Topic: What sort of synthesizer should KvP purchase? (Read 7059 times)

KvP · « **on:** 14 Apr 2009, 21:47 »

Help me decide you fucking lovely people.

sean · « **Reply #1 on:** 14 Apr 2009, 21:48 »

psh

get a rhodes dude.

Johnny C · « **Reply #2 on:** 14 Apr 2009, 21:56 »

What's your budget?

KvP · « **Reply #3 on:** 14 Apr 2009, 21:59 »

It could depend on how many hours I get over the Summer. I have Chicagocon budgeted so at this exact moment I could probably go... $500 or $600?

There look to be some nice cheap Kaossilators around as well. I could get that and another cheap synth (possibly a portable pad or keyboard for travel) for kicks.

KickThatBathProf · « **Reply #4 on:** 14 Apr 2009, 22:05 »

Quote from: Objects inside Clouds on 14 Apr 2009, 21:48

get a rhodes dude.

and then give it to me

McTaggart · « **Reply #5 on:** 14 Apr 2009, 22:20 »

Voted analogue because I'm a dick.

What have you already got? What do you think you need most?

KvP · « **Reply #6 on:** 14 Apr 2009, 22:38 »

What I've got now is just an M-Audio Axiom 25, a fairly solid (if cheap) MIDI controller. 25 keys, 8 or so pads, knobs and wheels and all sorts of stuff. With that and my copy of Reason I can make competent bedroom music.

I don't know what I need, exactly. I'm still a novice with this stuff. I have no background in piano or keyboards. Basically what I do is fuck around with drum loops and sequencers (which come most naturally to me) and then hammer out remedial keyboard lines on top of those. That they're filtered through a program means that I need very little in the way of keyboard prowess to make sounds I like. I can stop the feed and go back and adjust with my mouse.

So I'm pretty wary about making the step to analog. It seems above my pay grade, honestly. The Rhodes sounds cool but the cheapest minimum bid on Ebay is around $600 and that seems like a big investment that might not pay off.

Basically I want 2 things out of my synth:
1. I want to have fun with it.
2. I want it to work with what I've got relatively easily.

If 1 is fulfilled then 2 is not terribly important. If I love the thing enough I will come up with a way to incorporate it into Reason somehow.

Johnny C · « **Reply #7 on:** 14 Apr 2009, 22:45 »

If you're going to stick with digital, weighted keys are hugely important cause otherwise you'll just wind up with really samey sounding stuff OR you'll have to edit dynamics separately and that's a huge pain in the ass.

KvP · « **Reply #8 on:** 14 Apr 2009, 22:54 »

True. Haven't run into any non-weighted keys with MIDI Controllers yet. Do any of the synths listed have that problem?

For reference to people who might not know synths:
- ]Microkorg, a synth / vocoder. Pretty cool looking, sounds like a blast to use.
- Drum pads
- Pattern Sequencers like this one
etc.

Johnny C · « **Reply #9 on:** 14 Apr 2009, 23:13 »

MicroKorg doesn't, I'm pretty sure.

Johnny C · « **Reply #10 on:** 14 Apr 2009, 23:16 »

I asked another forum and this is what I got:

Quote

well if he wants to do live sound programming in real time he should get an akai ax-60, which usually isn't more than 300. most midi'd up shit doesnt go for anything since it doesn't have knobs which is why most people buy an analog. otherwise if he just wants that sound or whatever (and every synth has a different sound character) he should check out the roland alpha juno series or the korg poly-800 (or a poly-61m if he can find one). the prophet 600 goes for around that price point and i have one and it sounds beautiful but the knobs are technically digital so it's not fluid like the ax-60 (which is total analog), so the knobs change the sounds in steps although its still real time.

also the pg programmers for the alpha junos don't change anything in real time at all in case he goes that route hoping itll work like a proper analog. that said the digitally controlled ones usually have a good sysex implimentation and the neither the prophet nor ax has shit in terms of that.

also theres the j3-xp and j8-xp which are both good and probably better/more analog sounding than the alpha junos. if he just wants a module he should look into the mks series. all the akai ax series are good too.

Cire27 · « **Reply #11 on:** 14 Apr 2009, 23:46 »

Man I am having so much with that pattern sequencer.

KvP · « **Reply #12 on:** 14 Apr 2009, 23:53 »

Thanks Johnny. Looked up the Poly 800 and it looks fairly reasonable. Nothing on ax-60s but there are other, more current MIDI keyboards. There's a Prophet 600 on ebay for $700 that's really really knackered (broken LED display, missing knobs, scratches, all that) but that adds character I suppose. I would probably push it from "knackered" to "busted" at some point.

Here's a way pricey Roland Juno G. Or this thing looks kind of cool! or do I want a module or arrrgh I just have no idea what I'm doing right now. This was much simpler when I just had the one that looked cool!

