YARaSQ: Yes another (please) recommend a Synth Question

[Oli]

You could get a reasonable knobby virtual analogue poly synth, and use software sampling.

Analogue is lovely, but you will not likely get all of what you want for your budget. Ambient music can benefit from synthesis complexity, which will cost in an analogue. You will also pay more for a comprehensive control surface. Something like a Tetra would give plenty of bang for the buck, but you can look it up to check what you would compromise on that front.

Something like a Novation Supernova 2 can be had for your budget. It is a reasonable VA, with decent control surface, sufficient synthesis complexity, and can sound nice.

You could also look at a Virus B or C keyboard. Interface is a bit different from the SN. Easy enough to search on that one. I think these were generally very competitive against the SN.

Software sampling is an easier way to learn what that's about, and allow you to focus your budget on a hardware synth.

BTW, you mentioned that you have a DP; is that a digital piano? Does it allow for MIDI output to control another synth? Perhaps you could just get a nice desktop machine, and allow your budget to go further? Perhaps a desktop/rack VA, and an analogue mono to go with?

I wouldn't recommend a Nord Lead for your only synth for Ambient. I love my Lead 1, but it is a simple synth. It generally is an easy one to learn on though.

I also would stay away from the K5000. Again, I like mine, but I edit it though software. It is not an immediate experience. Most people also find additive less intuitive (I think it's fine, but I don't know many other users who found the K5000 manual straight forward and mundane).

Anything you buy, take your time, do plenty of reading about common maintenance issues. Also look around for as many different places to buy from as possible.

I suggest you also keep searching this forum. Pretty much everything on this topic has been said many times before. Just read it all, and filter out what's not relevant to you.