Member of the Month

hi_vis360
November, 2024

Online

Welcome to the Newschoolers forums! You may read the forums as a guest, however you must be a registered member to post. Register to become a member today!

To all the music playing synthesizer using people of ns

profile picture
RockNRollNghtClb
Posts: 2013 - Karma: 2,509
Im trying to get a synthesizer and have absolutely no idea where to start looking, thoughts?
Dec 24 2013 8:06PM
12 3
profile picture
Alex_G
Posts: 11902 - Karma: 1,019
depends how much you want to throw down. whats your budget
Dec 24 2013 8:07PM
1 0
profile picture
Pancake_Fucker
Posts: 1843 - Karma: 1,923
Software synth?
Dec 24 2013 8:12PM
0 0
profile picture
RockNRollNghtClb
Posts: 2013 - Karma: 2,509
hmm 150?
Dec 24 2013 8:16PM
0 0
profile picture
Alex_G
Posts: 11902 - Karma: 1,019
look into software+midi controller...you're not gonna get anything analog worth playing for that price
Dec 24 2013 8:53PM
1 0
profile picture
TNORTS
Posts: 2077 - Karma: 2,761
What are you trying to do? Are you just looking for a synthesizer to design some basic sounds on and fuck around with? Or are you looking into producing your own electronic music?
Dec 24 2013 9:17PM
0 0
profile picture
esotericjive
Posts: 1889 - Karma: 1,445

Basically a moog modular is the only option.


Nah check out some MIDI controllers and software options
Dec 24 2013 9:47PM
0 0
profile picture
Merrrick
Posts: 529 - Karma: 717
Learn an instrument
Dec 24 2013 9:55PM
3 2
profile picture
TNORTS
Posts: 2077 - Karma: 2,761
Click for larger imageClick for larger imageClick for larger image

Looks like an instrument to me...
Dec 24 2013 10:42PM
5 1
profile picture
Merrrick
Posts: 529 - Karma: 717
Touche
Dec 24 2013 10:54PM
0 0
profile picture
Dan.
Posts: 7201 - Karma: 1,126
for 200 bucks, download some native instruments synths (i recommend absynth if you want to have a more traditional synth or massive if you want heavy lead shit like what's popular in most mainstream tracks today) and buy an mpk.
Dec 25 2013 12:52AM
0 0
profile picture
ALMIGHTYSOSA
Posts: 2800 - Karma: 2,102
The MicroKorg seem pretty cool. Always wanted a synthesizer just never came around to buying one.
Dec 25 2013 12:58AM
0 0
profile picture
RockNRollNghtClb
Posts: 2013 - Karma: 2,509
im trying to just make sounds, im not trying to play electronic music. I want to use it similarly to the way Pink Floyd did
Dec 25 2013 1:30AM
0 0
profile picture
panojibber.
Posts: 1041 - Karma: 683
This is absolutely the best time of year to pick up synths on a budget haha, good timing man. I think camel audio has a sale on alchemy right now, that would suit your budget. If you want to spend a bit more you can pick up the entire suite of vintage modeled arturia stuff right now for $200. That would be my recommendation, especially if you're going for the vintage sound. I think the Korg volca series would suit your budget too, can't remember how much those guys run for though. With a budget of $150 you're probably going to want to go the software route, hardware is silly expensive, but also worth every penny if you get the right stuff.
Dec 25 2013 2:14AM
0 0
profile picture
RockNRollNghtClb
Posts: 2013 - Karma: 2,509
i definetely definitely want an analog synth, is something like this (if you can tell what it is/how good of a synth it is) gonna cost me a ton? And can a guitar be plugged into a synth? Is it best to have one with a keyboard?

