A not too expensive hardware synth with at least three octaves, what is there to choose from these days?

[YnJ]

I'm looking to get a hardware synth, it does need to be polyphonic and have at least three octaves, and easy to program. Apart from that I'm not too particular, while I do tend to prefer analogue synths I wont rule out a digital synth if I otherwise like it

EDIT: I have rethinked my requirements for a synth and concluded that I'm probably a bit stuck with having a single synth which can do everything. From some of the replies here, as well as searching for synths with less than four octaves, I realised that I have a lot more to choose from if I manage with three octaves

From experience I know I need at least three octaves, two are not enough. I have a two octave USB keyboard I got as a lap keyboard for programming VST synths, and which works well as that. I found when trying to use it as a dedicated bass synth though, that two octaves was just too limiting. Should I get two synths instead, perhaps even a monophonic bass synth and a polyphonic synth? And perhaps build from there with a couple more synths? Also, what about modules? I already have a USB keyboard with midi output which I can use as a controller, and I can get something better later. I've had several hardware synths in my posession over the years, I'm sort of starting from schratch here though

[pdxindy]

what's your price range?

[YnJ]

Up to perhaps $900/850 Euro/£700 at the most right now

[tehlord]

Used Korg Prologue.

Underrated AF.

[Uncle E]

Used Korg Prologue.

Underrated AF.

Agreed. Came here to say it. Prologue is the best bargain going these days.

[kritikon]

Quite a lot of choice nowadays.

Behringer UBXa is a huge analogue poly, though a bit over your price range (there have been price reductions in US/Europe from what I gather, though not down under as usual). But it's 16 voice pure analogue with MPE for that. Their Wave might squeeze in, different again being acutely digital and very wavetabley (personally I hate that sound...)

As already mentioned - used Korg Prologue. Very, very good analogue with some of the best character analogue filters around.

Pretty well any of the other small format Korgs in your range for new. Wavestate - very unique sounding superb for cinematic soundscapes and can do standard VA stuff easily - NOT easy programming though. Opsix - easy and versatile FM and quite wide-ranging sound palette, a bit easier to programme. Modwave - mainly wavetable but also samples and again, wide ranging palette easier to programme. The recent MultiPoly, VA and easy to programme. The Korg digital filters and FX on all of these are superb. This lot have a shitload of voices, by the way. More than you could ever need. All are only 3-octave keys, so that's the compromise.

There are also a few 4-voice analogues around if you don't need big number of voices and all in your range: Korg MinilogueXD - analogue/digital hybrid, same filters as Prologues (You can get the original Minilogue without the digital for peanuts nowadays). Behringer PolyD - 4 voice analogue Moog emu. Behringer MonoPoly - analogue emu of the original - characterful and can be very gritty/weird. Again, only 3-octave keys.

Those ASM Hydrasynth thingies, if you like wavetables - proper poly synths. Not sure of all the model prices but some are def within your range. They have a good rep again if you like wavetables.

Small factor Arturia Brutes. Nice gritty filter as well as the usual shitty Moog-type ones.

Those are just a few. TBH that's a huge range of different characters, and only you'll know which sonic footprint you prefer. Keep an eye out for future Behringer releases - a 16 voice Jupiter is on the horizon at some point.

[resynthesis]

Behringer UBXa is currently £719 in the UK

[cryophonik]

Behringer DeepMind gets mostly great reviews.

[Constructed Identity]

Used Korg Prologue.

Underrated AF.

2nd this

[YnJ]

I've rethought my requirements, please look at the first post. Thanks to everyone for their replies

Used Korg Prologue

Agreed. Came here to say it. Prologue is the best bargain going these days

I'm afraid the Korg Prologue is quite rare on the second hand market here in Norway, it makes the Framus Cobra amp head look common in comparison

[Uncle E]

Multi/Poly
Nord Lead
Nord Stage
Blofeld
Virus KB/KC
AN1X
SY99
Triton
JV-30/JV-90/JV-1000
Motif
Fantom
KingKorg
JD-XA

Maybe check if any of these are around and then we can tell you the pros and cons.

[Old Norse]

I'm afraid the Korg Prologue is quite rare on the second hand market here in Norway, it makes the Framus Cobra amp head look common in comparison

There you go:
https://www.finn.no/recommerce/forsale/item/358075698

[YnJ]

There you go:
https://www.finn.no/recommerce/forsale/item/358075698

Well, thanks! And just five minutes from where I live

[YnJ]

Quite a lot of choice nowadays

Behringer UBXa is currently £719 in the UK

Behringer DeepMind gets mostly great reviews

Multi/Poly
Nord Lead
Nord Stage
Blofeld
Virus KB/KC
AN1X
SY99
Triton
JV-30/JV-90/JV-1000
Motif
Fantom
KingKorg
JD-XA

Thanks for your suggestions! I'm afraid the Korg Prologue has maxed out my budget for at least the next couple of months, I'll have a look at all of them though

[Uncle E]

Prologue is as good or better than any of the synths I posted. If you were able to pick up that one, you should be set for a long time.