Hardware synth - What to purchase?

[galingong]

Greetings,

I'm asking for your help, maybe someone could give me a piece of advice about buying a new hardware synth.
It would to be my first hw synth after a while, recently I've used VST synths. I'd like to have 2-3 oscillators with ring and/or fm, at least 2 lfos and envelopes. I'd like to buy something with great patching/modulation abilities - I'm really into modular/semi-modular stuff. Audio rate modulation would be also great.
It's not really important if it's analog or digital, mono or poly. I use u-he ACE a lot, and love it, basically I'd like to have something like that with hands on control.
I've also thought about buying or building a dedicated midi controller that is suited to control specific VST synths but haven't found anything.
Any suggestions? Is there anything like that at a reasonable price? (I can't afford to assemble a full modular system plus I want it to be portable)

Thanks in advance!

[Redmerkurii]

I've also thought about buying or building a dedicated midi controller that is suited to control specific VST synths but haven't found anything.

Beautiful synth and dedicated synth controller here http://www.gforcesoftware.com/products/ ... Controller

Recently bought my first Hardware synth too. Novation Bass Station II. Love it. Wanted the original 20 years ago when it was first released but was a very poor student back then.

There's so many beautiful new synths on the market right now that actually choosing from them is the hardest part.

Have fun with whatever you decide.

[Kriminal]

if you're really into modular, try eurorack stuff. Buy a unit whenever you have the cash. You can get a decent set into a suitcase size case so its still portable. that way you get to choose what options the synth has, as opposed to buying a synth off the shelf.

[galingong]

Thanks for the replies!
This hw controller for impOscar 2 looks very promising, but I've found no way to actually puchase it (or even check it's price). Touch Digital Controllers website is dead, and it's supposed to be the only way to place an order.

@Kriminal:
A full modular system would be the best, but sounds a bit scary and expensive. Which brand do you suggest to start with?

[Kriminal]

Thanks for the replies!
This hw controller for impOscar 2 looks very promising, but I've found no way to actually puchase it (or even check it's price). Touch Digital Controllers website is dead, and it's supposed to be the only way to place an order.

@Kriminal:
A full modular system would be the best, but sounds a bit scary and expensive. Which brand do you suggest to start with?

Define full....you just buy what you need, then expand from there. Its only as expensive as you make it.

Luckily, there are more and more companies making modules now, so you have a large selection. Some even make conplete synths that are modular and fit in the rack...theres an SH101 type thing just released. I'll throw you some links later.

Edit: its here - http://www.synthtopia.com/content/2013/ ... nd-sh-101/

[Kriminal]

http://www.modulargrid.net/

[werp]

Thanks for the replies!
This hw controller for impOscar 2 looks very promising, but I've found no way to actually puchase it (or even check it's price). Touch Digital Controllers website is dead, and it's supposed to be the only way to place an order.

@Kriminal:
A full modular system would be the best, but sounds a bit scary and expensive. Which brand do you suggest to start with?

Define full....you just buy what you need, then expand from there. Its only as expensive as you make it.

Luckily, there are more and more companies making modules now, so you have a large selection. Some even make conplete synths that are modular and fit in the rack...theres an SH101 type thing just released. I'll throw you some links later.

Edit: its here - http://www.synthtopia.com/content/2013/ ... nd-sh-101/

I have the imposcar2 controller, it's huge. Weighs roughly 20 kilos.
I bought it from Awave Australia. They still have one. God knows what they'd charge for shipping. The controller is no longer made. Here's the link.
http://www.awave.com.au/product_info.ph ... ts_id=4399

[lfm]

Have a look at Clavia Nord series - Modular, Lead etc. Stunning sound.
http://www.nordkeyboards.com/main.asp?tm=Home

Some also available as modules(rack).

[werp]

No mention of what your budget is and portability is another issue.
Depends how many keys you want (if any)

[galingong]

@lfm - in 2010 I had a nord rack 2x for a while from a friend but didn't buy it, I thought I need something my computer can't do. It's not that it's not a great sounding synth, but too modern for my taste.

At the moment my budget would be around 700-800 €, but I can wait as long as it takes.

[EZB]

If budget is not a problem go for the Virus Ti 2. It's a very versatile synth with all kinds of synthesis like subtractive synthesis, wavetable synthesis, formant synthesis and fm.

[Kriminal]

If budget is not a problem go for the Virus Ti 2. It's a very versatile synth with all kinds of synthesis like subtractive synthesis, wavetable synthesis, formant synthesis and fm.

not very modular tho

I'm really into modular/semi-modular stuff. Audio rate modulation would be also great.

[EZB]

It's true it 's not very modular.

[whyterabbyt]

Nord micro modular is a cheap possibility to consider. You'd just have to check the editor runs okay on your system. Next step up from that would be the full Nord Modular, or a G2, though prices for them have rocketed in the past few years.
If you bought a micro you'd need to get a controller too.

[werp]

2nd hand arturia Origin desktop? A digital analog emulation synth
Twin sharc DSP but modular with it. You can mix and match pretty much everything.
Worth checking out n youtube maybe.