Synthesizer in the $200 - $400 range

So I'm looking to buy a keyboard analog synth in the price range above for use with my mpc and I've been looking at 2 in particular. The m audio venom and the Akai MINIAK. I've been reading all the reviews and watching the YouTube videos for both and they both seem really nice. The only problem is that my local guitar center only has the MINIAK for me to play around with, not the venom. If anyone has experience with these 2 synths or any others in the $200 - $400, can u give me an honest review...

Neither of those are analogue, just so you know, they're virtual analogue. I think the cheapest options if you want real analogue would be the Monotron/Monotribe by Korg, or a Dave Smith Mopho. All of which fit into your budget just about, but none have a traditional keyboard.

Failing that second hand is the way to go.

I had the Miniak for a few weeks, I didn't like the sound, i find it cold. And it's very hard to program, so if it's your first synth I wouldn't recommend it.
I'm also looking for a synth in that price range, and I think I'm gonna buy the Roland SH 32.It looks quite easy to program, so it might be a good idea if it's your first synth. Also look for the Novation Xiosynth, it's very cheap and I like the Novation sound!

scoobylol is right of course, but if you don't want real analogue and VA is ok, there's some useful info in this thread: http://www.korgforums.com/forum/phpBB2/ ... hp?t=65671
(but ignore everything Morshu says, which is about half the posts in that thread!)

The Venom has a built in audio interface, which would be very useful if you don't have one already

I like my Korg R3, but it doesn't have a lot of controls on the front, so you have to go through lots of menus to adjust parameters. The R3 is like half a Radias, without all the dedicated knobs and controls, but the radias model with the keyboard is probably out of your budget.

theres loads of 'vintage' synths you could get for that price range

roland alpha juno, roland jx3p, korg poly800 (instant 80s), akai ax60 hands on control, akai ax73...or even waldorf pulse(no keys)...filthy bass lol.

if youre going the va route you could consider also the blofeld....no keys for your price range..but sounds great

Pastor-of-Muppets wrote:scoobylol is right of course, but if you don't want real analogue and VA is ok, there's some useful info in this thread: http://www.korgforums.com/forum/phpBB2/ ... hp?t=65671
(but ignore everything Morshu says, which is about half the posts in that thread!)

The Venom has a built in audio interface, which would be very useful if you don't have one already

I like my Korg R3, but it doesn't have a lot of controls on the front, so you have to go through lots of menus to adjust parameters. The R3 is like half a Radias, without all the dedicated knobs and controls, but the radias model with the keyboard is probably out of your budget.

I agree the R3 is the only piece of gear I regret selling.

Also be aware that many analogue synths are not 16 part multitimbral.

Meaning that they cannot receive midi on 16 channel simultaneously.

A lot of people copped the MicroKorg without realising this somewhat obvious limitation.

So whatever you decide on check the midi specs carefully first!!!

scoobylol wrote:Neither of those are analogue, just so you know, they're virtual analogue. I think the cheapest options if you want real analogue would be the Monotron/Monotribe by Korg, or a Dave Smith Mopho. All of which fit into your budget just about, but none have a traditional keyboard.

Failing that second hand is the way to go.

thanks, i meant to put virtual analog. but for me i'd rather have one that has a traditional keyboard. I don't have any problem getting one second hand as long as it works so i'll definitely by hitting the gear for sale page and craigslist

everyone else, advice much appreciated. i will definitely check some of these synths out on my journey for the perfect sounds

clint246clint wrote:Also be aware that many analogue synths are not 16 part multitimbral.

Meaning that they cannot receive midi on 16 channel simultaneously.

A lot of people copped the MicroKorg without realising this somewhat obvious limitation.

So whatever you decide on check the midi specs carefully first!!!

I love/hate the micro korg, the lack of multitimbral kills that device's potential.

I love my MicroKorg, it really is a beast with awesome features for its price. Don't be put off by its presets, some are really bad & sounding outdated. But that said, you should know / be prepared to study (as with any synth really) synthezising principles to make the most of it.

Personally I don't find its monotimbrality be a problem. Sculpture an awesome sound and multisample it with mpc. Opens a lot more possibilities for extended mangling and is fun hands-on stuff. Highly addictive and recommended

For the price range I'd check out synth modules like the previously mentioned Mopho and just play it using a MIDI controller. 2nd hand "vintage" gear also worth a look, but usually u have to dish out more cash to get one and be extra cautious on what it can and cannot do (in terms of features).

I have the SH-32. It's a great lil machine, some excellent stuff in there. Almost no useful community of users though. That's frustrating. But a great box.

I'm 99% sure you can't fully program the venom without a computer, so keep that in mind. You can load all your sounds in and use it stand alone though. I've used a friend's and I like the sound. For software the filters sound nice to my ears. The keyboard doesn't feel great and I question how durable it is if you gig with it. If you don't mind using a computer to make sounds it's a crazy good value. If they released a module w/o the keys I'd be tempted to pick one up even though I find the software editor ugly.

The miniak is basically the same as the alesis micron, which usually goes for much cheaper and it'd be much less risky to pick one of these up and spend some time with it to see how you get on.

One cool thing about the micron/miniak is that you can program them to respond to poly pressure, that is pressure from each of your MPC pads. The downside is that he interface isn't great.

I think if you like the miniak sound you should go for the alesis ion which is the big knobby version of the micron. It's missing a few features and you'll have to save a bit more, but it'll make up for it in ease of creation.

i think for that budget, unless you really must have pc integration, your cash would be better spent on something older. alot of synths in that range coming out today are toys compared to the older used stuff selling in the 200-400 range today.

fawn wrote:I have the SH-32. It's a great lil machine, some excellent stuff in there. Almost no useful community of users though. That's frustrating. But a great box.

+1 on the roland sh-32, just picked one up earlier this week.

it can do almost anything well,... nice airy pads, upfront in your face leads, or bass with true fatness thanks to the sub oscillator. its quite deep though and its one of those machines where you need to read the manual.

there are a couple of yahoo groups with good info,.... full of spam and kinda dead, but alot of good stuff in the archives.

what about that roland sh 201 . looks mega simple and fun.