Missing a synth to complete my set.

[The Black Parade]

The Nord Lead 3 is a somewhat leftfield option for a "Trance" synth. Of course, the Nord 3 is a very polarizing synth. Many people hate its unabashedly digital sound and consider it thin and overly glossy. Others like myself appreciate it more for its simple but very effective 2 and 4 operator FM synthesis features which allow you to create super hi-fi bells and similar timbres that IMO sound better than those you can create on Yamaha's classic FM synths like the DX7 mkII.

Like all Nord Lead synths the Nord 3 is super punchy with insanely snappy envelopes. The VA engine sounds super smooth unlike the Nord Lead 2 which is harsher sounding (but awesome because of it).

And then there's the Nord 3 UI which, IMO, is unquestionably the best hardware synth interface of all time. It's super easy to use and so much fun to program expressive sounds on the Nord 3 with no menu diving whatsoever required.

Here are a couple of YouTube demos of Trance-oriented sounds for the Nord 3. Again, these definitely won't be to everyone's tastes. But they do sound different from popular Trance synth plugins like Sylenth, Spire, and Dune which may or may not be a good thing depending on your perspective.

[Uncle E]

I think OP already has a Nord. I love the Nord sound when used together with analogs but those two videos were painful to listen to.

[CoolColJ]

Model D has the tuning issues of a Minimoog as well, so it can be a pain.
And no electronic calibration and tuning here, you have to adjust trimpots

The DCO oscillators of the Waldorf pulse sounds unpleasant to my ears

[The Black Parade]

The DCO oscillators of the Waldorf pulse sounds unpleasant to my ears

Then I suspect you would REALLY hate the sound of the original rackmount Pulse 1. LOL. That thing sounds absolutely hard as nails. It's SUPER aggressive. But IMO, that's what is so great about it. I have plenty of "polite" sounding synth plugins. But if I want something that will practically rip my head off while still sounding analog, then I immediately reach for my Pulse 1.

Unless I'm missing an obscure monosynth from a boutique manufacturer, the Pulse 1 was definitely the most advanced monosynth in its day and the Pulse 2 takes this rich feature set much further. Sure, both are an acquired taste. But I would take the Pulse 2 any day over the Minitaur which is a total dud, IMO. I mean, how can a Moog bass synth have such weak bass? It makes no sense.

[The Black Parade]

I think OP already has a Nord. I love the Nord sound when used together with analogs but those two videos were painful to listen to.

The Nord Lead 3 sounds very, very different from the Nord Lead 2 and A1. Other than the minimalist design philosophy, they are almost completely different synths. It would be like comparing the Virus TI2 to the Nord Lead 2. Sure, they are both "VA" synths (although the Virus TI2 includes a bevy of other advanced synthesis features). But they don't sound anything alike.

Regarding the Nord A1 (and its predecessor the Nord Lead 4,) I just don't understand why Clavia dumbed them down so much, especially the A1. The A1 does sound very good which is of course what matters most. But geez, it doesn't even include a dedicated filter envelope and uses a silly 3-stage envelope for the amp. And removing the display and lighted encoder rings from the Nord 3 was such a massive step backwards. I really don't understand what Clavia was thinking. It's not like the other Nord Lead synths are overly complicated. There was no reason to make so many feature compromises on the A1.

Although I don't listen to practically any Trance or Melodic Techno, I do love those snappy "Trance pluck" sounds you hear in the two Nord 3 demo videos I posted (which the Nord 4 and A1 can also do in spades). To each his own I suppose.

[The Black Parade]

The Arturia Minifreak might have already been mentioned. It's such a fun quirky synth and costs only $600 and includes a real polyphonic analog filter. I love the Mutable Instruments digital oscillator models in the Minifreak. I've been a huge fan of the late Mutable Instruments since my first Shruthi back in 2012.

Of course, the Minifreak has only 6 voices of polyphony and polarizing minikeys which are sure to be a total deal breaker for a lot of keyboard players. But it would certainly add a different yet complementary sound to your Trance tracks.

