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Hi all,

Happy to be back after wiping my comp and not being able to log in (thanks to Tom for sorting it out super quick!). I've recently sold my drumkit and a random assortment of guitar-related gear and invested in a solid laptop running Machine and Ableton Suite 9. I have a Maschine, Nord Drum 2, and Push for controllers. Soft-synths seem like a good idea (the Arturia V collection especially) but I've always been a fan of outboard gear (since owning a TR-808 some years ago). I managed to get great deals on both a Roland RS-101 and Elektron Analog Four and I've been thinking about adding one more hardware synth to round things out. Originally I was looking at a Moog Minitaur or even Sub Phatty but bumped into a Roland SH-1000 in a local shop and loved it. I see Kenton offers a CV/Gate upgrade so I could (presumably) sequence it with the Analog Four (or potentially play it with the Push using the Analog Four as MIDI-to-CV).

So, realistically, with Ableton/Push, Roland RS-101 string machine, Elektron Analog Four all at the ready - would you recommend one of the Moog synths or a CV/Gate modded Roland SH-1000?

(FYI the point about not being a synth player means I will not be ripping any Yes-style solos - I'm looking for sequenced basslines, pads, melodic lines, etc)

I would go for a Moog if baselines are most important. The Roland SH-1000 is cool but I don't think it would make a great workhorse. It is over 40 years old and unless it has recently been serviced, there is potential for disaster.

What is your budget?

Deltaphoenix wrote:I would go for a Moog if baselines are most important. The Roland SH-1000 is cool but I don't think it would make a great workhorse. It is over 40 years old and unless it has recently been serviced, there is potential for disaster.

What is your budget?

Well it look like the RS-101 fell through which, combined with what the SH-1000 would cost, frees up $900. I have a line on a Sub Phatty for just over $600, if I want it, but I've never been the greatest with keys + mono (in my mind it's almost better to sequence a Minitaur than pay a Sub Phatty). I've looked at a Juno as well (sounds good, not sure if I'm jazzed o it) and an Oberheim OB12 (less jazzed than the Juno) and even a Sub 37 (like the paraphonic option although with the Elektron limited to 4 voices I'd still only be at 6 total).

The more I delve into the world of hardware synths, especially those with keys associated, the more I wonder if it's even the right direction...

Check out the Waldorf Pulse 2. It can do sweet Mono Bass and Leads but it also has a Paraphonic mode (8 Voices) which get into Pad land. It doesn't really take a lot of voices for pads, add Reverb (Eventide or Strymon or Plug In).
Ultimately, you already have Ableton and Push, you could do total productions with those two. Hardware is about workflow, fun and sound ultimately. Ableton will have more voices. Maybe get an Access Virus B or C module and sequence them with Midi. They have a lot of voices for big pads and they are multi-timbral as well.

I'd try to hone in on what you're trying to do (live, record, jam with friends) before making a decision. I've bought in the last year:
jp8000, little phatty s2, roland mc202 (I suffer from serious GAS and did actually sell a bunch of crapolla before I bought these!). The mc202 is very rewarding to record aphex twin stuff on, but it would be utterly useless if I brought it out with other people around. I have jammed with the jp8000, and it's great for that but not as hot for recording straight to tape, as I do, without amping and mic'ing it, or otherwise doctoring it up. The Moog somewhere in the middle, but it's a mono synth and I'm neither a monster keys player nor a synthesis expert (though I've been trying to spin the knobs an hour a night and am starting to author some tasty patches).

If you can afford a Moog to work into your Ableton setup, assuming youre planning to record at home, you'd be getting a ton of "Ableton instruments can't do this" type sounds.

What are you using the a4 for?

Ha, "for four".

"Do do"

doodoo.

I feel strongly that the sounds you seek are contained within the A4. Have you maxed every track or something? Do you just want actual keys?

Joking aside, roland jd800 and a blisslight.

keenan wrote:If you can afford a Moog to work into your Ableton setup, assuming youre planning to record at home, you'd be getting a ton of "Ableton instruments can't do this" type sounds.

Noted - always wanted a Moog even if I'm not able to do it complete justice, ha.

technicoloraudio wrote:What are you using the a4 for?

Ha, "for four".

"Do do"

doodoo.

I feel strongly that the sounds you seek are contained within the A4. Have you maxed every track or something? Do you just want actual keys?

You may be right - I've started delving into it more and it's almost killed my desire for another external synth. Yay forum!