First hardware synth: Behringer edition

[Jkist]

Hello!

I am looking at picking up my first hardware synth, since I've mostly dealt with VSTs, and the topic in the other forum about hardware vs software got me thinking. I am really looking for something pretty simple. I have a basic understanding of how modular synths work, and patch cables, and all of that.

So, ethical questions regarding Behringer aside, which synth within the $200-500 range would you guys recommend?

Here are the ones I've been heavily considering:

My top 3:
Model D - Moog sound for cheap right? Very simple and basic, but sounds very nice for the price. Tuning stability issues reported by multiple users though

Pro 1 - Another obvious choice. Even though the Model D has one more oscillator, most agree that the Pro 1 can cover more sounds than the Model D.

Neutron - Seems to have a slightly more modern feel to it and more capability, but maybe not the same "magic" as the simpler ones mentioned above. Also the effects are known to dull the high end a bit too much (can be bypassed).

Other considerations:

Wasp Deluxe - Although I am not as familiar with the original hardware unit this was "cloned" off of, it seems to sound really nice and it currently costs $100 less than both of the above.

Crave - This one uses a Prophet 5 oscillator, and the same filter out of the Model D I believe. Sounds decent. This one also costs a full $100 less than both of the above, apparently the price was recently reduced.

K2 - The more aggressive sounding of the bunch so far I think. Haven't too much looked at what its capable of yet.

Cat - Haven't looked too deep into this one either, but I like the ADSR being sliders rather than knobs. Apparently I might be able to get an extra deal on this one at SweetWater...

So anybody have experience with the above? Good, bad, other recommendations? Thank you so much for taking the time!

I own a Keystep 37, so I don't care if these synths come with built-in arps or step sequencers.

[Jkist]

Update: Sprung for the Pro-1. Bought it for under $300 shipped on sale at this website: https://www.perfectcircuit.com/behringer-pro-1.html

I'm stoked!

[GaryG]

Cool. For what it's worth, back in the day (when old synths were cheap-ish...) I bought a real Pro-one over a Mini-moog, it was even then a fair bit cheaper and it's extra versatility and sound (maybe a little cleaner? sharper?) won me over.

[rod_zero]

I would have gone with Roland Se02 since it has patch memory and sequencer.

[telecode]

congrats. you will like the switch to hardware synth.

[BONES]

That was quick. I'd have recommended a Korg Monologue over anything from Behringer. It's a much more complete package for the same price and it sounds great. Or a Waldorf Rocket, just because it sounds so incredibly good. If you have RePro 1, it will be interesting to hear what you think about the sound of each.

Interestingly, it was my MicroMonsta that convinced me to sell my hardware. A synth without a keyboard feels just as restrictive to me as a VSTi. At least Rocket has a button you can press to trigger it, which makes patching so much easier when I just want to lounge around on the sofa, rather than sit/stand in front of the machines.

[lfm]

That was quick. I'd have recommended a Korg Monologue over anything from Behringer. It's a much more complete package for the same price and it sounds great.

Yeah, the simple questions of saving presets is an obvious thing to store/recall sounds you created, like 20 user presets or so and 80 factory ones on monologue.

With the synths with no presets and first hardware will soon grow out of that and find it inhibit creativity. All positions of knobs and stuff has to be restored manually
- hmmm, what position did knobs have on that other sound I liked?
- which oscillator waveforms

Going to minilogue XD you have 300 user presets and 200 factory ones, and 4 voice polyphony. If used to VSTs the polyphony is there by default and not obvious getting hardware.

But we all make purchases that will be booked under education money in the end I guess....

[Jkist]

Yeah I did very heavily consider the Roland SE-02. Might still pick it up if I decide the whole hardware thing is really worth the hassle. I know I can't store presets, but this synth is simply my gateway drug and plaything. The simpler the better for now.

Also update, that store claims that "Music Tribe, Behringer's parent company, has recently decided to end their relationship with most small, independent music stores". So supposedly my order was cancelled and refunded, yet I received shipping info for the package...not sure what thats about, but I decided to just order from Amazon anyways.

In fact, because of Amazon's amazing return policies, I actually snagged the Pro1 and the Neutron. I'm gonna play with them both and send back whichever one I like less.

Was also heavily considering the Korg Minilogue Bones. Very heavily. Its got a very unique character from what I can tell in Youtube demos, plus its much more capable.

