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-- Official Hardware Synth Thread (compiled by DarkSword)
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Official Hardware Synth Thread (compiled by DarkSword)
Hey. Now I like talking about synths, hardware and software but there have been a lot of posts about them recently so I've decided to take the liberty of finally compisiting a huge list for those of you interested in hardware. I've used a ton of keyboards so you can rely on my information. For those synths I havent used or owned, I'll always cross-reference the info with a couple sources to make sure and if it turns up that I dont know and cantr find the answer, I'll post a question mark and hope that one of you can fill me in 
.
The prices are generally retail prices from ZZSounds but for the older synths or if I cant find the prices, I will search Ebay and/or Froogle and give an approximate price range.
[note: If you would like me to post a particular module (keyboard/rack/wahtever), please post a comment with either your own opinions on it or somehow asking me to review it . Thanks for helping.]
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Keyboards
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Access Virus TI
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Access has been cooking up great sounding synths since the late 90s dropping synths such as the Virus and the Indigo on us. Its hard to see how Access isnt in direct compitition with Roland and thier JP80x0 synths. The frosting on the cake will come as the Access Virus TI. This brand new keyboard is what many of us are waiting to get our hands on. I can't say much about it as I havent ever used one but they sound GREAT. Besides that, they look quite easy to program relying on the 'have a shitload of knobs to mess with' approach making it simple to program patches in realtime without digging through menus and menus of garbage. What can I say other than watch the amazing NAMM video of it and see what everyone is waiting for .
-Demos 1 (TI specific)
-Demos 2 (general Virus demos)
-Videos
-Official Page
-Price:$2560
-Voices: 80
-Osc: 3
-Unison: Yes! Hypersaw
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Clavia Nordlead III
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A long while ago, a small company bloomed as they released a synthesizer called the Nordlead. Since then, they have grown into a full company making shithords of money and laughing at the competition. They released the Nordlead III (3) in 2001 and they were an instant success. I cant say enough about this keyboards features to do the sound justice. It is a definant must if you want a trance synth. Just listen to the demos instead of reading my rambling .
-Demos (official)
-Demos (Vengence Sound Set)
-Official Page
-Price:$1800
-Voices: 5/24x5(w/ stack)
-Osc: 2
-Unison: Yes
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Korg OASYS
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If you have the funds, I'd highly recomend getting a Korg OASYS which is the new flagship keyboard from Korg. Many will rave about the Korg triton being a solid, badass keyboard and they are quite right which is why they put the Triton into this keyboard along with several other keyboards. Essentially, this is 4 keyboards all in one, according to thier site its only 3 but in a technical and timeline based view, its 4 keyboaqrds. Its a Wavestation, an pretty good organ (blah, who cares right?) and the best, an updated Karma with Karma 2.0 functionality. Of course, the 4th keyboard comes with the package of the new Karma because a Karma is in essence, a Korg Triton with some extra (extremely useful) functions. This keyboard will have you set for any and all synths that you can find all rolled up in one package. That unfortunately, makes it cost about as much as 3 synths too. Too sweeten the deal and make it all worth the money, expect to have a lot of knobs and sliders (with very nice led indicators) and a touch screen to interface with it.
-Demos
-Official Page
-Price:~$6500-$8500
-Voices: 172
-Osc: 172
-Unison: Yes
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Korg Karma
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Now, I've already mentioned the OASYS but those of you who dont feel the compelling urge to run out and drop 85 Ben Franklins (shudders), there is a great alternative, the Karma . The Karma is amazing when it comes to producing intricate and interesting leads/basses/pads/percussio/everything else. Its an entire workstation and is well worth the money you will drop for it. Firstly, you get a full fledged Korg Triton. The Triton is known as the king of keyboards and has been for quite some time. The presets are all top notch and when you add to it, the Karma functionality, you delve into a whole new realm of producing sound. In short, the Karma functionality allows advanced arpeggios to occur that not only create super intricate and intelligent patterns but also can morph through time giving chances at an endless groove. My dad created a blues guitar patch that included some ambient sounds and when he Karmalized the patch, it essentially made it so it was an infinite solo performance that would take a a very long time for it to ever repeat two patterns. As you can see, I have a great passion for the Karma and would highly recomend it to anyone wishing to compose edm. Oh, and pick up a copy of the Karma MW software editor. If you are OK with programming VSTs, you shouldnt need to spend much time in learning the software. One more thing to watch for is the the 6 Voice Moss Synth Board which will give you 6 voices and 2 oscillators for a more analog/subtractive synth feel.