McTaggart · « **Reply #13 on:** 15 Apr 2009, 00:04 »

That pattern sequencer is great; it's made me dig out electroplankton again.

ViolentDove · « **Reply #14 on:** 15 Apr 2009, 02:46 »

You could go to a music store and spend a whole day playing with stuff, unless you're looking at something vintage. That's what I usually do.

ViolentDove · « **Reply #15 on:** 15 Apr 2009, 02:51 »

Also my friend says many good things about the Virus line of synths, but I'm not sure specifically which model he has (maybe the Virus C?). He's a pretty serious dnb/dubstep producer, and seems to like it for that kinda stuff.

Liz · « **Reply #16 on:** 15 Apr 2009, 06:11 »

Chicagocon, dude. I will be pretty broke so you can use it to buy things for me!

David_Dovey · « **Reply #17 on:** 15 Apr 2009, 06:17 »

badass MicroKorg or a Juno-D, yo.

EDIT: aw hell yeah there's a new edition of the Juno-D with organ samples by Jon Lord from Deep Purple (and hella 80's retro patches)

october1983 · « **Reply #18 on:** 15 Apr 2009, 06:19 »

Build one of these motherfuckers. I have slowly been putting mine together over the last year or so, finishing it is pretty much top of my list of things to do once I've finished uni. Second on the list is fucking around with it until it breaks.

Also, don't confuse weighted keys with touch sensitive ones. Weighted is when they try to make it feel like you're playing a proper piano, touch sensitive is one that sends velocity information and so on based on how hard to hit shit.

MrBlu · « **Reply #19 on:** 15 Apr 2009, 06:48 »

Would this be a good time to advertise they keyboard I want to (may be) sell(ing)?

glyphic · « **Reply #20 on:** 15 Apr 2009, 07:57 »

I've got a Microkorg and I sometimes plug headphones into it and just press keys and twist knobs for hours. Using it as a controller works really well, too. Plus, you can get the sound bank editor and change the synths on-the-fly. Plus, every effing band has one now. Hell, Liars' self-titled was pretty much nothing but the Microkorg.

Spluff · « **Reply #21 on:** 15 Apr 2009, 08:00 »

Quote from: october1983 on 15 Apr 2009, 06:19

Also, don't confuse weighted keys with touch sensitive ones. Weighted is when they try to make it feel like you're playing a proper piano, touch sensitive is one that sends velocity information and so on based on how hard to hit shit.

I'm hardly a keyboard/synth expert, but I prefer un-weighted keys. They allow you to play faster and easier - I suppose I like not having to apply much pressure, as that transfers nicely from playing guitar.

Sir Tacopuss · « **Reply #22 on:** 15 Apr 2009, 08:38 »

Maybe you should explain to us what you want to use the synth for so we can evaluate what's..... OH FUCK IT, buy that goddamn MicroKORG already!! (sorry bout that, I've been wanting to buy that sucker for quite some time now but never got around to it...)

Melodic · « **Reply #23 on:** 15 Apr 2009, 08:40 »

No contest. Listen to Emilio.

Slick · « **Reply #24 on:** 15 Apr 2009, 09:34 »

This just in: forum of indie-hipsters prefer microKorg!

(I nearly bought one but realized my tax return was not going to be large enough)

october1983 · « **Reply #25 on:** 15 Apr 2009, 11:46 »

Quote from: Spluff on 15 Apr 2009, 08:00

I'm hardly a keyboard/synth expert, but I prefer un-weighted keys. They allow you to play faster and easier - I suppose I like not having to apply much pressure, as that transfers nicely from playing guitar.

Yeah, I definitely agree. Touch sensitive is kind of essential, but properly weighted keys are basically only a good idea for electric pianos, where the idea is recreating the sound and feel of a real piano.

Shit I want a Micokorg. Get the damn Microkorg.

KvP · « **Reply #26 on:** 15 Apr 2009, 12:29 »

I think I'm getting a Microkorg. I'll use the remaining funds for either Chi-town spending cash or a Kaossilator.

Dazed · « **Reply #27 on:** 15 Apr 2009, 12:38 »

No no no, you should listen to this guy and

Quote from: Objects inside Clouds on 14 Apr 2009, 21:48

get a rhodes

because they are fantastic.

pwhodges · « **Reply #28 on:** 15 Apr 2009, 12:43 »

Quote from: october1983 on 15 Apr 2009, 11:46

properly weighted keys are basically only a good idea for electric pianos, where the idea is recreating the sound and feel of a real piano.

If you're using velocity, it's much harder to control without weighting - that's the point, not that it's like a piano (and anyway most aren't, really).

Paul

IronOxide · « **Reply #29 on:** 15 Apr 2009, 17:00 »

Yeah, the pianos in my school's tech lab have velocity without weighting, and that is an ungodly mess. You pretty much ending up having to pound on everything to get some semblance of a uniform volume, because playing dynamics on them is hopeless.

