Looking for a synth

[Greatdeceiver]

Hi guys, I have been around here for some time, and this forum is really helpful, really good reading.

I need to get myself a synth to start recording stuff that I have written, and I am looking into 200-400$ range (used is fine). So I dont know anything about synths, so what should I be on lookout for and what should I avoid? I would also like to be able to mix sounds on my own, and well thats pretty much it hehe. As I said I am a complete noob here

And yeah I will be recording symphonic parts in METAL so no salsa and such sounds needed

Also I will really appreciate if someone knows about a program where you can compose synth (preferably with notation) and it has more sounds than just standard windows midi.

Thanks!

 

[jeffadies]

If your looking for symphonic stuff you may want to just get a midi controller board and use soft synths or sampler's. Some of the symphonic sample pacs that are out there are badass. If you want to go the hardware route i have a old alesis qs6 that is in pretty good shape it has some of the symphonic'ish sounds. If you want it i'll sell it for $150.00 plus shipping. I also have a Novation A-station rack synth that is more for electronic based stuff such as In Flames type lead synth sounds and stuff. I would sell that for $225.00 plus shipping.

 

[Baron of Norsworthy]

Hi guys, I have been around here for some time, and this forum is really helpful, really good reading.

I need to get myself a synth to start recording stuff that I have written, and I am looking into 200-400$ range (used is fine). So I dont know anything about synths, so what should I be on lookout for and what should I avoid? I would also like to be able to mix sounds on my own, and well thats pretty much it hehe. As I said I am a complete noob here

And yeah I will be recording symphonic parts in METAL so no salsa and such sounds needed

Also I will really appreciate if someone knows about a program where you can compose synth (preferably with notation) and it has more sounds than just standard windows midi.

Thanks!

It depends wether you want a syth or a synth sampler????

Point you need to consider:

Latencey
Reliability (windows error system shut down lol)
Sample formats
Polyphony

If you elaborate on your needs more it would be helpful????

 

[Metaltastic]

Yeah, if it's just for recording and not live playing, I'd vote software stuff all the way

 

[discordless]

http://www.waldorfmusic.de/en/products/blofeld/blofeld_overview

or the Alesis Micron

 

[Greatdeceiver]

is it possible then to use a standard synth, say a yamaha, as a midi controller?

 

[Baron of Norsworthy]

is it possible then to use a standard synth, say a yamaha, as a midi controller?

yes

 

[Metaltastic]

Well if by standard synth you mean a keyboard (rather than a module), then yeah, as long as it has a MIDI output

 

[Greatdeceiver]

Yeah ok. As I said I am a perfect noob in synths and midi hehe. But if I go the software way, which software is good (nevermind mac stuff, I have windows...)?

 

[Black neon bob]

Check out native instruments stuff... they have demos as well so you can try before you buy... highlights for me: FM7 and FM8, Absynth 1-4.
Also some of my favorites: Reason 3, imposcar,and rob papen's Albino 3.

 

[smy1]

Just for your info: I have released 2 electro records without even having a midi keyboard. The 3rd is coming out May/June and still no midi keyboard ...

If you have the softsynths and good imagination, you can just click all the stuff with the mouse ...

 

[Baron of Norsworthy]

Yeah ok. As I said I am a perfect noob in synths and midi hehe. But if I go the software way, which software is good (nevermind mac stuff, I have windows...)?

It depend what you want to do????

For software E-mu is a good place to start

I wouldn't use software unless you have a good midi controller keyboard????

 

[Greatdeceiver]

Ok thanks for the help so far guys. I am checking out some software apps now.

Baron of Norsworthy - I would like to record symphonic pieces. I also would like some arabic sounds, but that's not a must. So don't need anything else but orchestra actually. I am not going to perform live, I just need this to rec some demo songs.

 

[Baron of Norsworthy]

If you buy any sampler/synth you will need a translator to convert your sounds to the file type supported by your software/hardware.

Try this http://www.chickensys.com/downloads/translator_free.php

You will need to search for all symphonic cds and cross reference these with the hardware and software you have in mind, I cannot think of any symphonic cds at the moment but they are available.

The only sampler/synth I can think of which might suit your needs best is the Kurzweil K2000,K2500 models and the K2000 is the only one in your price range and these are hardware sampler/synths.

If you want to hear these sampler/ synths check out Joe Satriani's engines of creation.

 

[Radd]

The only sampler/synth I can think of which might suit your needs best is the Kurzweil K2000,K2500 models and the K2000 is the only one in your price range and these are hardware sampler/synths.

If you want to hear these sampler/ synths check out Joe Satriani's engines of creation.

Also Faith No More's "King for a Day, Fool for a Lifetime" & "Album of the Year" are Kurzweil K2000 if I'm not mistaken.