Looking for a MIDI synth for chords but ......

Rykhaard · Joined: Sep 02, 2007 Posts: 1290 Location: Canada

I've been out of touch with hardware almost completely since 2001. (Though I owned dozens of MIDI synths between '86 and '03).

To start composing again on hardware, I've thought that I don't have enough time to be able to build enough voices in my modular to be able to play chords as well as solo instruments; effects and percussion. Therefore, I'm going to cheat and start looking for a multi-timbral MIDI synth.

But ..... what's out there nowadays, that's CHEAP? (Looking at a maximum of $300 Canadian / U.S.)

To give some clues as to what I'm looking for, to help with any suggestions (companies and synths from them, that are used):

For background chords, regardless of genre:

- I love strings. Synthetic and sampled
- I love the Mellotron's male choir samples (used heavily, for years)
- I love the Wurlitzer electric piano sounds that I've used (Reason)
- I love chords sounds that may have multiple modulation sources over time (Ensoniq ESQ-1 and SQ-80; Korg K5 and K5000, that I loved using for this)
- I also love percussive sound instruments for chords similar to the 'JAZZ HARP' patch in the old Kawai K1 synths. (1 of my most fave synth sounds ever.)
- I also love a powerful synthesis engine, if I can have one - BUT - I'm not a fan of software synths running on computers, any more. Sad

(5 years of Reason, as a VIP beta tester as well. No thanks. Tired of software.)

I'm open to all tips from anyone! Smile

I can search around the web for mentioned examples and listen to mp3s/etc. of them to get something more of an idea, as what to keep my eye open for when I'm out looking. Smile

Also - if anyone has anything for sale - I greatly prefer within North America, due to shipping costs. Surprised

Thanks to all for any tips! Smile

Jyoti · Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2008 6:46 pm Post subject:

Well, I have to chip-in here and recommend my first polysynth, the Roland JX-3P. Lovely little polysynth with a built-in step sequencer to boot. I've had mine for 25 years now and I love it dearly. It was one of Roland's first synths with MIDI (it's even got a switch to turn it off!).

I've just checked on Ebay and there's one going for £50. Eighty-eight dollars!

It's so cheap as it's never been trendy like its immensely less powerful siblings in the Juno range.

Silky strings, warm pads, blarty brass. thumb up

elektro80 · Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2008 7:10 pm Post subject:

How cheap can you really get an Alesis ION these days? The ION is good and covers a lot of terrain. I doubt you can get one for 300 though

Rykhaard · Joined: Sep 02, 2007 Posts: 1290 Location: Canada

The JX3P! I forgot about that guy! Very Happy

I had a friends in my studio, in the early 90's. We used it for a few things for a little while. I liked some of the sound possibilities from it but I never got too deep into programming it.
I DID get that way with the JX8P and the JX10 and loved them both.

Still though, the age. Sad

Seeing the pricing of more of the older gear cranked by current music styles, I thought it might be safer to limit the age range to no more than 10 or 12 years. I figure, stuff older than that, quite often has high pricing. My logic being, that younger instruments since, the 'other musicians' may not be fancying as much and may have lower prices. Wink

Update TO what I'm looking for: A SAMPLER has kicked in to this! I used the Ensoniq Mirage and EPS for years and years and loved THEM both.
I'm pondering now whether I might be able to find an Ensoniq ASR-?? for $300? Or some other multi-timbral sampler?

EDIT: OR the Emu Esi-32! That was my last sampler. Loved it, but traded IT in for Propellerheads' Reason in January 2001. Sad

I wonder if any are still around??

Does anyone know? (I've been SO out of touch with gear of the last 7 years. Sad

)
Module or keyboard.

Today, I went out and checked our 3 local music stores and 5 pawn shops. The ONLY thing that I saw was a Yamaha DX9 (NINE! The 1st) for $129.

