Hardware Synth's, any Suggestions?

[KillerAmp]

Im in the market for a hardware synth (yes i understand not to go cheep, but to get something expensive since it will sound better and generally last longer)
Really i would like to hear your opinions on what Hardware synths are awesome, and which ones to avoid.
Preferably i would like one with a programable structure like Massive i guess, basically i dont know all that much about FM Synth's and would not really want to dive into that right now.
Any suggestions would be awesome!

[LoreRD]

This keyboard is incredible, and I've seen multiple musicians use it (or something similar) at live concerts. It's pretty damn expensive, though (around 4,000 USD..... ouch).

[Sugarholik]

I've got this one. Has maybe couple of thousand sampled instruments (synths, acoustic instruments, right about everything), virtual analog synthesis, roughly 400 different fx, and really flexible routing/modulating system (they have a fancy name for it: V.A.S.T. ). Worth the weight!

I have also seen Nord quite often, so I think it can't be bad. Never touched it myself though.

Check out Roland Fantom G and Korg m3 as well.

btw, FM synthesis isn't really that complicated!
EDIT: ^ PM'd. If you find it useful, I could make a thread about that...

[KillerAmp]

I've got this one. Has maybe couple of thousand sampled instruments (synths, acoustic instruments, right about everything), virtual analog synthesis, roughly 400 different fx, and really flexible routing/modulating system (they have a fancy name for it: V.A.S.T. ). Worth the weight!

I have also seen Nord quite often, so I think it can't be bad. Never touched it myself though.

Check out Roland Fantom G and Korg m3 as well.

btw, FM synthesis isn't really that complicated!

Il look into it!
If you could explain them to me that'd be awesome ;_; i don't get FM at alllllll

[the4thImpulse]

I own two hardware synths and I know I am repeating what you said when saying "Never Go Cheap". I seriously wouldn't buy many synths for under $800 today as most of the time they can be easily replicated with software and often times that software is much better for much cheaper.

You will not find a synth that will be like massive in its routing and sound modulation capabilities, you will find many synths, over $1000, with their own character and 'sound qualities' that are unique to them. These characteristics are most common with analog synths and in my opinion if you go hardware then you should go full analog or even virtual analog. Software has advanced a ton in the last decade but it will never replicate analog, never. If you want a hardware synth I highly suggest getting one that will do things software can't.


Now if you want me to throw stuff your way then I need a budget and what you are hoping to get out of the synth because software may better suit you if you want that 'massive' sound.

[KillerAmp]

I own two hardware synths and I know I am repeating what you said when saying "Never Go Cheap". I seriously wouldn't buy many synths for under $800 today as most of the time they can be easily replicated with software and often times that software is much better for much cheaper.

You will not find a synth that will be like massive in its routing and sound modulation capabilities, you will find many synths, over $1000, with their own character and 'sound qualities' that are unique to them. These characteristics are most common with analog synths and in my opinion if you go hardware then you should go full analog or even virtual analog. Software has advanced a ton in the last decade but it will never replicate analog, never. If you want a hardware synth I highly suggest getting one that will do things software can't.


Now if you want me to throw stuff your way then I need a budget and what you are hoping to get out of the synth because software may better suit you if you want that 'massive' sound.

Preferably i'm looking for something up to the $2500ish range. I WAS looking into the supernova by novation, but from what im looking at with it, a lot of what it does i can simply do in massive. Im liking the idea of virtual/full analog since, you're defiantly right when you say software can't ever perfectly replicate analog.

[XXDarkShadow79XX]

I know nothing about hardware synths. I've never even touched one in my life. (I don't think.) But because I love you guys, I decided to look into it a bit. Please do not think that I know what I'm talking about.

The MicroKorgXL is looking pretty nice, and while it may only be $750, it certainly doesn't look cheap. It looks pretty easy to use, but you're also able to go really deep and tweak a lot of parameters. Instead of me trying to explain, I guess you could skim this:

http://beta.musicradar.com/gear/all/key ... 055/review

And here's an introductory video.



I really don't know what I'm talking about. I just hit the link for Musicradar's best hardware synths, and this was number one. From there I just looked into it a bit more, and I think I can safely say that there's a reason it's one of the best.

Soooo... do I get points for effort?

[the4thImpulse]

I know nothing about hardware synths. I've never even touched one in my life. (I don't think.) But because I love you guys, I decided to look into it a bit. Please do not think that I know what I'm talking about.

The MicroKorgXL is looking pretty nice, and while it may only be $750, it certainly doesn't look cheap. It looks pretty easy to use, but you're also able to go really deep and tweak a lot of parameters. Instead of me trying to explain, I guess you could skim this:

Soooo... do I get points for effort?

I give you points for effort but like the op said in the previous post "Preferably i'm looking for something up to the $2500ish range" we should look far beyond that of the microkorg which honestly to me is a bit on the 'toy' side with its interface (sound engine wise its the same as my MS2000b so its great there).

2,500 is a great budget for a synth, and I would suggest increasing it a bit a getting the Minimoog Voyager. I have only used them in stores so I can't personally speak for them but you will hear their name everyday because they are the best of the best. The rack mount version is likely around your budget point if you already have a midi keyboard, if not then the keyboard version won't be too much more.

[Peak Freak]

...

[XXDarkShadow79XX]

I know nothing about hardware synths. I've never even touched one in my life. (I don't think.) But because I love you guys, I decided to look into it a bit. Please do not think that I know what I'm talking about.

The MicroKorgXL is looking pretty nice, and while it may only be $750, it certainly doesn't look cheap. It looks pretty easy to use, but you're also able to go really deep and tweak a lot of parameters. Instead of me trying to explain, I guess you could skim this:

Soooo... do I get points for effort?