Here's more "Bad Gear" silliness:

[Trancer]

Many thanks for your responses and opinions.

Uncle E , In fact, you recommended a Subsequent 37 to me.

It really bothers me this problem of a virtual non-existence of quality control, plus the reliability is not really there, the calibration too, in short, I love Moog, but too many uncertainties about the duration, reliability.

Furthermore, what has just happened with inmusic really does not reassure me for the future.

So, to my greatest regret, there is no too much uncertainty on too many points.

The Pulse 2, I had looked at, I really liked it, the problem is no longer produced and no longer exists in the catalog where I buy my musical instruments.

So the Pulse 2 really had my attention.

I even thought about taking the Blofeld for a wetsuit.

To solve the problem of the knobs given their poor quality, I even thought about using the Akai Force and a Novation launch control xl mk2 style controller to assign the controls to midi.

Regarding the Pulse 2, unfortunately ordering it outside Europe, taxation and customs fees, risk of unpleasant surprises and if there are problems with the machine, the return is more complicated than if purchased in Europe, so not very motivated to take the step of ordering outside Europe .

Nord Lead 3 is certainly the best version of this model.

Indeed, already a Nord Lead A1 and really very happy with this machine.

The Minifreak another category than the one I had the idea of ​​at the start, but not a bit of a duplicate with a Virus Ti2 and the Nord lead a1?

[Uncle E]

The Nord Lead 3 sounds very, very different from the Nord Lead 2 and A1. Other than the minimalist design philosophy, they are almost completely different synths. It would be like comparing the Virus TI2 to the Nord Lead 2. Sure, they are both "VA" synths (although the Virus TI2 includes a bevy of other advanced synthesis features). But they don't sound anything alike.

Maybe that explains why I didn't like the sound of those videos. A Nord Lead 2 has never caused me literal pain the way those two did. A shame because the 3 really does have one of the best interfaces ever created.

[Uncle E]

So the Pulse 2 really had my attention.

Have you tried a Quantum? I don't think it'd be the best fit for you but you owe it to yourself to play around with one. Great sounding and feeling synth.

The Minifreak another category than the one I had the idea of ​​at the start, but not a bit of a duplicate with a Virus Ti2 and the Nord lead a1?

It's quite different. Actually, a Minifreak, a TI2, an a1, and one beastly mono synth would be a superb setup.

[Trancer]

Thank you very much for your answer.

Never had the chance to try one.

There is also iridium, which on the other hand tried it and was not enthusiastic about what it delivered.

Cool sounds and truly digital sound.

It's a digital synth, but there are digital synths that sound a bit analog, like the Nord Lead A1 for example.

Really bothered with the Moog Subsequent 37, really too many uncertainties about the future and especially not the most reassuring design, reliability of the machine over time.

Minifreak with a good monophonic why not

As monophonic, still the Matrixbrute and Pro 3 dilemma.

Here too after reading the reviews, Matrixbrute is not great either.

According to reviews, it remains the Pro 3 which would be the most reliable, better built, electronics and firmware appear to be on point, not too many bugs apparently with a better lifespan over time.

Why not the Minilogue xd compared to the Minifreak?

Less immediate the Minilogue xd?

The Rev 2 desktop 16 channel, I'm thinking about it a little, even if a nasal sound is certainly possible to modify that.

Now reproducing the sounds of the Pro 3 with the Rev 2 seems complicated right?

Would the Rev 2 really bring me a plus with my two other synthesizers?

From what I have heard, it really seems that the Virus Ti2 (even if digital
) sounds much fatter, thicker
, ample than the Rev 2.

Regarding Hydrasynth, I recently had the chance to have a demonstration from someone who really mastered it perfectly.

I come back to my comments concerning this synth, for digital it still sends.

Sometimes very particular sounds, but a beautiful sound palette for a digital.

I said that synthesizer to make noises and no.
The problem with this type of machine, as with the Analog Four MK2, is that it is very rare to have quality videos that show and demonstrate the real potential of
these machines.

