TLDR: I plan on replacing my OG PolyBrute and I'm leaning toward an OB-X8 or possibly a Prophet 6 or Rev2 keys. Looking for input or other suggestions from other hardware synth users.
I typically can make this type of decision on my own without advice from other people, but I've been struggling for a while to decide on a synth to replace my OG 6-voice PolyBrute as my main controller and centerpiece of my studio (i.e., the synth that sits between me and my DAW and is used to play my synth modules). The PB has filled this role for a few years now, but I've pretty much stopped using it as a synth because I prefer the tones of my other synths and a few other reasons. Don't get me wrong, it's a fantastic synth with so many great features and it sounds great at so many things, but it just doesn't excel at the sounds I make and use, and I'll just leave it at that.
I should mention that I am a trained keyboardist/pianist, so keyboard action is an important consideration. That said, I've used my PolyBrute for years, which has an action that most people hate, but I was OK with it (I actually like the way the AT responds with its synth engine). But, my preference will always be for a Fatar keybed, though, and that will be a factor in my decision.
I'm primarily interested in either analog or analog/digital hybrids (I've got digital synths covered in spades, and then some), which also means that I'm not interested in anything from Roland, Korg, Kurzweil, or Yamaha. So, I've been trying to decide on a synth with keys to become my main go-to synth and controller and basically be the centerpiece of my studio. I also am not looking for a MIDI controller - I want a synth that doubles as a controller for my other synth modules.
OK, OK, I'll get to the damn point now! My budget is preferably up to around $4K. Here are some that I've been considering:
PolyBrute 12 - I'll just get this out of the way right now - it's not a contender. The improved keybed and voice count are appealing, but it's the same synth engine as my PB6, so I'd be adrift in the same boat I'm currently in. And, while I love the Morphee, I don't like the pitch and mod wheel located above the keybed, since I rely on them a lot when controlling my other hardware and, because of where the synth sits on my desktop, it's a pretty long and awkward reach to use them effectively. Next.
Prophet 6/Trigon 6/OB-6 - I have all three modules and they are by far my most used poly synths. I would consider replacing one of them with the keyboard version (likely the Prophet 6) to get that awesome Fatar keybed, but 49 keys is the limiting factor here. I haven't ruled it out, but I really want 61 keys and this thread would not even exist if a 61-key P6 was available.
Prophet Rev2 - Again, I have the 16-voice module and love it. The keys version is very appealing because of the Fatar keybed with 61 keys, but I hate that the pitch and mod wheels are above the keys. I want them to the left for the reasons stated above, but it's not necessarily a deal breaker.
Oberheim OB-X8 - I've never owned one, but with the current sale, it's certainly high on my radar. Fatar keybed with 61 keys is very appealing. I'm not sure about the paddles as opposed to wheels, but I think I'd adapt pretty readily. The sound is pretty fantastic,...OK, it's beyond fantastic. It seems like it's a bit larger than my PB, but that shouldn't be an issue. It's still expensive with the sale, but still within my budget. No on-board effects, which I normally prefer, but I have other solutions and can live with that. Rant time...the only thing about it that bothers me is their stupid, and I mean absolutely moronic and stubborn, implementation of the original OB-series arp (it's so bad that a user had to create a third-party "user manual" to help people understand how it "works"). Yes, I can get around that with Logic's stellar arp plugin, but I use arps a lot and having one onboard that is so clunky and unusable in a $4K synth just really bugs me. OK, rant over, I've calmed back down, breathed a heavy sigh, and the OB-X8 is actually pretty high on my list.
Prophet 5/10 - The Prophet sound is and has always been my favorite, but I've already got the Prophet sound covered to my liking with my P6 and Rev2, I'm not about to part with either of them, and I don't really care about the additional 2% perceived improvement in sound that people claim the P5/P10 has. That said, it's a gorgeous synth that undoubtedly would be a pleasure to play and would certainly be a stunning centerpiece of my studio and I have the option of 10 voices (but 5 would be plenty for my needs), but I just don't see a justification in adding it. Also, the lack of any transpose buttons on the front panel is a big con - it's probably fine when I'm playing the Prophet itself, but when I'm controlling other hardware synths, that could be a nuisance. Bottom line, though, is that I don't need three flavors of Prophet, even as much as I love it.
Waldorf Quantum - I've given a LOT of consideration to both the mk1 and mk2, but I've seen far too many reports of bad screens, DOA units, and other issues. I've decided to avoid anything recent from Waldorf like the plague (including the 49-key Iridium). Yes, the Quantum mk2 seems to be better, but $6K is a lot of money for something that I'd probably only use 20% of - the VA engine sounds great and it's truly a beautiful looking synth, but it's really digital in nature and not what I want in a centerpiece synth.
Novation Summit - I owned a Peak for a while and it was great, but sold it because I hardly ever used it simply because I liked my other synths better. I've never touched a Summit, but I hear the keybed is nice even though it is not a Fatar (not necessarily a deal breaker). However, I just feel like I'd be in the same boat as I am with my PolyBrute, i.e., using it as an overpriced controller for other synths that I prefer, and that certainly would be a deal breaker.
Moog Muse - looks OK, great feature set, sounds fine, but not $3.5K fine to me and that smeared Muse sound grates on me the way my old Sub37 and Subsequent37 did. Not interested. Next.
Korg Prologue - sounds good, but I just don't love it, PW/MW above the keybed, some intangible things, yada yada yada, it looks kinda fugly with the banana-shaped wood ends, and just not not what I want as my studio centerpiece/main controller.
Others I should consider?
