Thread Update. Cheap Synths? Opinions/Alternatives

Creed_Clicks · February 2021

Any players? The 06a looks like a neat bit of kit. I have a Juno plug-in which has some cool sounds but this one with the faders etc looks lIke it could be fun. I wasn’t even aware of them until today ! Anyoe use them much? Lots of pros and cons on YT, but thought I'd throw it out here as well...

On reflection after watching some YT vids, while the 06a looks pretty good, I have been looking again at the Microkorg XL+ (vocoder looks fun), but not sure how easy it is to save patches etc.

Also the Yamaha Reface CS sounds very nice indeed for the money, but you can't save any patches etc.

I used to have the regular Microkorg, but only used a few presets. It was a bit too much to the weird side of things soundwise for me.

The Reface and Microkorg has potential for "warmer" sounds. If that makes any sense...

Funkfingers · March 2021

The four-note maximum polyphony is always going to be a compromise. Stacking two units gets around that but at considerable expense.

Alternatively, team up the JU-06A with a drum machine and two monosynths. Pretend that you have an MKS-7 Super Quartet.

The good thing about Junos was that their sounds stack up nicely in multi-track song arrangements. By comparison, Jupiter sounds take up too much of the frequency spectrum real estate.

Creed_Clicks · March 2021

Any alternative recommendations for roughly the same money?

goldtop · March 2021

Used Deepmind 6?

Creed_Clicks · March 2021

goldtop said:

Used Deepmind 6?

Yes I've been looking at vids of this.
Some other options I have seen:

Audiothingies Micromonsta
Waldork Blofeld
Microkorg XL+

goldtop · March 2021

Ah. I was sticking to things that sound Juno-ish. If you're more open-minded, there are squillions of suggestions. The Blofeld is excellent, a super cheap way into Waldorf's back catalogue.

Creed_Clicks · March 2021

goldtop said:

Ah. I was sticking to things that sound Juno-ish. If you're more open-minded, there are squillions of suggestions. The Blofeld is excellent, a super cheap way into Waldorf's back catalogue.

I'll check out more deepmind demos in the meantime!

Creed_Clicks · March 2021

Now looking at Microkorg XL+ , Mininova, or Yamaha Reface CS.
The audiothingies micromonsta 2 looks great too ...

gusman2x · March 2021

Minilogue XD is a great sounding synth, as long as you can live with 4 note polyphony. Plenty of knobs on the front to make it a real experience.

Creed_Clicks · March 2021

gusman2x said:

Minilogue XD is a great sounding synth, as long as you can live with 4 note polyphony. Plenty of knobs on the front to make it a real experience.

Yes it sounds pretty good. I have an Arturia Microbrute on the way, and plan on messing around with that + effects pedals.
Still no idea what to go for!

paulmapp8306 · March 2021

Deep Mind is great - but you really need the 12. The 6 is god but being able to unison 2 voices to get detuned saws and still have 6 voices is incredibly useful.

The Minogue XD is a great synth- and fully VCO (as opposed to DCO of the DM) Its only 4 voices though that puts me off. The step sequencer with control lanes (so you can record filter position per step for instance) is fabulous as is the 3rd "open source" oscillator.

Biofield is a great synth for pads and spatial stuff - but while not a pain to program as many older VAs are doesn't have the satisfaction of the hands on approach of DM or ML.

The Reface CS is a neat bit of kit but its niche - I dont think its in the same league as the other 3 buy a way, though as I say its great at what it does.

You need to set a budget, and also some basic requirements to narrow things down. do you need hands on control, are you looking at bass sounds, lead sounds, pads, experimental, all of the above. Does it need to do percussive sounds. Are you bothered about VA or analogue - or will any do. Do you need a step sequencer? an arpeggiator? Setting these aims will bring some options front and centre and consign others to the bin.

paulmapp8306 · March 2021

Oh... Argon/Cobalt ????

Got an Argon8 coming tomorrow - its more as a midi controller for sound design on VSTs..... but decent 37 note controllers are few and far between - the Modals are pretty good just for that.

