Looking for a good first synth!

[kritikon]

Actually, Uncle E mentioned the JN80. Not a daft idea. It's 8 voices and though very basic, it's a synth that really was legendary and was used on almost anything electronic you can think of from 80s pop through all of the dance stuff later on. It's legendary not only because it was cheap and accessible but because it actually sounded really good. It can do any type of electronic sound you are likely to want - great basses, pads, boings, acid blips, cheesey stabs, good brass-type saw wave stuff etc etc. You'll get a Juno for a fraction of the price, with more voices. It's probably one of the most average but also most versatile synths you can or could get and it's hard to dislike it. It has no outstanding big special character but it just fits into anything. You can't fail to make music with it and it's a doddle to program. Nobody anywhere ever needed a manual to figure out a Juno, honest it's that easy.

[jpcrowther]

I'm now looking into the ASM Hydrasynth Explorer. there's something about it that keeps me researching it. Looks quite complicated but that doesn't scare me. It seems to be very versatile if you're willing to spend some time learning how it works. The Arturia Minifreak also seems like a good fit, and it has a sequencer which I'm having an internal debate about whether I need that or not!

[morphex]

I'm now looking into the ASM Hydrasynth Explorer. there's something about it that keeps me researching it. Looks quite complicated but that doesn't scare me. It seems to be very versatile if you're willing to spend some time learning how it works. The Arturia Minifreak also seems like a good fit, and it has a sequencer which I'm having an internal debate about whether I need that or not!

I don’t know what style of music that you like. But M83’s keyboard players are using mostly a combination of Hydrasynths for this live performance from 2-3 years ago. I encourage you to listen to some of it, because it gives you a good idea of how the Hydrasynth can sound cold, light, modern, and digital one moment.

And then it can blast you away with huge, warm stacks of pads, deep synth bass, and running arpeggios, with shimmering delays and special effects that sounds like the entrance to Heaven, but with a slight 80’s “Miami Vice” tinge in the background.

Okay, I admit that’s a bit on the hyperbolic side. But you can hear it for yourself.

[Uncle E]

I'm now looking into the ASM Hydrasynth Explorer. there's something about it that keeps me researching it. Looks quite complicated but that doesn't scare me. It seems to be very versatile if you're willing to spend some time learning how it works. The Arturia Minifreak also seems like a good fit, and it has a sequencer which I'm having an internal debate about whether I need that or not!

Both of those synths are super versatile. Personally, I prefer the sound of the Minifreak and you can't beat the look of the Stellar Edition:

[h66]

JD-Xi

[casiobioassay]

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!

you don't have a midi controller keyboard?

[jpcrowther]

I've chosen the Hydrasynth! Thanks for all the help from everyone! It's been a proper rabbit hole. Now i have to do some learning before it arrives so i can actually use the thing. It's been super helpful on here. There's lots of things I wouldn't have even known about if it wasn't for this. Especially the Hydrasynth Explorer. I hadn't seen it before this.

[kvotchin]

Holy crap. A Soma Pipe in the wild! Like, in a freaking band performance.

Anyway, which model did you get, OP? The Explorer?

[jpcrowther]

Yep, the Explorer. I finally gave in after going round in circles for a while.

I think what pushed me over the edge was wanting something physical to learn properly instead of constantly poking around VSTs with a mouse. I’ve been developing a Windows MIDI control app as well, so the whole “hands-on control” thing has become a bit of an obsession lately.

Now I just need to learn the Hydrasynth! I'm just tweaking presets at the moment but I'm really happy with it. Some of the sounds are awesome.

[kvotchin]

Nice. Definitely good for the money, that one. All the best with patch creation and playing!