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If you want a Volca to get organ-drone sounds, the FM is better I think. I've got both and love this type of sounds so I've used them for this. The FM is actually not that hard to navigate as the "macro" envelopes +algorithm selection can allow you to easily tweak/create patches. Both Volcas are not great for actual playing though, the small keyboard is cute but it has limitations. But you can plug any MIDI keyboard if needed.

And as said above, a cheap keyboard with a few effect pedals can do wonders too. It's different though, but can be efficient. My Reface YC actually replaced the Casio SK1 I'd been using for organ-type sounds for ages.

worra wrote:1) I love this thread and I'm subbing
2) You all are awesome

might sound stupid but would a Mother-32 be able to do that kind of stuff (long sustaining notes/chords) ? (kind of organ sounding through the whole song and that more ''bassier'' sound that kicks in at 2:35) I almost only find videos with a more electro/house song structure.. like beboobebaboubeba ....
...and yeah I really dig Rancho Relaxo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQ5JRxmXyMQ (dunno how to actually put the video in here)

also can you hold a note on the pad like on a synth ? (can you EEEEEEEEEEEE AAAAAAAAA, instead of E A) haha

All synths should be able to do that. It's part of the envelope generator - seen as ADSR (or sometimes ASR). You can make long Attacks to simulate strings or short Sustains to stimulate plucks.

Yeah I think you should be able to hunt down something like a MiniBrute or a Monologue in a store in Montreal, definitely worth poking around those (and others) if you can to get a hands on sense of what you're able to do with a given synth interface. Try like 3 or 4 and keep mental notes on the pros and cons, rather than just ogling them online and going by spec.

From there a lot of it comes down to personal preference (size of keys, presence of keys, what sorts of options you want, etc.) which isn't really something we can help you with.

JTurbide wrote:might sound stupid but would a Mother-32 be able to do that kind of stuff (long sustaining notes/chords) ?

You can program a 1-note sequence and then adjust the tempo in order to achieve either a faster, stutter-like rhythm, or slow it down for a more deliberate and reduced pace. The Mother 32 has a Hold / Rest button for sustaining a note or inserting breaks into a longer sequence as well. On many more expensive synths, you'll often find a hold function, which will allow you to sustain a note while you adjust the filters, resonance, and LFO manually.

A sequencer seems like a weird place to start in synthesis to me, since you won't have polyphony or a traditional keyboard, and the more advanced features of the Mother 32 will be over your head initially, but it's not written in stone that you have to start with a budget synth.

With a Mother 32, you're going to have a better sound engine than essentially anything in the $0-600 range, but it's going to be somewhat naked on its own, without a supporting cast of other MIDI modules to trigger. If I was buying for someone else, I'd get them a keyboard and a reverb/delay pedal.

Based on your YouTube shares, it seems like your chief focus is on organ-like textures. For that, I would get a thrift store/pawn shop keyboard and then run it into a Ditto. With a budget of under $200, you could do plenty of Eno-inspired ambient stuff, as well as psychedelic organ loops. Most keyboards in the $50-200 range can do a convincing organ sound and with a reverb and a looper, you're on your way to making pads and atmospheric waves.

You guys already helped me alot

I might change my mind but right now I'm thinking mother-32 and cheap poly synth like Critter & Guitari Pocket Piano, arturia keylab or some goodwill/kijiji casio. (I would start with moog and get something with keys cheap when I get a little more money...cause I'm broke AF)

Or do the other way around and start with cheap keyboard and go moog after. Does any keyboard can run into a mother 32 or does it have to be MIDI ? (thinking of pocket piano for example)

A great big bushy beard!

JTurbide wrote:Does any keyboard can go into a mother 32 or does it have to be MIDI ? (thinking of pocket piano for example)

MIDI is a universal connectivity system. You can't control a Yamaha with a Korg, or a Roland with a Moog, unless you have a shared language so to speak (with modular systems, you can interact through CV). MIDI is just a digital interface for allowing gear to speak to each other, as it were.

Also, a tremolo is a good first pedal for a synth rig. This is just a typical budget, run-of-the-mill FM organ bank processed through trem and delay.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzYOsbRo-uk[/youtube]

echorec wrote:

JTurbide wrote:Does any keyboard can go into a mother 32 or does it have to be MIDI ? (thinking of pocket piano for example)

MIDI is a universal connectivity system. You can't control a Yamaha with a Korg, or a Roland with a Moog, unless you have a shared language so to speak (with modular systems, you can interact through CV). MIDI is just a digital interface for allowing gear to speak to each other, as it were.

Also, a tremolo is a good first pedal for a synth rig. This is just a typical budget, run-of-the-mill FM organ bank processed through trem and delay.

Ok so it needs MIDI.

I have a TR-2 that I wanted to sell but I might keep it now

Yes, keep that TR-2, but also get another tremolo, and then another one, because tremolo3.

Hey man....over on TGP I saw a Mother 32 in the "other instruments" thread for less than $500. You may want to check that out.

raj007 wrote:Hey man....over on TGP I saw a Mother 32 in the "other instruments" thread for less than $500. You may want to check that out.

thanks but I'm in Canada and the guy in in the US so with customs and shipping it would probably not be that good of a deal..

I'm not sure the Mother32 would be that good unless you plan on getting a modular to complement it. Which means many monies and more time spent on obsessing over modules than actually playing with them

And I definitely think you want polyphony. I mean, from the things you mentioned. A Korg Minilogue is about the same price as a Mother32 and would probably be a better choice for you.
If you're just after cool organ sounds, get a cheap casio or something that has this type of sounds and plug a few pedals after it (tremolo, phaser, chorus, overdrive, delay, reverb all work great for this).

Most of the things that are getting described here as essential and requiring extra pedals or whatnot are already in the System 1, just saying.

Can modulate/envelope control all the things, has a hold feature, has a built-in delay/verb/bitcrush, etc.

I've gotten 70s synth organ out of it easily as well.

But move along, ILF hates Roland.