Help for a hardware synth newbie...please.

manthe · 20th August 2007, 11:46 PM

I do not use synths in my studio very much. Musicians occasionally request this or that. I also like a bass or pad every now and then. But mostly, it is straight. 'standard' rock/country/bluegrass/jazz instruments (drums, bass, guitar, elec gtr, piano, banjo, violin/fiddle/horns, etc.).

I should clarify - when I say 'synth' I mean something with waves, shaped and padded through filters. I do not mean Pianos, Organs, Electric Pianos, classical instruments (strings, horns, etc). Basically, nothing that is a 'real' instrument. I apologize if my nomenclature is off. It shows how much of a newbie I am to this. Anyhow...

Up 'til now, I've just used my Roland RS-9 keyboard to trigger a few software synths that I own (Cakewalk Z3TA+, NI FM7, Arturia minimoog V and the Novation Bass Station). I like them fine. I am not much of a synth connoisseur, so those synths may be CRAP and I wouldn't *really* know. I've bought the ones (over the years) that have either, A. - Been requested by a customer, sounded really cool/good to me or came (or was deeply discounted) with a piece of hardware/software.

After a little research, I just picked up a Korg R3. I am rely having a good time with it. It sounds really cool. I was VERY intrigued by the vocoder! When I run it through some of my outboard pres, compressors and EQs, it seems to have great 'vibe'!

I am not committed to it. I can still trade it in. My budget is really only $800 US, or less. Is there something a lot better in that price range? I would appreciate any feedback!

Thanks...

manthe · 22nd August 2007, 02:19 AM

bump...

gurubuzz · 22nd August 2007, 02:35 AM

Try out a Clavia Nord Lead 2 or 3

and any of the Access Virus...

Or the New Moog Voyager.

another cool one is the Alessis Andromeda.

gurubuzz · 22nd August 2007, 02:36 AM

Sorry Didn't see your price range....

manthe · 22nd August 2007, 02:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gurubuzz

Sorry Didn't see your price range....

Yeah....oooops! Good stuff to drool over, though!

cornutt · 22nd August 2007, 03:45 PM

If you like the R3, go with it. You really can't think of synths in terms of "what's the best one in the $X price range". What one person considers "best" may sound like absolute crap to you. If it works for you and the music that you're doing, then you're golden.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Hardware geeks/knowers help! which hardware for what - lost in liquidmix emulations	analographi	So much gear, so little time!	5	13th March 2007 08:38 AM
New Arturia hardware synth	vartan k	Electronic Music Instruments & Electronic Music Production	20	22nd January 2007 06:36 PM
Soft and Hardware synth through outboard Pre ?	Dutchmuzik	High end	8	21st August 2005 08:24 PM
Controller keyboard + laptop VS hardware synth (for live work)	houston	Low End Theory	3	24th July 2005 05:55 PM
controller keyboard/ Laptop VS hardware synth/ stage piano (4 Live work)	houston	Music computers	1	24th July 2005 11:47 AM

20th August 2007, 11:46 PM	#1
manthe Lives for gear Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 1,751	Help for a hardware synth newbie...please. I do not use synths in my studio very much. Musicians occasionally request this or that. I also like a bass or pad every now and then. But mostly, it is straight. 'standard' rock/country/bluegrass/jazz instruments (drums, bass, guitar, elec gtr, piano, banjo, violin/fiddle/horns, etc.). I should clarify - when I say 'synth' I mean something with waves, shaped and padded through filters. I do not mean Pianos, Organs, Electric Pianos, classical instruments (strings, horns, etc). Basically, nothing that is a 'real' instrument. I apologize if my nomenclature is off. It shows how much of a newbie I am to this. Anyhow... Up 'til now, I've just used my Roland RS-9 keyboard to trigger a few software synths that I own (Cakewalk Z3TA+, NI FM7, Arturia minimoog V and the Novation Bass Station). I like them fine. I am not much of a synth connoisseur, so those synths may be CRAP and I wouldn't really know. I've bought the ones (over the years) that have either, A. - Been requested by a customer, sounded really cool/good to me or came (or was deeply discounted) with a piece of hardware/software. After a little research, I just picked up a Korg R3. I am rely having a good time with it. It sounds really cool. I was VERY intrigued by the vocoder! When I run it through some of my outboard pres, compressors and EQs, it seems to have great 'vibe'! I am not committed to it. I can still trade it in. My budget is really only $800 US, or less. Is there something a lot better in that price range? I would appreciate any feedback! Thanks... __________________ -Mike Manthe Moonface, LLC ------------------------- Moonface Records \| Studio \| Publishing \| My Web Site \| \| My Equipment List \|

22nd August 2007, 02:19 AM	#2
manthe Lives for gear Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 1,751	bump... __________________ -Mike Manthe Moonface, LLC ------------------------- Moonface Records \| Studio \| Publishing \| My Web Site \| \| My Equipment List \|

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes	Rate This Thread
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode	Rate This Thread:

22nd August 2007, 02:35 AM	#3
gurubuzz Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 621	Try out a Clavia Nord Lead 2 or 3 and any of the Access Virus... Or the New Moog Voyager. another cool one is the Alessis Andromeda.

22nd August 2007, 02:36 AM	#4
gurubuzz Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 621	Sorry Didn't see your price range....

22nd August 2007, 03:45 PM	#6
cornutt Gear addict Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 416	If you like the R3, go with it. You really can't think of synths in terms of "what's the best one in the $X price range". What one person considers "best" may sound like absolute crap to you. If it works for you and the music that you're doing, then you're golden.