I am looking for hardware synthesizer, what do you recommend?

[henkel19]

Here's my requirements:

My budget is say...$500 (cheaper would be nice )
I need it to double as a MIDI controller so I can control VSTs/softsynths with it's knobs and sliders
It needs to work with USB
Needs at least 4 octaves
Can also be rompler

I had a midi keyboard die on me sadly

I wanted to get another so I thought - HEY! let's get a synthesizer because that will be fun too but I want to retain the functionality of the MIDI keyboard I had.

I don't know how common synthesizers with a USB MIDI keyboard functionality is, so maybe there is only a small number to choose from.

If not...some of my favorite sounding synths/romplers are - Klavier NORD lead, Roland D-50, Korg M1, Roland JD-800.

Thanks

[thecontrolcentre]

Novation X-Station is a cheap(ish) option. Seen them for as little as £150 for the 61 key version. Maybe check out the XioSynth too.

FYI it's Clavia not Klavier

[Anahat]

How about M-Audio Venom? It's super cheap ($270 on sale on amazon.com), doubles as a MIDI controller and even triples as an audio interface. Sounds pretty good, too.

[DSPDiva]

Arturia KeyLab 49. It's an analog synth with USB connection for controlling MIDI.

http://www.arturia.com/evolution/en/pro ... intro.html

[Halma]

If you live in the states, have the space ( 120+ cm huge and more than 20kg in weight, 5 octaves) and because 500$ might work out (not quite sure) you should perhaps considering in buying a fully upgraded & modded KORG DSS-1.

16M X 12-bit (24MB) of memory (64 banks)
USB file storage with subdirectories (FAT file system for easy PC transfer)
more comprehensive diagnostics
ability to assign sliders to program parameters
ability to have all 4 systems from floppy (A-D) in memory at once
up to 64 multisounds at once (instead of 16)
128 programs at once (instead of 32)
samples stored on USB drive are in .WAV format
Auto Portamento has been implemented
Update from USB drive has been implemented

Though I own a DSS-1 right now I can only dream off this hardware upgrade. And my floppy is still broken. But you mentioned that you like M1 sounds...lot of those signature sounds actually are coming from the DSS-1 so you will get the real deal.

You will get 12bit glory (like mpc60 & sp1200) down to 6 bit @ 16, 32, 44 & 48 kHz, a fully analog signal flow after the sample osc thingy with inbuilt additive synthesis option, one of the sweetest LP 12db/24db analog (!!!) filters Korg ever made, the whole factory preset library for free, actually it's a sample synthesizer hybrid monster ...

I would post some examples but without the floppy it is not possible for me.

Dang, lovely unit. Not quite sure if those sliders work as softsynth controllers with the upgrade.

Regards
Sebastian

[Lump]

Arturia KeyLab 49. It's an analog synth with USB connection for controlling MIDI.

http://www.arturia.com/evolution/en/pro ... intro.html

No, this is not an analog synth, this is just a midi controller for software synths!

[Halma]

Sry, I misread the title and thought "sampler". Though the Korg is a hybrid it might not be what you are looking for.

Regards
Sebastian

[bftucker]

How about M-Audio Venom? It's super cheap ($270 on sale on amazon.com), doubles as a MIDI controller and even triples as an audio interface. Sounds pretty good, too.

Just rechecked Amazon; $222.22(which includes the shipping)

http://www.amazon.com/M-Audio-Venom-Syn ... udio+venom

The price is going down again...not as low yet as they were about a year ago but it is hard to find them used at that price.

Check the venom threads here on KVR and you will find that for the most part people were very pleased with their purchase!

(you can buy two for your $500...or, if you really want analog and can make due with fewer keys, there is only the Bass Station 2...$449.99 & FREE Shipping)

http://www.amazon.com/Novation-Bass-Sta ... +station+2
.....