Let's talk less expensive but good hardware synths..

[cabletone]

Waldorf Pulse. Excellent analog synth for bass, fast transients.

[googoo]

Try the Yamaha AN-1x.

http://www.vintagesynth.com/yamaha/an1x.php

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vZZ1cghfMg

[Lux Libra]

Nord Modular G1
+ endless possibilities (expandable to 8x dsp power)
+ best virtual anolgue sound (NL1 Engine -> dirty
+ cheap on the bay (around 600€)
+ Fun with patching sounds which are plain not possible with non-modular synths

i'll never-ever sell mine

[3dot...]

Evolver vs. pulse .. Evolver wins...

[8O]

little update... didn't get the JX8P (the guy 'flaked' on me ..

So now I'm looking at two (more) possibilities .. both mono, both analog, one a bit more expensive than the other... Both sound great!

Dsi Evolver and a Waldorf Pulse.. the Evolver is 400e and the Pulse 300e from what I can tell from the demos on youtube I think i prefer the sound of the Pulse.. but I do like the fact that that the Evolver has it's own sequencer, effects, and can also be used as an effect by plugging into the the unit with a sound module/instrument.. but I would do all sequencing/effecting in Live though. Like I said I have a mate with the Evolver but without know the Pulse I'm find it hard to be clear..

Any feedback or experience in either or both these synths please would be grand.

Cheers

Hd

Can only speak about my experience with my Pulse: wonderful synth, one of my best purchases, editing is a little laborious, you get used to it quickly and can find your way around quickly, but it's still a pain and that's one reason why my next synth was the Microwave XT, just to get more knobs. The Pulse's matrix modulation function gets some really wonderful sounds out though. But mainly, it's the sound of it which is the real killer - I had a chance to play a set with some audio clips direct from the Pulse at the big sound system at Berlin's Maria club, just sidechaining, no effects and it sounded jaw-droppingly deep and powerful.

Heard lots of good things about the Evolver too - think with these two, both are good, comes down more to taste rather than better/worse.

[3dot...]

Microwave xt is an awesome synth..
I'd get that or the mQ over pulse though...
all of Waldorfs efforts have been great ..
used to have the mQ a while back ..

the evolver wins (for me) because of it's wildness and rawness..
the awesome modulation options ...the excellent filters ..and feedback paths
the Waldorf stuff is all great ..so OP really you can't lose

I'd look into Doepfer 'dark energy ' and Oberheim 'SEM' too if I were you..
heard good things ..

[swishniak]

Nord Modular G1
+ endless possibilities (expandable to 8x dsp power)
+ best virtual anolgue sound (NL1 Engine -> dirty
+ cheap on the bay (around 600€)
+ Fun with patching sounds which are plain not possible with non-modular synths

i'll never-ever sell mine

+1 - love my micro modular

[heavensdaw]

Thanks guys for all your help and all!

Ok here's where I'm at atm.. Th list is changing/morphing every bloody day!

I've got a few more options.. One thing though I am clear on (now) is analog is what I want.. I have enough VA options with my softsynths and the X Station... Budget is something I have to consider (unfortunately!!).. And.. you know what? there seems to be a hell of a lot of options/possibilities out there!

I have found a Mopho (220e inc postage) .. This was my first idea.. the only thing is the 'programming' that seems to be a bit of a pain here.. sound wise though I reckon from the audio samples I've heard that it sounds really good..
The Pulse... hmm this is keeping me very interested.. but, I keep hearing the filter could be a lot better and that it is also 'mainly' getting rave reviews for it's bass qualities and no so much for leads/fx etc

The Evolver.. I like this synth.. for all reason stated earlier.

One other I have found is a Novation Bass Stn rack (145e inc postage) I remember them when they first appeared on the scene.. I think the name 'Bass station' is a bit misleading as from what I can remember of them they are capable of far more than only producing good bass sounds..

Re the Nord G1 love it!! can't afford it though

Again thanks for the help in deciding... my brains starting to hurt now.. have to pull the trigger soon! arghh decisions...

Cheers

Hd

[trevox]

Nord Modular G1
+ endless possibilities (expandable to 8x dsp power)
+ best virtual anolgue sound (NL1 Engine -> dirty
+ cheap on the bay (around 600€)
+ Fun with patching sounds which are plain not possible with non-modular synths

i'll never-ever sell mine

Cannot agree more with this. I have a modular G1 rack and a Modular G2 engine and I will never part with either. Oddly enough, they can sound quite different - functionality in the G2 is a lot better but I think the G1 sounds a bit better. Not sure how much you can get second hand ones for, but even a micro-modular would be a great purchase and I think you could get one for around €300.

Any Yamaha CS is a great purchase. I have a CS-15 and got it for around €600. Great synth. CS-30 are amazing and cost over €1000. Or if you get adventurous, you could get my dream synth - a CS-80. They probably cost €15,000-20,000 or something like that though!

[heavensdaw]

Hi dudes.. just to let you know that I've (finally) decided on the.......




































Mopho!
Sound, footprint, features & price is what swayed me...

Thanks again for all the help.. I now know a lot more good hardware 'less expensive' synth options for the next (inevitable) bout of LUST!!!

Hd

[3dot...]

great choice ...HAVE FUN !
consider getting the keyboard version..

[heavensdaw]

great choice ...HAVE FUN !

cheers mate .. I'm sure I will... It has all the sounds I want there atm, and being used to vst programming the PC/mac editor is no biggie.. certainly no dealbreaker!

consider getting the keyboard version.

Now don't be a meanie!

Hd

[Dayflight]

Hi guys

Bad case of GAS going on here!

I have always loved hardware synths, and I've had the pleasure of owning a few.. Now I have an X-Station 61 which does have it's own basically K-Station synth incorporated.. I can't honestly say that I really, really like the the synths sound, but it has it's uses, and whenever I do use it, it does add a 'presence' that I find a little extra than on my softsynths.. My softsynth list is.. Zebra, Sylenth, and Alchemy mainly..

Now I'm looking for some more sonic goodness.... Mopho? Blofeld? What? (lowish budget)

Any ideas? recommendations?

Spectralis

Cheers

Hd

[8O]

Mopho!

Send us links to your first tracks with it!

[heavensdaw]

Mopho!

Send us links to your first tracks with it!

Haha..' I'll show you mine if you show me yours '

But yeah, will do man... look forward to a right ol' retro ripper from yours truly ..

@ Dayflight.. was there anything else you wanted to add? Or was you content to simply quote the OP as your 1st post?

Cheers

Hd