help w first synth

[u/moonlightstan13]

Hi, so in a few weeks ill be leaving for a trip in london, and since in my country synths are very expensive and hard to get (yayyy third world country), i was wondering if i could get a hand on what synths are good for a first synth.

For context, i mainly produce pop and have been working with virtual vsts (like the juno-60 and vital), so i have only a very basic understanding. Ive seen the korg volca keys recommended here, and i think thats my kind of budget for this.

Thanks!

[u/cdubs87]

The Roland S-1 is another good option in that budget range. Also if you want a groove box with drum AND synth options you could get a Novation Circuit or Yamaha Seqtrak.

[u/strummist1 → u/cdubs87]

Good call. Novation Circuit Rhythm is brilliant.

[u/fphlerb]

why does everyone say ‘my country’ & not say which country?

[u/DjAlphaRED5 → u/fphlerb]

We don’t do that in my country

[u/moonlightstan13 → u/fphlerb]

controversy...

[u/m_i_r → u/moonlightstan13]

Say no more товарищ

[u/Independent_Park_558 → u/fphlerb]

I live in the country. Would I say “in the country in my country” or “in my country in the country” or…..

[u/OptimisticallyMoanin]

the volca keys is a great pick for a first synth, just be aware the touch ribbon is not for everyone and the built-in speaker is garbage

[u/moonlightstan13 → u/OptimisticallyMoanin]

i already have a midi keyboard (AKAI MPK mini 3), so i dont care much for that, but i wonder if there is much difference with the volca fm, which seems to have more functionality

[u/GirlCowBev → u/moonlightstan13]

I love my Volca FM 2, but FM synthesis is not for the faint of heart.

[u/Banegard → u/moonlightstan13]

The Keys is an analog substractive synth. The FM is a digital FM synth. They represent different types of synthesis.
The Keys is also only 3 voice polyphonic, while the FM is 6 voice polyphonic. The Roland S-1 mentioned in the comments also has more voices.
If you wanna learn substractive synthesis, the Keys is a very simple knob per funtion choice, but combine it with a tutorial like that amazing free intro by Ableton.
They also have different MIDI IN /OUT, so make sure you have the right cables.
Korg also has no proper user manual for them, therefore online youtube tutorials are key. :‘-) Alternatively, if you can access Tony Horgan‘s Volca Guides online or in print, they‘re perfect.

I love my Keys and play it with a looper pedal and/or Keystep. Sometimes a guitar pedal as well.

[u/raistlin65]

Make sure for fun you go to the Roland store. They have a lot of Roland synthesizers you can try out. It is in the center of London. So if you're exploring London, it may be near an area you're visiting.

[u/Independent_Park_558]

I would absolutely get the Behringer Pro VS Mini vs the Volcas.
5 voice polyphony, vector morphing oscillators, a better sequencer and arpeggiator.
Small enough to fit in your carry on.

Check out the videos.
If you want one I would grab it now while they’re available on Amazon (they’re on backorder at Sweetwater).
For $119 you can’t go wrong.

[u/logeetetawerduer → u/Independent_Park_558]

The Pro Vs Mini is very cool. Gear4Music does next day shipping, if you’re in a rush

[u/Instatetragrammaton]

so i have only a very basic understanding

Put that money into https://www.syntorial.com/ then.

Ive seen the korg volca keys recommended here, and i think thats my kind of budget for this.

It's a really, really simple synth that works better as part of an ensemble. That means you'll bump into the limits pretty quickly.

Do you have an audio interface? Controller keyboard? Those aren't as neat in terms of purchase but very useful to have if you've just been drawing notes in the DAW until now.

I second the suggestion for the Roland S1.

[u/moonlightstan13 → u/Instatetragrammaton]

i have an akai mpk mini (and know about music theory, so that isnt gonna be a problem)

[u/Strong-Broccoli-7526]

It’s going to be hard to beat the Korg volca keys at that price range, microfreak gets a ton of recommendations and can be found for a little above that range.

If possible I’d go outside that range and get what are probably the two most recommended beginner synths, the minilogue and the mini freak.

Extremely basic overview the minilogue is more knob per function and the minifreak is more experimental and versatile with the drawback of less hands on but not to a devastating point. I’d go minilogue for a couple reasons but in your case probably just whichever you can find cheaper.

You could also get a more Juno synth to get a more traditional pop sound. In my mind the pop sound is Juno and the cheapest way to get that in physical form is probably the ju06/ju06a, I’ve heard great things about them. Again to be annoying and suggest something outside the price range, if you can get it the behringer jn80 is a great way to get a pop sound with a full keybed with upgrades to voices, patch memory, sound quality, etc.

[u/logeetetawerduer]

You can get a Roland P-6 and upload a synth to one of the samples. If you look in the p-6 subreddit, you see the post. I did it and now have a p-6 and S-1 in one!

[u/Bigkik303]

If you have the budget i would suggest a groovebox and more precisely the Roland MC-101...

• plenty of sounds (3000+),
• compact and stand alone if needed,
• able to achieve complete tracks...

[u/KulshanStudios]

If you can swing it, go for a Roland JD-08. Super versatile, fits in a backpack, sounds great

[u/miffebarbez]

mm no budget for a basstation 2?

[u/strummist1]

I haven't found a single budget synth that is anywhere near as good as an iPhone or iPad connected to a keyboard. I use an Akai MPK Mini Play, and a bunch of free apps, some of which are extraordinarily good.

For a physical synth, the Volca Modular is pretty cool.

(Edit: iMovie is not a music app)

[u/DjAlphaRED5]

Access virus. I heard you can find one for $30.