Want to buy my first analog synth.

[vitocorleone123]

Analog polys under $1k probably aren't going to be very impressive to you - you may be better off with top-end analog emulating software, instead - sonically as good or better at this price point (and above in some cases), not so much with the hands on controls. Maybe you could find a used one?

However, there's some great analog monos under $1k: Typhon, SE-02, DB-01, to name a few. Moog, too, has some (I just don't generally prefer them).

[thecontrolcentre]

3DWaves does sell a 3D-printed stand for the Nymphes. You can purchase it on Reverb for $36 USD.

Nice stand ... might have to get one. Thanks @FrankieFlawless
+1 to all the Nymphes recommendations for the OP. It's a lovely sounding synth (like all the Dreadbox stuff). Great price for an analog poly too.

[BONES]

I don't think you'll get a useful analogue polysynth for under a grand, unless you find something used. I good compromise might be a Waldorf Pulse 2, which is well within your budget and has paraphonic operation, as well as a couple of different unison modes, with 4 or 8 voices stacked (but you lose the 3rd oscillator when you choose a unison mode).

Another option would be Uno Synth Pro Desktop, which is stupidly cheap at the moment. It's right on your size limit but it also has paraphonic mode (3 voices). Most importantly, it sounds amazing. It also has it's own (limited) keyboard, so you can also use it as a MIDI controller, and a great sequencer.

I've owned both and I don't think you could go wrong with either. I definitely think they are better options than any of the Dreadbox suggestions, which are more compromised to keep their prices down. If you are going to use it with your computer, the Uno Pro might have the edge, given that it comes with it's own standalone/VST editor librarian, which makes it a bit easier to work with. Both use a matrix style editing system, which I really like but a lot of people seem to find clunky. The VST editor makes it a lot easier to program. There are a couple of 3rd party editors for the Pulse 2 but I couldn't get them working. OTOH, the Pulse 2 has endless encoders, which are a lot easier to work with.

As for using them with Studio One, it couldn't be easier. Just plug the synth's output into your Presonus device and then plug the USB into your computer. Go to the External Devices tab in the Options panel and set it up as a new device. It only takes a couple of minutes.

[audiojunkie]

Probably you should go modular. You can start small, with just a module or two.

I agree with this idea. I personally have already gone through my hardware phase, and I’m satisfied with plugins now. But if I were to go back, I would want to hand-pick each and every component. Also, it is easier to swap out a component you might like better if the old component breaks or you become dissatisfied with a component. You can even have polyphonic modulars that can save patches. You need never outgrow a modular.

[vitocorleone123]

Probably you should go modular. You can start small, with just a module or two.

I agree with this idea. I personally have already gone through my hardware phase, and I’m satisfied with plugins now. But if I were to go back, I would want to hand-pick each and every component. Also, it is easier to swap out a component you might like better if the old component breaks or you become dissatisfied with a component. You can even have polyphonic modulars that can save patches. You need never outgrow a modular.

I wouldn’t touch modular with a 1000’ pole. Too many cables, too visible of cables, too much designing your stuff rather than letting a pro do it rather than spending time using it. For me. I realize those things are a dream come true for some others, but a nightmare for me. The metric crap ton of cables I have tucked away as much as possible for the gear I have is bad enough.

[pdxindy]

Hard to find much in the way of analog polysynths for under $1k and that small.

One option is the digital/analog hybrid TÖÖRÖ by Fred's Lab

6 voices, 4 part multitimbral and it's tiny.

https://fredslab.net/en/tooro-module.php

[audiojunkie]

Probably you should go modular. You can start small, with just a module or two.

I agree with this idea. I personally have already gone through my hardware phase, and I’m satisfied with plugins now. But if I were to go back, I would want to hand-pick each and every component. Also, it is easier to swap out a component you might like better if the old component breaks or you become dissatisfied with a component. You can even have polyphonic modulars that can save patches. You need never outgrow a modular.

I wouldn’t touch modular with a 1000’ pole. Too many cables, too visible of cables, too much designing your stuff rather than letting a pro do it rather than spending time using it. For me. I realize those things are a dream come true for some others, but a nightmare for me. The metric crap ton of cables I have tucked away as much as possible for the gear I have is bad enough.

I completely understand where you are coming from. I’ve been there too. That’s why I’m satisfied with softsynths. I just thought it would be a way to start one’s synth investment small and grow it over time with quality, since the beginning budget is so low.

