List your gear here. What are your favourites?
I just got my first hardware synth about a month ago. MicroFreak. It’s so fun. I saw this when it came out and was super tempted to get one, even though I knew getting hardware was a can of worms I probably shouldn’t open :) Then the Stellar Edition was announced and I instantly pre-ordered it. I don’t regret it one bit and it scratches the hardware itch well enough that I don’t feel tempted to go down the rabbit hole. I might want a drum machine to go with it at some point but I’ve got a BeatStep Pro controlling VSTs for now.
My workhorse (or better my main toy) is a Yamaha MODX6. I also have a Roland JD-08 and then I have some software synthesizers on my Linux laptop. Specifically, I use Ardour as a DAW, where I finish everything that comes out of my MODX6, and use mostly Vital, which I have learned a little bit. I also use SurgeXT but mostly starting from a preset as this is a very strong synth that feels overwhelming to a newbie like me.
How do you like Ardour?
I like it a lot. It may not have all the bells and whistles of something like bitwig but when combined with plugins like carla, vital, surgeXT, etc, it becomes quite impressive. I don’t have experience with other DAWs (people praise Reaper a lot) but it’s “my DAW” and I love it. (Perhaps not the objective opinion you were hoping for!)
My setup represents mid life crisis hehe: Volca keys, Moog Subharmonicon, Korg Wavestate, Argon8 and Yamaha CP88 (which is rom piano really, not a synth). I’m mostly just playing with CP88 as a piano, or pushing it’s capabilities to the max by using weird combinations and octaves (great for ambient I think). Subharmonicon is great for generative ambient, especially when it’s clock is controlling other synth’s sequencers. Volca Keys was my first synth and I didn’t like it’s sound at all and it killed my enthuasiasm for years. I do appreciate how some people are able to great cool things with it, though!
If you get over your mid-life crisis, let me know. I am about to get into mine and will be offering to buy your synths! :)
haha unfortunately I’m also semi-hoarder! They’ll be dusting in my home for couple of decades before I can get rid of them.
Just wanted to share that I ordered my new Roland SH-4d and will be here, hopefully, before the next weekend. I am trying to find some good video tutorials to be ready for my new baby next week! Super excited!
so how’s that sh 4d working out? looks nice from the promo vid.
I love it. I am not experienced in synthesis but am able to make some sounds as they come from my mind. I find it much easier than my JD-08, which feels complex even though I understand its main principles. I have used so far my Yamaha MODX6, which has plenty of menu diving, even though it is fantastic and software plugin synths. Having direct control with all the knobs over simpler synths is a different feeling. All 11 synth engines are relatively straightforward and not too deep, while it is possible to create complex sounds. Although the JD-08 can create more complex sounds with a single engine, I totally prefer the SH-4d.
sounds like a blast - I was just watching some videos on it. I’ve been doing a little messing around with SurgeXT and bitwig - having something you can work with on the desktop like that would be the way to go though.
SurgeXT is definitely a lot stronger and combined with the grid of bitwig (which I haven’t used much) is a killer system. While I am pretty sure that you won’t get any more synthesis capabilities with the SH-4d, it feels fantastic using it and I have only scratched the surface. It feels great that Roland gives you good old SH-101 and Juno-106 with plenty of presets to get you going with tweaking. Overall, while I cannot justify having it, considering everything we can do with the software synths, I really love it. To me, it has this “real-thing” feel that I cannot put down in words.
It’s just a lot easier to work with a physical analog control interface than it is with a mouse and software. Bitwig is very strong for sequencing and arranging relative to Ardour but I find Bitwig a lot more complicated to set up and use - and given the really limited time I have to play right now due to other stuff, being able to sit down and make noise at a moment’s notice would be ideal. One of these days I’m going to get something really nice like that SH 4d just for the fun of it - I was watching the demo video and the way the controls switch function depending on the selection is very cool - it looks like a great piece of gear.
Roland JD-Xi, Behringer Neutron, ASM Hydrasynth Desktop, Elektron Model: Cycles, Twisted Electrons MEGAfm MK1, and an Erica Synths x Sonic Potions LXR-02. I mostly use a Keystep 37 and Reaper through an MOTU M4 to control them. They all go into a couple of mixers and back to the M4. I’ve also got a pile of pedals since I was primarily a guitarist for twenty years. Woe be to my pedalboard gutted for the synth gods! I also use an EHX V256 way, way too much. I hate the sound of my voice!
I have a ROMpler, a Korg N364. I am looking to get one but I’m not sure which one is the most versatile. I would only have one option for a long time since they’re expensive.
I suppose it depends what you’re looking to do - the Juno DS88 that I have is nothing like these fancy desktop synths in terms of sound capabilities but it has good instrument sounds - mainly the keys and action feel good to me - but my only reference point is old pianos. I’m not a keyboard player so can’t say much about pros/cons but in terms of value for money, but overall I am pretty happy with the Juno for a full size piano keyboard at the price. I just started playing with the software synth SurgeXT and having a lot of fun playing MIDI from the Juno.
I’ve got an Arturia Microbrute and a Korg Minilogue. You?
