First synth?! Psyched & scared, help me out...

[coldbrightsunlight]

I had a microbrute for a while and can definitely recommend that too. I know some people don't love the filter but personally I think it sounds great and it's a solid instrument. Obviously somewhat limited in terms of just being one monophonic synth voice. But it's a pretty good synth voice.

[TheStevenLasombras]

Yeah, the microfreak was one of the first ones that caught my eye....But is that keyboard at all annoying? It's not like I'm a piano player, but I don't know...I was looking at the microbrute and monologue because they at least have actual mini keys, and cost a bit less. Don't knock it till I tried it?

It takes some getting used to, but the ability to fine-tune Pressure sensitivity and to assign that to the synth’s parameters is extremely good. I’ve mainly used it for subtle pitch bends, and I really dig it. But yeah, it’s a different enough feel from regular keys, probably better to try it out first.

[Psyre]

My wife upgraded from a few volcas to a digitakt about 2 years ago and liked it enough that 6 months ago when I decided to let go of my digitone, she took it as well. They are really immediate, much more so than the larger box elektrons I use/used. Sound quality is really nice, but very sleek/clean/polished sounding. In a good way though, imo, a good type of digital aesthetic.
Digitakt is more than a groove box, it's also an 8 voice subtractive style synth where each voice can be a different waveform/sample and have it's own sequence. I guess that is still a "groove box" though lol

I think elektron stuff is best pursued if you are looking to commit to 1-2 pieces. The digis are capable of minimal tracks on their own and a lot of performance capabilities. Only other thing mentioned that is capable of a multipart track on it's own is circuit, but I wasn't very impressed with the synth sound when my collaborator had one. I'm also not crazy about grid controllers under 128 steps.

None of my crew dug the sound if the minilogue, but the monologue is really a stellar mono synth imo. If you are just looking to get a feel for synthesis, it's hard to go wrong with it. I think I paid $180 for a new gold one sold as a b-stock. It has a lot of nice features that give it prolonged usability (microtuning, motion sequencing, really jammable sequencer). Would make a good pallette for sampling down the road as well. It can do noisy/glitchy rhythmn's via motion sequencing and has a really impressive sub range.

There's also the bass station ii, but I've never used one.

[frigid midget]

Thanks!

In my search for an affordable Digitakt on my local used market...I ended up with an OP-1
The general consensus on the OP-1: awesome piece of kit. But people go apeshit over it cause of the intiutive work flow, the form factor, and portability...Dispite the fact that a similarly priced Elektron is way more powerful and versatile, and just offers better connectivity and overal sound quality.

I'm paying less for it than what it'll fetch me if I do decide to replace it with something else though, so it just seemed like an opportunity to try it out while I try to learn the basics of Ableton Live Lite. Which is a pain, so far :/

Logic is also still on its way, long story.

Pretty sure I'll end up with a Monologue too sooner or later, they're just too cheap used/b-stock to resist.

[fcknoise]

OP-1 is super excellent. I think it will serve you very well. It isn't optimized for learning ~~~~synthesis~~~~ as such, but it does everything you asked to do from a synth. I can feel that it lacks some feels that you can get from an analog synth (or I suppose, an analog modelling synth), but a monolouge or whatever at some other point will fit you perfectly

[coldbrightsunlight]

Hope-e-1 you enjoy the OP-1

[D.o.S.]

I suspect you will very much enjoy your OP-1

[frigid midget]

Cheers guys. Based on the specs, and on the countless demos and clips I checked. The OP-1 is build specifically for me, like the TE team looked into my background, practical home situation, my taste in music,..

The only reason I've been so reluctant is obviously the price tag, like I menioned before. But it seems like the perfect way to take my first steps, should be fun and inspiring. Can't think of a lot of better ways to get through this quarantined winter

[fcknoise]

Yeah, the OP-1 can make music in so many different ways. You can record straight into it and use the 4 track for whatever you want. A mini-daw but super easy to use.