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My First Hardware Synth....???
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willsanquil
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
93
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2822
Posted : Dec 28, 2010 01:49:39
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Hey folks 
So, I unexpectedly got a windfall of holiday money, and so I am now in the market for my first hardware synth!
Enough with software, I want real knobs to twiddle hehe
So...wtf should I get? I've heard really great things about the Waldorf Blofeld, the Korg Kaossilator...
Maybe an iPad? Not a hardware synth but has lots of possibilities...
I'm pretty lost, and I have no option to go to a physical shop and try synths out. Budget is 300-800 US.
Thoughts?
  If you want to make an apple pie from scratch...you must first invent the universe
www.soundcloud.com/tasp
www.soundcloud.com/kinematic-records |
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A.Rosengren
Solid Snake
Started Topics :
266
Posts :
4139
Posted : Dec 28, 2010 02:13
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Skip the kaossilator, it's a toy with no or limited editing possibilites. It's fun for live performance but that's about it.
I would invest in a keyboard nord lead 1 or 2, always a joy to look at and touch (like a norweigan woman dipped in syrup).
A
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Vonoom
Vonoom
Started Topics :
14
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274
Posted : Dec 28, 2010 03:54
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willsanquil
IsraTrance Full Member
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93
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2822
Posted : Dec 28, 2010 04:25
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Hmm....
Definitely the keyboard version and not the rack? I have a MIDI keyboard (but can't play it...yet) already...and the rack is like 500 or so less...
though it seems the rack doesn't have the pitch bender?
If you want to make an apple pie from scratch...you must first invent the universe
www.soundcloud.com/tasp
www.soundcloud.com/kinematic-records |
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Eleusene
Started Topics :
4
Posts :
117
Posted : Dec 28, 2010 08:06
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It's difficult to throw in a synth. Maybe you could specify what you want... analogue or digital, mono or multitimbral, good interface e.g. many pots and so on? And most important how much can you spend?
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freechameleon
Started Topics :
0
Posts :
91
Posted : Dec 28, 2010 11:03
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you want a poly synth or a mono?
digital or analogue?
how many voices? multitimbral?
connections (midi, audio i/o, usb)?
you just want a synth with knobs and faders that can do everything?
just try one of the synths that are mentioned everywhere.
virus c, microwave xt, q, blofeld, nord lead (i'd chose the 2x)
you don't lose much buying used when you want/have to resell again, maybe you even win something (apart of experience).
all are different in sound, possibilities and handling.
if you already have a midikeyboard, that i expect to have pitch bend and mod wheels, you don't need the key version.
i'd get a used digital poly and a cheap analogue mono, and then see from there. still in your budget?
i assume your audio interface has enough audio ins and a midi out. ..? |
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supergroover
IsraTrance Junior Member
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39
Posts :
1505
Posted : Dec 28, 2010 12:17
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Virus snow would be a good option. Also just noticed the novation ultranova which looks quite good to me. Both seem to be able to run as a vsti which makes editing very easy.
soundcloud.com/supergroover |
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PoM
IsraTrance Full Member
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162
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8087
Posted : Dec 28, 2010 12:58
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what kind of soft synth sound you like? i think i would go for a nord 2 but not sure how the 2x sound,always heard the 2 is better but they are getting old now (and cheap 300/400$) ,i would have afraid to buy a 2x and beeing disapointed beeing used to the sound of the 2 tbh. |
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PoM
IsraTrance Full Member
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162
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8087
Posted : Dec 28, 2010 13:38
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depending of what you re looking for ,a moog phatty could be nice .i heard one recently in a track made mostly with it ,now i m lusting one..but no money for synths right now  |
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willsanquil
IsraTrance Full Member
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2822
Posted : Dec 28, 2010 19:23
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Thank you for the responses folks....
about what I want...that's the thing...I've never ever bought a synth before I've only dealt with software! As for what soft synth sounds I like? Idk, I like Sylenth, Operator, Zebra, Omnisphere...
Basically I'm looking to have a real hands on approach to making sounds...so tbh it having a vsti option is not really what I'm focusing on as I have enough software to do what I want in that realm for the moment.
Sofar I've been getting lots of votes for the Nord 1 or Nord 2 - though I can only find the Nord 2x on ebay. Is there a big difference between the x and non x versions?? Shit, if I could find a Nord Rack 2 for $400/500 that would be excellent, I had sort of resigned myself to saving for a little longer to afford something in the 800-1200 range.
Taken a gander at the Moog Phatty and it looks pretty cool...I do want an analog synth to hear what all the hype is about..as the music that really moves me and the sounds that I'm after are present in a lot of Goa/mid-to-late-90s trance. I want a synth that I can really pour the hours into that has a lot of character. I'm kind of apprehensive about buying a digital like a Virus as I'm pretty content with Omnisphere for full blown digital soft synthiness - actually though, I think I have a friend with a Virus so maybe I'll pester her for a go on it to see if I like it.
SUch a decision!
If you want to make an apple pie from scratch...you must first invent the universe
www.soundcloud.com/tasp
www.soundcloud.com/kinematic-records |
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Nectarios
Martian Arts
Started Topics :
187
Posts :
5292
Posted : Dec 28, 2010 19:56
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If you can afford a Phatty, don't think twice, get it, especially if you're into the Goa sound.
You'll keep it and love it for ever.
Peace out.
http://soundcloud.com/martianarts |
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Medea
Aedem/Medea
Started Topics :
127
Posts :
1132
Posted : Dec 28, 2010 21:04
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If you really want to tweak the knobs, get a synth that has a lot of knobs, or, at least, has a separate knob for each parameter.
It's a hassle to tweak a synth like Waldorf or MicroQ etc. without software editor.
I would suggest some simple analogue synth, or Nord indeed...
http://soundcloud.com/aedem |
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willsanquil
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
93
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2822
Posted : Dec 28, 2010 21:28
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Yeah the more and more I think about it, I really want an analogue or virtual analog synth. Lots of knobs, hands on etc
Sofar it's between the Moog Little Phatty Stage II and the Nord Rack 2x
hmmmmmmmmm
If you want to make an apple pie from scratch...you must first invent the universe
www.soundcloud.com/tasp
www.soundcloud.com/kinematic-records |
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PoM
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
162
Posts :
8087
Posted : Dec 28, 2010 21:49
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hard choice man...Moog Little Phatty Stage II dont have much knob but it s seems easy to tweak, nord2 interface is really good.. the nord win there imo .
i think you would need both ,cause these synth are too different to find one better than the other, they will be great for different things . choose the one to get first.
if you like goa sound the moog will deliver for sure but it s also very good at modern sound from what i heard, maybe listen some sample on the net to see if you connect with the sound caractere of the synth |
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willsanquil
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
93
Posts :
2822
Posted : Dec 28, 2010 22:22
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Oh for sure, I can already see myself as being an incurable gear slut 
Kinda leaning more towards the Moog right now...though with either option it seems I'll have to save for another month or so than I was originally intending. That's fine though.
If you want to make an apple pie from scratch...you must first invent the universe
www.soundcloud.com/tasp
www.soundcloud.com/kinematic-records |
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