[Curly99]

Seriously thinking of buying a Synthesizer been looking at the Roland SH-201 and the Korg R3 primarily to be used to learn/hobby nothing serious, any others I should consider, preferred choice at the moment is the Roland SH-201 from here Roland SH-201 | The Production Room has anyone used them before or are there other places I should consider buying from? probably buy tomorrow-ish so I can get it for the weekend.

TIA, Curly

[evangelink]

Roland SH201

Korg R3

Couple of reviews here, both look good. Having never used either I couldn't say. Are you able to get to a shop to try them out? Might give you a better idea of how they program, sound etc. Either way I'm sure they will be fun!

[Curly99]

Thanks for the links evangelink, went down to Millennium-Music the shop is only about 10 minutes bus ride away and had a good play on a few synths and had a chat with Zack (sales person) who was very helpful, not pushy and answered my questions, even the stupid ones. I decided to start small get a feel for playing a synthesizer get used to the software how to play, record and use the patches, learn the ropes so to speak before I spend too much money, I came home with a microKORG XL, pair of head phones and an audio out cable, I'm well pleased and I am sure it won't be long before I get the upgrade bug, I can see Santa with a Korg R3 and drum machine...arriving at my house shortly. Right time to find some guides and you tube videos

Curly

[evangelink]

Brilliant! Very chuffed for you mate. It's always good to head to the shops and get a feel for these things. I used to spend my lunchhour playing with the MicroKorg and that was great, so I'm sure the XL will give you a lot of good times. Will be a good starter to get to grips with synthesis before inevitable upgrades.

[Curly99]

yeah..though I had researched on the web..reviews, you tube videos..etc it's not the same as actually going down and having a play, it probably helped that I went mid week when they are not so busy, I've not stopped playing with it since I got it both via the software and just seeing what it can do. I'm no Musico but I can see myself whiling away many an hour, looks like I got the bug...now wheres my credit card

Curly

[Kieron]

Congrats on the purchase Curly!

[PJTX100]

Originally Posted by Curly99

looks like I got the bug...now wheres my credit card

Curly

LOL well I'll try to post a pic later of my current setup to show you how things might develop.

Hope you like the synth, not tried that Korg but it looks fun. I've always liked the look of the SH201 but I think the price (new) is toppy for what it is and I've not managed to snag one on ebay for a price I was happy with, and now my aspirations have changed to the Nord Wave which I'll need to save up quite a few pennies for.

Are you at the stage yet as to what you are trying to do / what sound or style you are looking for / or are you just trying out things for the fun of it?

Either way, enjoy your new hobby. It can be very addictive.

[Curly99]

yeah PJTX100 a few pictures of your setup would be nice at the moment this is still a hobby and I'm still playing around with a few things, learning how to use the software, what I can and can't do..as I say in my other posts I am enjoying it, as for styles well at the moment I've not thought about what to go for or achieve, I do like soundscapes/ambient, perhaps because I probably think wrongly, they are easier to produce, I have always been a big fan of the 70's - 80's synth stuff, current favs is the Orbital/Crystal Method stuff. I do like the look of the Roland SH2-201 but thats mainly as it was the first one I liked the look of/sound of when I did some research, I do love the MicroKorg XL but the keys are for me a tad small, I'm trying to learn a few chords and it's a bit difficult, if I do (take that as when I) upgrade, it will probably be to the Korg R3.

Curly

P.S could you recommend any online/ebay retailers? is learning chords a good idea?

[PJTX100]

I've just put an updated pic in the "Lads" thread.

In terms of ebay, I've bought off dozens of people and never had a prob. There's a seller called synth-magic who I've bought a couple of items off, not the cheapest but 100% reliable and fast.

Just look through the pro audio / synth & modules category on ebay and see what takes your fancy, happy to have a look if you send me a link.

[Curly99]

Nice setup there, indeed something to aspire to (note to self, learn to walk first) any chance of a list of what you have in the racks..etc, I think cost would get me if I went for a similar setup, it is nice to have a bit of help, feedback as at the moment I don't get about much (disability) so it's appreciated from everyone in this thread. I know I have a lot to learn but hopefully I'll get there with time, which I have plenty of, it was something I had thought of getting/doing for years now (too many, I'm an old man now!) and I always thought it would be too costly, I'll just have to spend less on the HIFi.