-Demos
-Official Page
-Price:$1500
-Voices: 62(single)/31(double)
-Osc: 62
-Unison: No (but sort of)
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Oberheim Matrix 12
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Next, another keyboard but coming from Oberheim this time. There is the Oberheim (e)Xpander which is an excellent analog synth. Oberheim realized the greatness of it and said, why the fuck dont we cram two together? The Oberheim Matrix 12 came out of this idea and was quite successful. You get 12 voices and 2 oscillators which can make for some fatass unison sounds. This keyboard is pretty rugged too and c'mon, the green flourescent displays just look cooler than hell.
-Demos 1
-[[ LINK REMOVED ]]
[note: dont bother reading the guys page because a lot of it is not factual, just listen to the demos 
]
-Price:?
-Voices: 12
-Osc: 2
-Unison: Yes
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Roland JP8000
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Aw yes, the legendary Roland JP8000. This synth along with its heftier rack brother, brought back the idea of putting tons of knobs and sliders on the hardware so that patches could be easily edited in realtime. This great keyboard produces the trance sound of all trance sounds, the supersaw. The idea of the supersaw was new on the JP8000. It came as a unique feature that many synths (including the Virus series) still try to replicate. Without getting technical, a supersaw takes an oscillator and routes seven saws that are detunable and sends them out, combined with a second oscillator in unison mode, it will produce one of fatest sounds ever conceived. This synth is far from difficult to program with all of the available knobs and sliders at your leisure. If you are looking for an all around synth for trance music, this virtual analog synth will suit you just fine.
-Demos 1
-Demos 2 (Vengence Sound Set 1)
-Demos 3 (Vengence Sound Set 2)
-Demos 3 (Vengence Sound Set 3)
-Price:~$1200
-Voices: 8
-Osc: 2
-Unison: Yes! Supersaw
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Yamaha DX7
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No list of EDM synths could be complete without mentioning the ultimate bass synth, the Yamaha DX7. This was the first successful all digital synthesizer that came out. Gone were the days of analog when the DX7 rolled in. Time progressed and people wanted a more analog feel once again but that didn't stop people from wanting this phase modulation (better known as Digital FM) synth because of its ability to create great electric pianos, bells, and some of the thickest bass youll ever hear. Though, dont expect to be able to whip out the manual and create the next best trance sound in an afternoon if you have never programmed an FM synth before. The DX7 has had a dual reputation for sounding great but being a bitch to program worth while patches. This is a must have for those of you into using the great DX7 presets (DX7 presets for FM7) or are up for a great challenge in programming FM synths. Not recomended for beginners!
-Demos
-Price:~$100-$400
-Voices: 16
-Osc: 6 operators
-Unison: Yes (but occasionally fucks up)
More to be added!
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Racks
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EMU Morpheus
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One of the best racks you can buy is the EMU Morpheus Z-Plane. The downfall of the Morpheus came at its somewhat small LCD having to display a lot of variables. The morpheus is very good at creating EDM type sounds though. Its main feature comes at its extremely well programmed filters. There are 197 filters to choose from and not a single one will dissapoint. The reason for so many is its special feature that other synths only dream of having; Z-Plane filtering. In short, Z-Plane filters allow morphing of filters to get an almost never ending, never repeating sound making it one of the best synths you can buy to generate atmosphere in songs. Dont be mistaken though, it is highly useful at creating leads and basses as well. This one comes highly recomended.
-[[ LINK REMOVED ]]
-Official Page
-Price:~$350
-Voices: 32
-Osc: 6 per voice
-Unison: Yes
-Type: Rompler
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EMU Proteus 2000
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The Proteus 2000 is similar to the Morpheus but a lot of things were cut out to make it simpler for those users that didnt want to bother with programming the Morpheus (which is unfortunate). This would be an excellent synth for a beginner who has used VSTs before. From the Morpheus, on the Proteus 2000 upgrades the LCD as well as on panel knobs (4 knobs plus 3 shifts). Another major upgrade is the ability to buy and plug in expander cards to get more sounds. For purposes of more edm styled sounds, you might try finding Rob Papens Techno Synth Construction Yard X. The effects as well as the filters on the Proteus 2000 are top notch. You cant go wrong with this synth.
