for! I'm an absolute beginner to synths but generally pick this sort of stuff quite quickly!

Quiggers

these might be worth a look

http://www.adverts.ie/showproduct.php?product=139631&cat=16
http://www.adverts.ie/showproduct.php?product=140404&cat=16

the juno d would have been one of my first suggestions, or the R3

maybe have a look on e-bay for a second hand korg ms2000
or a novation k-station, both are very hands on.
http://musical-instruments.shop.ebay.ie/Synthesisers-Sound-Modules-/38071/i.html?_trkparms=65%253A10%257C66%253A2%257C39%253A1&_catref=1&_dmpt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Pro_Audio_Synthesisers_CV&_sc=1&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_sop=1&_sc=1
there's a k-station up for grabs from someone in dublin on there.

also pop into xstore near the red cow round about in dublin, they have a decent selection of synths in their high tech department, up stairs.

but you will want full size keys, easy to edit sounds and the ablity to store your custom sounds on it. Happy hunting!

empirix

mate get the dave smith Tetra, only new out, its an extra €200 but a 4 voice polyphonic for €700 - super value,i was in the market for the poly evolver but i am more than likely going for this one now myself! the korgs you mentioned are rubbish!

Jay P

How's about a Roland SH-101? It's the old model of the 201, which is not very good, or so I've heard.... You can find them on ebay.

empirix

Jay P wrote: »

How's about a Roland SH-101? It's the old model of the 201, which is not very good, or so I've heard.... You can find them on ebay.

yes and now way over priced - its overrated, the tetra would blow this away, admittidely it does have a nice sound but youll get no new sound from it!

Neurojazz

Roland JP8000 - does an awful lot for the money (5-600 second hand)

If can do all the old classic roland synths and lots of knobs to play around with.

Sounds lovely and warm also and is polyphonic.