Hey guys so I am on the market for a 25 key synth, a mixer, and a midi controller. I'd like to not spend over $1000 on all of it. Any suggestions? I am looking for quality over anything else. Also has anyone used the Korg KO1 Kaossilator? It seems like a fun toy, so I might give it a try...your thoughts?
Oh and one more thing, I have purchased a pair of Skullcandy SKPRO phones (love em) in April which are designed for DJing, but I've only used em for production. I have never seen anyone use them on a set, probably because they aren't available here in Canada, but I just wanted to know how they would rate when you actually put them to work for what they were built for. Anybody use em?

Thanks a lot everyone!

EDIT: I should mention the fact that i run Windows 7 and not everything is compatible with it.

Last edited by i.am.sputnik on Dec-11-2009 at 04:31

For $1000, why are you limiting yourself to a 25-key synth? You can find a ton of great synths for well under $1K with 49 or 61 keys and you could use that as your MIDI controller. Or, invest in a nice MIDI controller and buy a nice rack or tabletop synth??? You specified that you want quality, but you'll probably find that most 25-key synths are toys.

quote:

Originally posted by i.am.sputnik Korg KO1 Kaossilator? It seems like a toy,

fixed.

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Well the reason I said 25key is because I travel a lot, so portability is an issue. And I'd like to keep the synth with me as opposed to other things...

serach korg nano

The only halfway decent 25-key synth I can think of is the Novation X-Station, which is also a very nice MIDI controller and has a built-in soundcard. But, I haven't used one since Windows XP so I have no idea if it's W7-compatible.

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quote:

Originally posted by i.am.sputnik Hey guys so I am on the market for a 25 key synth, a mixer, and a midi controller. I'd like to not spend over $1000 on all of it. Any suggestions? I am looking for quality over anything else. Also has anyone used the Korg KO1 Kaossilator? It seems like a fun toy, so I might give it a try...your thoughts? Oh and one more thing, I have purchased a pair of Skullcandy SKPRO phones (love em) in April which are designed for DJing, but I've only used em for production. I have never seen anyone use them on a set, probably because they aren't available here in Canada, but I just wanted to know how they would rate when you actually put them to work for what they were built for. Anybody use em? Thanks a lot everyone! EDIT: I should mention the fact that i run Windows 7 and not everything is compatible with it.

I think you're going to need to spend more time figuring out what you need.

The post smells of just knowing enough to waste your money.

For a start you've bought skullcandy DJ headphones for producing. NOt a disaster, but certainly not the best for the same money, had you done some research.

Why do you want a synth? and a mixer?

My point is that nearly all synths are midi controllers and you'd know that if you had even brushed the surface.

If you're travelling a lot, then you really want to be in the box (all in computer with a sequencer with softsynths etc.), with exception to the portable midi controller.

You can see what i'm getting at right? $1k is more than enough to get yourself a really nice starting setup, as long as you don;t spunk your budget on ill-thought out purchases.

i want fxpansion synth sqaud ive tried them out and strobe sounds unique compared to my other synths with an instance of warmverb over the top of it i got some amazing sounds out of it

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For future reference, do your research before you put down money.

How long have you produced and for what reason do you want a synth and a mixer? If you know what you're getting into then just get a midi controller, if not then do some research on what you want then come back and ask again.

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Lol yeayea you can bitch about skullcandys all you like, I've heard em all. But despite the name and their usual "glamor over quality" products, they are actually really good with decent specs and are better than HDJ-1000s which I've tried before. Absolutely no crackling even at highest frequencies. Anyway who gives a fuck about the phones right now. Back to the topic lol.
@floyd: I want a synth because I find that easier to experiment with notes using it instead of laying them down using your mouse. And what do you mean do your research before I put down my money? I AM doing my research right here with you guys...

@DJ RANN I need a synth and SEPARATE midi controller. I know a lot of synths have midi control built in, but I am looking for something in the likes of NI's Maschine. It's a bit pricey atm but I will probably get it eventually because I fell it's worth it. I've found a couple of other products similar to it, just wondering if anyone has experience with something else cheaper. Or since NI aren't going to have an online sale perhaps maybe I should just hold off for an extra two months to get it...? And a mixer I want just for the fun of it, like if I have a party at my house or something.

I've been producing just for fun as a hobby since spring or so, but now looking to take it a bit further.
So no I don't need super sick equipment but I do like cool gadgets and don't worry I'm a quick learner at everything. Windows 7 is what bothers me the most at the moment...

quote:

Originally posted by i.am.sputnik Lol yeayea you can bitch about skullcandys all you like, I've heard em all. But despite the name and their usual "glamor over quality" products, they are actually really good with decent specs and are better than HDJ-1000s which I've tried before. Absolutely no crackling even at highest frequencies. Anyway who gives a fuck about the phones right now. Back to the topic lol. @floyd: I want a synth because I find that easier to experiment with notes using it instead of laying them down using your mouse. And what do you mean do your research before I put down my money? I AM doing my research right here with you guys... @DJ RANN I need a synth and SEPARATE midi controller. I know a lot of synths have midi control built in, but I am looking for something in the likes of NI's Maschine. It's a bit pricey atm but I will probably get it eventually because I fell it's worth it. I've found a couple of other products similar to it, just wondering if anyone has experience with something else cheaper. Or since NI aren't going to have an online sale perhaps maybe I should just hold off for an extra two months to get it...? And a mixer I want just for the fun of it, like if I have a party at my house or something. I've been producing just for fun as a hobby since spring or so, but now looking to take it a bit further. So no I don't need super sick equipment but I do like cool gadgets and don't worry I'm a quick learner at everything. Windows 7 is what bothers me the most at the moment...

Firstly, you don;t really measure headphones by whether they crackle with high frequencies - it's a given that most decent headphones don't do that.

The NI amchine is nothing more than a midi controller that controls a softsynth, and again that's why when you say you want a separate synth and midi controller, I'm not sure you know what you're talking about.

And a mixer? for what? a DJ mixer or a mixing desk for producing? and how are you going to connect it to your sequencer?

Really all you need is a simple midi controller, a decent soundcard, and some software - I honestly think that you buying hardware right now would be a waste of money for your situation.

Do what you like though, I'm (along with some other people commenting in this thread are) just saying that it sounds like a case of having the money without the full knowledge needed to make it a worthwhile investment.

Last edited by DJ RANN on Dec-12-2009 at 06:35

Ok perhaps I don't know what I am talking about. Can a midi synth do the same thing as midi controller then? Like...without any limitations?
And I was talking about a dj mixer but I realize now that it would be in the wrong section of the forum.