Ambient Synth Recommendations?

[bongoben]

Alright, so I picked up a Moog Little Phatty awhile back because I've always wanted one to play with. It's a kickass little instrument but I've realized I would get more use out of something that 1) can be polyphonic and 2) can be ambient. Think those cheesy background synthy string sounds in modern church worship music (I'm not using this for worship... I'm not even a church-goer, that was just the example that came to mind). I also have a Nord Electro 2 which I love and it does the piano/electric piano/organ sounds well. So, hardware synths either with a keyboard or something rack that I could use with my Electro 2 board? And I'm aiming for a similar price range to my Little Phatty because I think that will be used as trade bait for a new instrument. HELP!

Thanks!

[Dr. Sherman Sticks M.D.]

ay? http://www.waldorf-music.info/streichfett-overview

op1 maybe?

[bongoben]

I'm going to have to spend a lot of time doing some listening. I re-read an older synth thread I had awhile back and found a number of recommendations I'll have to re-listen to. The only difference between then and now is 1) I know I want it to be polyphonic and 2)I'm really not as concerned with a strong bass presence as I originally imagined I would be.

This thread:
viewtopic.php?f=149&t=42067

[Dr. Sherman Sticks M.D.]

synths are pretty wide open man. yea they each have their flavors, strengths and weaknesses. but really u can make a buttload of sounds w/ any of them. i dunno if any synth would be in a particular category, because u can usually make all types of sounds w/ any one. pads, chords, drones, leads, basses, organs, etc etc. its all in the knobs and the programming. i used to make gnarly basses w/ my JX3P, which alot of ppl will tell u is "not a good bass synth". so eff that noise yo!!

i would just go for something u like and dive in. poly is big tho

[sonidero]

Roland Roland Roland... Gia, SH201, or any of the Grooveboxes... I use an MC307 and edit the Strings and "Synth" sounds to get cool ambient...

[bongoben]

You dudes rule. For serious.

[Disarm D'arcy]

For ambient pads, those that comes to mind first are:
- Korg Microkorg (a personal favorite, a great complement to my Little Phatty)
- Novation Mininova (great synth, more capable than the MK but a whole lot less analog like)
- Nord Lead (that's if you can add delay and reverb)

Considering you own an Electro and like it, I'd say go for a used Lead rack.

[amnesiac305]

Maybe look into a Kawai K5000 for cheap. It is an additive synth with great pads/ambient sounds.

[bongoben]

Here's a stupid question. If i used the Nord Rack on my Electro 2 via midi is it possible to go from the piano sounds from the Electro to the synth sounds of the Rack without disconnecting anything? Is it as easy as some button push or would the Rack need to be turned off? I've never used this kind of midi setup so still in learning mode.

[Disarm D'arcy]

Even if they are connected via midi, the audio of the Lead will come out of the Lead and the audio of the Electro out of the Electro.
MIDI doesn't carry audio signal, only notes and change of parameters (like the wiggling of the pitch or modwheel).

[bongoben]

Even if they are connected via midi, the audio of the Lead will come out of the Lead and the audio of the Electro out of the Electro.
MIDI doesn't carry audio signal, only notes and change of parameters (like the wiggling of the pitch or modwheel).

Makes sense and along the lines of what i was assuming. Thanks

[sonidero]

That's why Synth Players always need a mixer... Any Roland JV Rack would work also... A good editable Rompler with effects makes great ambient...

[plaidbeer]

As mentioned above, Roland JV racks have a lot of material to work with as did the newer XV-series racks (I have an XV-5080). I also have a JD-990 with Vintage Expansion which is good for ambient/weird stuff.

If you want something newer, check out the Waldorf Blofeld.

[Deltaphoenix]

Run whatever stuff you have through a PitchFactor and Space. AMBIENT

[Pepe]

Maybe look into a Kawai K5000 for cheap. It is an additive synth with great pads/ambient sounds.

+1

Other synths that are known for good ambient sounds:

Roland D-50 (a classic!)
Roland JD-800
KORG Wavestation
KORG Z1
Technics WSA-1

Then there are the mentioned Roland rack synths and plenty more. The 90's digital stuff should be affordable and give good results.