thisnameistaken Posted September 26, 2014 Share Posted September 26, 2014 I've been looking at analogue synths. I like the idea of a proper analogue synth, but I also like the idea of patch memory, so obviously I really like the idea of the Bass Station II, but I don't like the idea of a 2-octave keyboard, and I don't like the idea of having to carry a second keyboard just to add more range. What else should I look at? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xgsjx Posted September 26, 2014 Share Posted September 26, 2014 Moog sub phatty 37. Or if you want 5 octaves, how about a KingKorg? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JapanAxe Posted September 26, 2014 Share Posted September 26, 2014 Another option would be a box-only synth and a controller keyboard with enough keys to meet your requirements. I'm a big believer in stating the obvious btw! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted September 26, 2014 Share Posted September 26, 2014 Roland Gaia. Analog sensibilities, no screen, only knobs, but digital, so saved patches! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thisnameistaken Posted September 26, 2014 Author Share Posted September 26, 2014 I looked at the Gaia, but the romantic in me wants an analogue synth. As for modules: The reason I'm looking at buying a synth is because I like tweaking controls. Otherwise I'd probably just stick with software (mostly MASSIVE) and a controller keyboard which is what I'm doing at home. I didn't know there was a 37-key Sub Phatty. That's very cool, but a bit pricey. I'm not sure I can justify it, even if it is a Moog. I would also like something a bit more portable. Yeah I know, portable, more keys, conflicting priorities etc. What I really want is a Bass Station II with more keys and I'm waiting for one of you to make me one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thisnameistaken Posted September 26, 2014 Author Share Posted September 26, 2014 Now you made me watch a Sub 37 demo. YOU'RE A BAD PERSON! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Jamin Posted September 26, 2014 Share Posted September 26, 2014 I have a Bass Station II. I can confirm it sounds awesome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spike Vincent Posted September 27, 2014 Share Posted September 27, 2014 Just curious, but why more than 2 octaves for a bass synth? I use a Basstation rack with a midi keyboard, if that's any help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xgsjx Posted September 27, 2014 Share Posted September 27, 2014 [quote name='thisnameistaken' timestamp='1411770958' post='2562778'] Now you made me watch a Sub 37 demo. YOU'RE A BAD PERSON! [/quote] I watched some moog voyager XL demos. Trying my best to justify spending £5k on a synth to the Mrs, but I don't think its gonna work. I'm going down the synth route, but just for home use, so I'm considering a Roland FA08 (that's got a bit more than 37 keys too ). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thisnameistaken Posted September 27, 2014 Author Share Posted September 27, 2014 (edited) [quote name='Spike Vincent' timestamp='1411851784' post='2563369']Just curious, but why more than 2 octaves for a bass synth? I use a Basstation rack with a midi keyboard, if that's any help.[/quote] I just think while a 2 octave keyboard is probably OK if everything is in C I'm worried it will start to feel a bit tight in keys a fourth or fifth away. I'd rather have three, or even two and a half. Yeah a module and controller would be one way around it but I like having all the controls to tweak, and less gear to carry (there's potentially double bass in the mix in one band too). Edited September 27, 2014 by thisnameistaken Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xgsjx Posted September 28, 2014 Share Posted September 28, 2014 (edited) It also might be worth having a look at the Arturia Keylab 32 or 49. It's a VST & hardware system, so you'll need to take a laptop, but it has plenty of assignable knobs & sliders & has some excellent VSTs of analogue synths. Another good synth that I nearly forgot about is the MicroKorg. Singer in a previous band had one of these & they have some excellent sounds. There's also the DSI MoPho. That should fit your bill. 2 1/2 octaves, fully analogue, programmable & loads of knobs. It's made by the chap who started Sequential Circuits. Edited September 28, 2014 by xgsjx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oggiesnr Posted September 28, 2014 Share Posted September 28, 2014 Long in the tooth and getting harder to find in good condition but the Korg Prophecy is a brilliant beastie. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thisnameistaken Posted September 28, 2014 Author Share Posted September 28, 2014 The MoPho Keyboard might be a good option, I didn't realise they'd released a standalone model. The MicroKorg is fun but I like having full-size keys, due to having full-size hands. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sonic_Groove Posted September 28, 2014 Share Posted September 28, 2014 [quote name='thisnameistaken' timestamp='1411765753' post='2562705'] I've been looking at analogue synths. I [/quote] How about this?!!! B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thisnameistaken Posted September 28, 2014 Author Share Posted September 28, 2014 Is that Jimmy Saville? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassTractor Posted September 29, 2014 Share Posted September 29, 2014 What? WHAT? W H A T ? ? You don't even recognise fellow bass player Malcolm Cecil? Me neither. Or rather, I did recognise Malcolm Cecil, but had no idea he's a bass player. The monster behind him, btw, is TONTO - reportedly the largest modular synth ever. IMS it consisted of modules and keyboards from a range of brands, necessitating they built all kinds of circuitry to "translate" the control signals between systems. Any self respecting bass player in need of some bass synth sounds should get one or two of these. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheSiberian Posted September 29, 2014 Share Posted September 29, 2014 ...or at least a Moog Taurus 3. Best Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chaypup Posted September 29, 2014 Share Posted September 29, 2014 (edited) [quote name='BassTractor' timestamp='1411976006' post='2564367'] The monster behind him, btw, is TONTO - reportedly the largest modular synth ever. IMS it consisted of modules and keyboards from a range of brands, necessitating they built all kinds of circuitry to "translate" the control signals between systems. [/quote] TONTO is featured in the best-worst film I've ever seen, Phantom of the Paradise. [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2n5qVJEg3qA"]http://www.youtube....h?v=2n5qVJEg3qA[/url] Edited September 29, 2014 by chaypup Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thisnameistaken Posted October 4, 2014 Author Share Posted October 4, 2014 Ok so today I went out to Gear4Music and tried some synths. The Arturia Minibrute sounded great but without patch memory wouldn't be useful enough live and I want a synth that will be tweakable and also easy to use live. So I came home with a Bass Station 2. And it's better than I thought it was. What a great little instrument. :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted October 6, 2014 Share Posted October 6, 2014 Nord Lead (any version). I know it's "virtual" analog, but IMO it sounds fab and is more versatile than most of the competition. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thisnameistaken Posted October 7, 2014 Author Share Posted October 7, 2014 Having never owned a 'proper' analogue synth though, I'd decided that's what I wanted. I haven't taken it to a rehearsal yet (Thursday will be its first outing) but I've spent every spare minute pissing about with the modulation options, it's a fascinating little box. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HowieBass Posted October 7, 2014 Share Posted October 7, 2014 Have you tried putting your bass guitar through it yet? When I first started playing in a band with my mate we tried putting my bass through his Yamaha CS15 synth just to see what we could do with the signal - great fun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thisnameistaken Posted October 7, 2014 Author Share Posted October 7, 2014 I think the audio input just routes the signal through the filter, and the filter is very good and there are lots of modulation options, but no I haven't yet. I've got a couple of very good filters on my pedal board (which I will be running the synth through too). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earbrass Posted October 9, 2014 Share Posted October 9, 2014 If it's anything like my [url="http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/apr02/articles/novationkstation.asp"]Novation K-Station[/url] (and it may not be!), you'll need a line-level signal to get much use out of the audio input, so you may have to go via a pre-amp first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ras52 Posted October 9, 2014 Share Posted October 9, 2014 [quote name='chaypup' timestamp='1411977404' post='2564389'] TONTO is featured in the best-worst film I've ever seen, Phantom of the Paradise. [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2n5qVJEg3qA"]http://www.youtube....h?v=2n5qVJEg3qA[/url] [/quote] ...and on Stevie Wonder's early-70s albums <3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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