What synth!!!

moe hok

Hey all,

I'm mainly a guitarist but I want to start bringing in synths into the group I currently play with. I play piano so would like something that can double up as being able to give a proper piano sound and also provide really good synths/samples etc. (Think Foster The People/Naked & Famous/Kleerup) I've toyed around with korg and moog before, but I really don't know where to start...any advice?

krd

Are you looking for something to play live - or stuff to work with on a DAW.

Softh syths are really just for pencilling in.

If you're inteading to gig, then a stage piano is a good option.

moe hok

i guess something that could perhaps be used live and for recording...does such a thing exist?

Neurojazz

Tricky one - If you want 'normal' sounds like pianos AND synth/samples - you need to search around for 'workstations' - Theses 'all in one' type keyboards are very expensive if you want quality/gigging use.

The main long term quality makes:-

Yamaha/Roland/Korg - Most of those would have the best range of sounds you'd ever need.

What budget is the next question?

If you can live with carrying around a few separate boxes, you'd find it much cheaper/reliable to get 2 keyboards - one for a 'stage piano' and another keyboard or expansion/rack unit that does your synth sounds.

flyswatter

Neurojazz wrote: »

Tricky one - If you want 'normal' sounds like pianos AND synth/samples - you need to search around for 'workstations' - Theses 'all in one' type keyboards are very expensive if you want quality/gigging use.

The main long term quality makes:-

Yamaha/Roland/Korg - Most of those would have the best range of sounds you'd ever need.

What budget is the next question?

If you can live with carrying around a few separate boxes, you'd find it much cheaper/reliable to get 2 keyboards - one for a 'stage piano' and another keyboard or expansion/rack unit that does your synth sounds.

Nords are another brand you missed there. As popular live as any of those brands. You would see them used all the time at gigs.

krd

flyswatter wrote: »

Nords are another brand you missed there. As popular live as any of those brands. You would see them used all the time at gigs.

The Nord Stages* are beautifully made. The Nord synths, at this stage may be a little overpriced.

A Nord if you can afford it, a Korg if you can't.

Yamaha have a whole new range out - but they seem to differ a lot in quality. I don't know if they're just badging a job lot of Korean electronic keyboard.

Roland's new range is really not that impressive. It seems to be ten year old - or more - stuff, reboxed. The prices are not justified - you'd be better to pick up the old stuff from Ebay.



*a stage piano, for anyone who does not know, is a piano you take on stage. They're different from synths as they're meant to be all round workhorses.

Bluebirdstudios

Hi,
A slightly different take on your question, but I'm always surprised how few gigging keys players use real synths ie - Prophet 5 ,moog voyager etc.. For me it great to see/hear keys players who have developed their own sounds, makes the bands sound palette much more interesting than preset browsers.
Maybe have a look at the Prophet 5 module - real analogue synth great sounding filters tweak as ye go - put the expression back into music!

- Dec.

shed head

Bluebirdstudios wrote: »

Hi,
A slightly different take on your question, but I'm always surprised how few gigging keys players use real synths ie - Prophet 5 ,moog voyager etc.. For me it great to see/hear keys players who have developed their own sounds, makes the bands sound palette much more interesting than preset browsers.
Maybe have a look at the Prophet 5 module - real analogue synth great sounding filters tweak as ye go - put the expression back into music!

- Dec.

there is no Prophet 5 "module". Are you thinking of the Prophet 08? If you do actually mean a prophet 5, extremely hard to come by and are NOT cheap these days!

I find this a strange error on your part, "great sounding filters" have you ever EVEN used either one? i think not

Bluebirdstudios

I find this a strange error on your part, "great sounding filters" have you ever EVEN used either one? i think not[/QUOTE]


Follow this link http://www.bluebirdstudios.ie/equipment.html Read under synths and then stop thinking..

Yep another genius is here to tell us all how to think!
Simple - you obviously don't like them, many do including myself.

shed head

Bluebirdstudios wrote: »

I find this a strange error on your part, "great sounding filters" have you ever EVEN used either one? i think not

Follow this link http://www.bluebirdstudios.ie/equipment.html Read under synths and then stop thinking..

Yep another genius is here to tell us all how to think!
Simple - you obviously don't like them, many do including myself.[/QUOTE]

fair enough mate, but why say a prophet 5? immense difference between the two? yes i had them both, still have the 5, the 08 is not a patch on it, anyway it is the wrong synth for the op, he would be better off with a nord lead or something similar. best of luck

Bluebirdstudios

Yep ur right meant to say prophet 8 in original post, Never heard the prophet 5, might have to look into getting a go on one as i've always thought the 05 sounded great, a step up would be very tasty indeed.

- Dec

Mcjmetroid

I have another question here. I'm also concenred about weight here. I know it's never going to be a light instrument but I would like something I can gig with you, with good weight and 88 keys?

is this not possible?

studiorat

The Nord Stage isn't as heavy as you'd think. It's easily a one man lift. But at about €3,500 they aren't cheap.

I suppose it's down to the OP's budget though.