First hardware synth

[Flooper]

Hello fellow KVRers!
I recently bought a midi controller keyboard (MPK249, which is awesome...maybe overkill) and got the chance to dabble a little bit with the bundled VST's.
That brief experience made me realize that i don't like "playing" on soft synths and regardless - i don't like the fact that my controller is just an expensive piece of plastic and metal without the pc, it just isn't an instrument.
I started out by playing the guitar, so the transition to play on a computer really hampers my creative process since it's a pain for me to start loading the DAW, the VST etc.

That being said, i got the feeling that a hardware synth will be a lot more convenient for me - the tactile feeling it provides, the lack of computer-diving, and the absence of the "what did i map this button to do?" headache...

I did a lot of research, and found that the usual suspects are: Korg Minilogue\monologue, Roland JD-Xi, Korg Volca line - namely Volca Keys, Roland System 1, Roland Gaia SH-01, Arturia MicroBrute, Novation BassStation 2, Waldorf Blofeld, Arturia MiniBrute. (I saw a used Access Virus B for about 600$ - would that be overkill for a beginner?)

I'd like to stress upon the fact that i want something fun and intuitive to play with (and play on), so i'd like to keep "menu-diving" to a minimum.

I'd like to hear your thoughts and suggestions
Thanks!

P.S
I don't care if it's analogue\VA\digital.

[tehlord]

I've owned all the synths you've suggested and I would probably cherry pick either a microbrute or bass station 2 out of that lineup.

JD-Xi, while capable, is fiddly to use with a lot of hidden parameters. Mini/Monologue just don't sound that good, Volca's are probably too limited, System 1 has a lot of odd and frustrating quirks (I bought two, and felt the same about them both times) and the Gaia sounds a little brittle (to my ears) and the Blofeld is very menu divey, although far more capable than everything else you've mentioned bar the Virus (which also has a lot of stuff hidden under the hood).

The Brute and Bass Station are closest to a pure synthesizer workflow.

I would also add a Nord Lead to the list too. It'll give you far more in the way of synthesis and polyphony options (as well as being multi-timbral) whilst also remaining very, very hands on.

[Flooper]

Thanks, browsing through youtube videos i did notice that the JD-Xi is not as hands-on as i would have liked (one knob for the EG's ADSR, or menu diving for the full ADSR) and it's more a jack-of-all-trades kind of synth than a "pure" synth ( Some would even say it's a SuperNatural sound module with a synth tacked on).

What were the quirks you mentioned the System1 had?
Besides the sound of the Gaia (which is subjective) any other faults?

I must say i'm a little put off by the fact that both the Bass Station and the Brute are monophonic, but maybe i'm just picky for the sake of being picky.

[T-CM11]

I must say i'm a little put off by the fact that both the Bass Station and the Brute are monophonic, but maybe i'm just picky for the sake of being picky.

It's not about being picky, it's about what you want out of that hardware synth. So what is it, do you want polyphony or not?
And what's your budget? The maximum amount you want to spend on a synth?

[Flooper]

I want polyphony, and I'd prefer it to be in the 600 to 650 USD - new or used.

[T-CM11]

I want polyphony, and I'd prefer it to be in the 600 to 650 USD - new or used.

Not much choice then... I'd go for a Nord Lead 2. (you mentioned the Virus B, but that one has quite a bit of menu diving).
Usually: a lot of functionality + hands-on = hefty price!
I assume that the hardware synth just complements an otherwise ITB setup? The Nord doesn't have effects onboard, but you can use plugins for that.

[chk071]

Usually: a lot of functionality + hands-on = hefty price!

Yep. And about the only reason why i don't own a hardware synth yet. Blofeld: Too much menu diving with only a handful of knobs. Virus: Too expensive. Studiologic Sledge: Compromised sound engine, and quite expensive too. Really tough, especially if you're used to soft synth, which offer you a certain work flow, which is very comfortable, and, at least for me, the advantages of the "hands on" feeling on hardware is important for you.

Anyway, i guess, in this case, i'd really go for a used, older Virus, because it seems to fit the price range, and offers a lot, and also comes with a decent amount of knobs.

[Flooper]

I have some effects scattered around from my guitars, not too concerned about that though.
I guess the most bang for the buck will be a nord or virus, correct?

[T-CM11]

Usually: a lot of functionality + hands-on = hefty price!

Yep. And about the only reason why i don't own a hardware synth yet. Blofeld: Too much menu diving with only a handful of knobs. Virus: Too expensive. Studiologic Sledge: Compromised sound engine, and quite expensive too. Really tough, especially if you're used to soft synth, which offer you a certain work flow, which is very comfortable, and, at least for me, the advantages of the "hands on" feeling on hardware is important for you.

Anyway, i guess, in this case, i'd really go for a used, older Virus, because it seems to fit the price range, and offers a lot, and also comes with a decent amount of knobs.

Question for you, not the OP: Why does it need to be polyphonic? If it's all about it being hands-on... there's quite a few nice mono synths with a lot of knobs and a reasonable price. It's not like it has to "replace" the plugins you already have...

[chk071]

Right, but, frankly, i've always had more fun with polyphonic synths. I think, the only mono soft synth i have is Monark, and, it's nice for what it does, but, honestly, i really appreciate the advantages you have with being able to play more than one note at a time.

[T-CM11]

I have some effects scattered around from my guitars, not too concerned about that though.
I guess the most bang for the buck will be a nord or virus, correct?

You can use the Virus without getting into the menus, as long as you don't mind that you're not getting it's full potential out of it.
From your list:
Korg Minilogue: great choice, if you don't mind that it only has 4 voices.
Roland System 1: same as above. Personally I don't care about the DRM that comes with the plugout/plugins. But let's ignore what's wrong with the Roland plugins for now - we're talking about the hardware site.
Roland Gaia SH-01: I didn't like the overall sound of it. Limited programmability - it's mostly about layering.

[Flooper]

Thanks, the minilogue and system1 both look good on paper, need to go check them out in person.
Any other suggestions? Bargain synths?

About the virus, how complicated is it? Intuitive and can be learnt on the go or "let's go read the manual" complicated?

[T-CM11]

Right, but, frankly, i've always had more fun with polyphonic synths. I think, the only mono soft synth i have is Monark, and, it's nice for what it does, but, honestly, i really appreciate the advantages you have with being able to play more than one note at a time.

How about the Korg Minologue?

[T-CM11]

Thanks, the minilogue and system1 both look good on paper, need to go check them out in person.
Any other suggestions? Bargain synths?

afaik, the 90s VA synths (Virus, Novation, Nord) are the only real bargains to be had (compared to their original price).

About the virus, how complicated is it? Intuitive and can be learnt on the go or "let's go read the manual" complicated?

I'd say... both!

[Flooper]

Thanks, I'll keep an eye out for those if the virus b won't pan out.

Any thoughts on the Korg/ARP Odyssey? Looks and sounds pretty good to me... (although it's not polyphonic, it's a very interesting synth - sound-wise)