slg1013 Posted November 24, 2014 Share Posted November 24, 2014 Last holidays we got my son a Korg Krome because he was interested in composing. I'm thrilled to say that he's really taken to it and has improved incredibly over the past year. I'm thinking of getting him an analog synth this year, as he's expressed a lot interest in learning about sound design and "knob twiddling". While I'd love to be able to get him something like a DSI Pro2 or Moog Sub37, those are a bit out of my budget. Ideally I'd like to spend less than $800, so I was thinking of the Arturia MiniBrute or Korg MS-20 mini. I would love to hear opinions for what you think would be a good choice. Thanks for taking the time, Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sven Golly Posted November 24, 2014 Share Posted November 24, 2014 Roland Gaia. It's not a true analog, but rather a virtual analog synth, but it is by far the best 'knob-twiddling learning' synth out there, and is in your budget. It's also preset-based and offers mono and poly modes, so is ideal for learning on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dana. Posted November 24, 2014 Share Posted November 24, 2014 Novation Bass Station II is $500 and sounds great. Or used Nord Lead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Veracohr Posted November 24, 2014 Share Posted November 24, 2014 If a module is OK, maybe the Doepfer Dark Energy? "And then you have these thoughts in the back of your mind like 'Why am I doing this? Or is this a figment of my imagination?'" http://www.veracohr.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CEB Posted November 24, 2014 Share Posted November 24, 2014 Gaia is a great learning synth. They use Gaias to teach subtractive synthesis at Berkley. Between now and then I would recommend some free soft synths like: Mini Mouge VA ARPPE2600VA The Elecktro studio free pack. Etc..... Tyrell N6. There are a lot of them [video:youtube] My favorite freebie is Sonigen Modular but don't start with that one. "It doesn't have to be difficult to be cool" - Mitch Towne "A great musician can bring tears to your eyes!!! So can a auto Mechanic." - Stokes Hunt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GDP Posted November 24, 2014 Share Posted November 24, 2014 I suggest a DSI Mopho keyboard. It is Analog and you can expand polyphony with a Tetra later; the software editor is cool (but not necessary); it sounds great; has terrific feeling keyboard (with AT); and is built tough with wood side panels and metal chassis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KenElevenShadows Posted November 24, 2014 Share Posted November 24, 2014 Last holidays we got my son a Korg Krome because he was interested in composing. I'm thrilled to say that he's really taken to it and has improved incredibly over the past year. I'm thinking of getting him an analog synth this year, as he's expressed a lot interest in learning about sound design and "knob twiddling". While I'd love to be able to get him something like a DSI Pro2 or Moog Sub37, those are a bit out of my budget. Ideally I'd like to spend less than $800, so I was thinking of the Arturia MiniBrute or Korg MS-20 mini. I would love to hear opinions for what you think would be a good choice. I was going to suggest a MiniBrute or a Korg MS-20. Or a Moog Sub 37 if you can swing the cash. Get real analog. The Roland Gaia is nice, but really, listen to it next to a real analog keyboard. If someone is going to learn analog synthesis, not only teach them on a real analog board, but teach them what analog really sounds like. While the Gaia is nice, to me, when you play it, it doesn't quite sound like the real thing, and that to me is important, especially when you're starting off. Ken Lee Photography - photos and books Eleven Shadows ambient music The Mercury Seven-cool spacey music Linktree to various sites Instagram Nightaxians Video Podcast Eleven Shadows website Ken Lee Photography Pinterest Page Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doerfler Posted November 24, 2014 Share Posted November 24, 2014 Ideally I'd like to spend less than $800, Thanks for taking the time, Steve if you can swing an extra hundred dollars to your budget here is an incredible deal on a Moog Little Phatty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slg1013 Posted November 24, 2014 Author Share Posted November 24, 2014 Thank you all for the replies. The Roland Gaia was very impressive in the demo I just watched. Hoping that my local guitar center will have one of these and some of the others so we can do a little playing before buying... Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr88s Posted November 24, 2014 Share Posted November 24, 2014 The Roland Gaia was very impressive in the demo I just watched. Hoping that my local guitar center will have one of these Otherwise keep an eye on your local classifieds provided you are somewhere near a large city. These come up for sale all the time locally in the $400-450 range. I picked one up a year ago just to noodle around on. I like it a lot. Nord Stage 2 Compact, Yamaha MODX8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mate stubb Posted November 24, 2014 Share Posted November 24, 2014 Boo to the Gaia's sound. Don't like. Moe --- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr88s Posted November 24, 2014 Share Posted November 24, 2014 Boo to the Gaia's sound. Don't like. Try it through a KC amp; maybe you'll feel otherwise. Nord Stage 2 Compact, Yamaha MODX8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bif_ Posted November 24, 2014 Share Posted November 24, 2014 The Roland Gaia was very impressive in the demo I just watched. Hoping that my local guitar center will have one of these Otherwise keep an eye on your local classifieds provided you are somewhere near a large city. These come up for sale all the time locally in the $400-450 range. I picked one up a year ago just to noodle around on. I like it a lot. GC has a 'used' section on their website. They have several for less then $500. Kurzweil Forte, Yamaha Motif ES7, Muse Receptor 2 Pro Max, Neo Ventilator Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanL Posted November 24, 2014 Share Posted November 24, 2014 I think the Gaia would be a perfect synth for a beginner to learn how things work. Maybe it's not as nice sounding as a Moog, but the interface is more intuitive than a Phatty is. Live: Korg Kronos 2 88, Nord Electro 5d Nord Lead A1 Toys: Roland FA08, Novation Ultranova, Moog LP, Roland SP-404SX, Roland JX10,Emu MK6 www.bksband.com www.echoesrocks.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dana. Posted November 24, 2014 Share Posted November 24, 2014 In the case of the GAIA, VA stands for Very Average. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenny. Posted November 24, 2014 Share Posted November 24, 2014 Not sure how the Roland Gaia and SH-201 (their older virtual analog synthesizer) compare, but I do have an SH-201 and really like it. Roland's virtual analog sounds are very, very smooth - filters, LFOs, and choice of waves for oscillators are very high quality in what they give you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DulceLabs.com Posted November 24, 2014 Share Posted November 24, 2014 The big things a VA synth gives you over the analog synths mentioned is additional waveforms (in the case of the GAIA you get sampled PCM sounds) and polyphony. If you go with the Gaia and still want a true analog as well and stay within your budget, you may want to look at a Microbrute or a Korg Volca Keys. Both are true analog synths that provide loads of knob twisting fun. Let us know whatever you end up doing.. BTW you are an awesome Dad for hooking your son up! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lutefiasco Posted November 24, 2014 Share Posted November 24, 2014 The Microbrute is a great starter analog synth, particularly if you add a few of tiptop's stackables cables, so more complex patching becomes possible. Paired with a Korg Volca Beats, and it's an instant starter kit. In a different vein, another thing you might look into is Syntorial. Though emphatically not analog, it is an interesting product aimed at introductory synth sound design. Still a third suggestion is the Roland Aira System 1. Street price $600, and though "Virtual Analog" rather than analog, it offers hands-on satisfaction of knob-twiddling, while still potentially offering different sound palettes over time, with its built in/plug out architecture, as against the finite set of wave forms of analog synths. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marino Posted November 24, 2014 Share Posted November 24, 2014 Roland Gaia has a great interface, but a poor sound in my opinion. For a similar price, you can get other VAs which sound better, like the Novation Ultranova or an used Waldorf Q. Nothing sounds like real analog, though. In addition to the already mentioned Bass Station II, I would consider the MFB Dominion X Sed http://www.mfberlin.de/Produkte/Musikelektronik/Dominion/Dominione/dominione.html or the Hypersynth Xenophone http://www.hypersynth.com/xenophone.html Both are real analog modules with 3 oscillators and plenty of controls on the front panel, and both sound really great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slg1013 Posted November 24, 2014 Author Share Posted November 24, 2014 How does the Roland Aira compare to the Gaia? Are they similar or targeted for different markets? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CEB Posted November 25, 2014 Share Posted November 25, 2014 Aira has extremely shallow travel. "It doesn't have to be difficult to be cool" - Mitch Towne "A great musician can bring tears to your eyes!!! So can a auto Mechanic." - Stokes Hunt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brenner13 Posted November 25, 2014 Share Posted November 25, 2014 Arturia hardware (Mini or Micro Brute) gets my vote for a first analog synth. Easy entry price, real analog, lots of knobs and sliders, it does what it does from how it is set up on the front panel, can sound nice and sweet and then get really grungy; retro and modern. Gonna want some effects soon, though...delay is a must. