Another thread about Synths

[Psyre]

Looking for some chatter for those that have used some of these.... I'm in the market for a main poly synth. I don't have access to trying any of these out.

My current list consist of:

Korg Minilogue- 4 voice is a bit of a turn off at this point

Ensoniq ESQ-1 - one of these popped up CL for $299 including a preset RAM cart which looks to sell for about $100. So seemingly a pretty good deal, it has a great spund but is pretty huge. Really easy to program though?

DX-7 - I don't even know why I want one so bad, I recently missed out on 2 different CL listings for $200, I'm really bummed about it still, but I'm too dumb for how hard these are to program.

SY77/SY99- similar cons to the DX-7, plus huge. Wish I were smarter, maybe in a few years?

OP-1 - a lot of people seem to flip these, but they still retain the highest price of everything I've listed. Is it really worth it? I want something I can just delve into and create patches for the rest of the year. What will I be lacking with the OP-1. What are the major benefits for the extra price, compared to the others?

[Psyre]

Which would you buy first given that they were all presented at your optimal price, out of curiosity?


Also, that was the most convincing Jwar post ever.

[peaches]

I've had the Minilogue and OP-1, still have the Minilogue.

I'm sure you've heard the cliches about the OP-1 that everyone comes out with, especially relating Teenage Engineering with Apple, product wise at least. It's actually a pretty accurate analogy, in that it's very well made, sounds great and looks super cool, especially those graphics. It's also restrictive in a creative way, and mad expensive. Apple through and through.

The OP-1 is so much more than a poly synth too, it's a sampler and basically, micro self contained recording studio. It depends if you want that sort of thing, vs the playability of an actual keyboard and a multitude of outputs.

I still have my Minilogue, and I do think of selling it sometimes, along with a bunch of other stuff, for a bigger polysynth. It has however, impressed me a lot, mostly in subtle ways. There's just something about the VCOs that was lacking in the DCOs on my Juno 106 (sacreledge I know). Not saying it's a better synth all round, but to me, those oscillators are something special. It's also pretty fun to program (I HATE menu diving and have never kept any gear that requires it).

Anyway, just my take on the pair, I'm pretty bad at just coming up with info without prompt, so there's probably a bunch more I can tell you if you have any questions!

[01010111]

The more I play with it, the more I think minilogue's easily the funnest synth I've had. You can get some nice sounds out of it, and thanks to sync, ring mod, and cross-mod for the two oscillators, you can get some pretty sonically complex sounds out of it. The vco thing is the most fun when things start drifting a little. It gives you a weirdly detuned flavor that's a lot of fun.

I played one of DX series in band ages ago. It was the hardest thing to program. Unless you use an external midi controller to change the settings on it, I don't think it could ever be fun to program. There's app called Lemur, and people have programmed DX7 midi editors for it. There are also a few software editors too. They all transmit the changes as you do them. I don't think it would be too hard to understand if you used something like that, but I wouldn't touch one without an external editor like that.

[echorec]

Have you considered an Organelle? That would overlap with several of the sounds you're likely hunting in the aforementioned choices. I passed on the OP-1 because of price and because I didn't want to have to use USB dumping to transfer sounds to my computer. For $800, I want better saving options for something that's not modular.

I have a Minilogue by default, because there's nothing else like it at that price point. It's fun, intuitive, and you can begin saving presets without even opening the manual. I have an army of pedals, though, so I'm not too elitist when it comes to synths---I can make those Roland boutique modules sound great with a phaser or a reverb pedal.

Also...are you familiar with the TG-33? That was the desktop version of the SY-22.

You might also check out the Audiothingies Micromonsta (approx $280 US) or the preenfm2 (DIY).

[plaidbeer]

I'd recommend the ESQ-1. I had one and used it extensively back in the day. Even though there are no knobs/sliders, it's still an easy synth to navigate. The buttons all correspond to the signal path. Hit a button, move the slider, and there's your edit. Even the scratchpad sequencer is fun. I have always wondered what DAW is like it--creating sequences and chaining them together into songs. Plus it sounds really good. Just might want to use a delay/reverb. I've actually been considering one lately as I don't have a keyboard and want to use my JD-990 and Korg soft synths again.

It's also far easier to use than the DX. Using those synths from the front panel is like painting through a keyhole. You really have to commit yourself to learning FM to get the most out of those synths. I have FM8 and love it but wouldn't want bother with a DX-series ever again (had a DX-21).

Had a TG-33 and it's not much fun to program, either. The SY is a little better and actually sounds pretty good if you're going to go the Yamaha route.

[Psyre]

Great input, alot to chew on. Gteatly appreciated!

I'm leaning really heavily towards the ESQ-1. I think I watched every demo on YT, including 5-6 tunes composed sole with the ESQ-1 and there's some thing really special about it. I was pretty set on the Minilogue a month ago, sold a bunch of stuff to afford it, then when I got the funds, I just couldn't commit. It seems pretty incredible, but 4 poly..... I really need something that can have big "evolving" pads. That's where the ESQ-1 trumps for me. 8 voice poly and I think 8 level multitimbral. I think the days of regular $200 DX-7's SY77's are just about here with the analog revival, and I think at this point they would discourage me more than help me progress in synthesis.

A Minilogue would be sweet, but I don't think they are going anywhere quite yet.

I've had a few synth modules and found then largely uninspiring, I think it's largely a knowledge of synthesis and maturity issue.

Will look into the others mentioned.

The ESQ-1 would be paired with my Roland DEP-5 and RE-150

[01010111]

One thing people don't talk about much with the minilogue is that you can send midi signals with the keyboard while the sequencer plays the internal synth. I'm trying to decide what kind of synth I want to try and pair it with...

