At your price point (less than $500) the real values in vintage synths are the old digital synths -- but again I'm not sure if that's what you're really looking for.
Agree
My favorite is the TX802. These can be stupidly cheap and are great synths. They can even be warm, but more than that, they are proper synthesizers..
I've seen 2 Microwave II's go for less than €300 on ebay.de and they sound lush. €100 more get's you the XT.
Agree
My favorite is the TX802. These can be stupidly cheap and are great synths. They can even be warm, but more than that, they are proper synthesizers..
I've seen 2 Microwave II's go for less than €300 on ebay.de and they sound lush. €100 more get's you the XT.
I could not agree more. Right now on ebay there are no fewer than 3 SY77s for less than $500! This is an amazing synth -- and there's nothing in software like it. Ditto the TX802, K5000, microwave, wavestation, all less that $500.
I'm increasingly of the thought that my ideal synth set up would consist roughly of 1/3 old digital synths, 1/3 modular, and 1/3 software synths with maybe one analog poly. For the price of a vintage Jup8, I'd rather buy a SY77+microwave and spend the rest on a serious modular.
I'm looking for a vintage synth that will create very warm sounds that is very flexible and can make decent sounds in all areas to use in my productions.
I'm looking for one the cheaper side, something I could get for 100-500$ max. Preferably MIDI compatible so I don't have to purchase a converter (although that's not out of the question!).
From my research this is what I've come up with so far and hopefully someone can speak their opinions on these or other recommended ones.
Roland Juno 6, 60, 106
Suuuper expensive, sadly, it's exactly what I want but it doesn't really look like I'll be able to get my hands on any of these unless I get unbelievably lucky and find one in a pawn shop up in michigan. Plus the 6 and 60 are not MIDI compatible so I would have to get an adapter which means more money.
I will be putting my Juno-106 on eBay soon. It's missing the hi-pass slider post (it does function though), and chips 1 and 3 are starting to go.
I'm sure they can replace the 'not immensely important' hi-pass slider for a little extra too. Maybe $25-50. I might even do it myself, as it's pretty easy to do.
So assuming the 106 sells for less than $500 in its current condition, you can end up with a tip-top Juno for around $700 + shipping.
I will be taking nice videos of its wonderful cosmetic condition (cept for the slider) and will illustrate the effect of the bad chips.
I'm near Detroit so that could certainly make it less feasible depending on your location.
I should probably just fix it all myself, but I don't have the time.
Just throwing it out there for anyone interested. Feel free to PM with any questions.
I would still get the SQ-80. I own two of them, so I'm a bit biased. However, I have also a pair of ESQ-m modules. These make the same sounds as your ESQ-1; So I can offer a fair comparison...
- The SQ-80 has more waveforms than the ESQ-1. This includes a very basic drum kit, several other percussive sounds, as well as breathy, vocal, and metallic waves.
- The SQ-80 has the easiest-to-use hardware sequencer on the planet. It has twice the capacity of an ESQ-1 with an expansion - and has a few extra features, to boot.
- The SQ-80 has a disk drive. You can store sounds, sequences, and sound/sequence banks to it.
- The second release is a poor-man's reverb. It's a parameter in the ADSR envelope.
- The mighty AM bug. Modulating a one shot waveforms against any other wave produces sonic mayhem. Some combinations are strangely musical; others are simply bizarre. If you're into glitch, dubstep, ambient, or chillout, the SQ-80 has something to offer.
- Hidden waves pick up where the AM bug left off. The SQ-80 requires a firmware upgrade to access them. I burned and swapped the EEPROMs on mine. Even though the ESQ-1 can also be hacked like this, the extra waves are not nearly as interesting.
- Almost forgot...polyphonic aftertouch! While I don't use this (eats up too much sequencer memory) you may want to. Sure...the keys are a bit clacky. However, the keybed uses a contactorless design. Read: no dirty contacts to clean EVER.
There are a few SQ-80 demos on YouTube that will give you a good idea of what the board can do. One of my uploads, Polar Path, is among them. That demo has some breathy pads and an AM-bug rhythm you will not be able to reproduce on an ESQ-1.