Uhhh, no thanks. Razz

4 OP FM?

I'm looking for warmth in well done digital synths, or an analog, or a decent sampler. Smile

The Alesis Ion? Mmmm. I rem'ber the name, but that's about it. I'll go search it out and see what speak there is about it, and then tour around online to see if I can find any price references. Smile

OH! HELP! On a local online Buy and Sell, I found mention of a Roland SC-155. I knew their FIRST SC module, and wouldn't touch it with a 10 foot pole. I wonder at this one though. Anyone ever know it?
16 bit / 32k samples, which is a minor drag - but it COULD possibly be available for under $100. That would give me chords for the moment, anyways. Wink

Rykhaard · Joined: Sep 02, 2007 Posts: 1290 Location: Canada

Jyoti · Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 5:24 am Post subject:

Jyoti · Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 5:26 am Post subject:

Rykhaard · Joined: Sep 02, 2007 Posts: 1290 Location: Canada

elektro80 · Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 6:34 am Post subject:

I have the Ion. It is really good. Recommended. The Micron is a bit less of something but more of other stuff. Actually, I got the Ion ( brand new with warranty ) for much less than they are selling the Micron for ( new ). Shocked

Rykhaard · Joined: Sep 02, 2007 Posts: 1290 Location: Canada

Jyoti · Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 9:01 am Post subject:

I agree with elektro80 - if you can do, get an Ion as it's far more knobular. That being said, the Micron is very bijou and legotastic.

Rykhaard · Joined: Sep 02, 2007 Posts: 1290 Location: Canada

Jyoti · Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 10:23 am Post subject:

Good luck, dude!

Rykhaard · Joined: Sep 02, 2007 Posts: 1290 Location: Canada

YAY! As I had HOPED, in the last MINUTE, someone outbid me by $5.00! cheers

ESPECIALLY cuz, another dealer came on within 5 minutes left - with 5 x Microns, NEW! $299.99 - FREE International shipping! Just sent my payment! Woohoo! Can't friggin' WAIT! Very Happy

EDIT: Ooops. Shipping was NOT free. Oh well. Just paid it as well, anyways. Very Happy

Yayyyyyy.

NEW! Hee hee. Happy beyond reality! Very Happy

First new hardware synth in about 10 years. Very Happy

Jyoti · Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 11:02 am Post subject:

Congratulations on your new baby! Have a cigar:

Posted Image, might have been reduced in size. Click Image to view fullscreen.

Rykhaard · Joined: Sep 02, 2007 Posts: 1290 Location: Canada

Jyoti · Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 12:48 pm Post subject:

Hey - what happened to the post about the K2000? Shocked

blue hell · Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 1:11 pm Post subject:

gone ...

elektro80 · Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 1:26 pm Post subject:

Was there a K2000 post here? Shocked

Jyoti · Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 2:08 pm Post subject:

Yep, I can't remember the poster's name but it was recommending the K as a good used purchase.

Rykhaard · Joined: Sep 02, 2007 Posts: 1290 Location: Canada

Yay!

My Alesis Micron arrived today, with Canadian Customs asking only $10.67 for Duty! Very Happy

Wonderfully packaged and looking bran-spankin' new. Smile

(Learned after, the 5 of them that came up on e-Bay from http://www.proaudiostar.com/ , were refurbished. New ones are still $400.)

This be my first new synth in almost 10 years. Quickly auditioning sounds, it'll fill my required roll and MORE - especially with it having a powerful vocoder built into it's FX section. Woohoo! Surprised

Now - to get the rest of the studio put back together, to start composing again for the 1st time in at least 3 years. Smile

Final note - the people at proaudiostar were SPLENDID in their immediacy of help and service through all of the communications. I'm DEFINITELY going back to them in the future, for more gear! Smile

Jyoti · Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2008 11:27 am Post subject:

Great news! Congrats on your synth, I know you're going to love the wee beastie. Cool

elektro80 · Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2008 11:56 am Post subject:

Great! The Micron is awesome. Personally I prefer the layout of the Ion, but that is because I am probably used to a different workflow. For the money the Micron is unbeatable.. actually.. it can compete with the best out there. The corners cut in order to pack everything into that little brick doesn´t affect the wonderful sound engine. The only thing wrong with it is the low price. Very Happy

Try recording it off an old PA using microphones! Cool

Jyoti · Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2008 12:02 pm Post subject:

I do reckon the Alesis Lego is a future classic. I lub it! Razz

Rykhaard · Joined: Sep 02, 2007 Posts: 1290 Location: Canada

Stein - I was blown away by some of the stock patches in my Micron earlier today. The potential for sounds from that thing are just about scary! Very Happy

The much-o button pushing for programming it, doesn't bother me in the least. Smile

I was doing all of my own samples editing on the Mirage for a couple of years! Tons of experience in such a simple interface. Wink

Though, I'll be looking for patch editing software as well, later.
The sound possibilities ........ OMG. Surprised

Whilst I think on it again - at that price, I may ponder a 2nd one. Very Happy