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I've been searching around the net for a keyboard/synth that will meet my needs, that being merely price range. I've been thinking the Yamaha CS2X or the Yamaha SY22, anyone have experience with either of these or suggestions on other makes/models? Im going to buy from ebay, so my highest price would probably be around 300, so that would be list price of around 700-800. thx :) |
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CS2X!!!!! The CS1X rules so the upgraded one must rule. IT HAS TO!!!!!!!! |
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yeah thats what I thought, I've heard such great things about both the CS2x and the CS1X... The CS2X is definately what I would want the most, dont know if I'll be able to get it tho, but yeah. |
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cmon u bums, i know theres a lot more electronic musicians out there than just weakling child! I need feedback! :) |
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Why don't you forget a modern digital synth like that and get something truly tweakable, like a Roland Juno 106. You can pick one up second-hand for around £400, probably even £300 if you shop around. The 106 has MIDI capabilities, so you can use it as a controller keyboard, sequence it, etc. But it's a true analogue beast, and (in my opinion) a MUCH better synth than the CS2X. My mate had a CS1X - it's quite a nice synth, but it's all just PCM waveform stuff and it doesn't sound all that amazing. Any sound you can produce on a CS1/2X you can definitely reproduce on a computer. That's the thing about modern digital synths - you can do it all on a computer. And they're usually really hard to program. The Juno on the other hand is extremely versatile, VERY easy to program, and sounds brilliant. I used to have a Juno 60 and I wish I still had it. If monophonic sound doesn't bother you, I'd also consider a Korg MS20. For further information on synths and stuff, go to www.vintagesynth.com |
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Good site that, really factual and good opinions It really depends what kind of music you want to do, CSX Range is like for Dance (sometimes commercial stuff) but for example i recently got a Roland XP-30 (which i LOVE) and that was £700 and it has 1500+ sounds on it that cater for anyhting from hard drum and bass to sothing acoustic or african tribal beats but give Vintage Synth's 'Synth Finder' a whirl |
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Just checked on ebay.com for you - 106s seem to be going for $300 - $500 I would seriously reconsider on the CS1/2X thing though. For the same money you could definitely get a much more interesting synthesiser. |
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If you want to sound like a piano or other real instruments the CS2x might be a good choice, it can also do electronic sounds but not as good as a VA synth or a real analogue. If you want good electronic sounds you could try the An1x. |
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Laserbreak's right - if you want piano's, etc, then the CS might be a good bet (but there are plenty of Softsynths that can do that). The AN1X might be a good choice, although some say that it is a bitch to programme (never used one myself). |
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The roland JV1010 sound module with controller keyboard. It has alot of instruments plus snyth sounds. It even has its own internal effects. You can use the module with a computer to adjust more details. You can also buy more sounds you just insert a card into the top of the sound module and you have a whole new bank of sounds. Its $399 plus a controller keyboard. |
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Waldorf Q |
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I wouldn't bother iwth a cs1x or 2x, i've got a 1x and it's pretty shit, I only ever use it as a controller keyboard. If you really want a hardware synth then get a proper one, not a Rompler, everyone i've known whose got one has always been trying to sell theirs. The CsXX's are far too dance orientated FM synths are very versatile and cheap. Also, I wouldn't bother with ebay because the prices often get hiked FAR higher than the stuff is worth. The Juno 106 is cool but these things break now and it's hard and expensive to get parts/them fixed. many FM synths are built like brick shithouses and I seriously think you'd get the most out of one of these if you are prepared to programme your own sounds. |
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Thanks everyone for the input.. B3n - what FM synths would you recommend? |
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Ensonique EPS is the only keyboard that ever did anything for me..I know it's not a synth..but it's one heck of a sampler sequencer..CZ1000 was my old old plaything.. |
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yamaha DX100 yamaha tx81z (module, you'd need a midi controller keyboard) yamaha tx7-dx7 in a box oh and the cs1x's midi is laughable, you can only basically get 1 decent sound playing at a time (monotimbral) |
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yeah, i was actually considering getting a tx81z since they are so cheap and then finding a midi keyboard... is the DX100 a synth/keyboard in one? |