UPDATE: Syntaur sells an SQ-80 retrofit for 60 bucks that fixes the clacky keys.
__________________ No fair ! It's my turn to be Skrillex !
Forgot but the reply a few replies above I think nailed it. If you want the Roland sound for cheap a JP8000 is the buy in my opinion. You get that classic Roland sound.
A lot of former Roland vintage owners will tell you they've gone this route. The JP8000 has a warm filter. If you were local to LA I'd let you try mine out. But I know you are not.
Agree
My favorite is the TX802. These can be stupidly cheap and are great synths. They can even be warm, but more than that, they are proper synthesizers..
I've seen 2 Microwave II's go for less than €300 on ebay.de and they sound lush. €100 more get's you the XT.
Finally!! I thought this entire thread would go by without someone mentioning the DX7 or one of its derivatives.
If you have the space take a closer look at the Korg DSS-1 (not the rackversion DSM-1). I bought mine a few months ago and don´t regret it. Beside the DCOs the rest is 100% analog. Plus a 6-12bit sampler. And no MIDI problems overhere. The only problem could be a non functional disk drive that can be replaced with a USB/SD Card mod from Lotharek.
Best bang for the buck these days might possibly be a TX-802 and EX-8000 (rack version of DW-8000) I recently sold my "like new" DW-8000 and DX7IID to free up space. $750.00 for the two of them.
I replaced them with the rack versions: TX-802 and EX-8000 for a total of $350.00 for both.
The warm 'n dark DW / EX 8000 is a nice compliment for FM synths. I keep them midi'd together and treat them as "one" synth.
why does it have to be vintage? they're overpriced and prone to so many problems.. they need to be tuned/serviced and it's not uncommon for parts to fail.. for the money i'd just buy something new like a minibrute. there aren't many vintage synths out there in that price range that aren't DCO-based, which (in my opinion) do not sound very good compared to true VCO synths. and most of those DCO synths have absolutely terrible user interfaces, which suck all the joy out of using an analog synth. part of the charm of vintage analogs is the fact that they had knobs and sliders for each parameter.
that being said, in that price range, personally i'd get something like a yamaha cs-10.
lol, you just wrote a whole paragraph stating your case against vintage synths. Then at the end say you'd get a cs-10,
So I read through this whole thread and am amazed nobody mentioned the Roland D-50. Not only does it cover a wide sonic range, it sounds fantastic and the D-50 librarian software is some of the best synth editing software I have used. Plus, there are thousands of patches on the net and tons of spare parts if anything goes wrong.
Of the many synths in your price point mentioned in this thread I have the following:
ESQ-1
DX-7
Juno 106
AN1x
K5000S
D-50 (which I just mentioned)
Kurzweil (I have the K2600SX which is higher than you want to spend)
For what you said you wanted, I think the D-50 is your best match with the K2000 in second place. I personally am not thrilled with the ESQ-1 and the fact that the keybed is clacky and without aftertouch really sucks. Just my opinion.
I don't think I've ever heard anyone call a Casio CZ warm. As for the Juno 6/60/106, they are very one-note. They always sound like a Juno.
Based on your need for flexibility and low price range I'd cast off the "Vintage" requirement and look at something like an Alesis ION. You can grab one for under $500 and it sounds very warm. It has 3 oscillators and something like 30 different filter models which can be arranged in series or parallel. It has patch storage (lots) and even a sequencer. I think it's probably the warmest sounding VA I have ever played, and super flexible. I think it sounds way better than the Clavia Nord/Access stuff, and way warmer than Korg stuff. A close second would be the Roland JP-8000 or maybe a Novation K-Station.
In the hands of a capable programmer VA can be very warm sounding, and you'll get something decently flexible rather than a bottom range vintage synth that could stab you in the face with repair costs if it goes wrong on you.
One last thing I might suggest is if you absolutely must have Analog, check out the Dave Smith Instruments Tetra. I didn't originally recommend it because it's only 4 voice poly. But it's pretty cool.