What will end up happening is I'll compare the Pro 1 against Repro myself and, if I decide that Repro convincingly covers the tonal ground the Pro 1 does, but I find that I do appreciate having a synth in hardware form, I'll probably return both and just spring for the Minilogue, because of its unique sound.

[telecode]

That was quick. I'd have recommended a Korg Monologue over anything from Behringer. It's a much more complete package for the same price and it sounds great.

Yeah, the simple questions of saving presets is an obvious thing to store/recall sounds you created, like 20 user presets or so and 80 factory ones on monologue.

With the synths with no presets and first hardware will soon grow out of that and find it inhibit creativity. All positions of knobs and stuff has to be restored manually
- hmmm, what position did knobs have on that other sound I liked?
- which oscillator waveforms

Going to minilogue XD you have 300 user presets and 200 factory ones, and 4 voice polyphony. If used to VSTs the polyphony is there by default and not obvious getting hardware.

But we all make purchases that will be booked under education money in the end I guess....

My understanding of these hardware synths is the whole idea is you "don't" save presets and recall them. It's all about capturing the organic one time performance of the synth and you capture that performance on a DAW. Once you capture it -- you don't re-call and re-create it. The next time, you start from scratch and use your knowledge of the synth and how it works and try to capture a whole different organic performance.

[AdvancedFollower]

My understanding of these hardware synths is the whole idea is you "don't" save presets and recall them. It's all about capturing the organic one time performance of the synth and you capture that performance on a DAW. Once you capture it -- you don't re-call and re-create it. The next time, you start from scratch and use your knowledge of the synth and how it works and try to capture a whole different organic performance.

Both options are valid, there are no rules. Some might feel more creative and in the moment when they know they can't just instantly recall a sound for use later. For others, it's a pain having to manually recreate a specific sound each time they come back to a project after some time. Even with a fairly basic synth, that's a lot more time consuming than simply recalling a saved patch.

Ever since digital technology started becoming affordable in the early 1980's, many synths have had some form of patch storage, however. Hardware synths definitely do not equate to no patch storage.

[telecode]

My understanding of these hardware synths is the whole idea is you "don't" save presets and recall them. It's all about capturing the organic one time performance of the synth and you capture that performance on a DAW. Once you capture it -- you don't re-call and re-create it. The next time, you start from scratch and use your knowledge of the synth and how it works and try to capture a whole different organic performance.

Both options are valid, there are no rules. Some might feel more creative and in the moment when they know they can't just instantly recall a sound for use later. For others, it's a pain having to manually recreate a specific sound each time they come back to a project after some time. Even with a fairly basic synth, that's a lot more time consuming than simply recalling a saved patch.

Ever since digital technology started becoming affordable in the early 1980's, many synths have had some form of patch storage, however. Hardware synths definitely do not equate to no patch storage.

Agree. I guess I was more referring to specific hardware synths such as the Behr Model D.

[lfm]

Agree. I guess I was more referring to specific hardware synths such as the Behr Model D.

But still - Sequential Pro 3 has 512 memory locations for presets.
Monophonic/paraphonic synths with roughly same type of usage.

It's seriously limiting with this eurorack type of approach with no presets.

We had a discussion a couple of years ago where they showed ingenious inventions with relay driven boxes that reconnected cables in other ways for the next setup of the mono synths - back in the early years of synths. Something like floorboard for guitar and pedals do - reconnecting pedals in various configurations.

It's obviously a demand for eurorack stuff - but maybe not as first timers so much. Ability to choose a specific oscillator module for your synth is unique.

[BONES]

My understanding of these hardware synths is the whole idea is you "don't" save presets and recall them. It's all about capturing the organic one time performance of the synth and you capture that performance on a DAW. Once you capture it -- you don't re-call and re-create it. The next time, you start from scratch and use your knowledge of the synth and how it works and try to capture a whole different organic performance.

Quoted from The Complete Idiots Guide to Buying a Hardware Synthesizer.

[telecode]

My understanding of these hardware synths is the whole idea is you "don't" save presets and recall them. It's all about capturing the organic one time performance of the synth and you capture that performance on a DAW. Once you capture it -- you don't re-call and re-create it. The next time, you start from scratch and use your knowledge of the synth and how it works and try to capture a whole different organic performance.

Quoted from The Complete Idiots Guide to Buying a Hardware Synthesizer.

oh yeah? well you know what?! you are like a -- a like a -- a wasted punk rock waster. yeah, that's what you are dude.

[vurt]

no recall on a reasonably simple synth, is actually a good way to learn synth programming. and isn't lazy.

enjoy your purchase(s)