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Sooooooo
Gas has hit, and as always it's hit hard. I was researching gifts for synth players, and came across the Volca Keys (which isn't out here yet), and thought, "Oh, I'd quite like one of those". Upon further consideration, I've "justified" spending a bit more and getting a microkorg.
I am a complete synth/keys novice. However, I know basic chord shapes, and I'm sure I can play some basic leads. PLus my wife played piano as a yoof, so we'll work something out.
The connumdrum I have now is how to set it up. Upon reading lots, it appears that guitar amps simply will not do. And i certainly don't want ot forego the chewy basslines I've got in my head. On Thomann, there's a bundle with the synth and some 3" "production monitors". So I looked into monitors a bit more, and found these
http://www.akaipro.com/product/rpm3
All I'm really going to be doing is playing at home (possibly with a looper), and probably be recording some stuff in GarageBand.
Will the above speakers do a reasonable job, and can I have them hooked up to be output for my synth as well as my Mac?
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Studio: https://www.voltperoctave.com
Music: https://www.euclideancircuits.com
Me: https://www.jamesrichmond.com
Football is rubbish.
A colleague has recently recommended these:
http://www.gear4music.com/Recording-and-Computers/M-Audio-BX5-D2-Studio-Monitors/54N?origin=product-ads&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=&utm_campaign=PLA+M-Audio&utm_content=kNUh634v|dc_pcrid_37929966079_plid__kword__match__
At home it has the advantage of being able to function as a rudimentary PA with 4 inputs and basic FX available and outs to send the mix to a desk or recorder.
If you don't rate Behringer then I would look at the Peavey KB range and the Roland KC amps, better specced etc but more candy too.
I have owned amps from all three and they were all more than competent with the Behringer punching well above its weight.
So you go with the best in your budget.
I only moved away from keyboard amps when I bought a set of powered PA speakers and a desk making a keyboard amp redundant.
Powered monitors like the link @ROOG gives above are also very good but for my money with keys I like a 12" or preferably a 15" speaker to do justice to the low end they can produce.
As far as synths go a year ago I was looking at similar units to the ones mentioned and in the end after trying them out at a store I went with a Roland Gaia and then a 2nd user Roland Juno G.
The Gaia is well worth a look and has some great VA emulations of old skool synth sounds as well as PCM waves of pianos etc.
The advantage is you get the onboard sounds and both can be used to control VST's etc easily and indeed they can both be used as basic recording interfaces too.
That way when the onboard sounds get dated as @Octatonic says they surely will, you can still use them to trigger virtual instruments and MIDI shizzle off board and on your puter.
The Gaia in particular has a huge array of knobs because it has no menus as such and is designed to be tactile in the old fashioned real time control way with loads of knobs and sliders.
But as has been said a controller keyboard is a good way to go too but where a synth wins is if you cannot be arsed taking your puter or laptop with you and you can use the synths for its onboard sounds in that case.
Good info, thanks very much guys.
I reckon I'll be going doewn the microkorg and monitor route, as I think I can pick ththose up relatively cheaply, and move them on for little or no loss if it doesn't work out for me.
There's always the possibility I'll ditch the whole plan and buy a strymon big sky, or a blue sky plus a cv tele!
Microkorg came yesterday.
Only had a few moments with it, but I am LOVING it!
Coupled with my bass vi, I think I'm gonna have some fun in garageband tonight!
Buying secondhand, it's so much instrument for the money!
Bit late for that nugget now man
Plus.... you don't want to look like a twat on stage do you? Micro Korg is instant twat status in my book!
Depends what you want though... you could get a Minibrute if you don't mind a monosynth.
Bandcamp
Spotify, Apple et al
Bandcamp
Spotify, Apple et al
Bandcamp
Spotify, Apple et al
Well, I'm pleased. All I really want to be able to do is make blade runner soundscapes in my living room with my headphones on
No, only got an iphone. It does seem like there's a load of great software for ipads though. Quite like garageband on the mac, apart from the drum tracks, which feel a bit pre prescribed. I think i can use the korg as a midi controller to programme some drum tracks myself in GB