What digital synth should I go for?

OneOfTheseDays · Joined: Sep 25, 2008 Posts: 7 Location: Kansas City

I'm looking to get a digital polysynth. I'll be making industrial, experimental, and metal with it. My budget is around $700, keyboard isn't necessary. It doesn't need to sound particularly analog, because I'm building a modular right now. So, fat basses and leads are already covered. The most important features are the ability to morph and twist sound as much as possible and it needs to be able to sound somewhat harsh. I'm okay with a digital sound, but not that glassy, clean sound that you can't get past sometimes. A sampler onboard would be nice, which is why I was looking at the Blofeld, but I've heard some discouraging things about it. So, what synths should I look at?

paugui · Posted: Tue Aug 31, 2010 5:28 pm Post subject:

Nord Modular Wink

But I'm sure a Blofeld or other Waldorf would be great too (at least I love my µQ Ω)

Sir Nose · Joined: Jan 09, 2010 Posts: 19 Location: PA

You probably could get an older Virus for that.
Elektron Monomachine or Machinedrum
Ensoniq Fizmo

GovernorSilver · Posted: Thu Sep 02, 2010 1:33 pm Post subject:

Korg MicroKorg or Alesis Micron maybe. Roland Gaia might also be worth a look.

shelfpaper · Joined: Aug 27, 2010 Posts: 10 Location: USA

I would think a Virus B or C would have more routing options and a harder sound than an R3, Micron, Microkorg, Miniak, etc.

I'm into wavetable/vector synths but I don't have any Waldorf experience, oddly enough. All the rack Microwave versions are in your price range, though, plus the Blofeld desktop. I was thinking about picking up a used Ensoniq ESQ-M for a while, which might appeal to you too.

Rojo · Joined: May 10, 2005 Posts: 14 Location: Boston

Check out the Kurzweil K2000. There's a rack version (K2000r) if you prefer. Good synth, fits your description and budget and does play samples.

GovernorSilver · Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2010 10:34 am Post subject:

The new Novation Ultranova looks like a viable option and it's within the OP's stated budget:

http://keyboardmag.com/article/novation-announces-ultranova/September-2010/119935

shelfpaper · Joined: Aug 27, 2010 Posts: 10 Location: USA

fengland · Joined: Feb 18, 2010 Posts: 50 Location: Burlington, VT

seems like people are mostly suggesting virtual analog synths but it seems like the modular will cover those bases and better. I'd suggest some of the wierd 80s digital synths which are funky, metallic, and unmistakeably digital - perfect for industrial stuff. a roland jd800 for completely tweakable digital. the kawais might work too like a k5 or k5000. I love my casio cz3000 - very funky and digital but kind of warm too - or maybe an fm synth? old samplers are fun too like an old akai or ensoniq