Keep in mind you can make anything warm by boiling or starting it on fire.
lol, you just wrote a whole paragraph stating your case against vintage synths. Then at the end say you'd get a cs-10,
haha, yeah, well the cs-10 is super cheap, awesome, has a good UI, so if he's hellbent on getting something that has to be vintage, that's what i'd go for in that price range. but i thought it was important to at least warn someone as to what they'd be getting into/what to expect with vintage stuff in that price range.
why does it have to be vintage? they're overpriced and prone to so many problems.. they need to be tuned/serviced and it's not uncommon for parts to fail.. for the money i'd just buy something new like a minibrute. there aren't many vintage synths out there in that price range that aren't DCO-based, which (in my opinion) do not sound very good compared to true VCO synths. and most of those DCO synths have absolutely terrible user interfaces, which suck all the joy out of using an analog synth. part of the charm of vintage analogs is the fact that they had knobs and sliders for each parameter.
that being said, in that price range, personally i'd get something like a yamaha cs-10.
+1, sorry (ish), but I couldn't be bothered to read the whole thread, because this is another 'collector/geek' bait thread ... if you know nothing about synths to this degree (and sorry to sound like an arse ... this is not about you specifically) ... how on earth do you/everyone who posts something similar (not having a go at you - so peace) know you want a 'vintage' 'it's classic' 'it's phatt' 'it sounds a bit like an expensive car/bottle of wine' synth, or why anyone else wants one? Most of the inflation in synth prices is simply that guys (and it's mainly obsessive guys on here, me included) couldn't own them all/any of them back in the day and now they have houses and day jobs can afford something that, whilst seeming expensive, is relatively cheap for an obsession when compared to a mortgage. I have a Casio CZ3000 next to me - it's good, I've owned it since new in 1980 something, but you're better off downloading TAL noisemaker TAL - Togu Audio Line: Products
because it sounds like a phase distortion (CZ series) synth and so much more, but it's free. It'll be vintage too one day, but it won't improve and neither do synths.
OH dear ... I should never post when I come back from the pub and feel a rant coming on ... forgive me, but it's the absolute honest truth
+1, sorry (ish), but I couldn't be bothered to read the whole thread, because this another 'collector/geek' bait thread ... if you know nothing about synths to this degree (and sorry to sound like an arse ... this is not about you specifically) ... how on earth do you/everyone who posts something similar (not having a go at you - so peace) know you want a 'vintage' 'it's classic' 'it's phatt' 'it sounds a bit like an expensive car/bottle of wine' synth is, or why anyone wants one? Most of the inflation in synth prices is simply that guys (and it's mainly obsessive guys on here, me included) couldn't own them all/any of them back in the day and now they have houses and day jobs can afford something that, whilst seeming expensive, is relatively cheap for an obsession when compared to a mortgage. I have a Casio CZ3000 next to me - it's good, I've owned it since new in 1980 something, but you're better off downloading TAL noisemaker TAL - Togu Audio Line: Products
because it sounds like a phase distortion (CZ series) synth and so much more, but it's free. It'll be vintage too one day, but it won't improve and neither do synths.
OH dear ... I should never post when I come back from the pub and feel a rant coming on ... forgive me, but it's the absolute honest truth
+1, sorry (ish), but I couldn't be bothered to read the whole thread, because this another 'collector/geek' bait thread ... if you know nothing about synths to this degree (and sorry to sound like an arse ... this is not about you specifically) ... how on earth do you/everyone who posts something similar (not having a go at you - so peace) know you want a 'vintage' 'it's classic' 'it's phatt' 'it sounds a bit like an expensive car/bottle of wine' synth is, or why anyone wants one? Most of the inflation in synth prices is simply that guys (and it's mainly obsessive guys on here, me included) couldn't own them all/any of them back in the day and now they have houses and day jobs can afford something that, whilst seeming expensive, is relatively cheap for an obsession when compared to a mortgage. I have a Casio CZ3000 next to me - it's good, I've owned it since new in 1980 something, but you're better off downloading TAL noisemaker TAL - Togu Audio Line: Products
because it sounds like a phase distortion (CZ series) synth and so much more, but it's free. It'll be vintage too one day, but it won't improve and neither do synths.
