Hey im looking to buy a poly synth but not too sure what's best? im using a mono evolver at the moment which is great for some things. but i want big, lush pad sounds and strings which i feel it can't really deliver. i have heard that the nords are good for this. is this true? and what vintage synths are particularly good for these sounds??
any help much appreciated!!
Poly Synths
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- KVRist
- 37 posts since 15 Aug, 2007 from Ireland
A cracked scream and a silent shout...
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- KVRAF
- 12615 posts since 7 Dec, 2004
juno, alpha-juno or mks, jx-, jupiter.
a majority of the pads you'll hear come from those instruments, probably mostly from the juno. the jx- are not quite as good while the jupiters are too expensive.
there are a lot of other polyphonics from korg, yamaha and others but they're a lot less common.
a majority of the pads you'll hear come from those instruments, probably mostly from the juno. the jx- are not quite as good while the jupiters are too expensive.
there are a lot of other polyphonics from korg, yamaha and others but they're a lot less common.
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- KVRAF
- 8735 posts since 24 May, 2002 from Tutukaka, New Zealand
There's the new Prophet thingy thatr's either out now or soon to be out. $2000 I seem to remember, but may be a good buy, as the old Prohets are half that price or more, and may need lots spending on maintainence.
But as Aciddose mentioned, the old Rolands are the cheapest option for good pads. I don't agree with JXs being weaker though - the JX8/10 were really quite powerful and can make very strong sounds...especially pads. Personally I think if I were to specify just one out of all the old Rolands for pads, it would probably be the Jp6. And it's got all of the other features you'd want in a decent poly analogue (and some that not all have).
The main weak points in any old Roland poly are the slow envelopes and the sometimes weak filters, but both those are not that much of a downfall if all you want are pads and strings etc. But be aware that those Roland Junos and Jupiters don't have particularly amazing filters (very weak with self oscillation - and some don't self oscillate at all) and the decay of the envelopes were quite sloppy and slow. So sharp drum sounds, spikey acid stuff and powerful mono leads are not that achievable...and you may want more than just pads out of what can be an expensive buy (depending on what you purchase). But for pads etc, the Rolands filters are (IMO) at their best and strongest in the mids, which is exactly where you want it for pads.
As for the Nords - I can see why people like them, but for my own personal tastes, I always found them a bit too bright...not necessarily ideal for pads.
Sounds odd from an analogue fan, but also don't dismiss some of the VAs. THe Korg MS2000 is only 4 voice but usually that'll be enough for pads, and I always quite liked the mid-strong sound of the Alesis Ion (and it's a fun synth to play too...).
And yeah...the Andromeda. Not a cheap option though.
But as Aciddose mentioned, the old Rolands are the cheapest option for good pads. I don't agree with JXs being weaker though - the JX8/10 were really quite powerful and can make very strong sounds...especially pads. Personally I think if I were to specify just one out of all the old Rolands for pads, it would probably be the Jp6. And it's got all of the other features you'd want in a decent poly analogue (and some that not all have).
The main weak points in any old Roland poly are the slow envelopes and the sometimes weak filters, but both those are not that much of a downfall if all you want are pads and strings etc. But be aware that those Roland Junos and Jupiters don't have particularly amazing filters (very weak with self oscillation - and some don't self oscillate at all) and the decay of the envelopes were quite sloppy and slow. So sharp drum sounds, spikey acid stuff and powerful mono leads are not that achievable...and you may want more than just pads out of what can be an expensive buy (depending on what you purchase). But for pads etc, the Rolands filters are (IMO) at their best and strongest in the mids, which is exactly where you want it for pads.
As for the Nords - I can see why people like them, but for my own personal tastes, I always found them a bit too bright...not necessarily ideal for pads.
Sounds odd from an analogue fan, but also don't dismiss some of the VAs. THe Korg MS2000 is only 4 voice but usually that'll be enough for pads, and I always quite liked the mid-strong sound of the Alesis Ion (and it's a fun synth to play too...).
And yeah...the Andromeda. Not a cheap option though.
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- KVRAF
- 6937 posts since 4 Jun, 2004 from Utrecht, Holland
Why not try something like a Yamaha Motif or Roland Fantom or Korg Triton? Surely they can do that type of sounds...
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We are the KVR collective. Resistance is futile. You will be assimilated.
We are the KVR collective. Resistance is futile. You will be assimilated.
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- KVRian
- 1171 posts since 21 Feb, 2004
pads and strings ? check out the jx-8p
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