I want a hardware synth and could use some advice

[kritikon]

This is fantastic feedback! Thank you! To answer your question, my original thought was to try and keep it around $600. And 4 voice poly may be fine. lean slightly away from mono, but I can also imagine if a synth just feels right, going with that too. I love the 0-Coast but would have to spend time with it to really know how to relate to it. And the Strega as well.

For $600 then that narrows it down a whole load. Korg Minilogue XD or even original Minilogue to save more money. Or any of the Dreadbox synths - though to me they lack too many things to keep you going for years. You can probably get a Deepmind desktop for close to that, but...too vanilla IMO - I don't think you'd be wowed by the sound. $600 pretty well limits you to Minilogue or desktops - quite a few companies make desktop versions. Might be worth a look at Roland - I've fallen behind at what they offer, but they have some budget synths, all digital.

[cryophonik]

Since he’s not concerned about analog vs digital, there are many other secondhand poly options to consider in the $600 range, such as a Virus A or B, Waldorf Blofeld or MicroQ, Novation Supernova (maybe a little more expensive though), Nord Lead 1 or 2, etc. In analog, possibly a DSI Tetra and I recently had an opportunity to buy a Prophet 08 module for $700, although that was a pretty rare circumstance (which I should’ve bought when I had the chance, but I already have a Rev2 ).

But all that said, the Minilogue XD is definitely the one that would be at or near the top of my own list.

[DrGonzo]

I've gone through this over and over again when new hardware synths that come out that I find interesting. In the recent past, I've spent a lot of time looking at Makenoise Strega and 0-Coast, Mega FM, Hydrasynth Explorer, Microfreak, Dreadbox Nymphes and Korg Minilogue to list a few examples. O, and the Cre8audio West Pest more recently. I get really close to buying one, then can't justify it due to the reasoning that I already have that functionality in software and use a competent controller (Nektar P1). I'm not 100% sure what I would gain anything from having a hardware synth.

I don't really care about digital versus analog. I'm not trying to get a certain sound. My music is more non conventional so I'm always looking for synth that provide a great variety of sounds.

Having said all that, I'm on the verge of buying a Hydrasynth Explorer cause of the sheer depth of sound possibilities and I probably will only ever get one hardware synth. I have a very tight budget since I'm retired and have no income but wouldn't mind spending the money on one versatile synth.

Would love to get feedback on why you prefer hardware synths and which synths I could get that would provide a breadth of sonic possibilities over a long time. the list above are the synths I've considered purchasing.

Thanks for any thoughts on this!

All being said about individual tastes and preferences etc, the Hydrasynth didn't do much for me. I don't mean it was bad or anything. I just felt it had anything particular that I couldn't get anywhere else.

I would also recommend to take a look at the Korg Minilogue. Apart from that being a cool synth in its own right, the stuff that Sinevibes is creating for it is simply jawdropping. It's like they reprogram the Korg into something completely different. Very inspirational stuff.

/C

[killmaster]

…or maybe I'll record and sample my aluminum water bottle that sounds so cool when I tap the bottom while I'm walking down the stairs wth different amount of water in it. (something about the acoustics of the narrow stairs)

Please make those samples available to us when you do!

I will!

[Scotty]

Somewhere between Bone's lifetime of regret of reluctantly owning 6 hardware synths out of habit and buying a $5000 poly analog is a common sense decision that won't break the bank and which will give you a sense of what you may or may not be missing. Personally I wouldn't be buying a flagship hardware box to wet your whistle unless cash is not a factor for you. I'd start small and try to see if there are any experiences worth pursuing before you drop a lot of money.

[killmaster]

Just noticed that the Modal Cobalt 8 module is around $600 - $700 used. Seems like it's worth putting on the list?

Also, Korg Wavestate does looks really intriguing but I'm worried I would struggle to comprehend it. Looks deep and also very complicated.

If it will provide more depth, I'm flexible on the price. I could go as high as $1,000 after reconsidering.

[killmaster]

I've decided that I am going to get one synth. I realized I'll probably have no problem selling if it doesn't work out.

Here is an updated list. I do lean toward less usual sounds.

DSI Evolver
Ciat-Lonbarde CocoQuantus (pushing it pricewise)
Korg Minilogue XD or original
Makenoise 0-Coast
Makenoise Strega
Arturia Microfreak
West Pest
Modal Cobalt 8
Korg Wavestate

[tehlord]

Making music is a creative process.

For some people, that creative process is altered/improved by using hardware.

Saying that the only reason to use hardware is to 'get' a different sound is just nonsense. Or it's true. Depending on what hardware means to you.

Buy used. If you don't like it, sell it. No loss. Try something else.

The offering up of opinion as fact at KVR is....as usual.....hilarious

[vurt]

I've decided that I am going to get one synth. I realized I'll probably have no problem selling if it doesn't work out.

Here is an updated list. I do lean toward less usual sounds.

DSI Evolver
Ciat-Lonbarde CocoQuantus (pushing it pricewise)
Korg Minilogue XD or original
Makenoise 0-Coast
Makenoise Strega
Arturia Microfreak
West Pest
Modal Cobalt 8
Korg Wavestate

re the make noise bits and west pest, love them all personally!
but as standalone, and only synth, they "may" be a bit limited, and imo are better as part of a modular system.

that said, it depends what it is you want from this hardware. if it's a voice that stands out over software then they would be ok, if you're looking for a wide ranging synth for various uses, then probably not.

sorry if this complicates it, but id prefer you to go in open eyes, so you avoid any disappointment, that might put you off, when another choice wouldnt

[T-CM11]

DSI Evolver
Ciat-Lonbarde CocoQuantus (pushing it pricewise)

If you're pushing the price up, then better look at a Mono Evolver kb, or Pro 2. (all second hand; only the Pro 3 can still be found new)

I have the Pro 2, while different, still the closest Evolver alternative. My favorite hardware synth.

