another hardware synth topic...

decklyn · Post by **decklyn** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 2:14 am

Okay, I'm sorry to post this thread. I know there are lots and i've searched and read and and... I just need to ask anyways.

Do you see real value in purchasing a hardware synth?
Do they sound 'better' than ie) albino or massive (which sound so sweet!)
Is the process of using them fastier/easier/more fun? (Specifically for bass I'm thinking.)

And then, while I'm making enough money, I can't afford a TI...
So what would be a good synth to grab... Yes you can flame me for asking.
I would like a virus C I think, but I don't know if I can find one/afford one.
So I was thinking a microkorg... I've looked at some of the other common recommendations ie) SH-101 but I havn't heard anything really superb come out of one that I couldn't do in software...

then the next questions - if you think software is better (cause you're a pirate), what sort of gear would you/do you have kicking around? Compressors etc?

Thanks! I have money for once in my life, and no wife to spend it on me, so I'm upgrading shit fast! Expect to see alot of tunes coming out from deck very very soon.

FSTZ · Post by **FSTZ** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 6:43 am

there is nothing like having a hardware synth. I do my best to split my production 50/50 between hardware and VST's

if you are on a budget...

I reccomend the Novation Xio Synth

great synth engine for the price

auan · Post by **auan** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 7:23 am

I thought about getting an X-Station once, then I got the Massive trial and very quickly changed my mind.

I'd say there's no point owning a hardware synth just for the sake of it. Albino and Massive can both do pretty much anything a hardware synth at the same price can do, and much more. For the same kind of functionality, you're looking at a Virus or similar. And then you're looking at a bankloan, possibly even organ donation.

Unless, that is, there is a synth which you love the sound of, then definitely own it. Like me with the SH-101 or MC-202 sound. I'm all software right now, but as soon as I find one of those badboys at the right price, I'm all over it.

daft cunt · Post by **daft cunt** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 7:48 am

I have a Microkorg, it's fun (also because it's my controller keyboard) but you can get softwares, Vanguard for instance, to sound as good.
Now, my experience as an hardware user is very limited but I went through the same question, I have an unusual amount of money and thought I'd spend some on hardware but everywhere I looked was the same answer : softwares can do just as much as hardware nowadays - and they fit better in your studio.
I can't remember who they are but reading the Q&A threads on DOA, I was amazed how many producers go software only (for synths tho, they might use analog mixers or so). Even more amazed by the fact some of them still own their hard gears and claim they barely use them.

Few things to consider :
* you can't run several instances of your hardware synth with just a click
* you oftenly need a software editor to use your hardware synth and they are far less attractive than your favorite vsti
* hard synths seem more fun to use but with a controller keyboard and a BCR-2000 that's just the opposite.

That being said, if you get a 2nd hand synth and you take care of it, you'll be able to sell it at the same price... you can do that and make your own opinion.
I'd rather upgrade the computer so that you can run 4 instances of Massive instead.

thinking · Post by **thinking** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 10:10 am

main beauty of hardware is the amount of control you have all at once - no pissing about with a mouse or assigning your control surface, you can tweak all the paramaters at once unless you bought some piece of hardware with too many menu functions...

fyi the SH101 is an amazing piece of kit, the subs alone are phenomenal, but if you were going to buy one piece of hardware then look elsewhere - it's not a synth that will do 'everything'.

You could look at:

Nord Modular (or Micro Modular) - wicked software interface for the modular side of things.
Korg Z1 - amazing workstation, great synth engine. Tricky menus but good with the sound diver software, v powerful stuff.
Korg MS2000 - lots of great sounds straight out of the box.
Juno 106 - cracking older synth, nice basses & weird sound/pads

for a start. You could find any of them cheap 2nd hand and they would serve you well as an all-round piece of kit.

toiminto · Post by **toiminto** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 10:22 am

i love old analog equipment

got a few synths & drum machines at studio but the best i have is roland juno-6. It's a full analog synth with great warm sounds! No presets, just your basic analog synth. it has a wicked phat unison mode! will never let go of this piece of equipment

pushre · Post by **pushre** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 12:20 pm

If you are going to do hardware, then buy something that can not be done digitally...like analogue.

slothrop · Post by **slothrop** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 4:21 pm

ThinKing wrote: fyi the SH101 is an amazing piece of kit, the subs alone are phenomenal, but if you were going to buy one piece of hardware then look elsewhere - it's not a synth that will do 'everything'.

The flip side of that being that if you're only going to own one bit of hardware, you might be after something that does one thing phenomenally rather than does everything about as well as the software you've already got.

I love having a hardware synth to play with (I've got an Alesis Ion) and it doubles as a MIDI controller, which is handy. But I could happily live without one, so I'd be wary of buying one just because it seems like the sort of thing you're supposed to do.

two oh one · Post by **two oh one** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 4:24 pm

Yeah, like pushre says...

