best hardware synth for the $

[GILFOIL]

ehh slutz.

since i got into engineering, i've used (and continue to use) a variety of software synths
(arturia moog mod & jupiter 8 models, native instruments package, many free ones ect.)

but i've been contemplating buying a hardware synth for so long....i really want to get into programing these babies but am easily discouraged when i'm forced to use a mouse and screen....sometimes i'll even map some controls to my midi controller, but it just doesn't seem the same...

what i'm looking for is a synth, either modular or keyboard, with lots of hands on controls, old or new, analogue or digital, decent sounds, and most of all

EASY ON THE WALLET (starving artist )

i work on various types of music (from hip-hop to progressive house) so it's fairly open.

let's hear your suggestions guys!!!

thanks and g0d bless

[Herman Munster]

You could consider a used Motif ES6 or 7. It is easily programmable and if you're into analog a couple of PLG-AN boards will go a long way. That would probably run you about $1200-1500. I doubt you'll get very good sounds for less....

[rockrev]

I love my Korg MS2000. Honestly couldn't give it up b/c of the vocoder (which I overuse). Anyway, great presets and fun tweaking that can keep you busy all day long. Click on my "resotronic" link below and you'll find the 2000 used on the following songs: "Breakdown," "Drive," "Need," and "The Fallen." It was $750 new a few years ago. I don't know if they still make them, though.

dj

[GILFOIL]

Originally Posted by rockrev

I love my Korg MS2000. Honestly couldn't give it up b/c of the vocoder (which I overuse). Anyway, great presets and fun tweaking that can keep you busy all day long. Click on my "resotronic" link below and you'll find the 2000 used on the following songs: "Breakdown," "Drive," "Need," and "The Fallen." It was $750 new a few years ago. I don't know if they still make them, though.

dj

ahhh!!! i totally forgot about this synth!!! i think thats the one i'll be going for...

and yea, i could see how it would be hard NOT to overuse the vocoder...LOL!

BTW, tried your link, but its broken, either way, thanks alot for the post!!!

EDIT - they do still make them, except i think it looks a little different and is called the Korg MS2000"B"

[popmann]

If you want "synth" sounds...any old Roland or Kurzweil will kick ever loving ass. I still use my D70 (approaching 20 years old?) for synths. I've also got an XV3080, which has the 2080+JD990+new sample sets.

If you want emulation sounds, the market gets narrower. I'm going to oversimplify based on my experience:

Ac Piano: Yamaha S90es or MotifES. Kurzweil Pc2 or better.

EP: Kurz Pc2 series. KILLS. MotifES as distant second.

Organ: If not a dedicated unit...Kurz--any unit with the Kb3 modelling.

Drums: MotifES. Roland SRX drum card.

Strings: Roland SRX04 strings. New Yammy or any Kurz w/Orch card second/third.

Guitar: Don't. Hire me to play. The loops in the new MotifESX were quite impressively useful.

There you go. Buy used. Buy old tech. I know, I mentioned the new Motif--it's an impressive ass board across the board. But, I won't pay the premium price tag. Buy one in 5 years. It'll STILL sound great.

[living sounds]

Best hardware synth for the money? Waldorf Microwave IMHO. Great filters, a lot of variety, very alive sounding piece of gear.
A great sounding one for REALLY cheap is the TX7.

[aeonsound]

the MS2000/B/BR is highly recommended by lots of peoples - i've only used one briefly, but they do pack a reasonable punch for the price.

Waldorf Blofeld if you can stretch to it, but then you are losing a chunk of that hands-on control.

how much is 'easy on the wallet'?

[jsrockit]

DSI Evolver
MFB Synth II
Alesis Ion

[GILFOIL]

Originally Posted by aeonsound

how much is 'easy on the wallet'?

lol, well for my budget, anything below $1000...1500 if i pimp myself

[Byll]

Gilfoil: I have a modular synth for sale. The unit is described, below. If you are interested, please make me an offer. I have found this model user friendly, and yet very powerful and sophisticated. If you wish communication to be private, please let me know how to reach you, as you do not accept PMs.

The best to you.
Byll

Classic Emu Proteus 2000 rack-mount synthesizer. Excellent working order. The case contains a bit of rack rash, which I have covered. That covering can be removed, easily, if desired. The unit contains both Composer and optional ZR-1 SIMMS, installed. A hard copy user's manual is included. The data entry control on these units is their one weak point. They age and become intermittent. On this unit, the control was replaced professionally, about 4 months ago, and the new one works flawlessly. This synth is controlled either by computer, or by any keyboard that outputs MIDI commands. On the included ZR-1 SIMM, about a dozen piano patches (out of hundreds of patches) are inoperable. The rest of the patches are flawless. (A number of the flawed patches are actually available on the other OEM SIMM...) Added to the Composer chip, the total in the synthesizer is over 1500 patches. There are also 512 areas for user-created custom patches. Editing on this unit can be very rudimentary, or as deep as one wishes. This EMU unit is a true digital 128-voice, 32 MIDI channel, Multi-timbral synthesizer, with all parameters instantly accessible and editable from front panel analog controls.

[rockrev]

Check these out:

YouTube - Map of the Problematique (KORG MS2000)

YouTube - Bliss (korg ms2000)

Not the hottest performances, but it will do "modern" sounds well.

dj

[666]

Realise your destiny....

Korg MS-20.

Thank me later.