A FREE RECORD??

I'LL PLAY IT![b][/b]

[QUOTE=Thanks;14875039]The Alesis Micron is a piece of trash.[/QUOTE]

don't you have one?

Yeah, that's why I can speak authoritatively about it's lack of power. If you know a lot about subtractive synthesis and historical sounds (how the TB-303 filter compares to the moog filter compares to the Jupiter filter, etc) you can make it sound somewhat decent with a lot of menu diving, but it's seriously not worth it. It's a pain in the a[COLOR="White"]s[/COLOR]s to program, and it sounds sterile and weak no matter what.

what would you reccomend for a beggining synth then?

i'm looking for something that will give me a variety of different tones and sounds with a lot of room for playing around but without being so complicated that i'll get it and not be able to get my head around it

I agree.

Oh, yeah, the micron is a TERRIBLE first synth, unless you happen to love the presets (which I think suck). If you don't know exactly how you want to alter the sound, and what synth module that entails, you'll be completely clueless.

Sadly, most current synths have a similar system, having most of the sound editing features hidden in some menu somewhere, with no freedom to just tweak, listen, and react. This is why vintage synths are much better for beginners, but it's sort of sad, since many are very expensive, and may need work done. Also, many lack modern features like midi, patch memory, onboard digital effects, etc.

My introduction to subractive synthesis was a Roland Juno-106, and it was a really great piece to learn on. Unfortunately, I've spent about $150 replacing chips that go bad inside the thing, and it did cost me about $400 in the first place. Other recommended vintage synths for a beginner are the Korg Polysix, the other Roland junos, and maybe even a Yamaha CS (if you want to go monophonic).

I really can't recommend a modern instrument, because that's not my area of expertise. Even if I did, you wouldn't find anything decent for the price of the micron, and those vintage units I recommended should run you somewhere in that ballpark.

The Polysix has some nice soundz.

i've heard some good news on this

[url]http://www.amazon.com/ROLAND-SH-201-ANALOG-MODELING-SYNTHESIZERS/dp/B000REEVMW/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/102-6668194-3676105?ie=UTF8&s=musical-instruments&qid=1182655294&sr=8-1[/url]

and it's only 70 bucks or so over the price of a micron

i would go with a microKorg, it has excellent capabilities for its price. i have one and it's a really good synth

The 201 is built with beginners in mind, and the interface is definitely better than most synths these days. I think the price tag is a little steep, personally. Of course, you're paying for the stability of a digital instrument, and all the top features (midi, effects, arp, etc). Really it comes down to whether you like the sound or not. I'm one of those annoying purists that prefers real analog to any analog modeling synth out there right now. I suppose if I'm not looking for pure analog beef, I turn to software, not some devoted hardware piece.

oh well i am no such purist

i am a kid who likes fu[size=2]cking[/size] around and making cool music without much of a learning curve

The microkorg is the obvious contender for the Micron. I haven't played the korg, but I'm generally a fan of the company, and you always hear good things about it. It's kind of known as the "poseur synth," since it's so cheap, popular, and it's virtual analog, but that doesn't mean it's a bad piece. A lot of synth fanatics have them in their setups as well.

Once again, the microKorg has that ugly modern interface with only a few knobs. Korg definitely did a better job than Alesis in assigning what knobs it does have to the most important sound-shaping elements, however.

tbh i think the interface on the microkorg is tight

I have hard time convincing myself to fork out any money for a synth when VST stuff exists. Though it would be nice to find an easy multitrack recording program with support for VST instruments.

I really do think software is more sensible than any digital hardware out there, just because it can sound just as good, doesn't take up any physical space, and is often cheaper. Still, there are companies like Dave Smith Instruments and MFB that still make innovative real analog products that software really can't touch.

EDIT: Also, computers can do things like granular synthesis that still don't exist on dedicated hardware devices.

i think what turns me off about software is the fact that it doesn't take up physical space :/

idk why i just like playing with knobs

Everyone likes playing with knobs. That's why there's such a huge market in midi devices for controlling software in the most flexible knob and fader twiddling ways. That's also why modern digital synths fall so short! Sh[COLOR="White"]i[/COLOR]tty membrane buttons, three knobs, and an LCD screen? Fu[COLOR="White"]c[/COLOR]k that.

Vintage is the way to go.

well right now i'm between the sh 201 and the microkorg

both look pretty fun, i'm gonna have to go try them out

idk i'll head up to chuck levins sometime soon and see what they have in synths

and i'll check out some vintage synths just for you

knobs suck automation ftw

You can't create really sweet automation without inputting it with a knob manually. Hyperdrawing line graphs is pretty gay.

[COLOR="Black"]VINTAGE IS THE WAY TO GO[/COLOR]

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Yes, exactly.

[font=courier new]sup i am a computer[/font]

this is page 420 if you have it set to twenty posts per page

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[font=courier new]computer blunts are like

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those are the only kind he smokes

[font=courier new]sexymuffin's blunt is like

3=D

he has a really small blunt[/font]

if you're implying that i have a small penis

it's true.

[font=courier new]no your blunt stupid[/font]