Recommend me a synth?

smeet · #1 02-21-2009, 01:55 PM

Not sure if this is the right place for this, but anyway...

I'm not happy with my bass synth fx type stuff, so I want to get a small keyboard synth to do basslines, and maybe pads etc. I want it to be compact so I can take it to gigs. Ideally I would be able to put it through my bass rig and have it sound good. Then I can switch off on bass and keyboards.

First and foremost I want it to be able to do killer keyboard bass (fat and dirty and punchy like a minimoog etc.), but if it can also do string pads etc, that would be very nice. On-the-fly tweakability of filters and other such items would be awesome, not quite a must, but up there. The cheaper and smaller the better. I don't need more than a 2-octave keyboard.

Any recommendations? I'm not requiring analog, but I want it to be able to feel analog.

People have mentioned the Moog Little Phatty. Ane the Dave Smith Morpho and Evolver look pretty cool.

Any suggestions or other help?

thejrace · #2 02-22-2009, 06:48 PM

Hey man, sorry i dont have anything to add to this thread and hijackign your thread, but I didnt see it fit to make a new thread for a similar question.

Does anyone know a good synth program? Probably an intermediate level one, not to basic, not that high end, but would def prefer more towards the higher end than basic. For mac? pc?

thanks

smeet · #3 02-22-2009, 07:31 PM

What are you looking for? A large library of ready-made pop/rock sounds, or a deep, flexible system? For live or studio use?

Reaktor is an awesome toolkit for building synths, it can do amazing things, very very deep, but it comes with a huge library of synths. Absynth is pretty cool too. These two are both more geared towards wild experimental sounds, but they can do more normal stuff too.

I use both of these in Logic. Actually if you buy Logic, you get a huge number of really cool synths and processors along with it.

Also, Arturia makes some great analog synth recreations. Ohm Force also makes some really cool quirky things.

smeet · #4 02-22-2009, 07:32 PM

I just heard about the Xiosynth which looks pretty good and quite cheap, does anybody know how good it is for doing live bass synth?

Baryonyx · #5 02-22-2009, 07:40 PM

Check out the Roland Juno-G. I'm gonna pick up a Juno synth when I have more space. Really excellent pieces of kit, for a great price.

smeet · #6 02-22-2009, 10:23 PM

Thanks, I'll check that out!

bassteban · #7 02-22-2009, 10:31 PM

There was a Xiosynth 25 FS awhile back: FS Novation Xiosynth 25

TheGrizz · #8 02-23-2009, 07:05 AM

MicroKorgs do a decent job at approximating what you're looking for, and they're pretty cheap especially on the used market. The Realistic (MOOG) MG-1 is a good way to get a Moog bass sound, but they don't have presets. If you really want analog I would say that the Little Phatty is your best bet. They are simply diabolical.

Soverntear · #9 02-24-2009, 10:02 AM

its a bit bigger then your looking for, but the Roland juno-106 is an amazing synth and can be had normally for under 400

smeet · #10 02-24-2009, 10:49 AM

So many choices! I think I'll have to find someplace to check out as many of these as I can.

So far it sounds like for sound quality, the Little Phatty is what I would want. For a wider range of sounds, the Evolver is probably better. For versatility and price, the Xiosynth sounds like the deal of the century. In between fall about a trillion Roland models.

I think probably I'll get a Xiosynth and then slowly save up for a monophonic analog beast in the future...

Thanks for the suggestions all, please keep them coming!

EDIT: Whoa... just remembered and listened to some Virus examples... That is an amazing sounding synth...

smeet · #11 02-25-2009, 05:02 PM

AAAARG! Just missed a mint Virus A on Craig's list for $275... Dang.

TheGrizz · #12 02-25-2009, 09:45 PM

man, that's a bummer. If you can get your hands on a virus for cheap...snap it up. They're great especially the Virus KB. You might also wanna check out the Novation Bass Station. They do a very good Thick Moog-esque Bass for a great price. Usually sub-$300.

**bassybill** · #13 02-26-2009, 01:33 AM

To respond to the slight hijack - as far as soft synths go, I haven't heard anything anywhere there does old school super fat analog better than the OP-X. I bought this (pretty reasonable price) as soon as I heard it. It sounds just like my buddy's old OB-X.

http://www.sonicprojects.ch/obx/welcome.html

Baryonyx · #14 02-26-2009, 03:13 AM

Erasure are all about the synthesizers.

smeet · #15 02-26-2009, 12:07 PM

Um... Huh?

jumbosilverette · #16 02-26-2009, 12:25 PM

Juno-G is what I have. It's very straightforward but allows for some tonal control. Should be an easy live performer too.

Geddyfleaharris · #17 02-26-2009, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassybill

To respond to the slight hijack - as far as soft synths go, I haven't heard anything anywhere there does old school super fat analog better than the OP-X. I bought this (pretty reasonable price) as soon as I heard it. It sounds just like my buddy's old OB-X.

http://www.sonicprojects.ch/obx/welcome.html

That is cool!