Need help on a good synth ?

[not2secure4u]

Hi ,

I play guitar for a long time now , 10 years now and I'm 18 and discovered the incredible world of recording and making songs . ( before that I only did Vai covers wich is very cool and I still try 'n play Vai covers but it's quite unoriginal

I am currently searching for a synthesizer . I am willing to spend about 800 $ on it ... It should have a GOOD recording output ( I really don't know how it works for good recording on a synth ) and it should have good sounds , ( like Vai's warm regards background vocals the Aaah stuff , and like Windows to the soul the bell sounds , you knw what I mean by now .

Can you guys advice me something ?

And some info on what I might expect ?

Thank you very much !

nē

www.nickvancampenhout.tk

[jim777]

I'd say go with an Alesis Fusion 6HD, it does almost everything there is to do. They key feel isn't as good as a Motif, but the synth is in a class nearly by itself, and is very cheap as well.

[Demiurge]

There are also different kinds of synths to consider: are you looking for analog-modelling (with the oscillators, waveforms, etc to edit) that has more raw textures, or are you looking for something that you can also get natural instrument sounds from, like pianos, strings, etc.? Also, would you rather get a whole keyboard or a MIDI controller and a rachmount synth?

You could always break the bank and splurge on a Korg Triton, which pretty much has everything. The Triton LE (a "lighter" version of the Triton) goes new for (I think) $1200-ish, and you could steal one used for a tad above your budget. They do everything, though- I think they spit out gold records ;-p

Also, ever consider guitar synths? The Roland GR-20 is pretty rudimentary, about $400 and $150 for the pickup. Sounds are rudimentary but solid quality, good effects processing, and you can then use it to control any other MIDI synths you get later on down the line.

[not2secure4u]

Well , since I know really nothing of synths I can only say I wan't good sounds ( it can't sound cheap ; ) and I should be able to tweak them a little ...

The Korg Triton looks really good ! but not very cheap :s


nē

[guitvai1]

If you are using a computer recording setup and you aren't a keyboard player, you might want to just get yourself a midi-controller keyboard and get some VSTi synths to use with Cubase or other recording software. This will give you almost endless possibilities for great sounds.
Midi keyboard = $150

[not2secure4u]

Yea , I guess that would also be an option but isn't it more difficult to use and all that ?

nē

[Lefty Robb]

The Triton is one of the most used boards in prog now a days, and I think is a favorite of T Mac, and of course Symphony X, Derek Sherinian, Nightwish, David Bowie, Opeth, CoB, Evergrey, and on and on... You should be able to find a used one (especially the LE model) in your price range on e-bay, give or take a $100 or so.

[TommyGuitar]

Originally Posted by not2secure4u

Yea , I guess that would also be an option but isn't it more difficult to use and all that ?

nē

Probably not any more difficult to use than a keyboard with the sounds built in.

[jim777]

The reason I pointed out the Fusion is that it really does it all; FM Synthesis, Physical Modeling, Virtual Analog, sample playback, etc. It is limited in voices only by how many you are using and available memory. In Sample mode it'll do over 270 voices at once, and over 240 in FM mode. It has an 80GIG HD stock, with drag and drop Windows interface. Download new sounds, attach the board to your PC via USB, and drag the sounds right in. Back it up the same way. It also has a sequencer and a multitrack recorder. You can record your guitar directly into it, and your bass, and it's got over 40 drumkits and, well let's just say it has some keyboard sounds as well It is state of the art.
Don't spend a penny on a used anything before you check out the Fusion. Buying anything else is not really wise at this point.

[Awakened Sleeper]

I've also been thinking of taking up keys and buying a decent synth, and I'd settled on the Fusion 8HD. There's a lot of updates and samples available for free from the Hollow Sun team. There are loads of mp3 demos on the Fusion Forum.

Edit: Why has this post appeared between Jim's posts, despite my posting AFTER Demiurge's response? That's the second time it's just done that to me

[jim777]

Originally Posted by jim777

Don't spend a penny on a used anything before you check out the Fusion. Buying anything else is not really wise at this point.

ok, by this I really mean buying a used keyboard isn't wise in terms of what you get new with a (less than a grand) Fusion. If you want to go with VSTs and software, that's another story. However, you need much computer power and memory, a good soundcard/midi connection, a keyboard, and VSTs themselves as well. They're better for sequenced stuff in my opinion than live work, because you won't notice the lag. Then there's the prices; Cubase is about 400 dollars. Arturia's excellent MiniMoog emulator is about 300, etc. VSTs do run into lots of money, though certainly lots less than actual vintage synths. Some require hardware dongles on the USB ports as well, just like Cubase does. You can get freebies like Buzz as well, but they are as far from guitarist friendly as synth programs come. The easy to use good sounding ones are all in the 200-400 range.
I hate to come right out and say it, but for some people (and I am not talking about the good Jemsite folks chiming in on this thread) the advantage of going with software is that software is simply easier to steal than hardware. I hate that with a passion.
I play guitar primarily, have a number of synths, and think for a guitarist in the 800 dollar range there is nothing even close to the Fusion in terms of bang for the buck, and Alesis is turning into a very standup crowd. Check out there how-to manuals. I had to spend 75 dollars on aftermarket DVDs to learn how to get past the first page of the Motif when I got it!

[Demiurge]

Holy Cow, I had no idea the Fusion had all that. That's going on my GAS list.

[not2secure4u]

Thank you all for the information , it is very helpfull to me !

If you could choose between the Alesis and the Korg triton LE wich would you choose then and why ?

TY !

nē

[jim777]

Well, I've already answered that question for me

[Ibanut]

Id go with a midi control keyboard and a proteus 2000 rack unit and a program called Reason. Too many options to list.. Very compact and user friendly.