Laurence

[PJTX100]

Racks (left to right):

Creamware Minimax (probably the best Virtual Analog emulation of the minimoog)
Waldorf MicroWave II (direct descendent of the PPG Wave of Tangerine dream fame)
Alesis Quadtaverb (effects)

Creamware Minimax (so good I bought it twice, it's not multitimbral
Sequentix P3 Sequencer

Access Virus B
Novation Rack

Keyboard: Alesis Micron
Korg Electribe SX (no setup should be without one)

There are other bits there, but they are the main ones.

One piece of advice. It's widely regarded that analog synths sound better than virtual / digital synths. And I think this too. However buying analog (which often means buying old - like, decades old) can bring with it a headache in terms of reliability.

Edit: Virtually everything you see there was purchased off ebay, savings typically are 40%+ on new, though much of even my rig is now well out of production and you can pick up stuff for a small fraction of what it originally cost

[Curly99]

Thanks for that...damn, been up all night reading websites, looking at potential purchases and playing different patches..etc, did have a look on ebay and saw some rack stuff and and at prices I could afford, but I'll leave that for another time when I'm sure what I'm going for. Once you start you just can't stop, looking at the Korg Radias and the Waldorf Bloufeld now, think I need something like the R3 for the full size keys, as much as I love this microKORG the keys and my fat fingers are no match.

Laurence

[technoman28]

One of the great things about keyboards is MIDI, if you find the keys hard to manage but love the sound, get a master keyboard, connect the two together, and you have the solution. You will also get a wider octave range (as long as you get a master kb with more keys on!).
You can also look out for units where the keyboard has stopped working, as long as the internals are ok you can MIDI it up, and just use it as an expander. I have an old Kawai K4 that has loads of keys that don't work, and the action is horrible, some keys you need to play with the force of a small elephant to get any sound, and others you just need to look at to play at full velocity. Managed to get hold of a Roland D70, hooked the two together and hey presto, perfect K4 sounds + an extra octave.
Also have a Korg X5DR which has some great sounds (a lot of them from the M and T series synths) very good for ambient backgrounds. This little set up cost me less than £300, so you can get decent stuff for not a great deal of dosh.
Also, don't sell anything you get, sometime in the future you will be searching for a particular sound that is essential to what you are creating, and remember that it was on that board/unit that you sold years ago for pennies and is now going for thousands.
Above all though, enjoy it, i only play for my own enjoyment, and that really is what is all about, I work with a few local musicians and they enjoy getting up and playing together, they get a few quid which is good, but one guy stopped playing for a while because it had become more of a chore than a pleasure, he had a break and came back with a different attitude of I'm here because I want to be, rather than have to be.

[PJTX100]

Originally Posted by Curly99

looking at the Korg Radias and the Waldorf Bloufeld now, think I need something like the R3 for the full size keys, as much as I love this microKORG the keys and my fat fingers are no match.

Laurence

Radias is very well regarded but not cheap. Blofeld fairly new and not for the faint hearted in terms of programming.

I can heartily recommend the Novation KS Rack, can get it sub £200, 4 part multitimbral, great effects, great sounds, wide variety of oscillator waves, just a beautifully implemented and sounding machine. And there is a keyboard version of it which just may be what you are looking for.

[evangelink]

Originally Posted by PJTX100

Racks (left to right):

Creamware Minimax (probably the best Virtual Analog emulation of the minimoog)
Waldorf MicroWave II (direct descendent of the PPG Wave of Tangerine dream fame)
Alesis Quadtaverb (effects)

Creamware Minimax (so good I bought it twice, it's not multitimbral
Sequentix P3 Sequencer

Access Virus B
Novation Rack

Keyboard: Alesis Micron
Korg Electribe SX (no setup should be without one)

There are other bits there, but they are the main ones.

One piece of advice. It's widely regarded that analog synths sound better than virtual / digital synths. And I think this too. However buying analog (which often means buying old - like, decades old) can bring with it a headache in terms of reliability.

Edit: Virtually everything you see there was purchased off ebay, savings typically are 40%+ on new, though much of even my rig is now well out of production and you can pick up stuff for a small fraction of what it originally cost

Wow, great setup! I absolutely love Novation synths, the KS series sound great. Unfortunately i've only got room for a Xiosynth but it does the job- sounds brilliant for what I do, and is a decent MIDI controller.

It's good to see that you managed to get this as mostly ebay bargains. I'd love to do the same, but space limitations means I can do bugger all. Have a few soft synths though, and I'd say that they sound pretty good these days. Am particularly taken with the Sylenth, sounds absolutely incredible, beautifully rich sounds. And onlt takes a few megabytes!

