Help Me Make Some Noise (Synth / Drum Machine Content)

[untilshewokeme]

So I am looking into getting into making some solo ambient doom stuff; my background is bass guitar. So I wanted to pick up a synth and maybe later a drum machine unless I can score both for a good price. I want something easy to pick up, play and learn quickly. I hate the term entry level because I would want to “grow” with whatever I pick – unless I become some sort of guru, then I would definitely upgrade.

So here is my checklist:
- $500 or less (used works too)
- 37 Keys or less (I feel like keeping it small would keep is simpler to learn)
- Analog or analog emulation (warmth is what I am after)
- Polyphonic (probably more suitable for ambient)
- Keys (for the synths) and Pads (for the drum machine)
- Physical interface (the more physical knobs and less scrolling for settings on a screen the better)

So not everything needs to be “checked off” but obviously the more checks the better.

Searched threads here, used the googlez, watched the youtube, read reddits and thumbed through other forums. Here is the list of stuff I have my eye on:
- Moog Sub Phatty
- Arturia MiniBrute
- Novation Bass Station
- Novation MiniNova
- Korg Volca Keys
- microKorg or XL+
- Roland SYSTEM-1
- Roland JD-Xi
- Elektron Analog Four
- Elektron Monomachine
- Novation Circuit
- Korg Electribe
- MFB 522
- MFB Tanzbar Lite (when released)
- Korg Volca Beats
- Alesis SR-16
- Roland TR-8

I am probably leaning toward the JDXI because it seems to be a good all-in-one and checks off pretty much everything I am looking for. Its just new so not too much out there yet about it.

So people with first hand experience with any of these please let me know or if there is anything else you recommend please do so.

[D.o.S.]

How much tweaking do you want to apply to the sound after it's been played/recorded?

[oscillateur]

What kind of effects do you have ?
A nice overdrive and a bit of reverb can make a world of difference, especially if you're after more ambient/drony stuff.

If you can, try as many things as you can, interface is important and not everyone has the same needs.

Also, avoid the Elektrons until you're really sure they're what you want. While they're definitely powerful they have a very specific interface that not everyone gels with and they are quite expensive.

Out of what you mentioned. I'd say focus (depending on the money you can spend) on the Volca Keys (nice little thing, limited but also quite full of nice tricks), the Mininova and the System1 first...

[D.o.S.]

I would try to hunt down a Monotribe over the Volcas (although it looks like it's been discontinued, booo)

[BoatRich]

I use a Microbrute and an SR16 and both are awesome pieces of gear. The SR16 in particular is great for heavier music with even just a tiny bit of processing on the drums, and you can get them for like 60 bucks any day. I haven't tried the Minibrute, but I'm not sure it's polyphonic? The System 1 is super intriguing though, there's a ton of sounds in a tiny package there, and the idea of a physical interface controlling a plug in like that seems really useful to me?

[untilshewokeme]

How much tweaking do you want to apply to the sound after it's been played/recorded?

Probably little to none after recorded.

What kind of effects do you have ?

I got a good amount of effects to mess around with and definitely will be experimenting

I use a Microbrute and an SR16 and both are awesome pieces of gear. The SR16 in particular is great for heavier music with even just a tiny bit of processing on the drums, and you can get them for like 60 bucks any day. I haven't tried the Minibrute, but I'm not sure it's polyphonic? The System 1 is super intriguing though, there's a ton of sounds in a tiny package there, and the idea of a physical interface controlling a plug in like that seems really useful to me?

The Minibrute, Sub Phatty and Bass Station aren't poly, which is a bummer but I know the minibrute gets a lot of recommendations and the sub phatty has great sound. Yea, that System-1 is definitely interesting.

[resincum]

Microbrute and an SR16

[Muff_Diver]

sub phatty is incredible and cheaper than ever (can be had for around 650 shipped). Truly a professional-quality instrument. The richness of the sound really makes up for the fact that its monophonic. Throw a 1/4 plug in the gate and let it drone.

New roland boutique line also seems pretty neat and would leave you with some cash for a drum machine.

[Dr. Sherman Sticks M.D.]

i feel like this always get brought up, but is still a good recommendation for those getting into electronics.

IPAD. esp if u already own one. u can always get some hardware down the road, but this way you can try soooo many dope things for only a few dollars each.
get a feel for what you like and what you don't and then make a better decision on a hardware piece if u still want to go that route.

[spacelordmother]

I have to chime in with some love for the MicroKorg as it's a lot deeper than people give it credit for. It's only 4 voices of polyphony which I thought would be limiting, but actually isn't most of the time. There is no menu diving -- it's just turn the big knob to the "page" you want (Osc1, Osc2, Amp, Filter, Mods, etc) and then you have individual knobs for each parameter. Takes a bit of reading while you're learning the layout, but it's super easy to navigate once you are used to it. The presets are mostly garbage, along with most demos, as they are geared towards EDM, but I've built some great pads, drones, and noise swashes from scratch and it never ceases to be interesting to me. I still find new sounds and tricks every time I sit down with it. Also -- real midi in and out means you'll be able to share clock with whatever drum machine you end up with without needing a computer.

I am planning to get my hands on a MS2000 (probably rack because I have other controllers) soon in order to get the modulation sequencer which is missing from the MicroKorg, but same engine otherwise.

[Strange Tales]

I've heard some stories about how the MS2000 is just a glorified MicroKorg (no further explanation than that so don't ask me). Sort of bums me out.

Either way, I love my Novation UltraNova to pieces. If you wait around, you could score on prices (got mine for $300 on eBay). There are tons of settings that I mess around with for great ambient tones and lead tones.

[Dr. Sherman Sticks M.D.]

just a lil history lesson…the synth engine used in the MS2000 was used as the basis for many VA Korg synths after that. i believe the MS2000 was the original.

i think they call it AMT? analog modeling technology. microkorg, electribe EMX, radias, etc etc. probably any virtual analog thing korg has made since has used this tech.
they aren't all exactly the same tho, and they don't sound exactly the same, but they are based on the MS2000 engine.

[Strange Tales]

Ah! That definitely makes sense and puts into light what I've heard so far. Does make me curious how the two compare even more though.

[Dark Barn]

I think laptop/iPad soft synths are where it's at. Especially if this is something you are doing from home and if you are just starting out. Get a MIDI over USB keyboard controller and an interface. This will get you rolling with synths as well as open the door for sequencing and recording.

But from the ones on your list I would go with the Mininova, microKorg XL, or System 1, and probably in that order. I also think a used Waldorf Blofeld tabletop plus a keyboard controller would be worth considering.

[Dr. Sherman Sticks M.D.]

Ah! That definitely makes sense and puts into light what I've heard so far. Does make me curious how the two compare even more though.

the microkorg sounds cleaner and clearer to me. MS2000 is a lil grittier