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[Dan G]

Basically I am a big fan of synths in songs, when used tastefully and subtly. Not interested in samples and all that stuff, but basically would like something that can make good quality string section/synth sounds (the usual) etc. What models are the reknowned for being good and how much would they cost? Also, where would be the best place to buy one... ebay or bruce millers!


I'm not gonna rush out and buy one just yet, but any help would be appreciated...

thank you!

Dan

i'm getting one of these for christmas:



it's a microKorg. some really nice sounds and they are all fully editable. The Killers use one, as do countless other bands.

check out www.vintagesynth.com and click on 'synth finder' for a huge list of retro synths.

[Compuphonic]

if you give us some examples of tracks that use the types of sounds you like and a budget I can give you some suggestions.

As good s/h general purpose synth, a Korg M1 can be picked up on ebay these days for about £150 or so and lots of patches are available free online.

[Stripey]

if you want convincing strings I would suggest a wavetable synth, can you expand on what you mean by "the usual" synth sounds?

[Dan G]

Originally Posted by Stripey

if you want convincing strings I would suggest a wavetable synth, can you expand on what you mean by "the usual" synth sounds?

Well when I hear the bands that I like using synths in their music, they have effects ranging from a normal string section synth sound, through to more realistic sounding patches that emulate violins or string sections more accurately. Something that adds atmosphere/ambience/dynamics to music basically

Originally Posted by Compuphonic

if you give us some examples of tracks that use the types of sounds you like and a budget I can give you some suggestions.

the best example of a band that use synths that I like would probably be Soilwork:

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm...endID=14936298

Listen to the intro to 'Stabbing The Drama', and between 0:35 - 1:00 of 'Shadowchild'... for good examples.
(I'm not expecting you to like the music necessarily, I just love the atmospheric sound the synths give)


Thanks for you help people

[HairyScaryMark]

It depends how much you are willing to spend.

I would highly recommend the Korg Triton Extreme as a synth. Some people reckon it is the best synth around. Most of the sounds on it are amazing, the piano sounds aren't as good as on Kurzweil or Roland RD700 but are still infinately better than on the previous korg keyboards.

The valveforce feature also means you can get amazing hammond sounds and nice warmth on other sounds. There is a nice promotional video at http://www.korg.co.uk/products/works..._triton_ex.asp

Yamaha also do the Motif ES as their pro keyboard http://www.yamaha-europe.com/yamaha_...7_8/index.html

There is a rack module version of the Motif ES but not the Triton Extreme, the originakl Triton is done as a rack but it doesn't have any of the expansion cards built in (like the extreme does).

The Kurzweil K2600 is still probably the best sampler and has the best real instrument sounds around but it is probably far beyond what you are willing to pay and far beyond your requirements.

Failing that the Korg XD5 as a module can be picked up fairly cheap on ebay. I have one of these. The piano sound is a bit pants (sounds like a slightly better version of the M1 keyboard), the strings, choir and pad type sounds are fairly good. The Pipe Organ sound is also amazing. If that is all you are going to use it for, that would maybe be your thing. There is only one useable lead sound on it but if you don't normally play keyboards, I doubt you would play keyboard solos.

Software synths amy also be another thing to concider for recordings. These things vary in quality immensely.

Originally Posted by Dan Atom

Not interested in samples and all that stuff, .................................................. .................................................. .....................................
but basically would like something that can make good quality string section/synth sounds (the usual) etc.

Dan

for a start, if you want good quality life like strings, the only option is a sampling synth. Wavetable synthesis, and the triton series of keyboards, both suggested above, are "sampling synthesis"

[Dan G]

I was thinking of something along the lines of the microkorg?

[shaun]

don't get a microKorg, apparently.

[Lester Burnham]

Microkorgs are very so and so… from people I know who have owned them… they have a lot of limitations and restrictions and you can get bored of them reeeeeally quickly.

Also… if you don't want to sound like your ripping off the killers I suggest you avoid using the presets. Modify the sounds to suit your needs. If you want presets just get a fancy keyboard.

I naturally recommend a Nord and to be fair you can get one off of e-bay at a reasonable price.