Physical synth or midi controller - complete newb advice please!

gearaddict

My son is after something to add atmosphere to recordings and he has been looking at a Novation mininova...but then he saw the Novation launchkey controllers which are a lot cheaper. Looking into it, I realised the launchkey won't actually produce any sound themselves but just control software packages - ableton is the one that the novation specialises in. I had a quick foray into ableton but just found it massively confusing and it just made me want to end myself.

He is using audacity to record his stuff...it's very simple. Is there software that could be used with the Novation launchkey that would enable him to simply record tracks into audacity?

Or would it really be a lot simpler for him to invest in something like the mininova? The plus on that is having the vocoder stuff which would be fun (probably for about 10 minutes but still).

Any advice? He really needs something more or less plug and play. He's not super into complex computer interfaces and would probably lose the will if the learning curve is too steep.

octatonic

How old is your son?
Are you looking for a tool or a toy?

If the former then personally I would suggest neither.
Certainly start with a hardware synth but one that has one knob per function or something close to it.

The Mininova/Ultranova's controls are nested in menus.
He won't get a good understanding of how synthesis works that way- it will just be a confusing mess of menus.
The Mininova's mini keys suck too.

A Bass-station II from Novation would be a good synth to start with, but it is a mono synth- this is not a problem, just something to keep in mind- ie you can't play chords on it.
There are a few offerings form Roland and Korg that give you more polyphony with more knobs.

gearaddict

He's 15 - more tool than toy (the synth, not him...at least, mostly ). I think he'd need something that is polyphonic - more a traditional keyboard vibe but not with bon tempi organ sounds

Also, he would be funding this himself (at least mostly) so over £300 is probably too much.

Grangousier

Perhaps it would make sense to move from Audacity to Reaper, and then there are all sorts of soft synths that can be used (as far as I know, I'm a Logic type, myself). A simple, inexpensive USB MIDI keyboard with full-sized velocity-sensitive keys, maybe a few knobs and sliders, usually plug and play. I'd agree that a hardware synth is the better professional option, but a controller would give more options to begin with. 

Grunfeld

Grangousier said:

Perhaps it would make sense to move from Audacity to Reaper, and then there are all sorts of soft synths that can be used.... A simple, inexpensive USB MIDI keyboard with full-sized velocity-sensitive keys, maybe a few knobs and sliders, usually plug and play. I'd agree that a hardware synth is the better professional option, but a controller would give more options to begin with. 

Reaper is good for this. 

I left it way too long to learn how to map the knobs and sliders of my MIDI keyboard to control various soft synths but when I did it was a game changer because then I had a physical keyboard that was controlling the sounds. 

The problem was that it definitely was a learning curve which is a pita when all you want to do is make sounds.  And I still didn't learn the mapping well enough so I'd forget important shortcuts between recording sessions. 

steven70

Also, consider whether he will want to perform live. If so, a hardware synth would perhaps be the thing.
@Octatonic - did you have a Roland JP8000 for sale a while ago? 

octatonic

Yeah I have one for sale- it would suit but it has hard a hard life as well.
It is cheap because of that.

paulmapp8306

Would a Yamaha Reface CS fit the bill?  yes minikeys - but there quite nice for minis.  Its poyphonic and not steeped in loads of menus (in fact non) - or loads of knobs.  Enough to learn how synthesis works certainly (in that it has sliders for the filter and the envelopes-- at a a smidge under £300 new fits the budget as well.  No patches so you get where the controls are set but still.

Youll get better used of course - and might not hold enough for your son, but it does give what the brief is and in budget.

https://www.pmtonline.co.uk/yamaha-reface-cs-analogue-synthesizer?utm_source=google&utm_medium=shopping&gclid=CjwKCAjwqJ_1BRBZEiwAv73uwLyhe-VQDhCTpago0RDO2QEpH04lttVOVVTFAeohxfyHPCjSUSnbyBoCLYwQAvD_BwE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdsJsPvXFls

This last one shows Pads.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LYsnvRO_lI

paulmapp8306

Failing that - a used Korg  Minilogue (1st version - the XD wouldnt be in budget)?

JMP220478

if you have an Ipad - buy a midi kb n theres loads of freebie apps - some rather good - also commercial versions of many classic synths

some previously sold maybe free too atm

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/16/21181915/synth-apps-free-moog-korg-kaossilator-minimoog-model-d-coronavirus

https://www.arturia.com/products/ipad-synths

oktorockto

steven70 said:

Also, consider whether he will want to perform live. If so, a hardware synth would perhaps be the thing.
@Octatonic - did you have a Roland JP8000 for sale a while ago? 

The jP8000 is a massive amount of fun with plenty of knobs to use - honestly, if you can get one for under £300 it is a bargain, whatever condition.

prowla

If I were looking for a classic (DX-7, Juno, Oberheim, Moog, etc.) then I'd go for a self contained unit.

Otherwise, MIDI all the way.

paulmapp8306

Im with Octatonic.  Midi board with software is NOT a good place to learn synthesis really.  You need physical knobs to twiddle.

builttospill

I have absolutely zero knowledge of synths and during lockdown purchased a Minibrute 2 (a mono synth with a modular patchbay)  Hands down it’s the most fun I’ve had with a single piece of equipment. I’ve hardly picked up my guitar tbh. I would definitely avoid the software route and as others have mentioned you need interaction with knobs and keys and a bit of modular wouldn’t do you any harm too. I’ve had lots of laughs plugging in different sound sources into the external in on the synth like AM/FM radios/police scanners radio apps. 

chotu495

Arturia Microbrute or Microfreak would come in under budget new.

Get Valhalla Supermassive whilst its still free. Plenty of atmosphere.

Try if you can to avoid getting hung up on the mono or poly side of things. Mono synths are ace, and most modern ones have an arpreggiator that will get plenty going on for not much effort.

I have a behringer crave - £140 new, but no keyboard (its an homage to a moog mother 32 and a mono synth), and it sounds massive with some reverb and delay.

In fact a Behringer Crave and an Arturia Keystep would also be a cool £240 new all in option.

It is a great time to be dipping a toe in synths....tons of great stuff around for not too much money.

Take a look at the loopop youtube channel for reviews on the above stuff. Microfreak likely to be the most versatile at that budget, but the others are very decent too.

jackio

I'd say hardware. Just easier to turn on 9plug in if needed) and play. I love what can be done on a computer, but there are almost too many options (hundreds of piano plug ins to f with your creativity when any piano sound will actually be just great).