Analog, digital or hybrid synth for retro-tones?

Ok... I'm a terrible synth player, and I'm not very knowledgeable, but Korg always seems to have some good retro sounds. I use a MicroSynth (the one with a built in vocoder) right now. The keys are small, though, which puts off most players. Also, there's no sensitivity in the keys - they're either on or off.

However, I've seen a few good local electronica bands play them quite a lot. They run about $400 new, but you can surely find one used for well under that.

Korg's got some other stuff, too, that might be better suited for you.

 

buddy of mine also swears by his Microkorg... tiny keys be-damned.

 

Personally I've found that the Alesis Ion definitely was the best sounding of the all of the virtual analogue beasts.

the Ion's range of Moog, Oberheim, Roland and ARP sounds is very convincing and for what you should be able to pick one up for should be much more reliable than an ageing model. It's also easy to program and store sounds.

Hope this helps.

Chris

 

If you cannot get a hold of the Ion, don't forget that the Micron will do the same thing, as it has the same sound engine. Also, it is still available as new. It is not as knobby as the Ion, as it is much smaller...

 

I haven't tried many of the newer "vintage emulating" digital synths, but the ones I have tried were pretty good. Not good enough for me though, not at those prices. If I'm going to shell out some serious coin, I don't want an emulation. IMO the only reasons to buy an emulation are cost savings and the physical unreliability of ancient electronics. So if cost to me is not saved, that only leaves reliability. And a well-maintained, not abused vintage keyboard is about equal in reliability IMO to the typical SMT+DSP made in China plastic box. About the only exception I can think of there is if you bought a new device with a good warranty.

Hybrid keyboards are cool, I have a lot of nostalgia for time spent using hybrids, but a lot of them are surprisingly disappointing insofar as they may be too clean and predictable for a really fat vintage tone, yet way too limited in function to take full advantage of the benefits of DSP. The Korg DW8000 was a good example of that. Just because a keyboard has a "real analog filter" does not mean it will sound like a Minimoog. Just saying don't make any assumptions, especially for a long-distance purchase.

If I was shopping for a real vintage keyboard today, just for playing around with some fun sounds, not wanting to spend a ton of $$, I would probably get a Roland SH101, especially with the optional hand grip.

If I had more money to blow, I would skip keyboards altogether and build a modular rack like TecX did. I've owned and used several modular systems, and there is no substitute for an organic creature with patch cords for veins and nerves.

 

Oh, and sad as it may be, I would not spend the money to repair the K3. I've seen them sell for under $100 in perfect working condition. If it was me, I'd use the broken K3 as a platform for learning do do my own electronic troubleshooting and repair, and also for circuitbending. The K3 was pretty cool sounding in its day, though.

 

Sadly, no - although it is rumoured that they may re-introduce it soon. I am awaiting Winter NAMM for the latest details...