a versitle synth in the $500 range

locussst · Post by **locussst** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 4:56 pm

I am looking for a synth for good on-stage performance (that means reliable and light) that also has a small range of basic acoustic sounds (like piano, ep, strings) but is mostly analog with lots of pads that sit well in the mix and deep low basses and interesting, cutting leads. However, the most important thing is that it has a lot of knobs for editing the various parameters because I am still somewhat new to sound synthesis and would like everything laid out for me so that I can just learn by experience (which is the best way for me generally). I know what all the parameters do generally but I need something that will give me a "feel" for sound synthesis so then I can move up to some of the other more powerful synths and create with those. So anything from about 300-800 dollars that can do all those things and be able to play say 3-5 parts maintaining the original fidelity of the sounds would be nice. Does anyone know of such a synth? I have already looked at the Roland SH-201 and I love the way the knobs are laid out but it can't play more than one part and it doesn't have any sort of acoustic waveforms to play with. Juno-D also looked cool but I'm not sure if the knobs on that synth would be enough. Ion doesn't have acoustic sounds and Novation and Nord's synths I'm not sure about though. Any insight would be appreciated. You can e-mail me at benjaminbarry@gmail.com if you'd rather do that.

gtsoundcrew · Post by **gtsoundcrew** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 9:47 pm

Novation's are good, and Nord's are AMAZING... but are allitle more of the "synth" side and the nord's can be pretty pricey... I use a KORG MS2000 for live and in the studio and I love it... It's pretty versitle and its about $500 bucks.. plenty of knobs to mess with!! lol... good luck!!!

mhschmieder · Post by **mhschmieder** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 7:03 pm

Unfortunately, there is no such beast -- not in that price range.

On the other hand, if you look on the used market, you might find something.

It's a tall order, unless quality doesn't matter.

If your request for excellent acoustic sounds isn't as critical as your need for tweakability and great synth sounds, I recommend a used Yamaha CS6x, which is in your price range.

You can then later expand it with the PLG150-AN analog modeling card (i.e. "AN1x on a card"), and the PLG150-DX FM card (i.e. "DX7 on a card"), which are currently on blowout for under $200 each.

This is a killer combination. It is my main stage setup right now -- though in the studio I reach first for my Motif-Rack ES and Kurzweil PC2r racks.

With the PLG150-DX plug-in board, you get better pianos than in any sample-based all-purpose synth in your chosen price range.

They aren't great, but in my mind they beat stuff in that price range. They're especially good for mallet percussion, electric piano, and B3.

The knobs issue is what keeps me from recommending anything else -- it just doesn't exist in that price range; even on the used market.

As I said, you have a tall order. I suggest maximising for two out of three requirements and covering the rest with a later purchase. Either a rack or a cheap but flexible synth like the microKorg, Ion or Micron.

Saintmatthew · Post by **Saintmatthew** » Fri Sep 29, 2006 7:39 am

Micro X has a fantastic range of sounds for $650. It uses the triton engine and osunds awesome. It's small with few knobs though but a $100 controller board would change all that. The MicroX also ships with a full featured software/vst/au plugin editor that totally rocks. Essentially, it's to the triton what the Micro-Korg is to the MS2000.

David Polich · Post by **David Polich** » Sat Sep 30, 2006 1:30 pm

You can pick up a used Alesis Ion for around $400 (maybe less) these days. You can get a new one for just under $600. I have an Ion, and it's a great sounding virtual analog synth. Very phat, nice filters, vocoder, three oscillators with continuously adjustable waveforms, LFO and pitch envelopes that loop, pre and post-filter routing - the only thing I wish Alesis had included was an EQ and a long delay in the effects section.

The Micron uses the same engine as the Ion, but has a mini-keyboard and a lot less knobs, so it's not as interactive an experience as the Ion.

mhschmieder · Post by **mhschmieder** » Tue Oct 03, 2006 5:51 pm

Remember, the original poster wants acoustic piano and other bread and butter sounds as well. That's why I didn't recommend the products from the past few replies.

I had an Ion stolen recently and couldn't afford to replace it, so bought a broken Micron on eBay this weekend which will still be a bargain after repairs (I'm lucky in having good sources for repairs that keep me from being intimidated and occasionally land me bargains).

The Ion has a better control surface, but the Micron arguably can sound better out-of-the-box due to its effects and other features. But the Micron sounded like crap until I started playing it via my Yamaha CS6x, as the CS6x sends aftertouch (which the Micron accepts but does not implement in its own keybed). I had actually forgotten how good this beast sounds until then, as the setups in Guitar centre are less than ideal for evaluating it.

The Ion/Micron get you the closest (in that price range) to full coverage of a majority of vintage synths. But as I said before, there is no current instrument in that range that can meet ALL of your requirements. If you need to accomplish that on the stated budget, with only one device, there are some options on the used market, but you may not be happy with the compromises and so I suggest you re-evaluate your needs to determine your priorities and exercise patience for the less-critical sounds.