Johnny C · « **Reply #30 on:** 15 Apr 2009, 17:02 »

And you can get way more interesting sounds playing with weighted keys!

Don't get a Microkorg. Everyone has them and they're not that versatile. Get something cool instead!

sean · « **Reply #31 on:** 15 Apr 2009, 17:09 »

Quote from: Johnny C on 15 Apr 2009, 17:02

Get something cool instead!

Quote from: Objects inside Clouds on 14 Apr 2009, 21:48

get a rhodes dude.

seriously like save up those paychecks rhodes are worth it.

KvP · « **Reply #32 on:** 15 Apr 2009, 17:17 »

Quote from: Johnny C on 15 Apr 2009, 17:02

Don't get a Microkorg. Everyone has them and they're not that versatile. Get something cool instead!

Gaah but it has a vocoder! A VOCODER FUCK

you guys are making this so hard!

Scandanavian War Machine · « **Reply #33 on:** 15 Apr 2009, 17:18 »

i vote for the vocoder one, but i might be biased because i have infinite boners for Black Moth Super Rainbow.

sean · « **Reply #34 on:** 15 Apr 2009, 17:33 »

oh god it has a vocoder?

oh shit this might actually change my opinion...

Trollstormur · « **Reply #35 on:** 15 Apr 2009, 18:45 »

hey kvp ifyp

Spluff · « **Reply #36 on:** 15 Apr 2009, 18:56 »

What about a MS2000? It's a little bit more expensive, but it is much more tweakable and it has a proper keyboard.

KvP · « **Reply #37 on:** 15 Apr 2009, 19:36 »

Quote from: Trollstormur on 15 Apr 2009, 18:45

hey kvp ifyp

>:[ I don't have the funds for a whole bag of dicks.

Anyway the way it's looking right now I'm pretty sure I'm going to get the Kaossilator because it looks like the sort of thing I'd fancy in any event. That leaves me with roughly $450 left. A Microkorg costs about $330. a MIDI-capable analog would also be nice.

öde · « **Reply #38 on:** 15 Apr 2009, 19:53 »

I'm pretty certain one of the guys in the Hawkwind tribute band I saw had a kaossilator. It was vital for the "hot shit I'm stoned" experience.

David_Dovey · « **Reply #39 on:** 16 Apr 2009, 06:01 »

Quote from: Johnny C on 15 Apr 2009, 17:02

Get something cool instead!

Juuuuuno-D

KvP · « **Reply #40 on:** 16 Apr 2009, 09:29 »

Okay, so I could really put a dent in my wallet with a Juno-D and a Kaossilator. Right now it's down to Microkorg+Kaossilator ($450) or the Juno-D+Kaossilator ($550)

Verdict?

mberan42 · « **Reply #41 on:** 16 Apr 2009, 10:05 »

Peeeteerrr... PETER FRAAAMPTOONNN! Come with me if you want to liiiiiive!

...and bring that thing that goes "waaaa. Wa wa wa wa waaaaa!"

E. Spaceman · « **Reply #42 on:** 16 Apr 2009, 17:58 »

that is a guitar, matt

ViolentDove · « **Reply #43 on:** 16 Apr 2009, 18:10 »

Microkorg seems better for making silly electronic music. Juno-D looks more suitable for a serious keys player.

KvP · « **Reply #44 on:** 16 Apr 2009, 19:20 »

Plus I could be hardcore like this guy

ALSO

I just found out that there's a new line of Microkorgs released just this year. A few hundred more than the standard, but perhaps worth it anyway?

ViolentDove · « **Reply #45 on:** 16 Apr 2009, 19:40 »

Goddamn thread. Now I want a microkorg.

Melodic · « **Reply #46 on:** 17 Apr 2009, 10:58 »

I've got a DS-10 and think it is alright. Lacks all of the fun of a regular synth, but it's cheap.

Patrick · « **Reply #47 on:** 17 Apr 2009, 13:03 »

I don't know how else to put this

BUY A FUCKING MOOG

KvP · « **Reply #48 on:** 17 Apr 2009, 13:32 »

Guys I already explained, I'm on a budget here. A classic synth will cost me thousands of dollars. I don't have thousands of dollars. I have $450, tops, and that's if I make sacrifices elsewhere.

mberan42 · « **Reply #49 on:** 17 Apr 2009, 13:54 »

Quote from: E. Spaceman on 16 Apr 2009, 17:58

that is a guitar, matt

Hey man, I gave my opinion on what he should buy.

THESE FORUMS NOW CLOSED (read only)

Poll

John's tax rebate came in and he wants to use it. What sort of synth should he get?

Author Topic: What sort of synthesizer should KvP purchase? (Read 7059 times)