Buying my first synth help needed

[anybody human]

IMO u can't go wrong with DSI. Absolutely love my DSI Tetra, but I always wish I had all knobs/ controls in front of me. It's a big part of the experience and is not only great for learning but also makes synthesis fast & fun.

[evaodland]

My first Synth...

Akai MINIAK...

Why...

Criteria

1. Cost
2. Playability
3. Features

Choices:

1. MINIAK
2. Micro Korg
3. Micro Korg II
4. MICRON

Cost

I wanted to stay under $400 for my first synth I felt that was a decent amount to spend to get my feet wet.

Playability

Full size keys prefer waterfall over shelf (played Hammond M3 and Wurli)...I wanted lots of presets, a drum machine and ability to sequence and save

I had the opportunity to spend time with Micro Korg...I liked the sound in general and had plenty of "knobs". Editing sounds was a strong point. The tiny keys was a major bummer.

So that leaves the Micro II (which seems cheaper in feel)

I liked the MICRON feel alot...and it seemed a real free flowing sort. The MINIAK was essentially the same with a few more bells...I dislike the editor and lack of OSX compatible editor software...Biztune makes a VST for the MINIAK.

So in the end I chose the MINIAK...the drawbacks are hard to see LCD you have to tip the thing a lot or stand over it or have it very low. The keys are okay they have a bit of heft to them...but I don't really like 1/2 shelf keys so much...but in the scope of things that is minor I am getting some nice riffs and performances from them regardless.

So I am having alot of fun in a small space.

Next step is to build some of my own sounds...and assign one of the three XYZ knobs to parameters filters etc...

So now I am content...for now.

[ttaralli]

SOOOOO I got my first analog synth today. I opted for the Dave Smith MoPho Keyboard.

Reasons for this
1. Price
2. Ease of use
3. size for gigs

It really came down to the Little Phatty, Mono Evolver or the MoPho Keyboard. I feel like I made the right decision for various reasons. I almost bought a vintage Moog, but I really needed something reliable for live shows and I wanted something I could save patches to.

This thing sound amazing, and I think it's going to be a great first synth to learn synth on.

Thanks to everyone for their help with this. This is the best forum around hands down!

If you get a chance check out what we are working ghostintheclock.com

[JAMM]

i owned synths like pro-one, korg, elka synthex and roland stuff but now only use midicontrollers to control vst,s.
still got a AN1X.

But....congrats with your new synth....very nice;)

[Spectrumdisco]

I would go for a blofield

[ttaralli]

Funny you should mention that, because I also have a Blofeld desktop synth. The Blofeld sounds huge and I'm not taking anything away from it there, but menu diving is not my thing. Especially being fairly new to synthesis, In one night I've gotten a lot more out of the MoPho then I have ever got out of the Blofeld. But it's really just my preference in the way I would rather work. The Blofeld is a beast, but stay tuned for mine on ebay.