DX OR JU-06?

Been looking for a cheapish synth where I can make nice pads and hopefully some odd, experimental noises. My unoriginal brain has managed to cut it down to these two.

Yamaha Reface DX - Can make weird fucking noises/loops, potentially more interesting sound and has a looper.

Roland JU-06 - Pretty lush pad sounds, nice chorus, sequencer etc.

Which one would you go with? If neither what instead?

Yeah, FM definitely.

BUUUUT, for at least $100 less you could get a DX200, and I'm pretty sure that does more (no keyboard though, if that matters). Or like three TX802's. Or a Yamaha SY22 and a Wavestation SR. Or a Waldorf Blofeld. OR a secondhand MicroWave II.

None of these (except the DX200 maybe) are as hands on or easy to learn but I have a feeling all of them do a lot more.

  On 11/16/2015 at 3:19 PM, Mesh Gear Fox said:

imo go for the DX as it is a lot more versatile. 4OP fm synths are capable of many many more sounds than standard subtractive analogues, but the JU-06 will sound fatter and more lush.

Cheers dude, I realise this isn't Gearslutz but wanted to find out what you lot thought. I'll likely go for the DX 1st and maybe get the JU-06 in the new year.

Decide what sounds you want first then work out which one does them better. JU has filter to make softer more muted sounds, DX can get soft but not in the same way. Totally different beasts so having both is the only option really ;)

A DX through an good analogue filter is a lovely thing though.

  On 11/16/2015 at 4:12 PM, RSP said:

Yeah, FM definitely.

 

 

BUUUUT, for at least $100 less you could get a DX200, and I'm pretty sure that does more (no keyboard though, if that matters). Or like three TX802's. Or a Yamaha SY22 and a Wavestation SR. Or a Waldorf Blofeld. OR a secondhand MicroWave II.

 

None of these (except the DX200 maybe) are as hands on or easy to learn but I have a feeling all of them do a lot more.

Thanks for the recommendations. DX200 and TX802 sounds really nice although I can't see a DX200 for cheaper than £450. I've looked into a Blofeld but didn't really like the tone so much, might try checking them out again. Likely go FM for something interesting and new to learn as well as the opportunity to make new sounds.

  On 11/16/2015 at 4:17 PM, Chesney said:

Decide what sounds you want first then work out which one does them better. JU has filter to make softer more muted sounds, DX can get soft but not in the same way. Totally different beasts so having both is the only option really ;)

 

A DX through an good analogue filter is a lovely thing though.

lol, to be honest I'm thinking of going with both. I'm just wondering which one you guys would get 1st :) I really want the JU-06 pads but the FM sound fuckery is hard to resist. So, DX through a minibrute is worth looking into?

Or try to find a PreenFM2. I've never used one but they seem really cool. If kits weren't sold out you could probably have one assembled for you by somebody for less than a Reface, not sure if they ever show up preassembled but would be worth keeping an eye out for while you're making your decision. Not too much in the way of demos but looking at the specs and comparing with old Yamahas I'm pretty confident it would be about as deep an FM synth as I've heard of.

DX for absolutely sure. It sounds great on its own and its worth learning how to do some programming with the FM algorithm engine to make really weird sounds. Has a learning curve but after a couple of days or so you get the hang of what you're doing. The sounds you can make with it can rival analog synthesizers or be utterly alien or metallic sounding. Pretty sure BoC use a DX synth of some sort as their vibraphone.

From what Sweepstakes told me about the Juno's sound is that its very lush but everything you make with it is going to sound like Autechre from the Amber era.

  On 11/17/2015 at 10:06 AM, Entorwellian said:

DX for absolutely sure. It sounds great on its own and its worth learning how to do some programming with the FM algorithm engine to make really weird sounds. Has a learning curve but after a couple of days or so you get the hang of what you're doing. The sounds you can make with it can rival analog synthesizers or be utterly alien or metallic sounding. Pretty sure BoC use a DX synth of some sort as their vibraphone.

 

From what Sweepstakes told me about the Juno's sound is that its very lush but everything you make with it is going to sound like Autechre from the Amber era.

To be honest part of the intrigue is the learning curve and unknown possibilities whereas the JU-06 is a bit more fixed or limited. Although sounding like Amber era Autechre could be worse... :)