You're right. But with Crazybilly's budget and desire to support a band it may be better to go for a full sized keyboard with a range of keyboard/pad/synth sounds than a smaller programable synth. Just an alternative solution. Mildly off topic: I've suggested to friends looking for first synths for ...

Take a look at the lower end of the Casio range. Their Privia/PX series are pretty decent in the low end (PX130, 140 etc). Full sized keybeds so you can learn how to play a much better piano later on. Most have the standard pad noises: strings, organs, something that sounds close to "Jump". There ar...

I'd rate him pretty highly: Think about "1999", the album and the single, and how perfect for each the song the synth parts were. If he didn't play the part on the recording, he composed, arranged and demo'd the part. From what I've read, his demos would put many mastered recordings to shame. Likewi...

Since he has an iPad, I would start off with a synth app. Animoog would be a good candidate since you can add a built in 4 track recorder/arranger. It sounds great and he can get a taste of sample manipulation, too. The other thought would be something that better replicates hardware programming/pat...

I would send an e-mail to Dave Smith Instruments. I had the encoders on my MEK replaced this past summer. I went for the desktop style detented encoders instead of pots. I couldn't justify the expense and I kind of prefer encoders on preset machines anyway. If I recall, the upgrade was not listed on...

To hear the Proteus2500 sounds you'll have to listen to the different ROMs that are in it... the Pop Composer ROM (Proteus 2000), the Techno ROM (XL-1), the Orchestral ROM (Virtuoso), the MoPhatt ROM, Protean Drums, etc etc. I don't remember what the default ROM for the 2500 is. The 2500 came with ...

am i really the only one whod reccomend an sh201? good poly features, supersaw, simple pitch env, portamento, mix/ring/sync, the filters not great but it does good with a slow lfo It's a capable synth but the OP could get a used Virus B/Classic or a desktop Blofeld or a Nord Lead Rack within his bu...

I use a MEK as my main synth, but also a Virus kb for polyphony and as a 2nd synth. I also use normal "guitar" effects pedals to great effect. One of my bandmates has the Korg R3, and that sounds pretty cool too, so not a bad option. +1 on the Virus. Don't forget, a Virus is also a pretty powerful ...

Thanks for the advice. I actually want a dirty delay to make some crazy sounds live. That's why I thought of going for analogue. I really need something that is on par with the LP in quality...even if it costs more. A couple of thoughts rather than recommendations if you are on a budget: - "dirty" ...

And if you ever have a hankering for a Moog tone you can get an Moog MF201 and feed the Evo into it. I'm normally irked when I see yet another "you did a typo" responses but reading that had me immediately running to the Moog page to see if there was a new pedal to lust after. I laffed at myself ov...

GuyaGuy wrote: I've had my PEK for about 1.5 years and I still get lost!
"I'm modulating the who with the what now?!"

My Evolvers:

Banks 1-3 = a room full of monkeys with typewriters
Bank 4 = kids, stay out of that room, it's for company...

Not that it ever seems to stay that way.

Bums me out a little. For me, that and the LP represented the return of the "affordable" analog keyboard. I actually thought the PEK would go out of production first. This new round of even cheaper analogs (Minibrute, Mopho, Minitaur...) probably puts a big dent in the marketplace. Hopefully it does...

I know what you mean. I totally have to discipline myself and put everything away except for one instrument. Otherwise I am doing everything you can do with gear, buy/sell/tweak/polish, that doesn't involve actually playing the damned things. But, you will need a keyboard Evolver one day. :twisted:

For knob v menu diving: I'd say the tabletop Virus is better than the Snow: even with its menu diving it still has most oscillator/amp/filter controls on the front so for most patches you still have good live tweaking abilities. Comparing the Virus to the desktop Evo it depends on the user. The Desk...

I downloaded Animoog onto my wife's iPod Touch. I'm one of the converted. It sounds far better than a cheap piece of software should. That I spent $6 on that and iMaschine is ridiculous. This may convince me to let go of my flip phone and pager combo. What's nice is the "keyboard" is fully customiza...