I want a hardware synth and could use some advice

[Uncle E]

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

This list is all over the place. It seems like you want a wide range of analog and digital sounds. Of these, only the Evolver and Minilogue XD do that. The Evolver is a unique and super interesting sounding synth but the analog side is just OK as far as analogs go. That leaves you with the Minilogue XD, which IMO is one of the best sounding synths on this list, anyway.

[kritikon]

Aye. I was mulling over my next synth purchase recently. I fell for the Behringer MonoPoly, but Minilogue XD is absolutely next on my list.

I looked at pretty well everything in a similar price range, even some of the bigger analogue polys and TBH Minilogue XD offered the most of everything compared to all the others IMO. It has very character filters (the most important part of any synth IMO), lots of features/programming flexibility, 4 voices, superb FX (I know this for fact as I have 2 other modern Korg synths and their FX really are quality), range - can do standard and some weird noises, value for money.

At its price range there's not too much else that offers so much. I initially was looking at the original Minilogue but Uncle E made me look at it closely and...the XD really does offer a shitload more.

[killmaster]

Aye. I was mulling over my next synth purchase recently. I fell for the Behringer MonoPoly, but Minilogue XD is absolutely next on my list.

I looked at pretty well everything in a similar price range, even some of the bigger analogue polys and TBH Minilogue XD offered the most of everything compared to all the others IMO. It has very character filters (the most important part of any synth IMO), lots of features/programming flexibility, 4 voices, superb FX (I know this for fact as I have 2 other modern Korg synths and their FX really are quality), range - can do standard and some weird noises, value for money.

At its price range there's not too much else that offers so much. I initially was looking at the original Minilogue but Uncle E made me look at it closely and...the XD really does offer a shitload more.

From what I know, I agree. The one standout feature for me that is tempting is the loading of 3rd party effects and digital oscillators! Amazing possibilities there. I am surprised there is no poly aftertouch though for the keyboard version. That is a big feature for me and wish it even had MPE implementation. (I can hear some of you groaning). That's why if I get one, I would get the module version and use my poly aftertouch keyboards instead.

I'm so tempted by the West Pest as a travel companion and am trying to figure out a way to try out the Evolver.

[killmaster]

What about the Mother 32? Or Pittsburg Modular Lifeforms SV-1?

[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

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.

Thanks for this suggestion. The Tooro sounds fantastic. In fact, i even like the ZeKit demos even a little better and is definately a contender.

[Uncle E]

Using wavetables with XD:

[killmaster]

Pretty much narrowed it down to the West Pest and Minilogue XD module.

Advantage of the West Pest is I can take it with be anywhere, and I probably would take it with me a lot.
Also, sounds incredible. Just the quality of the sound itself. Also, the sequencer/arp and it's simple but effective generative random functionality is great. And price seems great for what it offers. And it's simple for me to comprehend I do wonder if I might end up in a cul de sac where the results all start sounding similar and not getting enough variety due to it's small set of parameters.

Advantage of the Minilogue is the probably never-ending variety that would be possible and the thrid party importable oscillators and effects plugins will probably insure it stay fresh well into the future. I think I could comprehend it as opposed to the Wavestate. Only downside I see is price, being doulbe that of the Pest.

So hard to decide.

I really appreciate all the input. I ended up considering nearly every suggestion

[vurt]

Pretty much narrowed it down to the West Pest and Minilogue XD module.

Advantage of the West Pest is I can take it with be anywhere, and I probably would take it with me a lot.
Also, sounds incredible. Just the quality of the sound itself. Also, the sequencer/arp and it's simple but effective generative random functionality is great. And price seems great for what it offers. And it's simple for me to comprehend I do wonder if I might end up in a cul de sac where the results all start sounding similar and not getting enough variety due to it's small set of parameters.

Advantage of the Minilogue is the probably never-ending variety that would be possible and the thrid party importable oscillators and effects plugins will probably insure it stay fresh well into the future. I think I could comprehend it as opposed to the Wavestate. Only downside I see is price, being doulbe that of the Pest.