[BONES]

Probably you should go modular. You can start small, with just a module or two.

I agree with this idea.

The thing is, this isn't someone who is over working ITB, he just wants to dip a toe in the water to see what the other side has to offer. Putting him straight onto modular is going give him the worst possible first impression.

[cryophonik]

Maybe a DSI Tetra? They’re out of production, but they can had secondhand for well within your budget, fit your small-form-factor needs, and is a 4-voice polyphonic with a lot of modulation capability. The biggest drawback is the minimalist interface, but it’s not as bad as it looks.

[zerocrossing]

For polyphonic synths, you’ll have a fairly limited choice. The ones that I’d recommend are a used Prophet ‘08 module. There’s one on Reverb now for a decent price.

https://reverb.com/p/dave-smith-instrum ... tent=72238

The “PE” edition is when they switched to potentiometers vs. encoders, which had a problem at one point, so that’s a good thing. Lots of modulation, great sound, a decent amount of voices and it’s not too big.

The other one I can think of is an Elektron Analog Four. You should have no problem finding the MK1 version for your budget. Only 4 voices, but it’s one of my favorite analog synths, especially for more interesting sounds. That feedback oscillator is awesome, and you can do fun things with the LFOs as they can run at audio rates and track the keyboard.

One of the best things about these two is that they sound very different than any software synthesizer I’ve ever used, and I’ve used a lot.

[zerocrossing]

Maybe a DSI Tetra? They’re out of production, but they can had secondhand for well within your budget, fit your small-form-factor needs, and is a 4-voice polyphonic with a lot of modulation capability. The biggest drawback is the minimalist interface, but it’s not as bad as it looks.

The cool thing about a Tetra is that you might be able to find two for that price, and you get basically an 8 voice Prophet ‘08 with a sub oscillator and feedback.

[audiojunkie]

Probably you should go modular. You can start small, with just a module or two.

I agree with this idea.

The thing is, this isn't someone who is over working ITB, he just wants to dip a toe in the water to see what the other side has to offer. Putting him straight onto modular is going give him the worst possible first impression.

You’re probably right. That is one of the reason I got rid of my analogs (and most of my actual hardware)—I am quite satisfied with the sound quality and convenience of software these days. I just can’t think of too much that I personally would want that would be available in the OP’s price range. I figured that with modular, someone could start small and build up to what is wanted. But, as you said, the OP is just dipping his toe in the water, so maybe he doesn’t need too much for that. Yeah, modular is probably not the best suggestion.

[ghettosynth]

I was taking the piss. Don't go modular at first. Do go in some direction where getting analog is worth the trouble. For example, the Behringer 303 MO is $250, sounds great, is tiny, creates sounds that are hard to get exactly in software and, even if you can, putting your fingers on it makes all the difference. It has midi and otherwise has a simple interface and is so easy to use that you won't miss having presets. Now, of course, you need music that needs a 303 to justify that, so if you don't have that, then look elsewhere.

The other Behringer monosynths are also worth a look, e.g., the Wasp. So cheap and somewhat unique.

What I wouldn't do is waste my time with some generic poly analogue with a simple ho-hum architecture, and this is almost all of the budget synths, IMNSHO, because it won't be much more better than just using an excellent plugin. Bheringer deepmind desktop is probably one of the few budget polys that is deep enough to be interesting. However, it's a DCO based synth, so make sure that's what you want.

A tiny super focused modular with a couple of modules built by someone who really knows what they're doing can be worthwhile. However, if you're asking this question in the first place, you probably won't end up with exactly that, rather, you will end up with something much less.

All my opinion, of course, and worth every penny that you paid for it.

[BONES]

For example, the Behringer 303 MO is $250, sounds great

So it sounds nothing like a TB 303, then.

The other Behringer monosynths are also worth a look, e.g., the Wasp. So cheap and somewhat unique.

But none of them have patch memory, which makes them a total f**king nightmare compared to VSTi.

A tiny super focused modular with a couple of modules built by someone who really knows what they're doing can be worthwhile.

But it won't have patch memory, which makes it a total f**king nightmare compared to VSTi.

[audiojunkie]

Doesn’t most of what people consider the “analog” sound come down to the analog filters and the instabilities of the circuitry? I would argue that you could get 90% of the analog warmth and character while having a much more flexible synth for the price by choosing a hybrid such as:

https://reverb.com/p/dave-smith-instrum ... 24QAvD_BwE