Hardware only holds value these days if it's a true analogue synth, or it has something unique about it, like controls, a funky sequencer or simply just its feel. Some pieces just feel 'right' and are more than the sum of their parts.

I can remember thinking that virtual synths sounded cack and hating kiddies with their laptops and DAWS because I had a room full of dusty analogues and rackmounts. (I was secretly just a fearful dinosaur who was probably jealous) I then discovered Logic Audio and synths like the impOSCar and Minimonsta and turned my way of thinking around. I could potentially make an album on a laptop with a little MIDI control keyboard. I started selling things off, but just kept the items that made sense, or I had silly sentimental attachments to.

I see no real point spending money on a hardware virtual analogue synth or romper unless it has something really unique to offer. The new Hardware synths coming out appear to be the Japanese manufacturers 'last gasps' and they're either making endless characterless do-it-all workstations or things like Roland's awful attempts at cashing in on its old classics by releasing new boxes with the X0X nomenclature.

Having said that, the Nord Lead still holds fascination for me. Something about its sound and feel seem very nice, but I still haven't bought one in all these years.

auan · Post by **auan** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 4:44 pm

two oh one wrote:The new Hardware synths coming out appear to be the Japanese manufacturers 'last gasps' and they're either making endless characterless do-it-all workstations or things like Roland's awful attempts at cashing in on its old classics by releasing new boxes with the X0X nomenclature.

If the Space Echo and SH-101 reissues bring down the cost of the originals, I won't be complaining. I just hope that there's a team of heads at Roland working on bringing out a new 303 model.

two oh one · Post by **two oh one** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 4:53 pm

Auan wrote:
two oh one wrote:The new Hardware synths coming out appear to be the Japanese manufacturers 'last gasps' and they're either making endless characterless do-it-all workstations or things like Roland's awful attempts at cashing in on its old classics by releasing new boxes with the X0X nomenclature.
If the Space Echo and SH-101 reissues bring down the cost of the originals, I won't be complaining. I just hope that there's a team of heads at Roland working on bringing out a new 303 model.

auan · Post by **auan** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 5:24 pm

You mean...

two oh one · Post by **two oh one** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 5:32 pm

Whichever! Both are pants, but I was only suckered into buying one of them.

303 my arse.

decklyn · Post by **decklyn** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 12:48 am

sweet!
thanks guys. very enlightening.

The virus series are also digital anologue modelers are they not?
they sound pretty fantastic. Not $3000 fantastic tho

Thanks for all the suggestions.

I'm thinking right now things like analogue tube compressors and such would be a more fun investment. I just grabbed a tube mic pre and I plan on running all my VSTs thru it (as well as record some vox shortly).

At the same time... I still want a box with knobs to fiddle... lol
I'll see what happens, and will definately look into the synths recommended!

two oh one · Post by **two oh one** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 12:52 am

decklyn wrote:sweet!
thanks guys. very enlightening.

The virus series are also digital anologue modelers are they not?
they sound pretty fantastic. Not $3000 fantastic tho

Thanks for all the suggestions.

I'm thinking right now things like analogue tube compressors and such would be a more fun investment. I just grabbed a tube mic pre and I plan on running all my VSTs thru it (as well as record some vox shortly).

At the same time... I still want a box with knobs to fiddle... lol
I'll see what happens, and will definately look into the synths recommended!

Re-micing, or outting and inning a synth through real wires and gear is good, providing you have shit hot audio converters.

decklyn · Post by **decklyn** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 12:58 am

yeah I've got a 24/96 card with merely mediocre converters. I'm going to grab some dedicated "shit hot audio converters" as my next buy.

nekkroteukh · Post by **nekkroteukh** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 8:15 am

I use a MicroKorg for all my wobbles, subs and pads, and I'm more than happy with it. I never really got that much into software synths, as I bought the MicroKorg early in my production process, and I haven't found a software synth I really liked enough to use in in my toons yet. I heard Novation Bass Station was a good one, but it really disappointed me when I got it. So I'm sticking to the real synthesizers. Also, they look cooler, and I get a different feel from pushing buttons and turning knobs

dj acto · Post by **dj acto** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 7:59 pm

KORG
M
I
C
R
O
K
O
R
G

.....is suave

toiminto · Post by **toiminto** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 11:53 pm

oh if you want something fresh:

http://www.elektron.se

i'd love to get my hands on a machine drum with user wave -samplememory add-on

parameter · Post by **parameter** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 6:53 am

just a tip, if you're in for hardware:

lately I bought a DSI Evolver (desktop). It's a hybrid -analogue & digital- monosynth but I haven't heard anything like it. It has some old hardware (routing) capabilities, only found in very expensive synths. The little you-tube movies about it don't make anything clear, you just have to listen and touch it by yourself. The review on harmony-central.com makes some more clear...

it's wicked!!

another hardware synth topic...

another hardware synth topic...

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