Howdy all, new guy here -
I am getting ready to purchase my first commercial synth. I am looking to spend no more than $150-175. I am looking at 2 options:
1. Getting a couple of less expensive synths and effects - for example the Junglist/Scorpion pack w Voxengo Sonic finalizer
2. Getting one workhorse - for example Rhino or Z3TA+
I have used the demos of all of these. Now, I know a lot of you are big fans of Z3ta+ and rhino, but I have not been very successful (yet) getting my own good sounds out the large programmer-friendly modular synths. (I really enjoy messing around with Crystal for instance, but I am not good enough to get usable sounds). On the other hand, I can get great sounds out of the junglist demo right off the bat. Would it be wiser to get the ones that I am more comfortable with but have (perhaps) less potential, or getting the workhorse knowing that alot of practice will eventually allow me to get more and better results than the smaller synths? By the way, I dabble mostly in breakbeat, proggy, and melodic edm stuff
Also, hello to all and look forward to interacting with you on this great forum! Thanks in advance for the help...
Later
JB

junglist based on your post.........but trust me, you won't buy just one



seriously................




welcome here

Welcome to K-v-R!
Another option that's admittedly at the top of your price range but will cover both present and future needs is the LinPlug bundle.You get Delta(a synth to grow into),CronoX2(a very unique synth/sample mangler),Alpha(a good basic VA)and Element P(a drum module) for your $159.While I'm only a CronoX user myself,I plan on adding Delta soon-I personally prefer it to Albino.
ew

go for the synapse pack
junglist and scorpion are easy ish to use and results come quite quick
believe me im no more than a novice

good luck with whatever you choose tho
and welcome aboard

Have you checked out rgc:audio's, Pentagon 1? If that's too much, and for some it is, you can get a considerable amount of synthesizer from rgc:audio's Square 1, it's $35 I think.

That leaves you with plenty of room for more, CronoX 2 is a great digital synth that can be warm, that's $59 I think.

I'd seriously consider a sampler too, in your price range maybe VSampler 2.75 (although 3.0 is due soon). 2.75 goes for $79 I think.

There's plenty of free synths to round out your collection, must have synths are Crystal, SynthOne, Cheeze Machine, freeAlpha.

Actually, another route might be going with Sonic Synth. 3gb of useful timbres in a functional sample playback engine with good effects. Add the freeware and you have everything necessary. I'm not sure what the best price is on Sonic Synth but it should be close to your budget range.

ew wrote:

Welcome to K-v-R! Another option that's admittedly at the top of your price range but will cover both present and future needs is the LinPlug bundle.You get Delta(a synth to grow into),CronoX2(a very unique synth/sample mangler),Alpha(a good basic VA)and Element P(a drum module) for your $159.While I'm only a CronoX user myself,I plan on adding Delta soon-I personally prefer it to Albino. ew

I second the Linplug bundle. I have it.

Delta's a good "step up" between the your current collection - four oscillators, four LFO's, eight envelopes, matrix, two filters, etc. Alpha's it's lighterweight "little brother". What you've already learned so far can be readily used with Alpha and Delta, and you can add the modulation matrix to your skills. Once you have those down pat, then you can move on to something similar but even more feature-loaded like z3ta+ or Rhino. [Edited this paragraph after some sleep - DMS]

Cronox is distinctive in its own way, and you get both sampled (RM-3) and synthesized (Element P) percussion. It's a nice combination, unless/until you want something specialized.

Other bundles to consider are Synapse, Dash Synthesis, and the Fruity generators (if you use FLS).

Doug

Hi,
i agree with vurt on the synapse synth pack. the sorpion and the junglist are easy to programm and have a really good sound. and the junglist especially can do a lot more tha just va. especially when you automate the osc-waves you come sometimes close to the microwave type of sounds.

not to split hairs but most recent plugins do sounds similar to wavesequencing, CronoX comes as close as you'll get before getting the PPG Wave 2.v VSTi which is an old (by VSTi standards) plugin as it has a sample playback module that scans the sample and can be routed to do so in the synth's modulation matrix. Rhino does this, Pentagon 1 does it. I'm fairly certain Square 1, a $35 synth, does it.

Another big synth to consider, and a multi-timbral one as well, is VirSyn TERA. It has multiple synthesis techniques (subtractive, spectral, FM) is modular without having to make wiring connections, and has a terrific sound. No one has ever complained about the synth which is saying a lot. Of all the synths discussed TERA covers the most ground and has multiple channel operation along with the ability to set voices per channel, an onboard multitimbral step sequencer, mixer and about 800 presets. It's out of your range but audiomidi has it usually for $229. It solves all analog and most mixtures of sounds plus spectral synthesis is very impressive.