Personally, if you’re already using good plugins, none of the digital suggestions really make a big difference in capabilities, though you will have a hands on interface. Something like the XD at least has analog VCOs alongside it’s digital oscillator and both go though an analog filter stage, so that would be my advice too.
Or, you could go for a good analog mono or two. There are so many good ones out there now that I’d be hard pressed to make a recommendation, but I’ve always thought the Roland SE-02 was a great sounding synth with a lot of features for the money.
First hardware synth advice (< $1000): Argon8 vs DeepMind 6 vs Wavestate
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- KVRAF
- 18417 posts since 26 Jun, 2006 from San Francisco Bay Area
Zerocrossing Media
4th Law of Robotics: When turning evil, display a red indicator light. ~[ ●_● ]~
4th Law of Robotics: When turning evil, display a red indicator light. ~[ ●_● ]~
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- KVRAF
- 7540 posts since 7 Aug, 2003 from San Francisco Bay Area
I love the Wavestate. It makes sounds that I can’t really get from anything else at the moment. I don’t love the interface, but it is absolutely worth learning for the results you’ll get out of it.
The DeepMind12 is at its core a fairly simple synth based on the Juno-106. What sets it apart are the really nice internal effects that you can chain into those basic filtered square and saw waveforms. I wouldn’t even consider a DM6, because a lot of patches depend on stacking unison voices together, and you’ll run out of voices quickly with only 6 available. It does sound nice though.
I don’t have an Argon8 and have no real interest. It seems like you’re leaning in that direction though, so why not simply get it and enjoy? Personally I would choose a Hydrasynth instead, but I understand that cost is a big factor where you are. I do have a Skulpt, and it sounds pretty good, so Modal know what they’re doing.
I have an original Minilogue, which is fine but nothing incredible. If budget is a big concern for you, I don’t really feel like you’ll get a huge difference in sound by going with one of these instead of softsynths. True, there are an increasing number of XD user oscillator programs available, but I’m not sure they really buy you a huge advantage over software either.
Again, it seems like if you like the Argon8 and it hits the right price point for you, you should just get that and be done already. There is no one perfect synth. Just get something and enjoy it.
The DeepMind12 is at its core a fairly simple synth based on the Juno-106. What sets it apart are the really nice internal effects that you can chain into those basic filtered square and saw waveforms. I wouldn’t even consider a DM6, because a lot of patches depend on stacking unison voices together, and you’ll run out of voices quickly with only 6 available. It does sound nice though.
I don’t have an Argon8 and have no real interest. It seems like you’re leaning in that direction though, so why not simply get it and enjoy? Personally I would choose a Hydrasynth instead, but I understand that cost is a big factor where you are. I do have a Skulpt, and it sounds pretty good, so Modal know what they’re doing.
I have an original Minilogue, which is fine but nothing incredible. If budget is a big concern for you, I don’t really feel like you’ll get a huge difference in sound by going with one of these instead of softsynths. True, there are an increasing number of XD user oscillator programs available, but I’m not sure they really buy you a huge advantage over software either.
Again, it seems like if you like the Argon8 and it hits the right price point for you, you should just get that and be done already. There is no one perfect synth. Just get something and enjoy it.
Incomplete list of my gear: 1/8" audio input jack.
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- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 6299 posts since 12 Jan, 2018
Thanks for the suggestion. While I don't have much experience researching hardware synths, Roland SE-02 is something I admire. Sounds damn good. But only thing is I am not sure if I want to go desktop way. I need to figure that, as well as the type of synth analog/digital/hybrid, first.zerocrossing wrote: Wed May 27, 2020 3:46 pm Personally, if you’re already using good plugins, none of the digital suggestions really make a big difference in capabilities, though you will have a hands on interface. Something like the XD at least has analog VCOs alongside it’s digital oscillator and both go though an analog filter stage, so that would be my advice too.
Or, you could go for a good analog mono or two. There are so many good ones out there now that I’d be hard pressed to make a recommendation, but I’ve always thought the Roland SE-02 was a great sounding synth with a lot of features for the money.
