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MIDI Synth Module Suggestions

DennyOnBass

DennyOnBass

Dec 18, 2003
1,138
1,033
59
Traverse City, MI
#1
OK, I've decided that I'm going to pull the trigger and get the Sonuus B2M Bass Midi Interface. Standard analog effects aren't doing it for me and I'm finding myself envying some of the sounds that my keyboard player is getting.

I'm looking to ease into this to see how it goes, so I'll be buying a used Synth Module in the $300 range to start. Basically I'll want some funky sounds (clav, envelope filtery patches) and some nice synths. Some alternative bass sounds would be cool as well. A smaller footprint (half rack sized) would be nice but not totally necessary.

Any ideas on what I should be looking at?
 
#2
I wouldn't invest in anything yet.

Try the B2M first with your keyboardist module , and when you'll see that pitch to MIDI for bass Su** A*s , then you'll wake up loosing just 100$.


Signed ; a guy who lost 1000$ in pitch to MIDI for Bass.
 
#3
I've been toying with the idea of getting something like this for awhile now. I was actually looking at the G2M - I wasn't aware they made a bass version.
My solution to the tracking issue was going to be to dedicate a bass entirely for synth sounds, and string it tuned an octave higher to solve the tracking issues.
I figure it should be easy to knock the note back down an octave once the midi has been generated, depending on what kind of sound bank is being used.
 
#8
Modulator said:
I was looking at the Mopho...does it do stuff like clav's and other funky stuff?
Click to expand...

It's a monophonic synth with two oscs, one filter and three envelopes. If you aren't physced to get into analog synthesis, maybe a better choice would be a cool used sample-based keyboard. Would it be useful to you if the thing had a 3 octave keyboard?
 
#11
grovest said:
It's a monophonic synth with two oscs, one filter and three envelopes. If you aren't physced to get into analog synthesis, maybe a better choice would be a cool used sample-based keyboard. Would it be useful to you if the thing had a 3 octave keyboard?
Click to expand...

I'd prefer something more compact, actually, which is why the MoPho was kind of interesting to me. I don't really fear learning curves or getting into things I'm not familiar with so getting into analog synthesis isn't really an issue.
 
#12
Modulator said:
I'd prefer something more compact, actually, which is why the MoPho was kind of interesting to me. I don't really fear learning curves or getting into things I'm not familiar with so getting into analog synthesis isn't really an issue.
Click to expand...

Cool man, getting into synthesis was one of the most fun 'sidebars' I've taken. I think the Mopho is great for bass stuff and its size and price is really super. But maybe something with more voices, maybe effects and additional forms of synth would be a better start (more options). I'm not sure what key-less options to recommend at the "low-low" end of the price, though... surely others here can offer more hands-on recco's.
 
#13
I would recommend a Roland SH-32 if you can find one... the price is right (~$200 or so) it sounds great, and has a wide range of sounds, very versatile. IMO the best value in that price range. It's not a rackmount unit, but still relatively compact.

 
#14
Novation Xio 25. Small, lightweight, batteries/AC/USB power..x/y pad and joystick..good 3rd party editor..velocity sens keys..Arpegiator, and a step filter that would be VERY cool triggered by a bass, can you say Dave Smith.. 2 channel asio audio interface that works well.. All patches from their X and V series work on it, big libraries..built in efx..you can use the audio in as a mixer too, pan the outs, so theoretically..plug your bass in, as well as have the bass parts from the sonuus trigger the synth, two outs no waiting..it even has an xlr in so you can sing through it, thereby eliminating that annoying $0.21 Behringer mixer you were toting around to the saloon, I mean coffeehouse)..the good news: only $12,000

okok I got mine new 2 years ago for $225/open box, realistically sub $300.

I use it to play keyboard bass parts, sequence Live (and record it too..nice analoggy synth/bass/Rhodes), make coffee..and I am tempted by the new sonuus bass thing..at any rate , best bang for the buck synth there is, hands down.

Except......

EXCEPT!!!!!! and this is the reason I am editing this after it struck me..and I looked again to make sure..it won't work with the sonuus..because it hazz no midi in. Novation, in their infinite non wisdom, made the perfect little synth..all those features I was talking about above, as well as the ability to use this as a midi controller..BUT..NO MIDI INPUT. There's a midi output, for playing other synths, controlling other synths, light fixtures, kitchen appliances..but you can't play the internal synth directly from another controller. You CAN play and record it over USB, as I do with Live..but..not from another keyboard or in this case..a pitch to midi converter.

I have had this gear for a while..and for all the purposes I use it..input to Live, controller for Live, a synth that I play keyboard bass parts on when I perform..for all that it works great. But Novation...for some reason..saw to it that the only way you can play the internal synth is to have it played over USB when it's hooked into a sequencer.

Maybe there is a way around this, some sort of usb to wha? I have no idea..I still think it's a great sound module and keyboard, and if it had this ONE little feature, it would be perfect.
 
#17
johnp352 said:
EXCEPT!!!!!! and this is the reason I am editing this after it struck me..and I looked again to make sure..it won't work with the sonuus..because it hazz no midi in. Novation, in their infinite non wisdom, made the perfect little synth..all those features I was talking about above, as well as the ability to use this as a midi controller..BUT..NO MIDI INPUT. There's a midi output, for playing other synths, controlling other synths, light fixtures, kitchen appliances..but you can't play the internal synth directly from another controller. You CAN play and record it over USB, as I do with Live..but..not from another keyboard or in this case..a pitch to midi converter.

I have had this gear for a while..and for all the purposes I use it..input to Live, controller for Live, a synth that I play keyboard bass parts on when I perform..for all that it works great. But Novation...for some reason..saw to it that the only way you can play the internal synth is to have it played over USB when it's hooked into a sequencer.

Maybe there is a way around this, some sort of usb to wha? I have no idea..I still think it's a great sound module and keyboard, and if it had this ONE little feature, it would be perfect.
Click to expand...


The Novation X-Station line has midi in; as well as, it's a real synth, midi controller, effects processor, digi-interface; so if midi bass isn't working out as one hoped, it's still a viable piece of gear. It aslo has 2 1/4 in. outs as well. Very versatile and good sounding piece of gear IMO.
 
#18
I like the X station as well, and use a lot of its sounds on my XIO, which is what was supposed to replace the X. MOF, the only difference is the arp and step filter addition on the XIO, as well as the fact they decided (again, why?) to not route the external inputs through the efx on the Xio as they did on the X. But why they dropped the midi in on the XIO is still a mystery to me. They were going for the all in one appliance, and almost hit it.
 

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