Cheap Analog Synths

Discussion in 'Synthesizers' started by jefft, Sep 10, 2019.

  1. jefft

    jefft Producer

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    I have a nice studio set up, using an Akia MPK 61 and a Maschine Mk3 as controllers into Studio One 4, with a Focusrite Pro 40 interface, loads of VST synths and a Boss GT1 for guitar input.
    Now I'm looking to add a nice (Cheap) analog synth to my armory,
    My choices would be
    1: Korg Monologue
    2: Arturia Microbrute
    3: NI Multimedia Uno

    Any welcome advice regarding sounds, USB and MIDI connections ?????
    I, don't use any 5 pin din MIDI connections, its all via USB and it seems
    to work fine, would any of these synths work in a similar way?
     
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  3. scott

    scott Kapellmeister

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    none of the synths you've mentioned are all that great to be honest, for similar money you will get alot more synth from behringers current offerings. A neutron would open alot of doors for you and allow you to enter the world of control voltage patching
     
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  4. Joe_sleaze

    Joe_sleaze Producer

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    Get a Basstation 2, or something Behringer.
     
  5. mild pump milk

    mild pump milk Russian Milk Drunkard

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    Waldorf Pulse (Pulse 2?)
    Korg MS-20 mini
     
  6. Blue

    Blue Audiosexual

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    Don't know what kind of sounds you're looking for,and if you want only monophonic or even polyphonic synth.
    I would like the Behringer MS-101 next for me.But it can't save presets,that's actually a bad point.
     
  7. jefft

    jefft Producer

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    Lol Iv'e been looking at The Behringer Model D as a start point, but was initially put off by the osc tuning method that several people remarked on, I didn't like the idea of stripping out the chassis to correct it, and also having to wait 15 minutes for it to warm up.OK I know that's what the old analog synths were like, but in today's world, that side of synthesis should have been eradicated, these reports being true or false, put me off Behringer.
     
  8. Lois Lane

    Lois Lane Audiosexual

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  9. jennyblack

    jennyblack Audiosexual

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    Why not save for a minilogue instead of a monologue (for the four voice polyphony to play some chords)? It connects usb (to send midi to and from your daw, which can be used as sequencer for instance).
     
  10. Blue

    Blue Audiosexual

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    If you're looking for kind of Behringer Model D sounds,go with the Roland SE-02.I have this one and it is an amazing nice sounding synth.It sounds very big and deep.It can store presets too.
    It has hard sync too,Filter FM,Feedback,crossmod,PWM ,delay,LFO.More sound possibilities than Model D,though Model D sounds sweet too.
    But no Hi pass Filter,it's a shame.
     
    Last edited: Sep 10, 2019
  11. The two nicest monosynths I've got are the Pittsburgh Microvolt and the Moog mother. These sound good. Particularly the moog. You need to consider if you want to cross-patch as you can with the Mother 32, Microvolt and other patchable synths. This opens up many doors. A Microbrute is a Microbrute. Good, but that's it.
     
  12. grabme

    grabme Kapellmeister

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    Wait for the Pro One clone from Behringer it will be far better than the ones on your list. A Pulse 2 is probably a good alternative with presets.
     
  13. Lois Lane

    Lois Lane Audiosexual

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    Ouch! But in a good way.

     
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  14. Done with the original Pro-1.

     
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  15. robotboy

    robotboy Producer

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    You can get a used Behringer Minimoog clone for $200US right now. They're also coming out with clones for:
    • Korg MS-20
    • ARP Odyssey
    • Roland SH-101
    • Sequential Circuits Pro-One
    • Roland 808 and 909 drum machines
    • Yamaha CS-80
    And probably others as well. Each for under $500US. If you're tight on funds (or just want a bunch of hardware synths for cheap), it's worth looking into.
     
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  16. Dimentagon

    Dimentagon Platinum Record

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    I Picked up a Minibrute second hand. Aside from sounding great and being Analog, it has CV, Midi and USD so you get a great Midi to CV converter as well. Was pretty cheap.
     
  17. spacetime

    spacetime Platinum Record

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    Korg Minilog

    Behrliner Neutron

    King Korg
     
  18. MNDSTRM

    MNDSTRM Platinum Record

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    I currently own the following:
    -Behringer Model D
    -Roland JP08
    -Korg Minilogue (original)
    -Korg MS20 Mini
    -Korg Microkorg
    -Yamaha reface CS
    (+a giant eurorack)

    It really depends on what sounds youre after.
    Behringer Model D is incredibly good for the price but being monophonic and a moog clone it has limited uses.
    Korg minilogue (original is now very cheap) is very good for learning synthesis.
    MS20 Mini has the same use cases as Model D.

    Though digital, the Reface CS is probably my go to as its just so easy to program also 8 voice polyphony.
    The JP08 is too tiny to program and is just a preset box for me.
    Microkorg I would consider it a hardware version of Sylenth but better sounding, Its another preset box for me.

    and well for eurorack, unless you have deep pockets and are fully committed, avoid it like the plague because if you catch the bug you'll be addicted until it bankrupts you :)

    USB is okay for a couple synths, but when you're number start growing you want a dedicated MIDI interface. The main reason being that the ports remain visible to your DAW when the synth is off. If your DAW doesnt support auto detect you'll have to turn on your synths and wait for windows to connect before loading your DAW, some times this can be finicky. But this doesnt happen with 5 Pin DIN as long as you keep your interface on. I think theres some clocking advantages and stuff but Im not sure so I wont get into that.
     
  19. alex921

    alex921 Producer

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    In case you didn'nt knew, oscillators always have to be taken care off, tuned , calibrated after a certain period of use. And also, every analog synth needs to warm before it stable.
     
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  20. The Pirate

    The Pirate Audiosexual

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  21. [​IMG]

    The Behringer 2600. May not be that cheap.
     
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