stixcom92 Posted March 6, 2011 Posted March 6, 2011 I've been doing some midi/production/etc. experimenting lately, and I want to start really getting into synthesis and really creating my own sounds as opposed to just working off of presets. My current board is a kurz pc88mx that I'm using standalone and to control pro tools/logic/etc. I'm looking for something standalone that I can really get into and eventually use as a main beast- just one board that I can really get into and master. The pc88 covers my acoustic sounds and controller needs, so this one would be mainly for sounds. As much as I would like to go fully analog, I would rather start digital as my budget's pretty limited and I'm looking for something that I can get as much use out of as possible. As weird as this probably sounds, I've got a softspot for 90s synths- something about their fatness. I'm more of a hardware guy, so I'm trying not to go software on this one. Anyway, I've been looking between either a kurzweil 2000, korg trinity, 01/w, but if there's something I'm forgetting, feel free to suggest. I'm mainly looking at stuff with strong presets, but also with good sound creation/editing tools and that I don't need my computer for. What's a good synth that will last me a while? Thanks.
timwat Posted March 6, 2011 Posted March 6, 2011 I don't own any of the below: I'm told the Access Virus is a good candidate for what your describing. Roland V-Synth might also provide a wealth of unique programming opps, although the "shared patch" architecture is a weakness. Dave Smith instruments (mopho, tetra, evolver, polyevolver) might also provide plenty of mileage. If you're deadset on a used '90s synth, well, a Roland D-50 in gently used condition could be had for the price of a tank of gas or two. More of a commentary on the price of gas I suppose. ..
Eric Jx Posted March 6, 2011 Posted March 6, 2011 I own a Korg O1/W. If your goal is sound creation, I think you should look elsewhere. The O1/w doesn't have a resonant filter. That's something you'd probably want. When you say your budget is tight, what are we talking about exactly? $500? $800? $1000?
johnchop Posted March 7, 2011 Posted March 7, 2011 Your requirements include "last me a while"... but you are talking about (in some cases) 15+ year old synths. So, you're already buying used, and should you want to repair it, parts and labor could be hard to come by. Just a thought. I would take a look at the Korg M3-61 or M3-M (i.e. just the module). You can still get them new, and they may get blown out now that the Korg is releasing the Kronos. Used prices are very good considering what you get. With the Radias board added in, you'll get more than adequate virtual analog out of it. That should keep you busy for a LONG time. -John I make software noises.
Synthoid Posted March 7, 2011 Posted March 7, 2011 I would take a look at the Korg M3-61 or M3-M (i.e. just the module). You can still get them new, and they may get blown out now that the Korg is releasing the Kronos. It was not my impression the Kronos was replacing the M3. It's a step above... more of a flagship model. When an eel hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that's a Moray.
johnchop Posted March 7, 2011 Posted March 7, 2011 Right, not so much a replacement, but you don't think they'll feel _any_ price pressure? -John I make software noises.
stixcom92 Posted March 7, 2011 Author Posted March 7, 2011 What I mean by sound creation is not only having presets, but also being able to either take the presets or start new with LFOs, oscillators, all that (I don't really know)- which is why I considered the k2000, since it has VAST, and I'm pretty sure the trinity has similar features along with some really sick pads/realtime control. Pretty much, I just want to take some stuff I've been working on or that my friends have been working on and I would like to transition over from the software presets I've been learning on and start really getting my own unique sound on these, as opposed to the dime-a-dozen presets. As much as I would love an M3, it's not nearly in my budget, but if I somehow get enough money, that's at the top of my list. My budget is in the sub-$500 range, so as much as I would like an M3, the only things in my budget are '90s synths pretty much. Pretty much, why I'm saying a '90s synth that will last me a while is that last year when I needed a master board for my studio, I wanted to get the best bang for my buck, so I figured instead of buying an entry level controller I would spend the same money on a used PC88, and I've had a very good experience with it so far, and it's never showed any signs of wear, while my cheapo usb controller (yamaha kx61) that I got at the same time for the same price as the used PC88 is glitchy as hell and just doesn't feel good, hence why I'm relegating that to the portable rig and I'm looking for a better synth to replace that one. I figure that if I go for a very good synth from a few generations ago, from my experience with the PC88 and a micropiano module I got for some other gigs, that will hold up much better. Hopefully that clarifies things a bit.
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