Cheap monophonic analog dekstop synth with glide/portamento

[Genevieve]

I looked into the desktop version of the Mopho, but no dice. It's everything I'm looking for in a synth except... it has no portamento. Only the keyboard one has it.

I used to do all my basslines by editing sampled analog waveforms and they sounded a lot better than they do now, when I'm using softsynths, that I feel have some reallly harsh high end on them. There are way more talented producers out there who can tame it and make it sound better than I could, but I'm not that good of an engineer. I'll keep practicing cuz I'll have to save up in the meantime anyway and if I've improved by then I won't get it. But I still wanna see what's on the market.

I don't want this to be about the merits of analog vs digital. I think my inability to get the sound I want out of digital is my own shortcoming anyway.

Preferably under 300 euros (second hand or new). 2 oscillators (at least saw and square waves), portamento/glide, at least 1 low-pass filter (but an extra hp would be cool) and one envelope generator.

Any suggestions?

[3za]

Dark energy 1 or 2, though your need to get one with the glide mod, or do it yourself.

[Ongelegen]

I'd have said the DE also, but it has only 1 osc.

Kinda regret i sold mine

[3za]

I'd have said the DE also, but it has only 1 osc.

Expand it

[fragments]

Arturia mini brute. Korg ms20. Moog. Dunno which might have portamento but those all come to mind. Vermona desktop lancet. There are some DIY kits out there that are decent too. I know some of those might not be in your price range, but I'm not sure what you are looking for exists. Someone prove me wrong! I'm looking for another analog mono synth

[Genevieve]

Yo, thanks for the replies. The Vermona one is exactly what I'm looking for I think little above my budget but I could probably find one for 300 - 350 second hand.

[fragments]

For what it's worth, I used to use the Mopho as the beginning of ALL my bass sounds. I still do about half the time. The other half of the time I design my bass sounds ITB and just the Mopho as a modulated filter. Not all, but a lot of the analog character in a synth are the filters--MS20 filter, Curtis Low Pass, Moog Filter...all of these have desirable qualities that are quit different.

Maybe an analog filter is something to think about instead of the synth. I've found getting digital sounds out of the box into analog circuits and back in does wonders. I mean...even hitting my budget Yamaha or Soundcraft mixer pretty hard with signal and recording that livens up lots of things.

If you are looking to add "that something" to your sounds with an analog device there are tons of options.

[Genevieve]

Dunno actually, I wanna make heavily modulated reese sounds and I think that filtering too much early in the chain would get rid of frequencies I'd want to twist up later. Or would mild low-pass filtering (say around 15k hz) with an overdiven input be good enough for it?

[AxeD]

http://www.synthforum.nl/forums/showthread.php?t=167994

[fragments]

Dunno actually, I wanna make heavily modulated reese sounds and I think that filtering too much early in the chain would get rid of frequencies I'd want to twist up later. Or would mild low-pass filtering (say around 15k hz) with an overdiven input be good enough for it?

Well, you could always do the analog processing last. You'd have to experiment and see! I think the Mopho, Minibrute, MS20 and Vermona all allow you to input signal (monophonic signal) into the synth to use the filter and modulations. The MS20 gives the most options in this regard as it has that physical batch bank (unless I'm missing something on how you can use it).

If you are going for a heavily modulated reese I might recommend a multimode filter (I think the Vermona has a multimode filter). But I love my Electrix filter factory. I don't do that modern reese often, but I've recorded my own live notch/bandpass movements and resampled before. It's pretty slick.

[Genevieve]

http://www.synthforum.nl/forums/showthread.php?t=167994

Thanks but too soon. :p Ik moet nog sparen >.>

Dunno actually, I wanna make heavily modulated reese sounds and I think that filtering too much early in the chain would get rid of frequencies I'd want to twist up later. Or would mild low-pass filtering (say around 15k hz) with an overdiven input be good enough for it?

Well, you could always do the analog processing last. You'd have to experiment and see! I think the Mopho, Minibrute, MS20 and Vermona all allow you to input signal (monophonic signal) into the synth to use the filter and modulations. The MS20 gives the most options in this regard as it has that physical batch bank (unless I'm missing something on how you can use it).

