Good starter synth/keyboard/workstation?

Kwesi · #1 06-16-2010, 02:10 PM

So I want to get into creating my own electronic music and since I've pretty much gotten my bass gear together (missing two, maybe three pedals) I'm looking into getting a keyboard. I've been looking into possible purchases for a couple of months now but I figure it's always nice to hear from people who have already gone down the road.

I'm looking for a keyboard that has solid synth and piano sounds, anywhere from 25 to 61 keys, and doesn't cost a fortune. I'm not looking for a dedicated bass synth because I'd like to do all the low end stuff on my bass. I don't want to go over $700 because there are other things I'd like to get (Koassilator Pro, Maschine, Albeton Live). So any suggestions? Thanks.

sloasdaylight · #2 06-16-2010, 02:23 PM

You might want to look at M-Audio. They're midi, which if I understand what my buddy has told me right, is what you want. Outside of that maybe look at some Alesis stuff

**Pacman** · #3 06-16-2010, 03:40 PM

Music related posts go in Miscellaneous, not Off Topic.

Moved.

TheGrizz · #4 06-16-2010, 10:43 PM

I had a Juno G. It was great board. I had awesome presets, and it was fairly easy to use. It has everything you're looking for. You'll can probably pick one up for around $700 used. I'd look into them. They're well worth the cash.

If you're looking more into the synth end I'd check out an Alesis Ion. You get get piano patches, but I don't know if any come preprogrammed. I jammed on one of these a few weeks ago, and I loved it. I almost walked out with it, but my Moog and MicroKorg don't get used as it is haha.

jordie65 · #5 06-16-2010, 10:52 PM

i got into synth with a microkorg. it was great for learning alot of the terminology and how to construct a sound. never really got stellar Piano tones out of it.. but to me thats like people on this forum asking how to get their EB to sound like a double bass..

MatticusMania · #6 06-17-2010, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jordie65

i got into synth with a microkorg. it was great for learning alot of the terminology and how to construct a sound. never really got stellar Piano tones out of it.. but to me thats like people on this forum asking how to get their EB to sound like a double bass..

When I first wanted to get into synths I was looking at a microkorg. I had my heart set on it, until one day I was in the studio with my band. Our engineer started showing me this little synth he just picked up. I played with it for 5 minutes and my mind was changed.

I would suggest looking at anything made by novation. The have a lot of different styles/workstations that are very affordable and sound GREAT! Plus, they all double as midi and a mixer as well.

devilock76 · #7 06-17-2010, 09:38 AM

As a fellow keyboardist as well as bassist and having done electronic music. Start off finding as much free software as you can. This will start giving you a hands on into various synthesis and sequencing methods as well as sampling methods.

For electronic music you will get a lot more mileage out of a good laptop with a midi controller than most standalone keyboards. It is just a fact. You will have more access to emulations of the classic must have electronic instruments, tb303, tr808 and 909, prophet moog, than any reasonable budget could allow in real hardware, and there is no one standalone keyboard that come close unless you start talking things like Korg Oasys and top level workstations that are pretty much a computer that is more proprietary than a typical laptop embedded in a case with numerous native midi controllers.

Now if you are a pretty good keys player, and plan on doing lots of live parts, then having a good performance keyboard might be a good option, when it comes to actually playing keys I am leery of computers in live application.

Which brings up one other point, if you are leery of computers on stage in sequencing and plan on live sequencing then find ye a groove box. If you are on a budget used examples from the Roland MC series should be easy to find. Also, even though there are instruments out there with better sounds and samplers, the Yamaha RM1X is a great live sequencer/groovebox. Very flexible. Heck I wish I never sold mine some days.

Ken