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Please Help Choosing Synth!
Hi there,
I am looking for a synth to accompany my Yamaha cp5 on gigs and recording etc. I mainly want something with good lead sounds and a decent amount of editing etc. I'm not looking for a workstation or anything like that with heaps of sounds and pads etc. Something like the MOOG but not the MOOG as it is a little out of my price range. Music style that we play is similar to Snarky Puppy, Hiatus Kaiyote and The Robert Glasper Experiment. Please I really need some advice on what to get here. Thanks in advance, any suggestions are welcome.
Comments
Looking for an iOS-based synth?
preferably not. really looking for a hardware synth to put on my rack, preferably monophonic.
Novation Xio is fantastic if you can find one used, I've seen them for as little as $150 and then you also get a midi controller and audio interface as well as the synth. I just finished editing some sounds on mine.
The novation bass station looks amazing as well and is analog, so it may fit the bill as well, I've seen those on eBay and amazon for around $350. Those can get very moog like with the right programming from what I've seen. In fact, I heard some tracks Bernie worrell did with the original bass station many years ago (he was working with a band I was in but not while I was around and I left before they did the recording with him), and it sounded incredible. And his feel, with any sound, is amazing and totally funky.
Why post to an iOS music forum if you aren't looking for an iOS synth?
I don't know any of those bands, sorry, and 'like the Moog but not the Moog is really ambiguous but have you looked into the Arturia Minibrute? Or the microbrute? If you don't need a keyboard, there's the MeeBlip. Jeez, there are a lot of monos around these days.
Hi thanks for the advice! I live in New Zealand and have found one our version of eBay
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=839131816&permanent=0
Have a look. would really prefer the 49keys. is this worth purchasing?
I love it. Someone wrote an editor for PC that is free, I was using that to program the bass sound from enjoy the silence tonight. One of the few reasons I still have a windows machine here. I use this on every gig and have a moog like sound programmed (how will I know by Whitney Houston), a few supersaws, a bass drop, some deep patches, and plenty more. I think I've had mine about 5 years now. I can send you some patches if you decide to buy it. There's also cool patches on notations site, including factory patches, a bank made by jamiroquai, and a few others. The guy from novation recently sent me a bank as well, although i tend to only use the patches I program on cover band gigs. Anyway, I think it's well worth it. I have the 25 key version which does what I need but the synths are identical besides the keys. Plus, you get a controller that works well with windows, Mac, and ios (and it's battery powered as well as ac and usb powered, so on ios you can truly be mobile if you use batteries since it won't power from the ipad itself) and an audio interface with a mic preamp and a line input.
So, short answer, yes, I recommend it!
Thanks! I think I'm sold, been looking at some reviews and demos etc and looks and sounds cool. Not to sound silly, but just to make it clear, it is a stand alone synth and doesnt require to be run MIDI through a DAW? I can put it on top of my cp5 and run it stereo out into my PA with the keyboards on-board sounds? Just making sure as most places I've seen it lists it as a MIDI controller. Also, what is the editing of patches like on the fly? thanks so much for your help, much appreciated!
Correct, it is a standalone synth but is also a controller and interface and can do all 3 at once. Plus, it records the synth sounds directly through the USB cable if you wish to do so.
Right now i'm torn between this, the Alesis Micron and the Arturia Minibrute. any experience with these?
Don't know the Novation, but it seems like there is some meny diving involved, the same with the Micron. Thus not very much direct control of the sound.
I would check out the Minibrute/Microbrute (have the Minibrute myself, very satisfied), or Novation Bass Station II. Between, these two, I know that you can save presets on the Bass Station, not so on the Minibrute. The Minibrute is fully analogue, with VCOs, the Bass Station II has DCOs, the Minibrute as a fully analogue synth needs 10 minutes or so after turning it on to become "stable"...but the sound is excellent with it's own character...
Do a google search on these, read reviews etc.
For Analog monosynths, the Bass Station II is the best bang for your buck IMO. Great sound, has aftertouch and can be used as a controller keyboard for your vsts too. 500 preset patches unlike some other recent monosynths.
I agree on the bass station, I will get one at some point.
What's strange in a blind test, I think the Bass Station is warmer, more analog sounding, than the Mini/Microbrute, good for leads, but sounds more harsh, cold, digital. Suppose it's down to taste, but that's how I feel, think I'm going with the Bass Station soon.
I also have a Novation Xio and honestly it's a brilliant synth/audio interface/controller. I was so impressed with the sounds on the Xio that I own two of them. The synth architecture is deep and the sounds are really good.
I agree, as stated. I still want a bass station at some point, but my Xio has done hundreds of gigs and still going strong. Novation sent me replacement knobs last week for the ones that had fallen off over time.
If you have a windows machine, even an old one (or maybe a virtual machine), download this: (scroll down past the Dave smith editor)
http://chemidistry.webs.com/editors.htm
Makes it a lot easier to program!
Alesis micron ( or the rebranded Akai Miniac) was pain to program it ,due to menu diving ,but it had unique sound. An editor would be a must to understand the structure. I regret selling especially after watching that video:
Maybe not your taste, but I had no idea that it could produce such noisy sounds.
If I was in the market for a new hardware synth I'd get a MiniBrute or Gaia. The 'brute is probably best for gnarly bass nonsense.
I would not even give a second thought to choosing a Moog subphatty if I had the extra cash on hand. Of course my dream is a Korg Kronos but you know how it is , everyone needs a dream. Hell, as long as I am dreaming I will dream of both. I can picture them going in circles over my head like a cartoon dream.
MS20
Hell ya, why not. I have room for at least a couple more around my head, I will just increase the size of the circle. They can be found for a decent price on ebay from time to time though. Wait an Alesis Andromeda while I am at it.
Prophet 6
I've got a vintage MS20 I'd sell if someone made me an offer I couldn't refuse...
I just got a microbrute yesterday and can't wait to get to know it better...
there were a few synths introduced at NAAM that really have me intrigued; both Rolands(JD), the Odyssey & Prophet 6. Any of those are what I would jump at right now if I were going for a hardware synth. That said, the quality and CONVENIENCE of iOS synths make a strong case for them. I love being able to program sounds at my leisure(re. away from the studio) to perform with at a later time on a project.
there were a few synths introduced at NAAM that really have me intrigued; both Rolands, the Odessey
there were a few synths introduced at NAAM that really have me intrigued; both Rolands(JD), the Odyssey & Prophet 6. Any of those are what I would jump at right now if I were going for a hardware synth. That said, the quality and CONVENIENCE of iOS synths make a strong case for them. I love being able to program sounds at my leisure(re. away from the studio) to perform with at a later time on a project.
huh
I'd like to delete that 1st post. :0(