10
votes
Suggestions for a Starter Synth?
I feel like I have gotten as far as I can playing around with my keyboard and LMMS, so I was wondering if anyone here has any recommendations for a synth that I could start out with. As much as I really want to buy a OP-1 or OP-Z I don't think I can justify it just yet. I would like something in the style of the OP-1 or OP-Z, i.e. quite small, with they keys laid out like a piano, and controls for modifying the sound on the synth, although it doesn't need an included sequencer. I'm also pretty open to drum machine ideas, just have never really played around with them at all. My budget is like $200 max.
Avoid hardware synth spending black hole at all costs. Ableton and a good controller will get you so much further. For a cheap controller I would look at Nektar ones. I think even 88-key would fit into your budget.
To offer a counter, I think there's something to be said for limitation. How about a KORG POLY-800? Fairly inexpensive and has real character.
And then a drum machine.. Maybe a second synth for bass? Then you want some effects, oh crap, is that reverb stereo? You just ran out of channels on your cheap 4-lane, gotta upgrade!
6 months later you wake up behind your local starbucks, because you've defaulted on your mortgage while getting high on that sweet eurocrack.
Unsure exactly how to respond to this. It made me smile, I will say that.
On serious note, I don't believe it's about the equipment you own, it's about the ideas you have. Some of the more inventive musicians out there do just fine with very little, in fact, they thrive. I'd canvas OP to consider the road less travelled.
I am currently looking at
Do you have any opinions on them? I have tried the Nektar Impact LX49+ at a store a while ago and seemed to like it, but I don't really know too much about this stuff to know what is good.
Are you limited my deskspace? If not, I'd go for higher key-count. I've played with 25-key controllers and it felt limiting.
So maybe look at LX49 or 61, they're not too pricey, but would you give more much more flexibility (like splitting the keyboard in half to play bass synth on the right and lead on the left) and space to work with. They have more faders as well, very useful to control softsynth knobs like oscillators, envelopes, filters and more (especially if your DAW automaps this stuff).
I have almost no desk space. I am currently using my computer keyboard to make music so I think just about anything will be an upgrade from that.
It looks like good portable MIDI controllers (that you hook up to your computer) go for $100 or so. I just bought a LaunchKey Mini Mk3 and I'm somewhat regretting it because the LED pads are very bright and that wasn't clear from the photos. It works well enough though. I suggest trying them out in person at a music store.
There are good reviews online in Wirecutter and Sound on Sound but it comes down to what you need and what compromises you're willing to make for portability.
$200 won't get you far in terms of hardware unless you're interested in the Korg Volca series, better to get a good versatile software synth and a midi controller. Have a look at Serum, Synthmaster or UVI Falcon
Like everyone else is saying, you are far better off spending money on software synthesizers than you are on buying hardware. Why not try buying one for your phone? I'm a big fan of Caustic on Android and iOS. There are more 'professional' DAW programs for phones but Caustic has a much better interface and it's easier to just get running with it. Plus it's got just about every kind of synth you would want, plenty of effects, and you can download the free version and do everything except for exporting. It's only $10 USD to unlock everything and it even has support for USB MIDI interfaces.
But given that you are referencing synths like the OP-1, I'm assuming you're looking for something more toy-like that you can just experiment on, am I right? I can see how you would want hardware for that. I've recently become enamored with Akai's MPK Mini Play, which has a basic wavetable synthesizer that has the entire General MIDI level 1 instrument set.
If you want a more free-form synthesizer, then I would look towards Korg. Pretty much anything they have is good for playing around with and they offer both digital and analog synths at that range. You might want to check out the Volca Modular, which should give you the most freedom. Alternatively the Kaossilator lineup is portable and powerful and offers lots of freedom of expression, but doesn't give you a keyboard.
And of course, if you're not looking for a toy and you want to have a big fancy synthesizer for the experience of it all, you can get a steal on used equipment. For instance, I bought a Yamaha SY-99 off of craigslist for $200, which is the most advanced FM synthesizer Yamaha ever made and was the template upon which they designed their high-end Motif workstation synthesizers.
Yeah, I'm really only looking for something to toy around with. I don't really have the whole skill set developed to actually make music just yet.
I found the MPK Mini Play for like $55 here, assuming that website is legit, and for that price I might just go with that.
edit: that site is 100% a scam, found this website which is exactly the same.