Looking for a good first synth!

[jpcrowther]

Can anyone recommend a synth? I’m getting a bit bored with using VSTs and think I’d prefer something I can just switch on and play. I’ve seen some small ones that look pretty good, but there are so many options, it’s a bit overwhelming. I’m after great pad sounds and maybe some classic 80’s synth tones as well. Any guidance or advice would be greatly appreciated!

[Cuauhtli]

What price range?

[rACatkvr]

And how many keys? Are pads also desired?

[LocalTrack19]

Minilogue XD and Syntorial is the winning combo

[Signifier]

Ideally you'll want knob-per-function controls for the immediate manual-tactile thing you can't seem to get from VSTs. Minimal menu-diving. If you want lush pads, I'm assuming you probably want a polysynth, although monos with stereo effects can create great soundscapes.

It shouldn't have to be analogue, and many digital synths and digi-analogue emulations are really good and often come with impressive additional effects and sequencers, which are an important part of the synthesis experience in your first 'hands-on' synth.

With that in mind - get to choosing! You'd be looking at $700-$1400 for a quality highly-capable entry-level keyboard synth with these features - Ashun (Hydrasynth), Korg and Roland all have offerings in this bracket and these seem like good value and deep enough to justify their price-tags.

[morphex]

Can anyone recommend a synth? I’m getting a bit bored with using VSTs and think I’d prefer something I can just switch on and play. I’ve seen some small ones that look pretty good, but there are so many options, it’s a bit overwhelming. I’m after great pad sounds and maybe some classic 80’s synth tones as well. Any guidance or advice would be greatly appreciated!

Are you looking for a synth with keys? And if so, how many keys do you prefer? Or would you rather have a desktop synth without a keyboard? Because that will definitely affect the prices.

If you prefer something more recent, the KORG Modwave and the Multi/Poly are two synths that can create amazing pads, and so much more. Both synths are capable of extremely modern sounds, as well as iconic patches from the 80’s.

The included X/Y pad on the front of both units, makes performing and tweaking of effects in real-time an absolute joy! Both synths also come in VST/AU versions, that mirror the hardware when connected via USB. Presets can be transferred back and forth as needed that way.

As an example, I like to program Modwave presets on my iMac, and then transfer those to the hardware. Then each year as the weather heats up, I take the Modwave hardware synth into a spot in the surrounding mountains.

I use a silent, solar powered generator, my laptop, the Modwave, and headphones or speakers. It’s my way of exiting the Matrix for several hours, to a couple of days at a time. It’s gorgeous up there, and it’s possible that I could be entertaining any Sasquatch in the area too.

As an alternative suggestion, I would consider a 2nd hand Access Virus C or KC (61 key version of a Virus C), or a Virus TI 2. I’ve kept all of my Virus synths since the 90’s, and they still sound fantastic to this day. They can do 80’s style patches without breaking a sweat, and they can be purchased for relatively fair prices too.

Good luck, and I hope that you find exactly what you need.

[jpcrowther]

Thanks for the help. The KORG Modwave and the Multi/Poly both look amazing, but the Modwave is about £150 cheaper in the UK, so that might seal the deal. I’m no synth expert, so I probably wouldn’t even notice the differences anyway! After watching some videos on the Modwave, it definitely seems like it could be exactly what I’m after. Using a mouse with VSTs is so uninspiring!

[zerocrossing]

Thanks for the help. The KORG Modwave and the Multi/Poly both look amazing, but the Modwave is about £150 cheaper in the UK, so that might seal the deal. I’m no synth expert, so I probably wouldn’t even notice the differences anyway! After watching some videos on the Modwave, it definitely seems like it could be exactly what I’m after. Using a mouse with VSTs is so uninspiring!

I've only played a Modwave once in the store, and I thought the interface was a pain in the butt in comparison to the plugin, and the sound is identical. It is a great sounding synth though. All the new Korg stuff is.

But why not get something that there isn't a plugin version of? What about a Dreadbox Nymphes?

https://reverb.com/item/81515485-dreadb ... ynthesizer

[machinesworking]

I second anything from Dreadbox, and if you want to go for it the Artemis sounds fantastic, I’m going to have to pick it up at some point, but it’s $1499 so it sits in the “windfall” category of purchases for me.

[jethrobull]

I second anything from Dreadbox, and if you want to go for it the Artemis sounds fantastic, I’m going to have to pick it up at some point, but it’s $1499 so it sits in the “windfall” category of purchases for me.

Yep, absolutely! I have the Typhon and it's an incredible little beast. Lots of fun to be had in that small box.

[KansasKMP]

Can anyone recommend a synth? I’m getting a bit bored with using VSTs and think I’d prefer something I can just switch on and play. I’ve seen some small ones that look pretty good, but there are so many options, it’s a bit overwhelming. I’m after great pad sounds and maybe some classic 80’s synth tones as well. Any guidance or advice would be greatly appreciated!

One amazing portable synth is the ASM Hydrasynth Explorer. It is battery powered.

[machinesworking]

I second anything from Dreadbox, and if you want to go for it the Artemis sounds fantastic, I’m going to have to pick it up at some point, but it’s $1499 so it sits in the “windfall” category of purchases for me.

Yep, absolutely! I have the Typhon and it's an incredible little beast. Lots of fun to be had in that small box.

Only one I own is the Hades, but it's a great box.

[Uncle E]

Behringer JN-80

[epiphaneia]

I suggest you take a look at the Arturia Minifreak: Very wide sound range due to the different oscillator models, powerful effects, nice filter.

[kritikon]

All of the above.

As a first hw synth I probably mostly recommend any of the recent Korg 3-octave synths. They are all hugely powerful, playable, have superb FX so they make a great on-their-own synth, which seems what you're after. Dreadbox sound great but not on-their-own synths.

1. Minilogue (or XD) if you want real character analogue that can be every bit as dirty and aggro as their MS20s.
2. Wavestate is great for complicated pads and movement sounds, very cinematic. Probably most difficult one to program though
3. MultiPoly - great VA that gives you good analogue flavour but way more voices etc
4. OpSix - great if you like FM character but can do so much more and can sound surprisingly fluid and warm for FM
5. Modwave - if you like wavetables it's hard to beat for the price

I also think as an off-piste suggestion: PWM Mantis. Normally next step in terms of price but Andertons have an "epic deal" currently. Which really is epic - 600 squids IIRC, usually costs 1000. It is basically a modern day OSCar on steroids, 4 voice, absolutely unique character on its own IMO. So it's great for pads, enough FX to make it useful, not that much menu-diving, a great all-in-one synth.

The small Arturia ones a good, but some of them a bit fiddly IMO. Not sure you'd be completely satisfied with them as on-their-own playable synths easy to tweak and twiddle. They do sound good though - I love my MiniBrute. It just wouldn't be my first choice as a first synth.