A synthesizer to start with?

would u pay 150 dollars for KPR-77?

  chunky said:

would u pay 150 dollars for KPR-77?

Possibly. If not, some one definitely would on ebay.

i had a KPR-77 and got rid of it - it sounds nice (somewhat similar to the 606, but not identical by any means - the hats are quite disappointing). the main problem is syncing it up with other stuff - it has DIN sync, but it runs at 48 ppqn (parts per quarter note), whilst pretty much every other thing with DIN sync runs at 24 ppqn. so if you sync it up to a 303 for example, depending on which is the master/slave, either the drum machine runs at half speed or the 303 runs at double speed. so you'll also need a MIDI/DIN/CV to SYNC 24 converter to be able to use it with most other stuff. these are about £100 at least so it puts the effective overall price of the machine way higher.

  awkward said:

what about the Juno-D?

anyone own/owned one?

  awkward said:

  awkward said:

what about the Juno-D?

 

anyone own/owned one?

I've never heard a good word about the new Junos (Juno D and Juno G). It's mainly a rompler type workstation. They have nothing to do with the classic Junos - it was just Roland trying to cash in on the "Juno" name. The good analog Junos are the Juno-6, Juno-60, Juno-106, Alpha Juno 1 and Alpha Juno 2.

yeah, i mean they're ok - good sounds and that and reasonably priced, but all the new roland synths have got the same core synth processor - the SH-201, the Fantoms, the new Junos - they're basically the same synth in a different box.... if you want originality or real expression, you're better off going for something a bit more unusual....

thanks for the feedback.

almost feels like we need a synth subforum with a thread for each one.

  Iain C said:

Learn on a software synthesiser, with a MIDI controller. I guess this assumes you have a MIDI interface. It's the easiest and cheapest method if you don't know exactly what you want.

This seems like a good idea to start with. I have a MIDI-compatible keyboard already, and a copy of Reason 4, but clicking to twiddle dials in it does not facilitate easy music making. Can a decent MIDI controller make the dials physical, or am I mistaken here?

And thanks to everyone for suggestions, which will be useful in the future regardless of what I'm doing now.

  awkward said:

almost feels like we need a synth subforum with a thread for each one.

..Or, people could just check out vintagesynth.com or sonicstate.com, or brave the Analogue Heaven archives. As much as I enjoy reading them, synth reviews and user opinions are subjective to the point of almost total worthlessness. I check them out mostly to see if there are any issues or problems that a lot of different people mention (like clicky VCAs or sluggish envelopes, etc.) before I make a purchase, but even then it's impossible to know how I'm gonna get along with a piece of gear.

I guess you just have to start somewhere to establish a baseline of what your expectations are, learn a little bit about what the basic specs mean, and go from there. That's one good thing about buying older stuff -- it's already depreciated, so you can usually turn around and sell something for about as much (if not more) than what you paid for it. Just make sure you don't pay too much for something (relative to its market value) and you should be solid.

  solarion said:

Can a decent MIDI controller make the dials physical, or am I mistaken here?

Yep, that's the long and short of it!

  scones to die for said:

I've said it before - Roland Alpha Juno 1 or 2. Probably can be had for under $150, and you'll probably want to keep it forever. It's analog; it does acid; it does the hoover! Chord memory, multistage envelopes, easy to program (easier with a PG-300 programmer or sofware editor). A great synth. An affordable classic.

i saw someone controlling one with a midi knob thing. doesn't look like it has sliders/knobs so is it all done via the lcd?

also can this thing be used as a MIDI controller too? i guess it can...nice

well holy fucking shit. i saw one on ebay (a juno alpha 1) for round about $150 and i even went as high as 180 but it kept going. i stopped watching at 55seconds to go and when i looked back it had sold for $270. fuck ebay man. i need to find a store that sells used gear around here.

there's always a Microkorg.

is that the funny little one with the mic sticking out of it?

i fucking hate ebay man... I just want to buy the fucking thing! don't want to fuck around for 5 days trying to outbid some synth geek then lose the auction coz i forgot to put a bid in at the very last second... i just go to second hand shops and stuff - might end up paying a little more, but at least you get to walk away with a new bit of gear there and then. fuck ebay x 2.

arturia minimoog