-=[THE SYNTH ZONE]=-

This looks pretty sweet: http://www.synthtopia.com/content/2017/04/19/novation-peak-8-voice-polyphonic-synthesizer-debuts-at-superbooth-17/

Interesting:

http://www.factmag.com/2017/04/20/behringer-deepmind-6-analog-synth-announced/

The Deepmind 12 is supposed to be good. You can also pre-order their controversial Minimoog clone now.

That thing looks pretty sweet, especially for the price. I think I'm done buying synths for now. Although the Peak looks pretty sweet...

Anyone here have a Moog Mother 32? I've been so taken up with programming patches for the OWL that I'm budgeting myself for a small Eurorack system.

Complete neophyte - Minibrute, Bass Station II, MS-20 Mini? Or is there a virtual analog to look at? Or the Roland JD-xi?

Eager for simple and to the point - watching Teenage Engineering OP-1 videos was overwhelming without even seeing one in person.

Those are good, but also consider the Korg Minilogue (polyphonic; can play chords up to 4 notes) or Monologue (monophonic; can only play single notes). Of your choices, I think the MS-20 Mini would be the toughest because of the knob layout. BSII seems good also.

Is there a particular kind of music you want to play?

On the virtual side, it might be worth looking at the Roland System 1.

Weird/ambient + wannabe Portishead, I think? I forgot the System-1, that and the the BSII were the two I was mainly looking at earlier tonight. Will check out the Korgs too.

Bought a used MiniBrute recently but wish I'd bought the Monologue.

It's the Minilogue for you son, six years

The Minilogue is a good bet. iirc it has four voice polyphony which I guess is enough for ambient pads.

It is definitely worth trying to play around with something in a shop if you can. Ease of programming is one thing but key size is another huge factor for me as a terrible keyboardist.

If you are completely new to synths, it might also be worth looking at a decent midi/USB keyboard and a good VST package. It isn't quite as tactile (or not without a bit of work) but you aren't wedded to mini keys and are not stuck with hardware limitations.

As a decent guitarist but mediocre keyboardist I actually find I respond really well to weak-resistance mini keys like the Nanokey. Full size keys seem so much bigger than they need to be...

My issue is probably being a terrible guitarist as well then.

ideal for me would be two mini keyboards one above the other so its easy to make larger intervalic leaps without having to fling my arm out wayyy over therrre

minilogue is so great, and I can't say enough about how much I love it's weird noisy delay. It adds a lot of life and grit and air and noise. I'll take that over 1,000 "brutalizer" knobs or whatever.

Has anyone dug into the new features on the teenage OP-1 that will be released this fall? Thinking about getting the current version... don't know if I can wait.

What's this? Are you not thinking of the OP-Z?

Oh I thought the Z was a new model of the OP1. It's a different beast altogether?

Yeah i believe so although they share a few similarities. I'm still finding it hard to get my head round how the OPZ works with no display, but i love the OP-1 so much (especially for its midi note sequencing abilities) that i'm sure it will be worthwhile

oooh:

http://www.factmag.com/2017/06/20/roland-se-02-synth-studio-electronics/

I appreciate that 'what the world needs from Roland is an analogue monosynth Minimoog clone' is a minority opinion but that sounds pretty great.

I feel a bit like they should've made the filter more roland-y

Yep, to my untrained ears it does sound more or less like a straight Studio Electronics synth at a more accessible price point. Though, tbh, with an apparent list price of £509 / €600 - one that looks set to cost a bit more than the trailed $499 in Europe.

I am pretty keen to try the MFB Dominion Club too.

you guys

novation peak!!

Did you get one? Is it good?

I did and it is great. very tweakable from the front panel, can go from glassy to nasty, great arpeggiator. 24-oscillator unison mode is quite an experience.

really it's the perfect long evolving pad machine, though.

It really seems like a beast! I have the BS2, and it's such a great monosynth. I need to go check out the Peak - I wish they had one with a keyboard.

24-oscillator unison mode

wheeeeeee

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXbaiWmjhQA

Great video!

his story of pink floyd throwing away an ondioline ffs

Oh wow, those tennis racket instruments (w/joystick and photo sensor!).

Boutique SH-01 and 808 coming!

http://www.soundonsound.com/news/roland-unveil-boutique-sh-01-tr-08-and-aira-sampler

I havne't bothered with them but that 101 looks pretty fun. Adding polyphony was smart. Have to hear it.

I'm really tempted by that SH-101 if it's not too $$$.

$349

http://cdm.link/2017/08/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-roland-boutique-101-808-remakes/

Heh that might be exactly the most I could justify spending on a synth.

https://blog.adafruit.com/2017/08/14/a-classic-uk-synth-in-your-browser-free-and-open-source-musicmonday/

a Synthi done in javascript.

^that is pretty clever!

spent wednesday night mucking around with IRL synthis and VCS3s, and the crazy transaudio pro case 6: http://www.matrixsynth.com/2016/06/the-transaudio-procase-6-custom-dual.html

it's not quite the dual VCS3 that article suggests - lots of different functions. envelopes were a bit weird though.

what are some good places to get synths and gear online? I've looked around the area but it doesn't look like there are any local retailers that carry anything interesting.

reverb

Analogue Haven is supposed to be good.

I like Perfect Circuit Audio - https://www.perfectcircuitaudio.com

ebay and craigory's list. i've noticed dc listings > baltimore selection-wise

Also the buy/sell section of Muffwiggler, come to think of it.

perfect circuit audio send sweets with your order!

you guys are awesome, thank you

Uh oh looks like I'm buying some stuff.

https://youtu.be/MBzBGLuPIcY