[Curly99]

Originally Posted by PJTX100

Radias is very well regarded but not cheap. Blofeld fairly new and not for the faint hearted in terms of programming.

I can heartily recommend the Novation KS Rack, can get it sub £200, 4 part multitimbral, great effects, great sounds, wide variety of oscillator waves, just a beautifully implemented and sounding machine. And there is a keyboard version of it which just may be what you are looking for.

Been reading up on the Novation KS5 indeed it looks good, only found one on ebay £400+, my best bet is to stick with what I have or will soon have microKorg + possible R3 with possibly something that will allow me to record on a computer HD (any suggestions that won't cost £100's?) and then hit the bay after Christmas, if your still around PJTX100 I may need to pick your brains then and maybe before. as I'm not know for my patience evangelink this may be a daft question are there any free/cheep good softsynths worth a try?

Have to say thanks guys this thread has become rather informative, shows I have a long way to go and a lot to learn and a soon to be empty wallet

Laurence

[Seeker_UK]

Originally Posted by evangelink

Wow, great setup! I absolutely love Novation synths, the KS series sound great.

A KS rack is still on my list of units to buy to make up a sequencing rack fired off a MAQ16/3.

The Novation (Super) Bassstation racks are good and a cheap way to get a genuine analogue synth to play with but Ifind you can only get one or two good sounds off of it - I tend to use it more as a MIDI-> converter.

Other synths < £400 from e-Bay worth considering are:

Korg MS2000 which is the same sound engine as a MicroKorg but with more knobs and so easier to programme - I like the Korg for some very bass-y sounds as we

Roland JP8000 / 8080 - A bit more "digital" sounding than some VA synths but you can still get some top sounds out of it.

JD800 - Unashamedly digital but a powerful synth nevertheless. One of the bits of kit i would never shift.

Yamaha AN1x - Everyone I know who make electrionic music has one of these - a very powerful and flexible bit of kit and a bargain for £200.

[Seeker_UK]

Originally Posted by Curly99

with possibly something that will allow me to record on a computer HD

Edirol UA-1EX USB interface. £68, ASIO drivers, up to 96kHz.

A bit of a bargain but doesn't have MIDI ports tho'

[PJTX100]

Originally Posted by evangelink

Wow, great setup! I absolutely love Novation synths, the KS series sound great. Unfortunately i've only got room for a Xiosynth but it does the job- sounds brilliant for what I do, and is a decent MIDI controller.

It's good to see that you managed to get this as mostly ebay bargains. I'd love to do the same, but space limitations means I can do bugger all. Have a few soft synths though, and I'd say that they sound pretty good these days. Am particularly taken with the Sylenth, sounds absolutely incredible, beautifully rich sounds. And onlt takes a few megabytes!

Thanks. Yes I was considering the Xiosynth to replace the Micron however I've decided to hold fire and plan the swap to a Nord Wave.

I've got nothing against soft synths (all my synths are Virtual Analog = soft synth by another name) but I like tactile conrtol surfaces and individual audio outs I can physically plug into a mixer.

[PJTX100]

Originally Posted by Seeker_UK

A KS rack is still on my list of units to buy to make up a sequencing rack fired off a MAQ16/3.

KS rack is perfect for sequencing. Implementation of the multitimbrabity is great. Individual effects per part. Midi sync on the effects. Adjustable jump to or sweep through on the controls. And most important it sounds fantastic.

Originally Posted by Seeker_UK

The Novation (Super) Bassstation racks are good and a cheap way to get a genuine analogue synth to play with but Ifind you can only get one or two good sounds off of it - I tend to use it more as a MIDI-> converter.

Nearly bought one a month or two ago, still on my short list.

Originally Posted by Seeker_UK

Korg MS2000 which is the same sound engine as a MicroKorg but with more knobs and so easier to programme - I like the Korg for some very bass-y sounds as we

Nice machine, had one for a few years but sold it, somehow found myself not using it a lot, the sounds from it were not quite what I was looking for.

Originally Posted by Seeker_UK

Roland JP8000 / 8080 - A bit more "digital" sounding than some VA synths but you can still get some top sounds out of it.

Had the 8080 for a while, lovely piece of kit but you can tell it's an earlier VA, eg ripping sounds as the parameters were adjusted. Not as refined as the KS Rack.

