I have 3 hardware synthesizers in my bedroom, a Yamaha PSS-480, DX-7 (both are digital) and a Sequential Circuits Pro-One (analogue), as well as over 100 different softsynths for Cubase VST.
The reason why I like synthesizers is because of 2 things. First of all I used to watch Top of the Pops from the age of 5 and watched the keyboard players more than anything else. I wanted their synths they played on.
Secondly I have always made most of my sounds on synthesizers because they're so much better than what could be done with home keyboards. (OK the PSS-480 is actually a home keyboard but it got a customizable FM synth, custom drummer and MIDI, way ahead of its time for a keyboard of the late 80s)
Does anyone else own a synthesizer or would like to own one and why?
BTW I would love to have a Roland Jupiter 8.
I'd like to have a nord lead. The reason is that they are so simple, and I like the sound. I'd also like to have a moog, but I don't see that happening any time soon.
I currently own a cheap yamaha and a cheap old crappy casio keyboard (almost old enough to be retro).
I've heard the Nord Lead on a Future Music magazine cover CD and its very nice.
About 2 years ago, I wanted an analogue synth so I played on and had a choice between 3 of them: the Korg Mini-700S, Sequential Circuits Pro-One and Moog Rogue, so I eventually bought the Pro-One along with a MIDI to control voltage (CV) converter.
I really dig analog synths! The first time I came across them on-line I was just astounded by the vast amount of buttons, cables, racks, patch leads and what not more on these babies that I just wanted to have (or build) one! Besides that I'm a huge Jarre fan and he uses analog gear since his early tracks in the late 60's... Oxygène and Equinoxe are the two best albums he ever made... Magnetic Fields is pretty good too.
Ive only been into the electronic music scene for the last 4 months, so dont jknow that much yet, Ive only mixed so far, but i know i really want a synthesizer just for the fact to be able to make my own music that way.I always have tunes in me that i want to get out of muself.I only at the mo make tunes of the PS2, if anyone knows what i mean?Games like music 3000?But its a start!
If you want a keyboard synthesizer you're best going for a Yamaha PSS-480/580 or its bigger brother, the PSS-680/780, and a MIDI device to attach to your soundcard gameport or USB port. They are both very nice bargains and I bought a Yamaha PSS-480 for £10. Although they're old (made in 1988) they make very nice synths and they have MIDI so you can use it with your computer.
Technically, none of Yamaha's PSS keyboard range were actually synthesisers - even though they had customisable ADSR controls, they were strictly limited in terms of what they could do.
The only actual exception was the rare PSS-51. Suprisingly, this flopped in the UK as Yamaha only sold 12,000. I had one for four years and then the vector joystick broke.
I also had a DX7, but that got damaged in a fire!!
I used to have several keyboards but did not really have the time or patience to play them.