OH dear ... I should never post when I come back from the pub and feel a rant coming on ... forgive me, but it's the absolute honest truth
Ha!..you sound like you could almost be me. I was a poor for most of my life ,,, but also making music...However, I had to leave it for about 15 years to achieve the position of greedy capitalist pig. Mission accomplished. So... 16 years of what i like to do best sacrificed for that ideal....But now I can afford to buy anything I desire in the synth realm. First thing I did was replace the synths that I loved, and also the ones that paid for my weekly bar tab. Thank God for exotic dancers back in those days. they were the ones that had the cash to make life fun now and then. (But I digress, and following my rock and roll career I spent 8 years doing film and live theatre).
Returning to this whole synth thing about four years ago and seeking out gear, learning about the new stuff was extremely important, and I can possibly offer some insights and perspectives that might be unique in that regard. Just like a guy that pent 15 years in jail and then suddenly get's released onto the street. So,,, here's my message........you can make the next giant hit on a laptop if you have the inventive talent and drive to make it happen. A Mellotron, a MiniMoog , or a CS80 won't make the difference. I love all of these toys,, but genius is 99% hard work....Remember....the people that thrived on vintage synths only had vintage synths to work with.. That was it.. they used what they had. Use whatever YOu have....it;'s not what you have,, it';s what you do with what you have.
So I read through this whole thread and am amazed nobody mentioned the Roland D-50. Not only does it cover a wide sonic range, it sounds fantastic and the D-50 librarian software is some of the best synth editing software I have used. Plus, there are thousands of patches on the net and tons of spare parts if anything goes wrong.
Of the many synths in your price point mentioned in this thread I have the following:
ESQ-1
DX-7
Juno 106
AN1x
K5000S
D-50 (which I just mentioned)
Kurzweil (I have the K2600SX which is higher than you want to spend)
For what you said you wanted, I think the D-50 is your best match with the K2000 in second place. I personally am not thrilled with the ESQ-1 and the fact that the keybed is clacky and without aftertouch really sucks. Just my opinion.
Agreed. D-50 is one of the best synths for the price you can buy second hand (especially if you are into collecting 'classics' too). Have tried to sell my D-50s but I always end up getting another one instead
I'd stay away from the DX7 and TX802, having owned both. Native Instrument's FM8 does a great job of emulating them, including both adding (if you like) back in analog noise or even the original DX7 digital noise, which made some patches the way they are. Loads up Dx7 patches no problem, and the programming interface is so far behind it isn't a contest. I haven't turned on my DX7 in 8 years.
I own a K2000, and if you swap out the floppy drive for a SCSI CF card reader, things are good. Very strong synth architecture with deep modulation and programming opportunities, and keyboard is good as a master keyboard.
Please note that on all these synths that are from the 80's, you may have a lot of maintenance buying one at your price -- having someone desolder and add in a new battery (or socketed battery) to avoid the battery leaking acid; cap job, etc. Do your homework to see if anyone in your area can even work on this stuff, and if parts are available. Ensoniq parts for the ESQ1/M/SQ80 are starting to dwindle; for some of the more obscure synths it may be even more difficult.
just know that while you may pay under $500 for a vintage synth, you're going to have to put potentially as much in it to keep it going.
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I'd stay away from the DX7 and TX802, having owned both.
Not sure I'd agree with this, although I'm heavily biased because I was so heavily into FM synths in the 80s. I can't really imagine not owning some kind of Yamaha DX-something or other.
Another thought occurred to me; what about a real old-fashioned dinosaur keyboard sampler? They are full of character, huge, heavy and if you had one in the 80s you were automatically a god.
Nowadays they are stupidly cheap. Of course they don't have one millionth of the capabilities of a modern sampling plug-in, but they do sound unique and you WILL feel like Depeche Mode when you're playing them.
I somehow ended up with an Ensoniq EPS and an Emax II - I prefer the former because it's more fun to use and sounds a lot less hi-fi than the the Emax.
EDIT: Actually someone already recommended the Korg DSS-1 so it looks like we're building a consensus...
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