If you are going for a heavily modulated reese I might recommend a multimode filter (I think the Vermona has a multimode filter). But I love my Electrix filter factory. I don't do that modern reese often, but I've recorded my own live notch/bandpass movements and resampled before. It's pretty slick.

When you say 'multimode filter', you mean a filter that is capable of multiple types of filtering? BP/hp/lp, etc? Or one that can run several instances in parallel? That filter factory looks dope, though. It's on top of my list now.

Btw. I don't have an interface with many ins/outs, I really wanted to keep everything in the box as long as possible. I just have one with 2 ins and outs for monitors. Should I sell it and get a second hand motu interface, or get one of these strictly for MIDI and outboard gear?

[fragments]

multimode meaning multiple types, yes. Though filters in series or parallel are awesome : ) but then you are looking at something like a Sherman Filterbank.

Having only 2in 2out will be problematic. I highly recommend MOTU interfaces. I paid something like 250-265USD for my used 828 MKII firewire. 8 in, 8 out with MIDI and you can use it as a line level gain mixer (no EQ) independent of a computer. Also, the pre amps are pretty nice for re-amping synths.

That interface you linked to doesn't look like an upgrade at first glance. If you are going to get into outboard gear, do yourself a favor and buy an interface you can grow into. I bought my MOTU about year ago thinking that all those option would keep me satisfied. I could easily come up with ways to max out a 16in, 16out interface and my studio isn't even that impressive gear wise.

I'm also kicking myself for not thinking clearly when I saw a deal on mixer I'd been thinking about because it's missing some options (individual outs for each channel) that I'm pining for now!

EDIT: Moral of the story, buy gear you can grow into. Don't cheap out. I know it's painful and takes effort to save up and deny yourself instant gratification. But I've wasted a lot of time buying and selling and buying and selling.

[Genevieve]

Nah, I wasn't looking at that tascam as an upgrade but as a supplementation. My current interface (TC Electronic desktop konnekt 6) has this great big ol' volume knob and quality i/os, pres and a headphone amp.. It's not bad, it's probably the most quality for the money, it's just lacking in features. And for the better part of my time as a producer, I've always had this 'less is more' attitude. Whatever I do, I think I might just keep it strictly as monitor control anyway.

[fragments]

Nah, I wasn't looking at that tascam as an upgrade but as a supplementation. My current interface (TC Electronic desktop konnekt 6) has this great big ol' volume knob and quality i/os, pres and a headphone amp.. It's not bad, it's probably the most quality for the money, it's just lacking in features. And for the better part of my time as a producer, I've always had this 'less is more' attitude. Whatever I do, I think I might just keep it strictly as monitor control anyway.

Oh. OK. I see. That's cool : ) Looking into a monitor controller myself at the moment : )

[Genevieve]

TC Electronic has a dedicated monitor controller+DAC, the BMC-2 that is similar to my interface, but more quality. You might like that. :0

[fragments]

TC Electronic has a dedicated monitor controller+DAC, the BMC-2 that is similar to my interface, but more quality. You might like that. :0

Yea. I was looking at a TC product that was basically just a knob and XLR cables. I'd have to buy two though as I've got my proper monitors and another set of powered speakers I'm A/Bing on. Right now those other speakers (Numark DJ Monitors) are in the garage for when I'm chilling drinking a beer and got some grub on the grill. But they will come into the studio in fall/winter.

[dublerium]

I'd have said the DE also, but it has only 1 osc.

Kinda regret i sold mine

I kind of regret selling mine as well, but I brought two glide features and both of them didn't work so just sold it out of frustration really, would have been good if it was just included.

Quite a lot of choices with all the recent releases and they all have pros and cons. Would personally give the Vermona Lancet a look or the MS20 mini if your willing to save a bit more.

[fragments]

^Save a bit more!

[dublerium]

^Save a bit more!

This, usually the wiser thing to do instead of getting a limited synth and lusting over something else. Saying that though that gearlust ins't just going to stop aha. Personally would save up and wait for a studio electronics Boomstar SEM, looks and sounds so nice!

[test_recordings]

Modular is your best bet for long-term use and flexibility. You can get them cheap second hand or as self assembly. Over time you can build it piece by piece as well as sell and replace modules easily.