-Demos (sorry, still looking for the 2 mp3s, will find them soon though)
-Expansion Boards
-Official Page
-Price:~$150-$250
-Voices: 128
-Osc: 4
-Unison: No, but is possible w/ other methods
-Type: Rompler
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MIDI Controllers
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Behringer BCR2000
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The Behringer BCR2000 is a great addition to any studio. Whether you are big into using softsynths/effects or using hardware, Behringer will come to the rescue for your Rotary controlling needs. I've not had the chance to use this model but the one below (BCF2000) I have used and they are quite rugged. Many controllers are somewhat flimsy and shitty but this particular series happens to be able to take a lot of abuse without complaining. On this controller are 24 knobs in the main section plus an additional 8 knobs and 16 buttons across the top. The top buttons have the special feature of having 4 selectable scenes quadrupling those controllers to 32 knobs plus 64 buttons. This is a must have for any hardcore musician thats likes to have the feel and the look of a bunch of knob controllers.
-Official Page
-Price:$130
-Keys: --
-Buttons: 16 (64 w/ 4 scene switch)
-Knobs: 24 + 8 (8->32 w/ 4 scene switch)
-Sliders: --
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Behringer BCF2000
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The Behringer BCF2000 is a great addition to the BCR2000. Instead of knobs, you get motorized sliders. Now, I have yet to come up with a good use of the motorized sliders on such a small controller, but they do look cool . On this controller, you get 8 sliders, 8 knobs and 16 buttons. The 8 knobs and 16 buttons also have a 4 scenes quadrupling that to 32 knobs and 64 buttons. This is a must have for people into realtime editing of synths.
-Official Page
-Price:$200
-Keys: --
-Buttons: 16 (64 w/ 4 scene switch)
-Knobs: 24 + 8 (8->32 w/ 4 scene switch)
-Sliders: 16 (motorized)
More to be added!
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Monitors/Speakers/Headphones
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Mixers
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Computer Hardware
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---under construction---
quality post mate
good stuff!
thread rocks!!! just keep on!
| quote: |
| Originally posted by djyouth someone sticky this... |
fucking awesome.. this thread pwns.. short but informative information, great.. !!!
Nice post, but what's wrong with www.sequencer.de?
Hey. I havent ever heard of www.sequencer.de. Seems thier layout is a bit confusing if you ask me but if it suits you thats great :P.
[edit: Just realized thats a page I linked to, der :P. The problem I had with them about the Matrix 12 is that some of the things they were saying were partially true but not entirely. One thing they said was the filters in the Matrix 12 are different than the Xpander and somewhat implied that the Matrix 12 was therefore inferior but in actuality, the filters are just different, not better or worse, jsut different than the ones on the Xpander. I jsut disagree with some of the things they bring as completely factual when they are only about half the story .]
Yeah, they have the odd habit of mixing english and german :P And the layout kind of sux but the information is kickass..
Would be nice for everyone to add to the list..
MS2000 should be added
Dave Smith evolver
etc...
~fr0st~ aka not miss bliss...
Hey. ~fr0st~ is it? I have heard of both and the I know that Dave Smith has created a pretty good foundation to build on for synths but unfortunately, I've used neither. Closest thing I have used to the MS2000 is the softsynth version of the MS-20 (which I'm told is a pretty good recreation of it) but I've not even read about the MS2000. If you could elaborate on them both that would be great . Give me something short and sweet about yuour expiriences with it and I'll do the rest (pricing and links and all that shit).
good threat mate
sorry to be a hater, but shouldn't most of this info be old news for serious producers? i've already scoped the grounds and found my favorites and stick by that. but for 'real' instruments its all about vsts/samples, the synths jsut can't compare (mind you some aren't bad)
i'll admit that the nord lead 3 is one insane mother******...luv that piece of gear (to bad i don't own it lol, but sure was fun in the store)
Someone sticky this!
