Synthesizers anyone?

I wish I could buy a new Synth but the economy has squashed that dream.   So I was inventive.  i have a 15 year old Digital Piano.  It has like 5 sounds.  I connected it to my laptop and run it through Mixcraft.  I set up a Virtual instrument and effects and from there I connected it to an amp for better control on the final output.  I even have bend control and modulation control.  It may not be a new synth but I can do everything they can do.

Philamelian wrote: Don't underestimate softwares guys. There are really powerful softsynths, i think it's just a matter of choice. There are also hundreds of really useful free softsynths and a lot of cheap ones.

"Massive" is a good example (50% off right now!! along with many other NI products, veeery limited offer (in time))
http://www.native-instruments.com/#/en/products/producer/massive/

I was going to go the soft synth + controller way, butI realized getting just a controller and relying on a computer is kind of dumb starting out. I want to be able to jam and perform live, and since Macs are horrible I won't be getting one and I'm only getting a desktop now. Anyway, I've had my eye on the Korg MS200, but sadly I want rich pads (ambiance, etc), and 4-voice polyphony is a no-no. Also, the bargains for that seem to be in rack mounts, something I'm not going to get into now. Similar models like the Alesis Ion I couldn't find anywhere, and I let a JP-8000 go on ebay because $450 is just a bit much for me now.

In the end, if all goes right I have one of these lines up: http://www.vintagesynth.com/ensoniq/ens_esq1.php. Sure, I'm not finding it for a extreme bargain, but $245 is all right for me. I think I'll be getting an effects processor too. I've heard good things about the Lexicon LXP15, but are there any good modern ones going for under $200 that can compare?

jammun wrote: Here's what you need if you want to really have fun: http://www.activebass.com/news/item.asp?i=332   It is a blast to play with.  You get to be virtual Emerson.  You get to move the virtual patch chords.  You get to wonder, why is there no sound?  Yes I've got a patch chord into the VCO, yes I've got a patch chord into the VCF.  Wait, sheet I forgot the VCA!  Ahh, blessed sound.    It ain't cheap ($250?) but it sure is fun, and you will learn synthesis probably in ways that you never imagined.   And you can try to get that kinda whistle-y Moog sound on From The Beginning.   Obviously, requires a midi-capable keyboard, unless you like playing keyboard with a mouse.

This thing can produce the best sound I've ever encountered on a softsynth. Too bad it's the most unstable softsynth ever: it will bug, freeze, delay, eat hefty amounts of CPU if you try something more demanding. Absolutely unreliable for a live performance. But excellent for studio work if you're into such kind of thing, and if you're patient.

mono wrote: Try the Waldorf Blofeld. VERY complete synth for 300$.

What now? Looked into this a couple of times shopping around for my synth, and only the rackmount unit approached $300, and even then it was ~$450-500. The keyboard ones went for $700 minimum, more around $900.

stonebeard wrote: mono wrote: Try the Waldorf Blofeld. VERY complete synth for 300$. What now? Looked into this a couple of times shopping around for my synth, and only the rackmount unit approached $300, and even then it was ~$450-500. The keyboard ones went for $700 minimum, more around $900.

I got if for 350euros in France, and usually the prices are the same in $ in the US...
Guess I was wrong! (probably because it's made in Germany?)

mono wrote: Philamelian wrote: Don't underestimate softwares guys. There are really powerful softsynths, i think it's just a matter of choice. There are also hundreds of really useful free softsynths and a lot of cheap ones.  "Massive" is a good example (50% off right now!! along with many other NI products, veeery limited offer (in time)) http://www.native-instruments.com/#/en/products/producer/massive/

Also Arturia Moog Modular V

http://www.vintagesynth.com/misc/mmv.php

I create my own patches, and it is just brilliant. My strong recommendations!

Massive is also very good (as, in fact, nearly any major modular synth - NI Reaktor or Cycling 74 Max for Live). What I value most about it, is its unique opportunities of waveshaping LFO's. Talking about other NI products, there are also Absynth and FM8, but I think Massive would be better choice for prog needs (Absynth is essential rather for someone who creates ambient/drone et al. it is powerful enough for other tasks - the same as FM8, it uses FM synthesis, so you can create lead synth not any worse in it, - but for atmospheric music it is just the best fit).

 I actually just sold a mirco korg a few days ago. Pretty neat little gizmo, got some really nice presets and a decent range of programmable options. The vocoder is nice but somewhat superfluos. I also like the line in option which is fun to use it as a pseudo guitar synth. Theres even a video on you tube of a guy using it to mod a radio broad cast thru the line in. The only drawback is the programming section through its use of the knobs is somewhat klunky. However Korg rectified this by releasing a freeware program that allows you to program it via GUI on your computer through its midi inputs.

Edited by Flimbau - September 08 2011 at 17:49

awaken77 wrote:   p.s have someone tried DSI Mono Evolver?

Fox On The Rocks wrote: ARP's are absolutely AMAZING! Definetly better than Moog's and Korg's in my opinion.