First synth

[Psyre]

Well rest assured, it's loved getting daily use. Got a thorough inside cleaning, and it's just cherry inside. You're Papa #1 so you'll definitely have dibs should I lose my hands

FB-01 is a great piece of kit. I found one here in Arkansas for $5.... these great FM synths are so cheap, just due to trends. It's the 4OP version of the DX-7 and just as painful to edit, but there are tools to easily edit via computer. Wish I hadn't sold it these days, was just getting too cluttered and unable to be productive.

Also, in agreement with Lord Galvar on the RS-09, I've been wanting a Version 1 to go with my SH-09. It falls under the Organ/Strings umbrella, but you get analog strings and cleaner organ tones to run through effects. Vintage Poly for $350-400.

[askashrub]

I think you probably want to go Minilogue.
It's a pretty outstanding thing.

That being said, you would not regret going with a Microbrute.
(Unless you want to make a chord?...)
It was my first "real synth" and I love it.
I've added polyphonic synths since, but the Microbrute stays.
Beautiful device, with simple, deceptively versatile controls.
Great synth to learn on.

[askashrub]

if the microbrute was polyphonic.. i wouldn't even care if it was analogue, could be digitally controlled, same layout etc.

would be perfect, i can't give up chords i'm afraid.

I was firmly in that camp myself.

In a strange way, it was part of my decision to buy the Microbrute.
I wanted to learn how to play monophonically.

I've really learned a lot from the little brute.
I use the mono / lead setting on other devices now as well.

[popvulture]

For mono, the Bass Station 2 is super fun and can be had for not too much $. Pretty damn versatile, sounds fucking excellent.

[jrfox92]

if the microbrute was polyphonic.. i wouldn't even care if it was analogue, could be digitally controlled, same layout etc.

would be perfect, i can't give up chords i'm afraid.

I was firmly in that camp myself.

In a strange way, it was part of my decision to buy the Microbrute.
I wanted to learn how to play monophonically.

I've really learned a lot from the little brute.
I use the mono / lead setting on other devices now as well.

+1
It's kinda like learning finger picking after being used to doing power chords.
Definitely different but incredibly interesting.

[Bearstripes]

Awesome, thanks for all the responses!

So from this thread and some research i have narrowed it down.

The minilouge sounds like the best:
It has
-fun interface
-3 octave keyboard
-tons of sounds that I feel like I won't get board with it

But then there is the Roland ju06 which I love the sound of but it seems somewhat limited. Can the minilouge cop most of these sounds?

Only other thing I am kinda considering is the Roland jdxi which seems overkill and overwhelming but for some reason I am still interested in it

[D.o.S.]

I got to fuck around with a minilogue and a microbrute last week.

They're both kind of cool -- decidedly different. The Microbrute I think works much better as a complimentary synth than a standalone instrument than the Minilogue (but I despise menu diving which you kind of have to do to get the most out of the Korg).

No experience with the Rolands, sorry.

[Bearstripes]

The menu diving is mos def a turn off. That's the biggest reason I wanna stay analog cause I hate the idea of not having everything right in front of me. Like I would much rather mix sound on an analog console over digital due to the same thing. Tho the digital may be more convient I don't wanna dive thru menus to change the depth of the reverb or amount of compression. I just wanna turn to my rack and turn my knob. Yea it's a ton of more shit but it's right there and easier to find for me. That's kinda the big appeal of the korg to me is that from the looks of it everything is right there. I can learn to mess with the digital menu a little bit but when that becomes a main part then I'm turned off

[D.o.S.]

Yeah I refused to use the menu and I was able to coax a ton out of it. The waveform visual (which I thought was a little chintzy before) was really helpful in that regard.