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AbrahamSapien View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Topic: looking for a simple synth
    Posted: November 26 2011 at 02:18
Ok, so I got this Korg Prophecy thing, but figured out very soon that I won't be able to use it, because I've got absolutely NO idea about most of the stuff in the manual.
Do you think that buying a cheap simple solo synth would be helpful to understand the concept (i mean something without a display and a 1000 menues, but if possible something with knobs and keys???)? Any suggestions for something simple anyway please?
Thank you.Smile
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Slartibartfast View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 26 2011 at 10:01
I have a feeling that unless you like yours with built in speakers you are out of luck.  I used to have a Poly 61.  I've had a Kawai K1 for many years now and it's still a hard instrument to get into.


Edited by Slartibartfast - November 26 2011 at 10:04
Released date are often when it it impacted you but recorded dates are when it really happened...

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AbrahamSapien View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 26 2011 at 15:09
Don't quite get your point, sorry ...Smile
Let's just say that I'm looking for a (cheap) simple thing without a display, with knobs and buttons (i guess the word is analogue ...?).Wink
Hope I didn't say anything stupid ....
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 26 2011 at 15:18
^as far as I'm concerned, analogue usually means expensive, but I may be totally wrong.

What exactly are you looking for? What do you plan to do with it?
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 26 2011 at 18:38
Originally posted by AbrahamSapien AbrahamSapien wrote:

Don't quite get your point, sorry ...Smile
Let's just say that I'm looking for a (cheap) simple thing without a display, with knobs and buttons (i guess the word is analogue ...?).Wink
Hope I didn't say anything stupid ....

That's OK, I was just saying that what you seek probably doesn't exist.  If you can't be with the one you love, love the one you're with.  You just have to train yourself to communicate with it in a way where you can make it produce the best sound it is capable of.
Released date are often when it it impacted you but recorded dates are when it really happened...

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 09 2011 at 17:20
If you want analog, think about Dave Smith Instruments Mohpo. That's about the cheapest analog monosynth that's worth. Dunno how easy it is to program. You should probably learn how to program the Prophesy. It has a good reputation. Otherwise, I would maybe suggest looking into the Novation Xiosynth or a Korg microKorg. They're digital and all that, but they can be a lot of fun.

If you don't want a display and just want a bunch of knobs, check out the Doepfer Dark Energy.
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQFTR91o9qE&feature=related You will need a MIDI/CV controller of some sort.

Also,



Edited by stonebeard - December 09 2011 at 17:25
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 10 2011 at 06:02
Well, Korg Monotron is very very easy to learn.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 12 2011 at 04:15
I think you've made your first mistake by directly bying an expensive hardware synth.
I suggest you get yourself a simple, free and ergonomic VST synth.

http://www.kvraudio.com/get/4126.html
http://www.kvraudio.com/get/1464.html

Once you've learned how synthesis works, you can choose a HW synth (if you want to) according to the sounds they produce and the features you will have mastered.

Fabfilter Timeless has one of the most easy-to-use interfaces but expensive and complex...

Good luck!

@TremoloDental: the Monotoron may be too simple to actually understand synthesis : ) more of a toy to play with.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 20 2013 at 06:56
Originally posted by AbrahamSapien AbrahamSapien wrote:

Ok, so I got this Korg Prophecy thing, but figured out very soon that I won't be able to use it, because I've got absolutely NO idea about most of the stuff in the manual.
Do you think that buying a cheap simple solo synth would be helpful to understand the concept (i mean something without a display and a 1000 menues, but if possible something with knobs and keys???)? Any suggestions for something simple anyway please?
Thank you.Smile


Not sure if you are still looking for a simple synth... but if you are then I strongly recommend the VERMONA MONO LANCET. It's not too expensive, it sounds great, it's easy to use and it's well made.


Edited by King Only - May 20 2013 at 06:57
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Gerinski View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 20 2013 at 07:42
I'm not a synth player but I guess that what you want is what used to be called 'a presets synth', like the ARP Pro-Soloist or the Korg PE-1000 / 2000 were in its time. A synth in which different solo (or not just solo if polyphonic) sounds are already preset for you without having to build them from scratch, and yet with a few knobs to edit and play with some of their parameters.
However I have no idea which modern synth fits that description Embarrassed
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Dean View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 20 2013 at 09:20
Wow. There is some serious Lazarus Effect happening here. LOL
What?
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 20 2013 at 12:07
Oeps, you're right, I didn't even care to check the date of the OP LOL
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 20 2013 at 12:16
Still, even if Mr AbrahamSapien isn't looking for a Synth that Vermona Mono Lancet looks fun, but a little expensive for what it is (and it looks "homemade" in a bad way).
 
vermona, hdb mono lancet synth


Edited by Dean - May 20 2013 at 12:17
What?
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progbethyname View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 20 2013 at 12:57
^ I'd buy that for a Dollar.
Gimmie my headphones now!!! 🎧🤣
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Dean View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 20 2013 at 13:43
Probably, but would you drop another 618 dollars on top of that solitary one to own one?
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King Only View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 20 2013 at 14:08
VERMONA's gear is quality. Try to find a shop that stocks their gear and try it for yourself. Really nice analog sounds.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 20 2013 at 17:56
I bought a Vermona Mono Lancet 2 months ago, because I found it the best sounding analog synth available. To me it seems warmer and more organic sounding than the current offerings from Moog - they have what I would describe as a 'sheen' to their sound, they are a bit more clinical.
It's all subjective, of course, but you can't argue with the beautiful build quality of the Lancet.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 29 2013 at 06:24
How about an ipad with Korg IMS20, Sunrizer, Nave, Thor, or Arturia iMini synth apps, then add an Alesis IO dock and MIDI controller keyboard. 

You can learn the basics of synthesis plus have all of these cheaper than buying a hardware synth. 
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moshkito View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 29 2013 at 11:37
Originally posted by The Quiet One The Quiet One wrote:

^as far as I'm concerned, analogue usually means expensive, but I may be totally wrong.

What exactly are you looking for? What do you plan to do with it?
 
Nowadays, only if you want some Dave Smith creation ... but even Casio just had one for 499 and a slight variation for 599.
 
I'm wanting one, but with the software these days getting so much better ... compare the Jupiter 8v software with the real thing, or the Prophet 5 software with the real thing ... I question why would you want a hard piece of equipment, when a computer will likely help you longer and further into your music adventure.
 
But I'm not a 100% musician, so don't take my words that seriously!


Edited by moshkito - September 29 2013 at 11:38
Music is not just for listening ... it is for LIVING ... you got to feel it to know what's it about! Not being told!
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 29 2013 at 13:14
Ermm Not sure which Casio you are referring to, perhaps you could be a lot more specific? Also, software synths, however well modelled, will always be digital, and since Mr Abraham found the real Korg Prophecy over-complicated, any software version will be equally as complex.
 
 
HOWEVER. Since Mr Abraham asked his question TWO YEARS AGO, it think it is safe to assume the question is not the burning issue it once was.
What?
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