Dec 25 2013 3:12AM
0 0
profile picture
TNORTS
Posts: 2077 - Karma: 2,761
Your best bet for your budget is a midi keyboard and a software synth. If If you can push it to 400 you can get a microkorg. However I got mine used for less than that.
Dec 25 2013 8:40AM
0 0
profile picture
panojibber.
Posts: 1041 - Karma: 683
That's a synthi aks (I think), pretty sure those guys run in the thousands, not hundreds haha. You can get DSI mophos for pretty cheap used, and the novation bass station is somewhere around 400 new. You can plug a guitar into some synths, not all. It's generally best to have a keyboard with it, at least when you're starting out. It seems like you want vintage analog stuff, and while vintage stuff is loads of fun it's not really meant for beginners, and you might get really frustrated with it really fast. If I were you I'd check out the mopho, the roland gaia, or the bass station. three great analog synths on a budget.
Dec 25 2013 10:48AM
1 0
profile picture
spliff.Life
Posts: 7847 - Karma: 1,549
These are really fun once you figure out all the programming/controls only thing is on theyre own they just make crazy sounds so you need something else imo


i would recommend getting a midi controller with keys and beat pads and if you have a mac use garage band to start with, its basic but good enough to mess around on, or try and get a program for free somewhere, 150 is a small budget to try and start synth/electronic production 
Dec 25 2013 11:31AM
0 0
profile picture
corona
Posts: 12803 - Karma: 32,817
I've always heard to invest in weighted keys, especially if you're learning on it otherwise you develop terrible posture and habits.
Dec 25 2013 12:07PM
0 0
profile picture
Yung_Gnarley
Posts: 9092 - Karma: 3,022
I love the aesthetic of analog synths but, like you, dont have thousands of dollars. I went to music-go-round, got a little oxygen midi controller for $60 and pirated logic. I found myself feeling like I was using analog stuff once I found out how deeply you can tweak the synths in Logic. Between the crazy parameters on the instruments and the customization on the plug-ins the possibilities are endless. Plus it's a good way to practice composition and mixing for close to no money.
Dec 25 2013 1:29PM
0 0
profile picture
RockNRollNghtClb
Posts: 2013 - Karma: 2,509
alright Im thinkin im gonna go this route. Is logic a decent synthesizer program and is the midi controller a nice keyboard, do I just plug it into my computer and its ready to go?
Dec 25 2013 6:16PM
0 0
profile picture
panojibber.
Posts: 1041 - Karma: 683
Logic is a bit more than a synthesizer program haha. You might be a little overwhelmed at first but its a great place to start. Midi is a system of sending messages to electronic instruments to tell them what to do, not so much a type of keyboard. For keyboards I would recommend you pick up a little Akai LPK 25 or launch key mini and get started with that. Don't invest in a really nice keyboard right away, and definitely don't get weighted keys. Weighted keys are nice for controlling pianos but you can get far more expression out of a synthesizer without them.
Dec 25 2013 7:34PM
0 0
profile picture
Dan.
Posts: 7201 - Karma: 1,126
weighted keys are great, they just make your keyboard not feel cheap.
what I think you're referring to is Velocity-Sensitive keys, which, I also disagree with but I can see where you're coming from for someone just getting into keyboard controls.
Dec 27 2013 11:56AM
0 0
profile picture
elinde
Posts: 1470 - Karma: 3,059
Yeah I cracked logic for free and bought a midi controller, and although it lacks the satisfaction of an analog synth it gets the job done.
Dec 27 2013 12:06PM
0 0
profile picture
panojibber.
Posts: 1041 - Karma: 683
Weighted keys don't allow for aftertouch, the problem with piano style keys is that they are down or up, no in between. A good midi controller allows you to control an envelope much more precisely. Ie halfway down on the key will open the filter halfway, keep pressing down though and the filter will continue to open (if you program it that way). And you can use aftertouch to trigger vibrato so you get a trill when you let go. Waaayyy more expression. And feels way more real than piano keys. Make sense? I'm a pianist and I love weighted keys for certain things, but not for synthesizers.
Dec 27 2013 1:22PM
0 0
profile picture
Elg
Posts: 2998 - Karma: 3,880
Dec 27 2013 2:58PM
0 0
profile picture
RockNRollNghtClb
Posts: 2013 - Karma: 2,509
just ordered this thing http:// http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/LaunchkeyMini

couldnt be more stoked, planning on torrenting logic. Unless anyone else has a better suggestion?
thanks for all your help everyone!
Dec 27 2013 6:08PM
0 0
profile picture
SirFryanator
Posts: 11149 - Karma: 1,415
Upgrade your budget to $200 and search craigslist for an Alesis Micron. Or if all else fails, a MicroKorg. Those will work for you.
Dec 27 2013 6:28PM
0 0
All times are Eastern (-5)