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yes, small, or try a dx 11 or 21 (bigger) |
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Waldorf Q Waldorf Q Waldorf Q did i mention Waldorf Q? |
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££££££££££££££££££££££3333 |
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how about a dx27, know anything about that 'un? |
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dunno about that |
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You'll probably all laugh, but have you considered a midi-controller/pc/midi keyboard combo? With all the softsynths around it really is a very versatile setup... |
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well according to vintage synth, the dx27 is like a full size dx100, but they seem to think its pretty shitty. :) |
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DX11's are good but yeah, i'd get a midi controller and either a module or softsynth |
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ok, ill check out the dx11... btw, what does mono/multitimbral mean? |
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CS2x is a good choice...but I don't think of it as a REAL synth I own a AN1x and this thing is..... FUCKING AWESOME and AFFORDABLE! -8 assignable control knobs -ribbon controller (assignable) -FM synthesis -Virtual Analog synthesis -good keyboard -UNISON mode PPPHHHAAATTTT sounds -LOTS of editing possiblities -very suitable for industrial sounds -also really good in spaced out strings and pads and more more more |
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Another pair of new digital (analogue-emulating, like the AN1X) synths you might want to consider are the Korg MS2000 and the Novation KStation. |
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Korg MS2000: in future music, they said it has a good characteristic sound, more like the MS20 than like the Moogs Kstation: they say it's suitable for most things, but not for REALLy complex sounds. Still a good choice I think |
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you guys, both those synths may sound good, but their midi specs suck, the ms2k is only 6 note polyphonic and the k-station is either monophonic or monotimbral (can't remember which, either way, sucks) to answer the earlier question, monotimbral means you can only have one patch playing at a time, whereas multitimbral can have lots of patches. an analogy would be a violin vs an orchestra. polyphony is how many notes can be played at same time, ie ms2k can only play 6, which is shitty these things make cool sounds but as a first synth they aren't worth the money...you want something you can make almost a full track with and is good for a wide range of sounds. FM is ideal as long as you want electronic sounds because it can span subsonic basslines to leads |
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yeah ok, thats what I figured, thanks for all the info b3n.. I've been thinkin about the An1x, that one seems like it would suit my needs pretty well.. :) |
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Any company that makes dirt bike and Four wheelers and keyboards is a joke to me, yamaha you've got to be kiding me, just my opinion but i would never buy anything yamaha. |
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why? because they make more than 1 type of product? so if warp signed a pop artist, would you stop listening to that lable entirely? honestly, the fact that they make more than 1 type of product doesnt mean that the quality is any less, no offense but thats just fucking retarded. |
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haha, that is quite frankly one of the stupidest things I have ever read on this board (and i've read a lot of stupid things on this board) So FM Synthesis wasn't good or important because it was developed and marketed by a company that makes other products? Half the music mentioned on this board has derived from FM (mu-ziq, squarepusher, snares, devine to name some users) and it has had a massive impact on the music scene since it was first launched back in early 80's you should be giving a shit about the quality of the product and not who its made by...granted yamaha have made some shit but so have korg and roland (the mc303, what the fuck was that?!!) |
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"btw, what does mono/multitimbral mean?" mono means only one note can sound at a time multitimbral means more then one note can sound at a time, some synths can play up to 128 notes at the same time check out this site, it will really help if your looking for some info on a synth or ask the people at this site in the forum section |
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"mono means only one note can sound at a time" but what does that mean? i can only press one key at a time, and any more wont sound? i must be thinking of a different definition for note. |