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- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 6299 posts since 12 Jan, 2018
Excellent advice, thank you. As mentioned in above post, once I figure out the type of synth and its version, it will help to conclude better. But yes, cost will probably be the biggest driving factor for me.deastman wrote: Wed May 27, 2020 4:15 pm I love the Wavestate. It makes sounds that I can’t really get from anything else at the moment. I don’t love the interface, but it is absolutely worth learning for the results you’ll get out of it.
The DeepMind12 is at its core a fairly simple synth based on the Juno-106. What sets it apart are the really nice internal effects that you can chain into those basic filtered square and saw waveforms. I wouldn’t even consider a DM6, because a lot of patches depend on stacking unison voices together, and you’ll run out of voices quickly with only 6 available. It does sound nice though.
I don’t have an Argon8 and have no real interest. It seems like you’re leaning in that direction though, so why not simply get it and enjoy? Personally I would choose a Hydrasynth instead, but I understand that cost is a big factor where you are. I do have a Skulpt, and it sounds pretty good, so Modal know what they’re doing.
I have an original Minilogue, which is fine but nothing incredible. If budget is a big concern for you, I don’t really feel like you’ll get a huge difference in sound by going with one of these instead of softsynths. True, there are an increasing number of XD user oscillator programs available, but I’m not sure they really buy you a huge advantage over software either.
Again, it seems like if you like the Argon8 and it hits the right price point for you, you should just get that and be done already. There is no one perfect synth. Just get something and enjoy it.
With the prices I am seeing in my country, Argon8, DeepMind 6 and Minilogue xd are in the same price range. Korg Wavestate looks out of stock here, but guess it might be in the similar price range. DeepMind 12 is unfortunately out of my range by a significant amount, else I would have sure considered it over DeepMind 6. I do like Juno-106 sound, but what you said makes sense, and probably I should avoid DeepMind in that case.
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Obsolete317542 Obsolete317542 https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=317542
- KVRist
- 253 posts since 1 Dec, 2013 from Belgium
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- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 6299 posts since 12 Jan, 2018
Thanks for the detailed breakdown, Eclectus. Appreciated. 
DeepMind has a fan, really?
One main advantage of Minilogue XD for me is it is considerably cheaper than Argon8. Since I cannot afford DeepMind 12, guess I would need to choose between Argon8, Minilogue XD and perhaps Wavestate.
I am in no hurry though. I will keep exploring them.
DeepMind has a fan, really?
One main advantage of Minilogue XD for me is it is considerably cheaper than Argon8. Since I cannot afford DeepMind 12, guess I would need to choose between Argon8, Minilogue XD and perhaps Wavestate.
I am in no hurry though. I will keep exploring them.
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AdvancedFollower AdvancedFollower https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=418780
- KVRian
- 1342 posts since 8 May, 2018 from Sweden
The DeepMind has a fan but the speed can be adjusted and the fan can even be turned off. I'd definitely recommend the DM12 or 12D over the 6, though. With the mod matrix and 2x unison, it's practically a 6-voice synth with 2 fully featured oscillators.
The SE-02 is a desktop unit but you can buy the K-25m or just use any MIDI keyboard. It fits perfectly with small keyboards like the MPK Mini which I use with mine.
The SE-02 is a desktop unit but you can buy the K-25m or just use any MIDI keyboard. It fits perfectly with small keyboards like the MPK Mini which I use with mine.
Take a single oscillator, producing a drone. Send it to the wave shaper, altering the tone.
This can be a triangle, Sawtooth or a square. Modulate the pulse width, nobody will care
This can be a triangle, Sawtooth or a square. Modulate the pulse width, nobody will care
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- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 6299 posts since 12 Jan, 2018
Thank you for the suggestion and clarifying the fan thing. The only problem for me with DM12 is it is about 40% higher in price than my maximum budget, which is significant. I am not particularly keen on getting a desktop version of any synth as my first one. I want a keyboard version, so that I can take it anywhere, hook it up to some speakers and start playing. It's more hands on that way.
These two things will probably rule out the DeepMind from the consideration, I am afraid, since it seems DM6 is not worth it. But I still have time to properly think and conclude.
These two things will probably rule out the DeepMind from the consideration, I am afraid, since it seems DM6 is not worth it. But I still have time to properly think and conclude.