Spiraling Down the Synth Rabbit Hole

[Ghost Hip]

Alright, I need to make this thread to organize my thoughts. I will probably be answer my own questions. But please point me towards any builders/devices I have overlooked that align with what I am trying to do. You can get an idea on my budget by what I am currently looking at. Also, any youtube demo channels that focus on noisy, aggressive, and weird tones. To be expected, but sorting through all the EDM and Ambient demo videos is tiring.

I want to make a three piece set up comprised of an analog drum machine, an analog synth unit I can sequence, and an organelle for polyphony/everything else. I am also working with Ableton for DAW. Oh and since this is ILF I feel the need to say I DON'T WANT TO GO FULL MODULAR.

Shit that gets me FIRED UP about making music with machines: Curve (I fucking love Curve), PEACHES, Daft Punk's Homework album, LCD Soundsystem, NIN's Broken, the FEZ video game soundtrack, Radiohead's Kid A, and while these influences don't directly apply to what I want to do with this equipment, I really dig Shlomo, J Dilla, Madlib, Ras G beats as well. And DUH, you know I dig all the electronic shit Billy was doing between Aeroplane Flies High and Machina II.

Things I am definitely getting/already have:
- Have a Roland SP202 (thanks iamthesnow) which I am sure I can find a use for in this excursion.
- Have a Digdugdiy Ends and Oceans which really started this trip down the rabbit hole.
- Have an iPad and Alesis interface
- Getting a Korg SQ1 for sequencing.
- Roland GO Mixer for recording videos with my phone and as a simple headphone mixer if needed.
- Organelle. Had one before, need it again.

DRUMS
- Akai Rhythm Wolf: Played with this at work all the time. I like that it is simple/less is more, I can instantly build beats, and with the built in bass synth and filter I can conjure up all sorts of Homework squeels and noise. Also super affordable.
- Arturia Drum Brute: Probably better in the long run but more of a learning curve in the beginning. Doesn't have a bass synth that can make weird squeels and gnarly sounds built in. More expensive.
Others: I have looked at the Korg Volca Beats/Kick, Roland TR09 and Aria series, and they just don't grab me for what I want to do.

SYNTHS
- Make Noise 0 Coast: This is at the top of my list. I like that it is table top, semi-modular, and I dig all the weird and gnarly sounds it can do. A lot of similar SEMI-MOD synths seem too traditional sounding to me and this one seems like it would take me where I want to go with this set up. Not relying on the typical cutoff/resonance to change tone seems to set this apart from everything else.
- Korg MS-20: Semi-modular with a built in mini keyboard. Much bigger than anything else I am looking at, but probably the most flexible. I tend to be less creative with more options available to me which is why I am leaning away from it.
- Moog Mother 32: Built in sequencer, sounds like FEZ soundtrack. It could lead me down a path of monotony in the sense that it is Moog and a staple in electronic music.
Others: I have checked out the Dreadbox Erebus and NYX but they seem too close to EDM/not aggressive enough for my tastes. I have wanted a Minilogue in the past but it doesn't appeal to me anymore. Volca series seems like something to add on in the future if needed. I have thought about an OP-1 but again, when presented with too many options my creative workflow shuts down. Minitaur bores me.

Things I have already owned:
- Korg Volca Beats, Bass, and Keys: I liked the Bass, but I got these all at once and ended up being overwhelmed.
- Arturia Microbrute: Pretty cool. Used it mostly for Bass lines. Hated the sequencer.
- Roland JDXi: Just too much packed into one unit. I really miss one patch that i think is just called psychedelic in the pads section, but meh to the rest of it.
- Organelle: Loved it. Should've kept it. Getting it again soon.
- Microkorg XL: Liked how easy it was to select a preset and go. Everything else was pretty normal/too many options again.

[actual]

I'd take a look at the Analogue Solutions Telemark v2. It's pretty classic/"vintage" sounding, along the lines of a SEM, and semi-modular. KARP Odyssey is also good for dirtier sounds.
They'll only sound like EDM if you want 'em to

[rfurtkamp]

Don't discount the Roland System-1, especially if you can "acquire" the plugouts from the Internets.

[actual]

I want to add that, the majority of dirty sounds on Homework is a Metal Zone. Like the squealing sound on Rollin' and Scratchin' is a Juno 106 into an MT-2. A lot of LCD's sounds are also just straightforward stuff like SH-101 and MicroKorg.

[Ghost Hip]

They'll only sound like EDM if you want 'em to

I want to add that, the majority of dirty sounds on Homework is a Metal Zone. Like the squealing sound on Rollin' and Scratchin' is a Juno 106 into an MT-2. A lot of LCD's sounds are also just straightforward stuff like SH-101 and MicroKorg.

That makes sense! While I could use pedals to tweak something like the Dreadbox boxes, if a synth gets closer to the results I want on its own, seems more efficient to get that synth. I am trying to steer away from certain pieces of equipment more because of workflow than sound. Navigating a Microkorg irritates me. Even the XL ended up being a pain with all the internal menus to tweak parameters. I want all my controls up top to tweak!

