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[Stripey]

Originally Posted by HairyScaryMark

Modern digital modelling synths are obviously not analgoue, so that is hardly relevant. I use software emulations of a prophet 5, mini moog, oscar, arp odyssy, mellatron amongst other things.

There have been some true analogue synths which could play more than one note at a time but most never really took off. The only ones I can think of were the prophet 5 (with 5 note poliphony) and the arp oddysy which was duophonic (2 note poliphony)

My point remains, a workstation style keyboard will get you a reasonably sized keyboard, probably also with reasonaby nice keys, wide range of sounds and relatively quick learning curve. Probably a good idea to base your synths around a workstation which is relatively central to it. 64 note poliphony is also standard, even in some lower models.

Well, "virtual analogue" or modelled analogue synths such as the microkorg or access Virus range are the modern successors of the original true-analogue synths, they do essentially the same thing but with more features. The only real difference in sound which *might* be noticable between true analogue circuitry and good modern virtual analogue circuitry is aliasing in the digital output at extremely high frequencies.

Nostalgia about old synths pisses me off, it's the same old thing of "it's got VALVES in it, it must sound AWESOME"....*cue irritating pulse wave squeal*

Wavetable synths like you are talking about just aren't as much of a swiss-army knife when it comes to sound design so I don't find them very useful. I use a korg Wavestation sometimes and generally have to pump patches from it through a load of effects to stop it sounding like, well, a korg wavestation patch. These sort of ROM based synths are probably fine from the point of view of someone who just wants a few passable organ/piano/string sounds for stage performance though I suppose. It is really cheesy though when you recognise a preset from these synths in music you're listening to.

Originally Posted by Stripey

It is really cheesy though when you recognise a preset from these synths in music you're listening to.

Totally!

last time i heard radiohead i was all like, "HEY! that guitar sounds JUST like MY telecaster!"

[HairyScaryMark]

Originally Posted by Stripey

Well, "virtual analogue" or modelled analogue synths such as the microkorg or access Virus range are the modern successors of the original true-analogue synths, they do essentially the same thing but with more features. The only real difference in sound which *might* be noticable between true analogue circuitry and good modern virtual analogue circuitry is aliasing in the digital output at extremely high frequencies.

I have never played a real analogue synth so I can't really comment on how accurate they are but they sound similar to what I hear on recordings. People say the filters lose their life.

Originally Posted by Stripey

Nostalgia about old synths pisses me off, it's the same old thing of "it's got VALVES in it, it must sound AWESOME"....*cue irritating pulse wave squeal*

From my understanding, the synth modelling software is much more realistic than amp modellers.

Originally Posted by Stripey

Wavetable synths like you are talking about just aren't as much of a swiss-army knife when it comes to sound design so I don't find them very useful. I use a korg Wavestation sometimes and generally have to pump patches from it through a load of effects to stop it sounding like, well, a korg wavestation patch. These sort of ROM based synths are probably fine from the point of view of someone who just wants a few passable organ/piano/string sounds for stage performance though I suppose. It is really cheesy though when you recognise a preset from these synths in music you're listening to.

I always thought the Korg Wavestation synth was a very specialist piece of kit. I would imagine it either creating the band's sound or being used a relatively small percentage of the time.

The workstation synths are largely ROM based samplers, quite differnet from 'wavetable'.

disclaimer: i am not an expert.

p.s Most music software products have demo versions avaialbel to download off their website. I would recommend trying many of them out.

[HairyScaryMark]

On another note. New M-Audio products for NAMM.

KeyRig 49 note USB keyboard
unbeatable value at $129 USD

Comes with M-Audio KeyRig software synths, which I thought was good value at being 129 USD on it's own and Abelton Live Light

Ideal for someone starting out with keyboards. Great soundset without compromising on quality.


..........
Of more interest to myself is M-AUDIO - Virtual String Machine

[RockAustin]

That really is quite a lot of technical guff for someone who was looking for a keyboard to learn on.

I started off playing the piano as a child and fairly recently got a stage piano - which is great. I eventually started using bass and guitar pedals with it which was a good way to learn about basic effects (something I never got as non-guitar player). After having a go of someone else’s synth, I was inspired to buy one of the same type - definitely worth trying before you buy. I use it for those atmospheric noises/classic lead style synth noises (which can fit nicely into the type of music I play and want to play) and generally to make stupid noises and muck about with. Incidentally, along with some very basic descriptions printed from the net, messing around with all the buttons and knobs was not only great fun but a great way to learn how to use the analogue modelling synth I had just bought. I still don’t know most of what it is capable of. I would have got a Nord Lead if I had the money at the time as it is no different in principle to any other keyboard of this type.

If you are looking to learn how to play a keys instrument the piano/piano style keyboard may be the best thing to start on. If you get one with midi (or whatever the latest way is to plug into your computer), you can use it as a control keyboard and muck about with the soft synths as well. I have not managed to get this far yet so won’t preach. You will also be able to take it onto a stage at a later date if you wish.

I would ask someone to show you the basics of keyboard playing as well as it will make the whole experience much more enjoyable. I am currently giving some lessons to one of my friends who bought a synth on a whim - he has got a lot more out of his synth since this.

He bought a Roland Juno-D. It is a digital synth with nice enough synth noises which you can change the parameters of, but more importantly it has good piano and classic keyboard noises on it. Not bad for learning the basics with. I hope this helps.

Roland JUNO-D Synthesizer :: Overview

[Roam]

If a soft-synth is a option, i highlt recommend checking out the U-he Zebra 2