Recommendations for a Standalone Synth + Sequencer
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- KVRian
- Topic Starter
- 1092 posts since 1 Jul, 2008
I've been way out of the new softsynth loop for a while, having become enchanted with VCVrack.
Recently, when showing a friend it's capabilities he expressed an interest in getting into sequencing. He has no knowledge of synthesis, DAWs, etc. and has found VCV too overwhelming. He's old and not very technically capable.
So I'd like to get him a Christmas gift of a Synth/Sequencer combo that he can cut his teeth on. I've googled around but haven't found anything suitable as yet.
Can anyone recommend an easy to use, yet reasonably capable, Synth with integrated sequencer for a complete noob?
Requirements:
- Standalone software, no DAW required.
- Easy to understand.
- Windows
- Budget up to Euro 100
Thanks in advance for any suggestions!
Recently, when showing a friend it's capabilities he expressed an interest in getting into sequencing. He has no knowledge of synthesis, DAWs, etc. and has found VCV too overwhelming. He's old and not very technically capable.
So I'd like to get him a Christmas gift of a Synth/Sequencer combo that he can cut his teeth on. I've googled around but haven't found anything suitable as yet.
Can anyone recommend an easy to use, yet reasonably capable, Synth with integrated sequencer for a complete noob?
Requirements:
- Standalone software, no DAW required.
- Easy to understand.
- Windows
- Budget up to Euro 100
Thanks in advance for any suggestions!
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- KVRian
- Topic Starter
- 1092 posts since 1 Jul, 2008
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- KVRAF
- 1534 posts since 13 Dec, 2016
The question is, vintage analog or modern sound? Or even both?
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- KVRAF
- 35439 posts since 11 Apr, 2010 from Germany
TBH, i would rather get something like Cubase LE/AI (you can get a cheap copy here in the Sell & Buy forum every now and then), and start with free synths like TAL-Noisemaker, or Synth1. At some point, you'll want to record, or sequence, and, that will be difficult to achieve with a standalone synth. With Cubase LE or AI, you can at least sequence a couple of tracks.
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- KVRian
- Topic Starter
- 1092 posts since 1 Jul, 2008
A simple subtractive synth, vintage emulation is not a key consideration (he wouldn't know the difference anyway).enCiphered wrote: ↑Thu Dec 05, 2019 1:24 pm The question is, vintage analog or modern sound? Or even both?
It's a matter of him getting comfortable playing with a super simple setup so that he can see if he wants to take it further. In particular the sequencing aspect. Something like the HY sequencer collection would be perfect.chk071 wrote: ↑Thu Dec 05, 2019 1:28 pm TBH, i would rather get something like Cubase LE/AI (you can get a cheap copy here in the Sell & Buy forum every now and then), and start with free synths like TAL-Noisemaker, or Synth1. At some point, you'll want to record, or sequence, and, that will be difficult to achieve with a standalone synth. With Cubase LE or AI, you can at least sequence a couple of tracks.
The question was if there is a standalone option, without needing a DAW initially. Recording is some way off!
If there are no standalone options I will push him towards a DAW and the HY plug, but he will need help to setup and he lives in a different country. Again, old guy, not really computer literate (in fact something of a luddite )
Thanks anyway for your replies.
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- KVRAF
- 1534 posts since 13 Dec, 2016
You could pick one from Tone2, they can all be used in stand-alone mode and sound amazing. They are on sale at the moment:
https://www.tone2.com/shop.html
https://www.tone2.com/shop.html
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Distorted Horizon Distorted Horizon https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=392076
- Banned
- 3882 posts since 17 Jan, 2017 from Planet of cats
https://www.fullbucket.de/music/vst.html
Some of those with seq, ran inside..
https://www.tone2.com/nanohost.html
*edit*
Price = free!
Some of those with seq, ran inside..
https://www.tone2.com/nanohost.html
*edit*
Price = free!
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- KVRian
- Topic Starter
- 1092 posts since 1 Jul, 2008
Interesting suggestion. I didn't see any with built-in sequencers except for Icarus 2, but there I only see drum/glitch sequencers, not a melodic sequencer. He'd need a MIDI controller and maybe it's a tad too complex for him. But I may grab it myselfenCiphered wrote: ↑Thu Dec 05, 2019 2:00 pm You could pick one from Tone2, they can all be used in stand-alone mode and sound amazing. They are on sale at the moment:
https://www.tone2.com/shop.html
Yes! Nice. SequenceAir looks perfect! It's standalone (no installation needed) and he can explore it with the mouse. Just had a quick play and it's exactly what I'm looking for.Distorted Horizon wrote: ↑Thu Dec 05, 2019 2:13 pm https://www.fullbucket.de/music/vst.html
Some of those with seq, ran inside..
https://www.tone2.com/nanohost.html
*edit*
Price = free!
Thanks!
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Distorted Horizon Distorted Horizon https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=392076
- Banned
- 3882 posts since 17 Jan, 2017 from Planet of cats
You're welcome!
Plz check that nanohost too. It can load pretty much any vsti and run it stand alone.
Maybe you could get your friend some affordable (like this https://www.thomann.de/fi/nektar_se49.htm) midi keyboard instead?
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- KVRian
- Topic Starter
- 1092 posts since 1 Jul, 2008
Thanks for the tips, much appreciated. Baby steps towards VCVrack!Distorted Horizon wrote: ↑Thu Dec 05, 2019 6:09 pmYou're welcome!
Plz check that nanohost too. It can load pretty much any vsti and run it stand alone.
Maybe you could get your friend some affordable (like this https://www.thomann.de/fi/nektar_se49.htm) midi keyboard instead?
Now mulling a Beatstep pro for him...