Basically I have been an all software producer from the start, but I just can't deny how much I like playing with hardware synths (particularly some of the old Korg analog fellas).

My only experience with these is either at school or at friends homes, so I really don't even know where to begin - but as I'm graduating this semester thought it might be nice to invest in some new production gear since I'll hopefully find myself with a bit of time on my hands.

My budget is going to be somewhere between $900-$1500, maybe a bit more/less, and I'm looking for something that any of you all might be a good first piece of real hardware beyond midi controllers added to my setup.

Any help is appreciated -

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http://www.tranceaddict.com/forum/s...1&forumid=48&s=

im looking into buying some hardwear and that does look pretty decent, what does it retail at?

but i cant help but think you have less control over parameters with this one, due to the lack of knobs ect (by this i mean the ability to change different paramaters quickly)

if that makes sense.

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You might be able to get a Nord Lead 3 for a price in the upper part of that range. One of my friends has one, and it's a fun and useful synth.

The Blofeld is back-ordered until the end of March at the earliest and is selling for $699. I'm considering adding one to my hardware collection, but I'm also concerned about the ease of editing. However, the website does seem to indicate that there is a software/USB editor included with the synth. But I agree that more knobs is better and more fun, especially when it's your first and only hardware synth.

For $900-1500, you should be able to pick up a used version of just about any recent virtual analog synth, including Access Virus, Nord Lead, Novation Supernova I/II, Waldorf Q or Microwave, Roland JP8080 or JP8000, etc. Since you already have a MIDI controller, you could look into the desktop (i.e., non-keyboard versions) of any of these synths. I've seen Virus TI's (desktop versions) go for $1500 on eBay and craigslist and the Virus C go for much less. The Nord Lead 3 is nice and definitely within your price range for a used keyboard or desktop version - I actually prefer (and own) the Nord Rack 2X, which can be found for well under your price range. And a used Supernova II, which is a killer synth (I've got a Supernova I), will also be under your price range.

One other option that you may want to consider is to look for a good deal on an earlier version of a Virus (A or B), Nord (version 1 or 2), or Novation Nova. These are all excellent, multi-timbral virtual analog synths with a LOT of power and knobs to play with. You can find each of these on eBay for ~$400 and they will probably hold that resale value for quite some time. Buy one, play around with it until you decide if hardware is right for you. If not, then just sell it for pretty much what you paid for it. If you do like the hardware, then figure out what you like and don't like about that particular model, sell it later, and use that money to buy the synth that you really want.

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Sonar Platinum | Ableton Live 9 | Logic Pro X | Access Virus TI2 Keyboard | Kurzweil PC3X | Nord Lead 4R | NI Maschine

Anyone use the microkorg at all? Seemed like it maked some pretty cool sounds when I messed with it at a guitar center. OBviously it's tiny, but could be a neat, cheap way to get into the hardware side of things.

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moog little phatty

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quote:

Originally posted by meDina moog little phatty

Monosynth. definitely not a very good for much other than poking one note at the time. great to have when you have other (polyphonic) needs filled.

RJT: stay away from Virus TI. CRAP. Awful. HORRIBLE. Unreliable, unfinished buggy piece of shit. I am dumping mine and getting C, as soon as find one at reasonable price. Fucking C went up in price because of what a piece of shit TI is.

Get either Virus C or Nord Lead 3. Both can be bought for about $800/each. Novation Supernova II is pretty good (Ottaviani's tool of choice).

Don't buy JP-8000 or 8080 - overused and now OVERPRICED. Great price for JP - $300 - $350 otherwise it's not worth it.

Yamaha AN1X - AMAZING F*CKING bargain, under $400 and keys alone worth the purchase - the key feel on Yamaha AN1X is THE BEST. The only synth that had better key feel than AN1x was Kawai K5000s. Tho, K5000s is an additive synth and bitch to get your head around of. Def. not for a beginner.

Stay away from DX-7 series (e.g. FM synths) - those are also notoriously hard to program and synthesis method is a fucking bitch to understand.

Nord Lead 1 - with PCMCI expansion, giving you 16 voices - a true no nonsense synth, classic and sounds really lush. Tho, not very thick on the bottom end.

Ideally, I'd recommend following combo:

Yamaha AN1x with Virus C rack and if dough left over - NL1.

Good luck mang.

