Let's see your KEYS/SYNTHS!

[bigchiefbc]

We had a cool jam session last night, so I figured I'd snap some pics. Crappy cellphone pics, so sorry about the quality. This is just our synth equipment, as last night was an arranging night, not a writing night. When writing, I usually run stuff through a ton of pedals too, which I didn't have with me this time.

Access Virus Kb - incredible synth, amazing for darker tones and chord work


Korg Triton Rack - awesome orchestral patches, great for backdrops
Clavia Nord Lead 2 Rack - IMHO the best lead synth (other than maybe the Moogs) in the fricken world.


Behringer Xenyx 12 channel mixer - does what it does, mixers are the one product that Behringer really does right
Alesis SR-16 - does very good real-er sounding drums
Korg Electribe EM-1 - does all of our blippy-bloopy fake drum sounds


Yamaha P-60 - Full 88-key weighted keyboard. I do most of my playing/writing on this, and it has the best grand piano sound I've ever heard on a keyboard.

[jrmy]

Virus + Nord FTFW!!!!!

[oinkbanana]

nord lead 2x
keeps me happy.

now to find a foot controller to switch the slots on & off... i'm a midi ignoramus.

[daydreamer]

If i got a synth (like a microkorg or Alesis Micron) could i plug it into a guitar amp or would i end up having to buy a keyboard amp or pa?

[smile_man]

If i got a synth (like a microkorg or Alesis Micron) could i plug it into a guitar amp or would i end up having to buy a keyboard amp or pa?

Through personal experience, no.

[bigchiefbc]

Synths typically run at line level, so they would probably be too hot a signal for your guitar amp's pre section. However, you could probably get away with running your synth into the return if you have an effects loop. That's what I do when I run synths through my bass amp.

[daydreamer]

what would be a decent, cheap keyboard amp to get?

[Blurillaz]

what would be a decent, cheap keyboard amp to get?

Musictoyz has a 15 watt Vox Pathfinder for $99, it's what my friend uses and it's pretty good.

[Gilmourish]

thought this would be the best place to ask, has anyone ever played around with a yamaha pss-380? i asked this band what drum machine they used and they were using one of these keyboards and it sound bloody awesome!

[Ironbird13]

heres my keyboard ...

its just some noname thing, only cost me $18NZ (less than $10US ) sounds crap on its own but can get some out of it shit happening when running it through my pedalboard,
results can be heard ...
http://www.myspace.com/thecyborgancient

[smile_man]

Small Yamaha/Casios SLAY when run through a Glitch Computer.

[daydreamer]

what's the general consensus on the Alesis Micron as a starting synth?

[Blurillaz]

what's the general consensus on the Alesis Micron as a starting synth?

Go for it.

[my bloody television]

what's the general consensus on the Alesis Micron as a starting synth?

I usually compare this to the microkorg and if I HAD to choose between the two I'd probably go with the microkorg

here's why:
While the big keys on the Micron are a definite plus, patch changing is a complete deal breaker. You basically just have that one big knob on top to change between patches. To me, I find the microkorg's patch changing much better...at least more options for changing on the fly. You can always get used to the small keys.

Then again, if you're not worried about making patch changes on the fly, the Micron may be a better bet. The bigger keys again are nice to have in such a small package and it does sound stellar.

[smile_man]

what's the general consensus on the Alesis Micron as a starting synth?

I usually compare this to the microkorg and if I HAD to choose between the two I'd probably go with the microkorg

here's why:
While the big keys on the Micron are a definite plus, patch changing is a complete deal breaker. You basically just have that one big knob on top to change between patches. To me, I find the microkorg's patch changing much better...at least more options for changing on the fly. You can always get used to the small keys.

Then again, if you're not worried about making patch changes on the fly, the Micron may be a better bet. The bigger keys again are nice to have in such a small package and it does sound stellar.

Patch changing would be easier on the Microkorg, but you use the keys on the Micron as shortcuts, it's not all with the control knob.