Oh, some more stuff to investigate: https://somasynths.com/
Good luck!

[dark water]

I would get a used Minilogue XD (there will be loads about) and just see how you get on with it. Worst case scenario, you sell it for what you paid for it.

It sits at the perfect sweet spot of price/funcionality/versatility.

Agreed - and I have one here myself (and I'm very impressed with it).
Not only with how it sounds, but also the functionality (eg, microtuning capability) and FX options (and ability to download / share new effects via an online community) make it an excellent value-for-money synth at its price.
As someone else said here, the keys are a tad small however.



As for the OP, as you state that you don't have a lot of dosh (sub $600) for trying out a hardware synth, happily there are some really good - and more to the point, FUN - hardware synths at less than $600.
It looks like you have already whittled it down to a good selection of choices


Lastly, I realize that the semi-modular Behringer Neutron isn't on your list, and probably isn't what you're after atm (and yes, I have read the 3 pages here).
But in fairness, it is really excellent fun for the very low price - approx $300 (first hand) - to the point where you'll unlikely to have buyer's remorse.
You'll need some ability to trigger it by midi (eg, via a $60 Nektar midi keyboard), although I'm guessing you already have a midi keyboard given your software synths.
I have a Neutron myself and love messing around with it

[vurt]

neutron plus west pest, would add up to around 500 and be a pretty killer synth together

[pdxindy]

I've decided that I am going to get one synth. I realized I'll probably have no problem selling if it doesn't work out.

Here is an updated list. I do lean toward less usual sounds.

DSI Evolver
Ciat-Lonbarde CocoQuantus (pushing it pricewise)
Korg Minilogue XD or original
Makenoise 0-Coast
Makenoise Strega
Arturia Microfreak
West Pest
Modal Cobalt 8
Korg Wavestate

Fred's Lab Tooro is an unusual 6 voice (4 part) synth (lo-res digital Osc's and analog filters). Worth considering as well. - https://fredslab.net/en/tooro-module.php

I think the complexity of the Wavestate would mean I would end up not doing much sound design. I haven't actually tried it firsthand though.

I had a Minilogue XD but returned it as I could not stand the mini-keys. Sounded good.

Microfreak seems cool and it would interest me if they made a 'Macrofreak' or whatever they would call it.

[lfm]

I think the complexity of the Wavestate would mean I would end up not doing much sound design. I haven't actually tried it firsthand though.

I had a Minilogue XD but returned it as I could not stand the mini-keys. Sounded good.

Microfreak seems cool and it would interest me if they made a 'Macrofreak' or whatever they would call it.

Yeah, I don't get a recommendation as a general synth to say Wavestate. Very different approach to that.

Let's say you want to build a 2 oscillator sound
- if one pulse 60/40 you load up such a sample in one layer, there is nothing to just fix that.
- if other is a saw, then you load that into another layer.

But they both have to be tweaked separately with filter and envelopes in each layer, jumping back and forth.

I would say ModWave instead, which I belive is made like a multi oscillator approach.

Prologue 8, is like a double Minilogue XD but no sequencer but does like layering two sounds into 2 x 4 voices if you like. And full size keys. Really, really nice synth.

To bring up mono synths like Microfreak in the same context as polysynths is very strange IMO, so very different beast to build coloring with chord and pads. Monosynths is just sequencing basslines and arpeggios, kind of. Both useful, but not getting how in the same context "I want a hardware synth..".

The single preset stuff like Neutron in the same context as multi preset machines is equally odd. I had some fun with that, but once explored and taring down cables and start over for a new sound you soon loose the fun of it.

I have Neutron, DeepMind6, Nordlead2X, Prologue 8 and Wavestate as well as Polybrute so these are very different concepts.

Major fun with hardware is that you have hands on with everything if you pick that kind of synth, there are those that need back and forth in menues, and other approaches too though. So look first hand at getting separate knobs/faders for both ADSR envelopes at least. As soon as you have to press a button to switch ADSR amp to filter and such you loose a lot of the fun in the exploring as I see it. Those little "accidents" that you have doing two hands tweak different parts of both envelopes is nice. Going back and forth with a button press in between is nothing as fun, no knob is where the other envelope is.

But buy one as a stepping stone, if you can consider that owning maybe two or more hardware synths. You soon figure out what fits your purpose of it all. But a poly does it all IMO with nice unison modes and such.

Also consider getting a second hand synth as starter. I bought my Nordlead2X used in the price range you mentioned. Shaves off some cost and loss too if resell later.

[foosnark]

The specific sound of a particular synth maybe, if you happen to fall in love with it.

What else is there? You don’t walk into a store and ask if they have a generic synthesizer to try out.

You're not wrong, but the way a lot of people talk, specifics don't matter as much as feature lists. "I've already got an analog monosynth, why would I want another one? The next one has to be wavetable" or "why do you have so many delay plugins when one is enough?"

I don't see the point of getting a hardware synth just to own hardware, or in going analog just so you can say it's analog, or avoiding a particular product because it's not 100% analog, etc. But that's how some people seem to think.