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quote:

Originally posted by emc^2 Monosynth. definitely not a very good for much other than poking one note at the time. great to have when you have other (polyphonic) needs filled. RJT: stay away from Virus TI. CRAP. Awful. HORRIBLE. Unreliable, unfinished buggy piece of shit. I am dumping mine and getting C, as soon as find one at reasonable price. Fucking C went up in price because of what a piece of shit TI is. Get either Virus C or Nord Lead 3. Both can be bought for about $800/each. Novation Supernova II is pretty good (Ottaviani's tool of choice). Don't buy JP-8000 or 8080 - overused and now OVERPRICED. Great price for JP - $300 - $350 otherwise it's not worth it. Yamaha AN1X - AMAZING F*CKING bargain, under $400 and keys alone worth the purchase - the key feel on Yamaha AN1X is THE BEST. The only synth that had better key feel than AN1x was Kawai K5000s. Tho, K5000s is an additive synth and bitch to get your head around of. Def. not for a beginner. Stay away from DX-7 series (e.g. FM synths) - those are also notoriously hard to program and synthesis method is a fucking bitch to understand. Nord Lead 1 - with PCMCI expansion, giving you 16 voices - a true no nonsense synth, classic and sounds really lush. Tho, not very thick on the bottom end. Ideally, I'd recommend following combo: Yamaha AN1x with Virus C rack and if dough left over - NL1. Good luck mang.

lol all over that. i'm peeing on your message.

Virus TI - great synth, way happy i sold my C. i wish i would have known you wanted a C back so badly i would have traded you my C for your Ti

JP8080 - classic synth to learn on, "over used" ? its all subtractive synth dude... he doesn't have to use a super saw on everything

DX7 - no point, the FM8 actually destroys my old DX-7

I used a Yamaha AN1x at a gig once, awesome piece of kit but you really think this is the best spot for a beginner to learn? i disagree.


i think you'll get the most bang for your buck on a SH-101, a JP 8080 or a Roland Juno-G.

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Originally posted by Zombie0729 lol all over that. i'm peeing on your message. Virus TI - great synth, way happy i sold my C. i wish i would have known you wanted a C back so badly i would have traded you my C for your Ti JP8080 - classic synth to learn on, "over used" ? its all subtractive synth dude... he doesn't have to use a super saw on everything DX7 - no point, the FM8 actually destroys my old DX-7 I used a Yamaha AN1x at a gig once, awesome piece of kit but you really think this is the best spot for a beginner to learn? i disagree. i think you'll get the most bang for your buck on a SH-101, a JP 8080 or a Roland Juno-G.

I have to agree with pretty much all this. I'd get a JP8000/8080, but you won't find a good one for under £300. It's my fave synth and I hate it being in a box under my bed.

FM synthesis can be a lot of fun, although I have no idea what I'm doing with it most of the time and just end up with random cool atmos/fx to throw about

Virus B may be worth a look aswell. The TI is a great synth, I'd swap my KC for one if I had the money. I think you will get the most enjoyment out of a Virus

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In terms of "bang for buck", I'd say Virus B's would be the best pricepoint to get the Virus sound. They're very cheap and you're not losing *much* compared to a C. (Depending how people define *much*, a 10 page flamewar can result)

If the blofeld does indeed have all the features of the Micro Q and Microwave, that is, you can load Q/mQ soundsets into it and get the same/very similar sound, then it's an absolute bargain - and it's brand new. Before, I would've suggested a Micro Q, because it has a wide range of capabilities and is also very cheap.

Nord Leads/ Racks 1 and 2 would also be quite cheap and sound great.

JP80x0s are more limited in their sound range, but their sound range is absolutely classic trance. I use mine heaps - hmm, it's a tough call, whether to get this as one of your first couple of synths. It really depends what style of trance you're making. It may be the first synth you get, it may rank number 4 or 5, depending on your style.

Supernovas have a very distinctive sound (well, every synth does, I guess...) I have a Supernova II, which I currently don't use a great deal. I'll keep experimenting with it, it'll be useful for other styles/ projects of mine for sure.

Everyone has different preferences. Some people use extremely old analog synths and swear by them, swear that new synths sound nowhere near as good. Ultimately, it comes down to how useful they are for you and your own personal sound. Bide your time, grab the cheapest synths you can find which seem like they could fit the bill for your productions. Do a lot of reading, research about the sound of each synth (harmony central has heaps of reviews and flamewars, vintagesynth has some good info...sometimes you'll see information that producer so-and-so used synth such-and-such (but may not have used it at all in your favourite track by that producer, so that's not always a good rule of thumb)).

Good luck!

i think in terms of bang for buck you can't beat a novation k-station. on ebay, they go for around $300US. they have 8 voices, decent onboard fx and a vocoder. it is pretty much v-station, but with a dedicated control surface. imo, these synths are awesome for electro & bass sounds. chances are, you don't need anything more complex than this, as most "in fashion" sounds at the moment are very simple. you only really need the power of a virus or blofeld for complex pads etc.

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Originally posted by floyd741 i think echosystm is a pretty cool guy. eh pwns robby rox and doesn't afraid of anything.