Which results in a completely erroneous idea of ​​the quality of the machine.

It's true that it takes me time to make a decision, but it's becoming more and more refined.

I thank you very sincerely for your answers, opinions and help.

[The Black Parade]

The Rev 2 desktop 16 channel, I'm thinking about it a little, even if a nasal sound is certainly possible to modify that.

Now reproducing the sounds of the Pro 3 with the Rev 2 seems complicated right?

Would the Rev 2 really bring me a plus with my two other synthesizers?

I own a 16-voice REV2 module that I purchased to replace my original Prophet '08 rack and two Tetras. While the REV2 is an incremental improvement over its predecessors, it's core sound is pretty much the same if perhaps a little smoother.

I like the REV2 more for its extensive modulation capabilities (which are not that common on most analog synths) than its sound which is more than acceptable but certainly not mind blowing. The oscillators sound fine to me and I appreciate the new sub-oscillator and the ability to apply "PWM" to every waveshape and not just the square wave. But the sound of the resonance is pretty shrill when you crank it up, IMO.

I've heard some "Trance" presets for the Prophet '08 and REV2 that would work in a pinch but that's not really the synth's strong suit. I think you would be much better off with a Virus TI2 which really defined the sound of modern Trance.

However, for the price of a new TI2 keyboard you could probably buy every great sounding Trance synth plugin on the market AND an M2 MacBook Air to run them all. So it's sort of hard to justify the cost of a Virus TI2 keyboard even if I still think it's the best Trance synth available, hardware or software.

Regarding Hydrasynth, I recently had the chance to have a demonstration from someone who really mastered it perfectly.

I come back to my comments concerning this synth, for digital it still sends.

Sometimes very particular sounds, but a beautiful sound palette for a digital.

The overly digital sound of the Hydrasynth isn't as much of a problem for the styles of music you would use it for. But for me personally, I would never buy one. I own a number of digital and hybrid synths, but the Hyrdrasynth sounds particularly cold and sterile to me and seems to require too much effort to coax warmer sounds out of it.

I would get the new inexpensive Roland Gaia 2 in a heartbeat over the Hydrasynth even though the Gaia 2 is a much simpler synth that also sounds quite digital (although not annoyingly so) and lacks aftertouch.

[Trancer]

Thank you very much for your response and review.

Thank you for this explanation on the Rev 2, certainly a versatile machine, but not really dedicated to a particular sound and not really suited to my needs.

In fact, I have a competition PC and an Armada of VST and plugins.

But the computer to make music is more for me (update, bugs, compatibility and so on..).

We spend more time trying to make the whole thing work than making music.

So now only Dawless.

The Gaia 2 honestly doesn't really shake things up musically, an improved XM and an answer to Korg it doesn't sound like anything more.

[CoolColJ]

I have an Hydrasynth Explorer.
I use it more as a controller for soft synths when I'm sitting in front of my PC, and for the poly aftertouch, I don't use the sounds on it much.

It sounds OK, but the filters on it have the problem with early VA, where the resonance is static, so they hurt my ears and create a resonant bass boom at low frequencies because it feels more like pure sine wave instead of a more complex moving harmonics.
But it is very snappy and punchy, and the envelope stage slopes are are continously variable between Log to exponential

My Hydrasynth Explorer emulating a Roland Jupiter 8 style arpeggiator sequence.
Onboard reverb, nothing else done to the sound.
Modulation slots to make the oscillators, filter and envelopes vary and be more analog like.

https://soundcloud.com/coolcolj/hydrasynth-arp-jam

real Jupiter 8
https://soundcloud.com/coolcolj/jupiter-8-arp-melody

[Trancer]

Thank you very much for your feedback and the audio links.

It sounds really different indeed.

The Hydrasynth really metallic, digital in sound reproduction, not great.

The Jupiter 8 is really something else.

Thank you for sharing.

[Uncle E]

It’s a pretty cruel comparison, tbf.