Don't discount the Roland System-1, especially if you can "acquire" the plugouts from the Internets.

I will take a look at that one!

[oscillateur]

If you want potentially weird/harsh/agressive sounds, a synth with wavetables could be a good fit.
If you have the occasion try to check the Waldorf Blofeld, for example...

[Ghost Hip]

If you want potentially weird/harsh/agressive sounds, a synth with wavetables could be a good fit.
If you have the occasion try to check the Waldorf Blofeld, for example...

I definitely want this, maybe not right now, but later this would be super cool!

[Ev_O)))]

Roland and SE have joined forces in a minimoog clone...

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYLloIcu7us[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCGsMjx1inM[/youtube]




$500 USD. Great starting point.

[resincum]

had a JP-08 and it was amazing. does harsh or soft. sometimes I wish I kept it instead of 'going modular' you can find em at good deals if you keep a look out

edit: didn't realize you only wanted analong.. I have a Pittsburgh SV-1 and it is FAT and WARM and everything else you want from 'analog'. jp-08 nails all that shit too tho. with no warm up time

[Jwar]

I got to ask this, why analog? It seems so much more limiting than DSP based effects and from what I've heard/seen there's is very little difference other than DSP has way more options available. Your ears will not be able to tell the difference in most cases. I know people say that shit, but god damn it, some of them are just full of shit. Digital yo! DIGITAL!

For cool shit, I'd look at Metaxsonix used. They crush things hard. So whatever you feed it, it will decimate.

I don't have a ton of experience in synths other than what I've heard that sounds good. I've avoided this rabbit hole on purpose as it would take me away from playing my instrument. Though the Folktek stuff is tight as fuck and I have one of their systems coming soonish. Sooooooooo....yea.....

You still going to play guitar right? These threads depress me sometimes. It makes me feel like everyone is losing interest in their primary instruments.

However, more power to you. You're braver than me! LOL!

[actual]

Cause most digital synths, mainly virtual analogs, suck tiny plastic dicks. At least that's how they sound. And yes, you can definitely tell the difference. Just gotta know what to listen for/have listened to enough synth music. There are some digital synths that employ their own character, synths like Access Virus, the Waldorf's and other wavetable synths like the various Ensoniqs, phase distortion based synths like the Casio CZ, FM synths and throwbacks like JD-800. A thing about digital synths though, is that they often lack the hands-on 'one-knob-per-function' interface.

Roland Minimoog: fml. SE have done several takes on the Minimoog in the past, wonder if this is just a rehash? Cause that wouldn't be bad at all.

[popvulture]

You can most certainly tell the difference between digital and analog synths, and of course you can hear the differences in quality/fatness/awesomeness among cheap vs expensive analog synths. I was just in the studio with my Minilogue and my vintage Juno 60... they both sound really cool and have plenty of pros and cons, but on sheer beauty alone, the Juno absolutely destroys the Minilogue.

I couldn't get into the Organelle, sold mine. It's got the potential to be such a cool, powerful little box, but frankly I just didn't have the time or attention span to learn PureData.

[Ghost Hip]

I got to ask this, why analog? It seems so much more limiting than DSP based effects and from what I've heard/seen there's is very little difference other than DSP has way more options available. Your ears will not be able to tell the difference in most cases. I know people say that shit, but god damn it, some of them are just full of shit. Digital yo! DIGITAL!

A thing about digital synths though, is that they often lack the hands-on 'one-knob-per-function' interface.

Thisssss.

Digital synth interfaces where one knob could affect any number of parameters depending on what mode/screen/page you are on simply confuse me and keep me from making music. It's like playing with a Line 6 HD500 or Helix versus individual pedals like most of us do.

And I am not against digital by any means, I have had and will get an Organelle again. Most of its patches people have designed are relatively simple to use. I use digital delays, pitch shifters, and reverbs regularly. It's usually easier to make an analog signal sound digital than making a digital sound analog.

Also as an artist I think it will be easier to create a cohesive set of songs/sounds with three pieces of relatively limited devices than massively flexible ones.

[reckon luck]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCGsMjx1inM[/youtube]

Oof, this sounds really good. Wish I could compare it side by side with my Monologue.

[01010111]

I got to ask this, why analog? It seems so much more limiting than DSP based effects and from what I've heard/seen there's is very little difference other than DSP has way more options available. Your ears will not be able to tell the difference in most cases. I know people say that shit, but god damn it, some of them are just full of shit. Digital yo! DIGITAL!

A thing about digital synths though, is that they often lack the hands-on 'one-knob-per-function' interface.

Thisssss.

egg-xactly. Digital stuff can do anything except have a consistently easy to use interface. Even the Volca FM's annoying to use because so many parameters are hidden in the dozens of sub menus. Unless you have the patience of a monk, you either get the presets, or some weird clangy version of them.