I give you points for effort but like the op said in the previous post "Preferably i'm looking for something up to the $2500ish range" we should look far beyond that of the microkorg which honestly to me is a bit on the 'toy' side with its interface (sound engine wise its the same as my MS2000b so its great there.

Yeah, that's what I meant. I was just thinking there's really no need to spend more than you have to, in terms of anything. Unless you really want/need the extra features. And I disagree that the interface is "toy" like. Well, actually, I don't disagree at all. I think this is meant to be an entry-level synth, but from what I've seen you can go really deep with it using the advanced controls and maybe even the software that comes with it.

But yeah, I guess if you really do have enough money to spend, there's really not any reason to get something really nice. :)

[the4thImpulse]

I have a Virus TI at home. Bought it.... 6-7 years ago? Man that is an amazing thing... but still has its limits: You cannot create a normal Piano sound with it, or normal strings: it doesn't has samples, it is a pure synthesizer.
It was about 2000€ back then, and the version with keys was 2500€.

The virus is great and I have spent some time on it at my friends studio, like you said its at heart a synthesizer so you won't get those "massive" sounds and you won't have sampling. KillerAmp, if you want a great sampling synth I would suggest the Roland V-synth, it does things that no software or other hardware (besides the Roland VP 9000) has ever been able too. It uses whats called variphrase sampling to individually manipulate the pitch, time, and format of a sample all in realtime.

Watch this (its pony too!)


They are discontinued from stores so you will have to pick one up used locally or on ebay.

[Nix_Spark]

MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOG.

Moogs are fun.

[bartekko]

I've been looking into something at about $1000, and for that price I've found Moog Little Phatty or Doepfer Dark Energy II + a module or two, For I want to get into modular as soon as possible. any other suggestions?

[XXDarkShadow79XX]

I've been looking into something at about $1000, and for that price I've found Moog Little Phatty or Doepfer Dark Energy II + a module or two, For I want to get into modular as soon as possible. any other suggestions?

Moog Little Phatty = MLP.

INSTA-BUY.

[the4thImpulse]

I've been looking into something at about $1000, and for that price I've found Moog Little Phatty or Doepfer Dark Energy II + a module or two, For I want to get into modular as soon as possible. any other suggestions?

For $1000 I would get the phatty over the modular. The DE is great but it will take up a lot of your budget and you would only likely be able to afford a rack mount for more modules with the remaining money. If you want modular than save up a few grand more and get the DE with a at least two more VCO's, another VCF, VCA and envelope, and what ever other modules you want. You could get the DE now and get the rack latter too but the phatty would do more for you now than the DE.

I do remember you saying how much you want modular synths in many previous posts so you will likely enjoy the DE better than the phatty.

[JayB]

Watch this (its pony too!)


They are discontinued from stores so you will have to pick one up used locally or on ebay.

Thank you for the flowers.

I would suggest the Roland V-Synth, too. If you want to stay up-to-date, take the GT. If you need space, take the XT. It definitely sounds different than any software synth I know, and that doesn't necessarily mean it's good. In fact this beast is hard to tame, but it's a lot of fun to work with. It's damn versatile and working with samples makes the possibilities endless.

I'm gonna release a new demo and sound bank for this synth in a while so you can judge for yourself.

[bartekko]

For $1000 I would get the phatty over the modular. The DE is great but it will take up a lot of your budget and you would only likely be able to afford a rack mount for more modules with the remaining money. If you want modular than save up a few grand more and get the DE with a at least two more VCO's, another VCF, VCA and envelope, and what ever other modules you want. You could get the DE now and get the rack latter too but the phatty would do more for you now than the DE.
I do remember you saying how much you want modular synths in many previous posts so you will likely enjoy the DE better than the phatty.

Thanks for your help. I'll probably be getting the Little Phatty.

[the4thImpulse]

For $1000 I would get the phatty over the modular. The DE is great but it will take up a lot of your budget and you would only likely be able to afford a rack mount for more modules with the remaining money. If you want modular than save up a few grand more and get the DE with a at least two more VCO's, another VCF, VCA and envelope, and what ever other modules you want. You could get the DE now and get the rack latter too but the phatty would do more for you now than the DE.
I do remember you saying how much you want modular synths in many previous posts so you will likely enjoy the DE better than the phatty.

Thanks for your help. I'll probably be getting the Little Phatty.

I would also suggest the moog minitaur, its smaller cheaper and simpler, its better in the bass but weaker in the modulation potential. Either way be sure to show and tell us about what you buy.

[Acsii]

Why has no one mentioned a Moog Minimoog Voyager?
http://www.moogmusic.com/products/Minimoog-Voyagers

[Watashig]

because someone else already did.

2,500 is a great budget for a synth, and I would suggest increasing it a bit a getting the Minimoog Voyager. I have only used them in stores so I can't personally speak for them but you will hear their name everyday because they are the best of the best. The rack mount version is likely around your budget point if you already have a midi keyboard, if not then the keyboard version won't be too much more.

[Acsii]

because someone else already did.

2,500 is a great budget for a synth, and I would suggest increasing it a bit a getting the Minimoog Voyager. I have only used them in stores so I can't personally speak for them but you will hear their name everyday because they are the best of the best. The rack mount version is likely around your budget point if you already have a midi keyboard, if not then the keyboard version won't be too much more.

my bad didn't see that

[Acsii]

Personally I prefer Nord's over Moog's but that's just me... I used to have a NORD wave and loved it it's really fun to mess with... But if you want character and stuff go with a Moog