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joegerardi Posted November 25, 2014 Share Posted November 25, 2014 On eBay right now: Access Virus KC. Current Price: $530.00 Novation Supernova II. Current Price: $599.00 Yamaha AN1x (New in box.) Buy-It-Now price: $599.00 Korg Z1. Current Price: $459.99 All very powerful VA synths with gobs O'knobs for a-twiddlin'. The Access and the Novation are probably considered the cream of the crop, but all are quite good. ..Joe PS: No, I ain't selling any of them. Setup: Korg Kronos 61, Roland XV-88, Korg Triton-Rack, Motif-Rack, Korg N1r, Alesis QSR, Roland M-GS64 Yamaha KX-88, KX76, Roland Super-JX, E-Mu Longboard 61, Kawai K1II, Kawai K4. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RABid Posted November 25, 2014 Share Posted November 25, 2014 A big plus to a GAIA over an analog is it will stay in tune. While I like my UltraNova, I would not want to use it to teach someone subtractive synthesis. Check out the Sweetwater Bonus Bank Demo below. [video:youtube]JtOn3DhhvJE This post edited for speling. My Sweetwater Gear Exchange Page Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mate stubb Posted November 25, 2014 Share Posted November 25, 2014 Your first analogue synth should not have presets. Period. Learn to twist knobs, what an oscillator, filter, envelope and lfo are. That will serve you well later with more complex machines, almost all of which use these concepts. Moe --- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RABid Posted November 25, 2014 Share Posted November 25, 2014 I'm glad I learned on a MiniMoog, but the instability of Osc. 2 drove me crazy when trying to use it live. This post edited for speling. My Sweetwater Gear Exchange Page Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CEB Posted November 25, 2014 Share Posted November 25, 2014 Gaia does some things well. One reason I got a Gaia besides the interface was the price and that it was used all over the Monsters Ball Tour. I cover quite a bit of Lady Gaga stuff and some things the Gaia absolutely nails. I use the Gaia to create pitch builds and noise builds that I sample. The built in effects are OK. The verbs are not my favorite but it is a nice effects bundle for a starter synth. It is the top board in my Avatar. It is digital and it sounds digital but that isn't all bad depending on what kind of music your son likes. These oscillators are a little flakey in the upper ranges but stay in perfect tune. The routing of the LFO is straight forward. The rate knob is very sensitive in thee 2:00 to 4:00 range. I still think it is a great first synth. Geoff Downes was using one for leads in his Asia rig. For $999 the Sledge is a good buy. It is a poly that will run in unison mode. The oscillator mixer section is setup just like an old Mini Moog. If you can currently hookup a laptop to the Korg some simple free VST soft synth will teach you a lot. "It doesn't have to be difficult to be cool" - Mitch Towne "A great musician can bring tears to your eyes!!! So can a auto Mechanic." - Stokes Hunt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
synthizen2 Posted November 25, 2014 Share Posted November 25, 2014 Surprised nobody mentioned the Alesis Ion yet. Also has a great knobby layout (with the 3-osc mixer section also set-up just like a Minimoog), has numerous filter types like Moog, Oberheim, Roland, ARP, Sequential, etc. - and a killer modulation matrix, and 2 mod wheels. Probably the best sounding VA for vintage 70s emulations. But the prices are going up and fewer are being sold now. People must have caught on to just how capable of a synth this is. Just 6 months ago you could get one for ~$420, now prices are around ~$580 for those few musicians still willing to sell theirs off. Glad I pulled the trigger a couple years ago and snagged one for $380. Kurzweil PC3, Yamaha MOX8, Alesis Ion, Kawai K3M Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delaware Dave Posted November 25, 2014 Share Posted November 25, 2014 True Analog? http://www.ebay.com/itm/Realistic-Moog-Concertmate-MG-1-MG1-Synthesizer-Model-42-4000-Super-Clean-/281476067245?pt=Keyboards_MIDI&hash=item418947efad 57 Hammond B3; 69 Hammond L100P; 68 Leslie 122; Kurzweil Forte7 & PC3; M-Audio Code 61; Voce V5+; Neo Vent; EV ELX112P; GSI Gemini & Burn Delaware Dave Exit93band Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slg1013 Posted December 10, 2014 Author Share Posted December 10, 2014 So I'm still searching. Had a chance to play the Arturia Mini and Micro brutes and the Roland Gaia over the weekend. I liked the sound of the Arturias more, but thought some of the features (e.g., presets and polyphony) on the Gaia would be nice for my son while learning. There is a local add for a DSI Mopho keyboard for $400 that seems like a really good deal. I don't have any local music store to try any DSI instruments. Any opinions on a Mopho keyboard for $400? Thanks again for all your help and suggestions... Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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