Originally Posted by Seeker_UK

Yamaha AN1x - Everyone I know who make electrionic music has one of these - a very powerful and flexible bit of kit and a bargain for £200.

I do plan to pick one of these up, saw one go for sub £100 recently. Space is my only problem

[Seeker_UK]

Originally Posted by PJTX100

I do plan to pick one of these up, saw one go for sub £100 recently. Space is my only problem

Yamaha missed a trick here not making it available as 2U rack.

I forgot one - the Alesis Ion. I have one of those too, a very tricky beast to programme but the variety of sounds it can do (the Moog Taurus is a belter) makes it worth considering. If you can do without the knobbage, the Micron is worth considering as it's smaller and cheaper.

[Curly99]

Originally Posted by Seeker_UK

Edirol UA-1EX USB interface. £68, ASIO drivers, up to 96kHz.

A bit of a bargain but doesn't have MIDI ports tho'

Thanks, have you got a link please.

@ technoman28 Sorry missed your post, yeah was advised that getting a midi keyboard was an option as I say in one of my other posts, I will stick with what I have or will have in a week-ish and then start looking for stuff on ebay after Xmas with the help of you all in this thread. As always money will dictate in the end...

Laurence

[Seeker_UK]

Originally Posted by Curly99

Thanks, have you got a link please.

Laurence

No problem.

Product details here:

EDIROL UA-1EX USB Audio Interface :: Overview


DV24-7 have them a £70 - apparently 'end of the line'

Edirol UA-1EX USB Audio Interface | DV247

Also pretty good as an external soundcard to connect a lappy to a HiFi system.

If you're looking to spend more than £70-80 on an interface, I would go for a firewire one.

[PJTX100]

Originally Posted by Seeker_UK

If you can do without the knobbage, the Micron is worth considering as it's smaller and cheaper.

I have the Micron (the Pink Floyd VCS3 patch is worth picking up off the yahoo forum). Nice machine but it's next on my list to ship out as and when I can source a Nord Wave.

[evangelink]

Originally Posted by Curly99

evangelink this may be a daft question are there any free/cheep good softsynths worth a try?

Have to say thanks guys this thread has become rather informative, shows I have a long way to go and a lot to learn and a soon to be empty wallet

Laurence

There are a lot of free VSTis out there, but a lot of them are not very good! Easy way of getting some decent freebies though is by picking a copy of Computer Music magazine. I find the magazine a bit hit and miss but each month it comes with a DVD loaded with synths and effects, including the rather good Zebra CM- I've had some great sounds out of this! They just released a synth special with a good cover DVD which also included a couple of Digital Audio Workstation's (DAWs) that you will need to load up and record the synths.

[PJTX100]

Excellent, free, Digital Audio Workstation s/w...

KRISTAL Audio Engine

[Curly99]

Thanks for the links info above have ordered that computer music special

I really must stop looking on ebay NOVATION KS5 SYNTH on eBay (end time 02-Nov-09 11:48:41 GMT) pity it's the KS5 not the 4 probably to big for my room, not far from me so could probably skip postage...... is it a bargain at the buy it now price? sounds good, well as good as it can on a you tube vid.

Laurence

[PJTX100]

Originally Posted by Curly99

Thanks for the links info above have ordered that computer music special

I really must stop looking on ebay NOVATION KS5 SYNTH on eBay (end time 02-Nov-09 11:48:41 GMT) pity it's the KS5 not the 4 probably to big for my room, not far from me so could probably skip postage...... is it a bargain at the buy it now price? sounds good, well as good as it can on a you tube vid.

Laurence

The price is not particularly notable, I'm sure others will be along for less. Looks a legit seller but why people take such poor pics is beyond me.

[Curly99]

Originally Posted by PJTX100

The price is not particularly notable, I'm sure others will be along for less. Looks a legit seller but why people take such poor pics is beyond me.

Thanks for the advice I'm not going for that one I will keep looking, can see this getting addictive.. for some of the stuff that only have MIDI connections are there Midi - usb for the laptop or can I get a midi card for my PC?

Laurence

[PJTX100]

I have one of these...

M-AUDIO - MIDISPORT 2x2 Anniversary Edition - 2-in/2-out USB Bus-Powered MIDI Interface

...but you need to have a think first about what you want to do in terms of integrating a laptop/computer into your setup.

It can be anywhere between being the centre of everything to not being needed at all.

I only use the laptop to record multitrack audio for example, no midi interface needed. I only use the unit above for things like upgrading operating systems on the synths.