[popvulture]

I'll chime in about the Organelle and say that 1. I know it's awesome and has tons of potential, BUT 2. being an owner I can say that it requires a good bit of commitment to really get your money's worth. The patches that come with it are pretty cool, but the Pure Data capability is really where the fun lies. That said, it's a pretty intense program that's not easy to just dive into... the tutorials I've found have been discouraging to say the least. I've had tons of fun playing with programs like Reaktor and Audiomulch, both of which are pretty intuitive, but so far PD has made me feel like an idiot.

So while I can't say I regret buying an Organelle, I'm bummed that I just haven't had the time at the moment to get into it, thus it kind of feels like a cool toy that could be a very awesome machine. I also wonder if other people are hitting the same kind of wall, because I'm very surprised by how few patches are being uploaded by users. I imagined there would be a lot more by now. Oh well, maybe it's a slow burn...

[Psyre]

One thing people don't talk about much with the minilogue is that you can send midi signals with the keyboard while the sequencer plays the internal synth. I'm trying to decide what kind of synth I want to try and pair it with...

Your comments have made me go back and look for any videos I haven't watched yet. This feature also seems sweet, but I only have an SH-09, so no synth I could implement along with it lol. It seems like such a great machine, but every "pad" demo has left me with a feeling of "This is as close as it can get to pads?" Effects could certainly help with that though, I'd imagine. I want to like it, and I REALLY wish I could find a store with one to get my hands on it, but I just don't think it's quite intended for what I'm craving. It would be one hell of a lead machine, but I feel like I already have leads and melodies taken care of with my SH-09 and Guitar.

I was so close to pulling the trigger, had my payment info and everything filled in, then something told me to give some Michigan Craigslist pages (since I'll be visiting later this week) and that's when the ESQ-1 came into the picture lol. Going to be mulling this decision over very heavily on the 15 hour drive.

[lordgalvar]

All of them are really different. You are going to be looking at drastically different workflows that are in no way similar.

[youtube]http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ncIoh2CP3Lc[/youtube]

Dude's demos are the best.

I'd get with the esq-1. It's real easy and it has some neat stuff. 299 with the ROM is a good price too (battery probably needs mod or replaced). The interface is very similar (but probably better) to modern Dave Smith synths. So if you can get along with those, this is easier in my opinion (and it sounds better). If you are looking for super wild filters, probably not there either, but complex poly sounds are. It's kind of a solid piece that can fit in a lot of places (I love mine...I sold the sh09 for it haha).

I didn't dig the minilogue really at all. I think the 4 voices can be cool, but sometimes limiting in a bad way (I'd honestly rather get an ms2000 if I'm going 4-voice korg...I think it is a better sou ding synth). Not saying it is bad or sounds bad and a lot of people love it....I just think it is one of those synths that is in between...like I could have saved the 400 and got something more special or something like that.

[youtube]http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaVU_vqaMSU[/youtube]
My friend had one and it was a blast.

The dx7 is the most powerful and flexible of them all.....but you'll be banging your head against the wall trying to program it (it's one of those things where sometimes it is easier to use other people's work). Jexus said (on his blog I think, he has demo too) it's the best sounding synth...and I believe him haha (dude is awesome) but he said programming it is like death.

I had the op-1 for quite a while...I liked it a lot but I kinda just messed around with it kinda like running a vl-1 through a pll. It's fun, but, eh, it got old. I didn't really like the workflow and the constant window switching (and I could never get the hang of the tape....but I'd probably enjoy programming a dx7 more than the average person). The synth sounds and effects got somewhat predictable (though they sounded great) in an instantly recognizable way...good and bad I guess. The tape and resampling are probably the key to it...just couldn't mesh with it. I liked the strings and that fractal kinda one but thought the pwm and VA were kinda weak.

Overall, I think it will be more of a workflow choice because they can all sound good.

[01010111]

Overall, I think it will be more of a workflow choice because they can all sound good.

This^

If you've abandoned synths in the past because they weren't inspiring, maybe go for something that's easy to program? Nothing kills inspiration for me more than trying to debug a patch while digging through a sub menus. That guy definitely has the best synth demos. He also does great little write ups and has a rating system for each of his synths. If you're looking for complex pads, then you should check out his various Blofeld demos.

The MS2000 looks great, if it really is the same synth engine as the microkorg then it has my favorite amplifier envelope on it. At the max attack setting it takes about 30 seconds to ramp all the way up.

[space6oy]

i have a shitload of synths, almost all vintage though, aside from my OP-1 and SFX-6.

i'm probably 50/50 on the OP-1 - i love it when i play with it, but i don't feel like playing with it often enough...

also i'm just not a fan of diving. why the majority of my synths & drum machines are oldies w/ plenty of sliders & knobs right in front of me.

i haven't had a DX-7 but it has a great reputation, might not be bad...

if i didn't have a single synth and wasn't worried about price or vintage i'd be going dave smith if wanting poly, korg mono. i've had a prophet 08, they're sick, i just didn't need it amongst all my oldies. i'm going to get a korg oddysey sooner or later. korg are being awesome bringing the oldies back. i'd be all over one of their MS-20 minis if i didn't already have an original.

[Psyre]

all certainly great point! A couple more points about the available ESQ-1, it has had the battery changed, but it's been a few years. That said, with the Memory Cart, I could save patches there and not freak out when the battery dies, although it's an easy replacement, so not too concerned. Also it is the later Plastic version, but from what I've read, it's easier to work on should something happen, and also has stronger output than the metal?

I think esq-1 now and a DX-7 when ones pops up in the $300 range is the best route. Let's see if dude holds it like he said he would...

[oscillateur]

Buying an old knobless synth these days when there are so many other options seems weird to me...

As mentioned above, workflow is important and if you plan on programming the thing, consider this seriously.