nice stuff
| quote: |
| Originally posted by djbruuen but for 'real' instruments its all about vsts/samples, the synths jsut can't compare (mind you some aren't bad) |
| quote: |
| Originally posted by djbruuen sorry to be a hater, but shouldn't most of this info be old news for serious producers? i've already scoped the grounds and found my favorites and stick by that. but for 'real' instruments its all about vsts/samples, the synths jsut can't compare (mind you some aren't bad) i'll admit that the nord lead 3 is one insane mother******...luv that piece of gear (to bad i don't own it lol, but sure was fun in the store) |
.
. The fact of the matter is, in a digital domain, especially one without a dedicated board that has emulating components (such as on the Access Powercore and EMU Proteus X), its EXTREMELY hard to get a realistic analog sound. There are a few VSTs out there that do a pretty good job but even then, they still cant completely replicate it. Virtual analog synths, such as many of the ones on this forum are much better suited to create a more analog sound because they have actual hardware in them designed to do just that..
| quote: |
| Originally posted by DigiNut Anyone else see the irony in this? Just so you know, "VST" stands for "Virtual Studio Technology". I'm not sure what you mean by "real" instruments, but if you're talking about accurate recreations of say, orchestral instruments, pianos, guitars, etc., then samplers, not VSTs, are the only way to go. And the best samplers are still hardware, despite the pathetic claims of NI and Steinberg (MOTU MachFive does look sweet but I haven't had the pleasure of using it personally). The best samples are all in Akai and Emu format (Kontakt libraries are nice but IMHO they just don't cut the mustard). However, electronic music production has never been about "real" sounds. It's about phat, crisp, punchy, atmospheric, catchy or unique sounds. I completely respect your decision to choose VST over hardware - and while there are many compelling reasons to do so, sound quality is simply not one of them. Digital instruments produce sounds that are spot-on but also cold and sterile, unlike traditional analog synths which have *so* much more warmth to them. If you can find a soft synth that comes even close to a Moogerfooger, I'd love to hear all about it. |
great thread there..can't wait for you to finish everything up...two thumbs up to you..
| quote: |
| Originally posted by djbruuen maybe i wasn't clear, sorry. i'm talking about programs like east west symphonic library (which is a sample based program with vst technology to pick the appropriate sample based on the velocity you hit the key and some other variables. the mother of all orchestras is vienna symphonic library, but for $5000 for the full package, that will have to wait. thats just my little tangent, i don't want to hijack the thread lol. so carry on! |
| quote: |
| Originally posted by DigiNut Don't even get me started on East West, Zero G, and all the useless shit they've been putting out lately. Long story short, all these fancy-pants EW or Quantum Leap packages you're seeing use Intakt for loops, which is a rotten piece of guano, and Kompakt for sampling, which is almost as much of a pleasure to use as a red hot poker up the ass. The actual quality in these libraries comes from the samples themselves, not the piss-poor mini-samplers that come with them. And the reason I hate them so much is because NI's stupid sample format is obscured and can't be converted to any USEFUL format like Akai or Emu. So if you want to use their stuff, you're stuck using NI's god-awful VSTs. Big players like East West in the sampling world made their reputations releasing samples in proper format - for hardware samplers. Now, they've gone the way of so many others in the digital world and adopted an inferior technology in the interests of "protecting" their wares. I can understand the need for copy protection, but if I'm going to shell out $500 or more for a disk of samples, I should be able to do whatever the hell I want with them! Thank God there are still guys like Rob Papen keeping it real - and when they do dabble in the digital world, they actually come up with something usable (Albino). |
about producing, hardware is the way to go.. definitely..
This thread would be a waste if no one started posting on it, i say it should be get a sticky, it is valuable information.
Never thought much of the nord lead 3 but that demo from vegenance sound has changed my mind it's simply feckin awesome. Give it a listen. Now
I strongly recommend adding the Novation K-Station to your list cause it's wonderful. I can give you some comments if you want
FFS, put a waldorf of some sort up there... PLEASE!!!!
Microwave or Q would be my recommendation. The Waldorf sound is unique, more so than some other VA synths
Great post BTW
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