So hard to decide.

I really appreciate all the input. I ended up considering nearly every suggestion

they are two very different ends of the scale, the west pest does indeed sound awesome, of those two, for me, its two west pests.

however, i get the impressions you want something a bit more "all round"?
the minilogue will give you far more than double the price worth in that respect.
its a full on "synthesiser" as many expect them, lots of range, can be played alone, with its built in fx for pads/bass/leads...

the west pest is a single oscillator mono synth, which will have a much more limited (although still fairly wide) range of sounds, although the extra lfo for audio rate fm, will add a fair bit of texture, it wont be the same as those fully programmable oscillators in the logue. what it will do however, is kick the logues ass within that range

if i was you, ie not adding the pest to a big system, id get the logue for now.
the pest is cheap enough, that maybe some point in the future, you could add it, and between the two, spend relatively little, but have a decent little powerhouse

[Uncle E]

That would be an awesome combo! I wonder if the Volca Modular covers any of the West Pest’s ground?

[killmaster]

That would be an awesome combo! I wonder if the Volca Modular covers any of the West Pest’s ground?

I bet it does! Through listening Volca Modular demos didn't thrill me in the same way. Though I can get a used one on Reverb now for $165! And yes, would be a great combo. Was thinking the same thing.

[glokraw]

My music is more non conventional so I'm always looking for synth that provide a great variety of sounds.

Sounds to me like pairing Reaktor 6 (on sale now) with the top-end Nektar controller fits your quest for the unconventional.

The ever-growing Reaktor user library (and factory synths) are a parallel universe with ratings and categories to guide youe exploration. An Arturia Keylab88 Mk II is an excellent controller, including their Analog Lab software (6500 sounds for the controller to unconventionalize. )

Buying a hardware synth caps the unconventional aspects you seek. while Reaktor and a world-class midi controller won't.
Cheers

[killmaster]

My music is more non conventional so I'm always looking for synth that provide a great variety of sounds.

Sounds to me like pairing Reaktor 6 (on sale now) with the top-end Nektar controller fits your quest for the unconventional.

The ever-growing Reaktor user library (and factory synths) are a parallel universe with ratings and categories to guide youe exploration. An Arturia Keylab88 Mk II is an excellent controller, including their Analog Lab software (6500 sounds for the controller to unconventionalize. )

Buying a hardware synth caps the unconventional aspects you seek. while Reaktor and a world-class midi controller won't.
Cheers

I appreciate this and see what you mean, though my want is to get a self contained hardware synth of some sort. I actually have Reaktor and a Nektar P1 controller and 3 MIDI keyboards already. (Reaktor user library's Cloudlab is extraordinary!) Everything I've ever done in the past has been using software and often Reaktor. Truly phenomenal potential for sure. Thanks for the thought!

The P1 is really a fantastic controller. It's hard to believe it can do all it can do with such great DAW integration. I have a lot of custom Nektarine maps for my software synths but find that it's actually easier to just create simple mapping assignments in Bitwig.

[Uncle E]

Does the XD receive poly aftertouch? What controller sends poly aftertouch?

[killmaster]

Does the XD receive poly aftertouch? What controller sends poly aftertouch?

it appears to have been added in a firmware update
https://www.reddit.com/r/synthesizers/c ... rmware_20/

All 4 of my keyboards send it. Seaboard RISE, K-Board Pro 4, QuNexus and Komplete Kontrol S61.

[HAL76]

No Vst will ever sound like a Microfreak. Gritty anyway.

Hydrasynth is nothing special as are Prophet VS and many others. But some synths are special - and if you like them go for them. It don´t regret a single penny for e. g. my Waldorf M and none of my numerous VSTs compares.

And I´d better go for expensive toys since their value is more stable and you spend so much time with them, maybe even in 20 years.