Following from
@guitargeek62 's thread - what starter synth for adults? Where do I start? I have an itch for a synth with some proper controls so I can start getting my head around how that stuff works. I currently have a Roland VR730 which is a good-enough piano and great organ but the synth side isn't as good. I think 2 or 3 octaves feels right. I don't want to give up space for more, and 1 always feels like a toy.
Definitely want a real keybed and not a ribbon thing, as part of this is also about encouraging me to actually play keys, so I don't want software and the musical input bit needs to work like a proper keyboard. And def polyphonic please.
I've seen various things recommended - Korg Minilogue XD, Arturia MiniFreak, Behringer MS1. Can anyone point me to the pros & cons & limitations of any of those, and any other good alternatives?
OR... while I'd prefer not to, I'd consider swapping the Roland for something like a Nord if it got me that extra stuff without losing my lovely Hammond sims with drawbars etc.
Comments
It's 100% the best synth for learning.
But if you have Logic then you can do a lot with Alchemy, which is inbuilt.
Native Instruments Reaktor is the best way to learn synths though- but you build the synth from (virtual) components.
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Minilogue is "slim keys" I think
Behringer ms1 is mono not poly I think
All good, but not sure they fit what you've asked about.
Roland Gaia 2 probably fits the bill.
Modal Cobalt would have been a good option before the company got into trouble.
Behringer pro800 midi'd up to your Roland would give excellent value.
Behringer deepmind worth considering too.
that’d be the perfect real synth lots of knobs introduction.
https://www.andertons.co.uk/behringer-poly-d-analogue-4-voice-polyphonic-synthesizer/
The IK Uno Pro and Modal stuff look neat. I think I need to get my hands on these things to see whether I can deal with the mini/slim keys.
I can at least try the Yamaha and Roland stores tomorrow, and I think I can actually get Arturia stuff in the UAE with free returns (via the Virgin Megastores that still exist here!) so that might be a good starting point if small keys don't make me itch too much
West Coast flavoured (Buchla inspired) synths don't really use keys at all, going for capacitance input or sequencers.
One of my favourite analogue synths is the Analog Four by Elektron.
It looks like this:
I've never missed actual keys on it because you don't play keys like you would on a piano.
Synthesis is more about sound design than it is about 'playing'.
You play with tone colour more than you strike notes.
Ruling out a synth because it has mini keys is like ruling out a 2 door sports car because it doesn't have a huge boot.
If that is what you want, buy an SUV, not a sports car.
If you want to play piano, buy a piano.
If you want a synth, buy a synth, play it like a synth, understand what a synth actually is.
It isn't a piano.
Who here can, without using google or chatgpt, give me a description of the components of a subtractive synthesiser, how they fit together to form the instrument?
This is the stuff to know..
What about additive, FM, AM, ring modulation, wavetable etc?
Knowing how this stuff fits together is more important than buying a keyboard with the right sized keys.
Studio: https://www.voltperoctave.com
Music: https://www.euclideancircuits.com
Me: https://www.jamesrichmond.com
Football is rubbish.
Likewise the Uno synth pro - I like mine but it's not a synth to learn on, and is a paraphonic mono not a poly.
i agree with the above: get a fun synth, then get a keyboard controller if you need it. Desktop (keyboard-less) synths also take up less room
if you want a real left field choice: the Zoia and Beebo both can be synths as well as guitar pedals. You’d need to invest in a good midi controller and do a bit of midi mapping to get the best out of them - but they can be very versatile synth boxes if you’re determined enough. I wouldn’t really recommend this as their primary function, but maybe others have gotten more joy out of it. They’re more aimed at replicating the beep-booping of modular synthesis. However I did find a fair few nice sounding synth patches on the Zoia which I enjoyed