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So been looking at new synths for a few months. Wife said she would get me one for Christmas but it has to be under 300. Really like the minilouge but that's outta the price range and the only other one I am looking at is the microbrute. Really like the idea of analog and hate the micro korg. Open to suggestions please

Boardweevil?

more serious answer: why not the Monologue?
http://www.korg.com/us/products/synthesizers/monologue/

Everyone has a MicroBrute, but that's because it's killer, not merely cheap. But as others have mentioned, the new Korg monologue is bringing this game to the next level, so probably go for that! Or wait until everyone flips their MicroBrutes after they get a monologue for Christmas and pick one up for cheap.

There's also the old Alesis Micron which is getting less desirable as the market fills with cheap little synths, but it's actually a very cool little keyboard. It's digital, but unlike the MicroKorg it isn't trying to do all of the work for you, so you'll still do a good bit of programming (which is a plus in my books).

Korg Monotribe is one of my favorites, just impossible to not get a groove on...and synching two together Plus there are well documented simple mods you can perform including midi if the ribbon isn't your style. If REALLY sounds great.
example info on midi mod
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Korg-Monotribe- ... 0977363921

cosign the monotribe but I think he's looking for 'new' synths (current production).

D.o.S. wrote:cosign the monotribe but I think he's looking for 'new' synths (current production).

oh. yeah that's a bummer they discontinued the monotibe. I wasn't particularly impressed or probably just didnt' spent enough time with the volca that followed. but on the bright side the Volca turned out to be the perfect gifts for my niece and nephews to turn them onto synthesis.

The Roland Boutique JU-06 and JX-03 are both $299 and if you want to try snatching used you might be able to get the JP-08 under $300

Bartimaeus wrote:Everyone has a MicroBrute, but that's because it's killer, not merely cheap.

This only reminds me I still want a MicroKorg so badly.

Minibrute. You should be able to find one around 3 hunna. Despite being a 1osc synth, you can really get a wide array of toans from it. - cutting leads, real deep rumbling bass, nice fx and so on. The sequencer on the SE is a nice feature and you can store 6 patterns with it, and it's got swing. Most synths these days have ext. in, but it's really nice on the Minibrute, as the filter has a on of character as is multimode (lp, band, hp and notch) + the brutefactor. I use this quite often with my Minilogue, as the filter on that one is pretty bland, lacks character and is lp only. The minibrute shortcomings are that percussive short decay moog bass with the short attack on filter env and ms-20 like flutes and stuff. Other than that, it's a proper good synth, especially paired with a couple of pedals.

I've owned an Akai Miniak which is exactly the same as the Micron (Akai and Alesis got the same parent company for those who don't know), and I can say that, while being extremely versatile; 3oscs, plenty of modulation, fx, a shitton of filters including formant, I sold it because the sound itself lacks depth, to me at least. You can get it sounding good some post processing, but what's the fun in that? You might like it and it is a good synth and a bunch of doods keep the Ion on stands along really high end synths, so there must be something to it. It just didn't do it for me, but if this is a case of "recommend me a good starter synth", then it might just fit the bill.

Other candidates that are sub 300, but I have no experience with
Analog: Korg Monologue, Microbrute, the Volcas (could get 2 of these for 300$), Alpha Juno 1 or 2 (used, if you're lucky), Novation Bass Station (either version, used)
VA/Digital: Roland JU-06/JX-03 (maybe JP-08 used), Waldorf Blofeld module (used), Novation Xiosynth, K-Station and X-station (got a Xiosynth, really digital sounding but in the good way, has arp and gate and touchpad and bunch of fx n shit), Teenage Engineering Pocket series, Novation Mininova (used)

There are definitely a bunch of other nice synths that I can't think of right now, I'll add them when they come to mind.

ramonovski wrote:

Bartimaeus wrote:Everyone has a MicroBrute, but that's because it's killer, not merely cheap.

This only reminds me I still want a MicroKorg so badly.

Should be able to grab one of these under $300? I feel like I traded a $200 pedal for mine...
ALSO - far more versatile than any other synth mentioned so far. It takes some doing, but if you enjoy tweaking sounds the microkorg will never be obsolete. A friend of mine completely overhauled the patches on his to make it a completely insane IDM/noise synth. I know people poo-poo it because of it's cheesy presets and "everywhere, all the time" popularity with NOOBS, but mark my words, that fucker is going to be a classic.

Also if you like robot voices - vocoder.

I have a microbrute. It's pretty fun. I honestly don't think I would have more fun with a minilogue.

ALSO YOU GUYS
Korg has a fucking sound editor for the microkorg. A graphical user goddamn interface for making new patches on your god damn microkorg.

Srsly, get on it.

you're not my real dad

aen wrote:

ramonovski wrote:

Bartimaeus wrote:Everyone has a MicroBrute, but that's because it's killer, not merely cheap.

This only reminds me I still want a MicroKorg so badly.

Should be able to grab one of these under $300? I feel like I traded a $200 pedal for mine...
ALSO - far more versatile than any other synth mentioned so far. It takes some doing, but if you enjoy tweaking sounds the microkorg will never be obsolete. A friend of mine completely overhauled the patches on his to make it a completely insane IDM/noise synth. I know people poo-poo it because of it's cheesy presets and "everywhere, all the time" popularity with NOOBS, but mark my words, that fucker is going to be a classic.

Also if you like robot voices - vocoder.

The MicroKorg already is a classic bruh, and it gets lots of credz for it's vocoder, but to me it will always be a no-go due to everyone and their moms having one. TRY SOMETHING ELSE. Also, the Miniak/Micron is far more versatile than the MicroKorg (3osc vs 2, 3envs vs 2, 2 filters vs 1, 20 filter types vs 4, 8 voices vs 4, etc).

ALSO HI AEN UR FUNNY

JonnyAngle wrote:I have a microbrute. It's pretty fun. I honestly don't think I would have more fun with a minilogue.

I've had both and I can honestly say that this is true. If they released a module version for $200 I'd definitely snatch one up to pair with my minilogue.