I have plenty of analogue/VA options with Virus Ti2, Peak, Deep Mind and Fantom 7 in hardware, and Voltage modular and Diva in VST so went with the wavetable based Argon rather than the VA Cobalt.

Ill let yo know how good it is (or isnt)

TeleMaster · March 2021

Creed_Clicks said:

gusman2x said:

Minilogue XD is a great sounding synth, as long as you can live with 4 note polyphony. Plenty of knobs on the front to make it a real experience.

Yes it sounds pretty good. I have an Arturia Microbrute on the way, and plan on messing around with that + effects pedals.
Still no idea what to go for!

Dude. I've just bought a couple of synths too.

Got the Microbrute coming today aswell as the Minilogue.

paulmapp8306 · March 2021

literally JUST received an Argon8.... Updating to latest FW or Id be playing lol.

Creed_Clicks · March 2021

paulmapp8306 said:

Deep Mind is great - but you really need the 12. The 6 is god but being able to unison 2 voices to get detuned saws and still have 6 voices is incredibly useful.

The Minogue XD is a great synth- and fully VCO (as opposed to DCO of the DM) Its only 4 voices though that puts me off. The step sequencer with control lanes (so you can record filter position per step for instance) is fabulous as is the 3rd "open source" oscillator.

Biofield is a great synth for pads and spatial stuff - but while not a pain to program as many older VAs are doesn't have the satisfaction of the hands on approach of DM or ML.

The Reface CS is a neat bit of kit but its niche - I dont think its in the same league as the other 3 buy a way, though as I say its great at what it does.

You need to set a budget, and also some basic requirements to narrow things down. do you need hands on control, are you looking at bass sounds, lead sounds, pads, experimental, all of the above. Does it need to do percussive sounds. Are you bothered about VA or analogue - or will any do. Do you need a step sequencer? an arpeggiator? Setting these aims will bring some options front and centre and consign others to the bin.

I don't need percussive sounds. I got a microbrute recently so imagine that will be fun with pedals for bass type sounds. A sequencer and arpeggiator would be useful. I've also been looking at the Micromonsta 2, but now come back to the original Minilogue which might have what I need. I am not sure if the 4 voice limit would put me off either.

paulmapp8306 · March 2021

OK - so IMO Minilogue XD - or the Modal cobalt or Argon 37 key synths.

All 3 have arpegiators and sequencers with animation lanes.

The Modals are both 8 voice - with the Cobalt being virtual analogue and the Argon beong wavetable (with 1 bank of VA waveforms)

Minilogue is 4 voice but is VCO and has 3 Oscilators v the Modals that have 2. The 3rtd osilator is open source.

IMO the original minilogue is NOT worth it. The small extra outlay gets you a better filter, and and that extra oscillator.

Oh - the Korg is minikeys and kind of spongy. The Models are full sized keys and a very nice keybed.

Creed_Clicks · March 2021

@paulmapp8306 I will check out the modal. As I have some midi keyboards lying around not sure if desktop modules would be a good option.
Cheap shout out for yamaha reface cs which does have its limitations.

I also need to decide on VA or wavestate

TeleMaster · March 2021

paulmapp8306 said:

IMO the original minilogue is NOT worth it. The small extra outlay gets you a better filter, and and that extra oscillator.

Literally just bought one lol. I think for my purposes, as a beginner it's fine. £225 used isn't gonna be a bad buy. Especially to learn on.

paulmapp8306 · March 2021

Used is a different matter I guess, bargains can be had.

Creed_Clicks · March 2021

I usually play keys or piano, using one key on the left hand and doing the chords with the right. A bit of practice would improve my left hand, so maybe, maybe, 4 note would be enough.... hmmm, better to be looking at it than looking for it....?

Creed_Clicks · March 2021

TeleMaster said:

paulmapp8306 said:

IMO the original minilogue is NOT worth it. The small extra outlay gets you a better filter, and and that extra oscillator.

Literally just bought one lol. I think for my purposes, as a beginner it's fine. £225 used isn't gonna be a bad buy. Especially to learn on.

