First synthesizer suggestions? (under $1000)

[e3p0]

You said your budget is $800 and that is what a SP costs. If you have a keyboard with midi out, done.

If you don't already have a controller, get a really nice controller, and get some soft synths while you save for and try out analogs. I have a Moog Little Phatty, and I love it.

DSI stuff is awesome too and they just released a Mopho x4, which is like 1300 but not monophonic.

TRY AS MANY AS YOU CAN. Shop with your ears.
-e

[blueixion]

If you're going live and are not afraid of digging, I would try a Kurzweil PC3LE or a second hand PC361 which is the same synth but with double polyphony and more fx resources. It is a digital rompler But it also has one of the best sounding and most versatile VA engines built in a keyboard today. And also a killer B3 emulation. And very good.fx that can enhance your sounds. It's digital, but it has a strong character. The minibrute will provide you a raw, sharp sound in comparison whereas the slim phatty tends to sound softer. Of course, try before you buy.

[Ghosted]

Wouldn't recommend an SP as a first synth. It's monophonic and not multitimbral. It's a nice bass and lead machine, but very specialized for that task only.

If you want to sequence your own full songs go with a synth that has polyphony, multitimbral, and 16 channels of MIDI.

Then get a fat analog to support it.

[robwood]

the Mopho keyboard is about $800 (CDN) and has an audio-in waiting for your guitar... and a pressure/aftertouch-sensitive keyboard* to make you forget your guitar a little longer.

* the more i play it, having aftertouch is definitely sweet.

[Ghosted]

amazing Japanese reviewer who I don't understan

Yeah that "Music Track" guy rocks.

Is all analog what you're looking for? Digital synths can sound very analog and offer a plethora of voices and options. Do you want realistic sounds as well?

What other gear besides a guitar do you own now?

[pdx]

Subjectivity mode ON:

Skip the softsynths, you can download free demos and try them all out, unlike hardware. If you find one you really like, you can always get it cheap.

And skip buying new, you will get more synth for your money if you buy used, and if you wait for a good deal you won't get hit with the depreciation if you decide to resell later.

If you're OK with a monosynth, I'd take a Korg MS-10 over a Slim Phatty any day. (Subjectively, I'd also take an MS-20 over a Voyager.) But you said you're a guitarist and pianist, so you might be frustrated by a lack of polyphony.

If you're OK with digital, I'd recommend a used Virus or Nord Lead over the Gaia as well. Either of those will run circles around the Gaia. A used Virus Indigo looks like it could be found for less than $1000 used on eBay. A Virus kB also sold for less than $1000 and it has a five-octave keyboard. Again, since you play piano, you'll probably end up wanting a larger keyboard than the Gaia (or Virus Indigo) has so the Virus kB or Nord Lead 2X will give you more range.

If you're not OK with digital, I'd stay away from the DSI stuff. I had a Mopho and although it could make some cool sounds, I felt like every patch had the same tone color. If you want a new-ish analog poly, sadly, there just isn't that much available so finding something pre-1985 is your only choice. Any of the Roland Juno series can be had for well under $1000 and they're great to learn synthesis on. I would go for the Juno-60 personally (having owned one, and played a 106, I find the 106 lacking somehow). Just make sure you get something with tons of controls, because changing parameters as you play is part of the fun of playing a synth.

[Ghosted]

I second the idea of a used Virus B if you like analog type sounds and want to hook it to a computer and sequence whole songs with MIDI.

You'll have enough money left over for a Minibrute or something to add to it.

Just a thought.