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i have the rack/desktop version of the sy22, the tg33 (which is better for reasons i can't remember). it's not particularly programmable though. there seem to be four oscillators (2 fm and 2 of yamahas type of synthesis - theres a list of waveforms for each) and you can mix between sounds with a joystick. thats a pretty cool feature. you can use it for detune on the overall patch which sounds cool as well. the tg33 has no filter though, which pisses me off, but has a few fx. i haven't looked into the dx11, but mike paradinas uses one (bassline for dirtwah to name an example). i also have an ensoniq ESQ-1, which is v. cool and a lot more versatile that the tg33. its still digital though, but the filters sound pretty analogue. no effects though, so i have to put it through my bass multi fx. |
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zeph: with a monophonic synth, only one note will sound at one, so you cant play chords. if you hold one note, and press another, the synth will slide up or down to the second note (i think) |
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the k station is 16 vioce polyphonic. sounds fucking awesome too i might add. i have an a station which is bassically a rack mntd k station but only 8 vioce poly. |
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ok yeah cuz that would suck, i mean I would want to play some chords on the damn thing too, so what polyphonic would you guys recommend? 8? 10? |
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yeah theyre only good for basslines and lead lines as an extra for a setup. i don't really take notice of the polyphony, but i think todays synths have pretty big numbers. like 64 voice or something. someone else will confirm this, or proclaim my rantings as "just bollocks". |
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well I was thinking of getting an an1x by yamaha, but now that its only got 10 voice polyphony im not sure if it would be worth it. i just want something that I can play like a piano but with crazy effects and drum beats and shit. |
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looking at a list of synths, polyphony varies a lot. something like the roland jp 8080 (virtual analogue like the an1x) is 10 voice polyphonic as well. something pattern based like the mc 505 has 64. |
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well, what would you guys recommend that has a good mix of 1) good sound, 2) memory, 3) acceptable polyphony/multitimbrality (not even sure if thats a word), 4) good effects/drum beats (and hopefully as many of them as possible). |
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is it multitimbral though? i've got a bassStation and its a monosynth....but since its for basslines I don't mind |
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lol Ensoniq esq-1 all the way. |
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What are you looking for exactly? I mean, for $300 you have a lot of options available to you. However, most of the 'amazing' synthesizers retain their value for a reason, and you will have to make some compromises. 1)Good sound; what kind of sound are you looking for? Their are a lot of different goods out there, and each manufacturer seems to offer something different. 2)Memory; I take it this is patch memory you are talking about? 3)Acceptible polyphony; How much do you need? How much are you willing to sacrifice? 4a)Good effects; A lot of hardware boxes with either offer servicable effects, or no effects. I wouldn't look for good effects in your synthesizer unless you are planning on gigging with it, and even then it usually requires unfortunate menu diving to access parameters. 4b)Drum beats; that seems to be the field of consumer model casio and yamaha keyboards. If you buy something because of the drumbeats it offers, I see a lot of dissapointment in your future. ---to be continued--- |
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Some suggestions; Roland sh32; I forget the specs on polyphony, but I can tell you this synthesizer was a lot of fun to use. It had decent sound, but the filter stepped like crazy, so you can't expect smooth filter sweeps or anything like that. Yamaha SY22; I loved this keyboard. The keys felt great, it sounded good, and was a lot of fun to play. Programming was arduous at best. Oberheim Matrix 6; great sounding synthesizer. Only 6 voices, and programming was a nightmare. The rack version was easy to get ahold of. Alesis Micron/Ion; Good sound, but not amazing. Lots of features, including a step sequencer. Doesn't play well with midi (well, it plays well, but trying to edit parameter sweeps in your DAW is an exercise in masochism). Roland Alpha Juno; Someone else mentioned this here recently. I hear lots of good things about these synthesizers. Access Virus; Altho these are a bit out of your price range, if you can come across a cheaper old one that would meet all your criteria fantastically Thats what I would suggest on ebay in your price range. If I think of anything else I will add them here later. Don't fall for the microkorg trap. Hannibal; the filters in an esq-1 sound analogue because they are ;) |
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microkorg sux dicks |
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I had forgotten about this thread but I appreciate the new contributions to it. I'm not currently in the market for a synth but I'd like to invest in something analogue in the near future. Taxidermist, your post(s) is appreciated and will undoubtedly be very helpful to anyone looking for a good synth on a budget. |
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