I'm still looking at these. The demos seem to tick the box for me and my abilities. Guaranteed I'll end up with Microkorg XL+ or something

paulmapp8306 · March 2021

Creed_Clicks said:

I usually play keys or piano, using one key on the left hand and doing the chords with the right. A bit of practice would improve my left hand, so maybe, maybe, 4 note would be enough.... hmmm, better to be looking at it than looking for it....?

True BUT you quickly find your "stock" fingering for pads and evolving sounds is 3 chords with the right and 2 nots with the left at octave distances. Theres a reason the profit 5 had 5 voices......

TeleMaster · March 2021

Well have to say that to my untrained ear, the Minilogue is an absolute blast. I've also got a Minibrute and I haven't spent a lot of time with it, but this is just a lot of fun. I've got a Volca Beats too which is all the fun in the world.

paulmapp8306 · March 2021

minilogue v cobalt - well done.

paulmapp8306 · March 2021

and if the model tickles your fancy - this shows how the cobalt and argon differ (and can be similar).

Creed_Clicks · March 2021

@paulmapp8306 I've seen those vids. Very helpful. A minilogue has shown up used near me, but I am half thinking of holding out to see what the audiothingies micromonsta 2 is like...
Or just hold off some more and think about the modal 8.....
I'm a bit tight for space these days, so am also looking at the desktop modules, but if I'm going down that road, would it not just make sense to get a good midi keyboard controller and assign actions to the knobs on it.
However my plan was always to add on effects pedals to the synth, almost treat it like playing the guitar....

paulmapp8306 · March 2021

The Modal desktop versions are the smallest Ive ever seen lol. They are tiny.

Yes it would make sense for a midi board - BUT I went looking for one for when Im just ion front to the PC using VSTs. The Modals are the best I could find. Keybed is better than most, and every know sends its own CC. It has more knobs than most midi controllers (smaller ones at least). I only wanted a 37 key (or even smaller) due to size restraints on my PC desk so it fitted perfectly. Its actually smaller (width) than any 37 key dedicated controller as well..... No regrets at all.

The small (as opposed to 61 key or desktop) Modals are just all-round great for a studio.... Good controllers for VST, nice keybed and decent sound engine inside for stand along.

There not the only option of course. The minilogue XD is very nice for what it is and its VCO - but its mini keys that I dont like, and as I say 4 voice?? I need 5 at least really for pads, OR a mono would do for bass/leads. Minilogue isnt either really.

Deep Mind 12 is a good price if you need more than 37 keys and again is one hell of a synth for the money. More limited in core Oscilators but more options in LFOs and envelopes than Minilogue. The FX are great as well to add the finishing touches. The DM12 desktop is similar price to the Modal 37 and the Minilogue keys though - so it is a little step up in price from those. if you need keys

Creed_Clicks · March 2021

@paulmapp8306 can't see myself using more than 37 keys. I have a 49 key midi keyboard I'm going to sell, as I don't use half of it I reckon, 25 is a little too small, but useful in its own way too.
I'm still undecided!

paulmapp8306 · March 2021

I was the same with 25. Its OK for bass lines, lead lines or generic sound design with VSTs. Its useless for actually playing chords/pads though as you really only have one octave (unless your only playing in C). 37 is perfect for that - wouldnt use it bar a lead/bass synth live, but in my case thats not what the little board was for.

TeleMaster · March 2021

I've really been enjoying the Minilogue. So much that I am thinking of getting the XD and selling this.

I would ultimately like something with more voices as I can play piano a bit. I've been spending a couple of weeks with it daily and I think that more voices will suit me more, but I can live with 4.

IThe Cobalt 8 looks like it's the real deal in regards to this but it just has a bit of digital harshness to it. It does seem like the best all round choice at this price point, but the Minilogue XD has more options with the user libraries and extra oscillators etc. Fuck it. The XD it is.

Creed_Clicks · March 2021

@TeleMaster have you seen the Yamaha Reface Cs? 8 voice. I might have option of a used minilogue next week but tempted to hold out... hard to know if 4 will be too little or enough. I can play the piano a bit but wouldn’t call myself a “piano player”.

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Thread Update. Cheap Synths? Opinions/Alternatives

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