synth recommendations

[glenno]

hi everyone

Can anyone recommend some good synths to buy or track down to get good lead sounds that are very expressive similar to vangelis 70's or 80's sounds with plenty of aftertouch and other hands on expression .Sounds that are mellow and expressive rather than modern heavy dance sounds.

[rhino]

Welcome to our world

My first thoughts are the Korg Prophecy and the Yamaha VL-1.

Don't fall into the trap of thinking IF I USE XXX SYNTH, I'LL SOUND JUST LIKE -name-.
Expressive sounds come from technique - not gear.

[CS_TBL]

Hardware? Software? Module? Keyboard model? First synth? Studio expansion? Price range? Preset box? Program-it-yourself box?

As for software: FM8 does it all.

[bhrama]

Expressive sounds come from technique - not gear.

I like this

[CS_TBL]

More specific: expressive sounds come from synthesis functionality: the way controllers (key, AT, Mod, PB etc.) influence loudness, pitch and sound color.

[ImperatorDX]

Real time control functionality is only half of the solution. For Vangelis' 70's and 80's leads you need a synth with full, homogeneous sound, which rules out the modern digital, software and VA synths. Of course, many people try to recreate these sounds with digital technology but it always sounds inferior.

Ensoniq ESQ-1 and SQ-80 are an exception - they sound homogeneous despite having digital wave generators but they have limited realtime control. I would avoid Moogs as they tend to sound too in-your-face while Vangelis' sound is more introspective. I'd recommend an ARP Pro Soloist, Korg Minikorg, Korg M-500 or Yamaha Sy-1.

[Hybrid88]

Well, since there is no mention of budget, you could always get a CS-80 - I've heard they can be pretty expressive...

...but seriously, a Prosoloist would be perfect for what you're looking for

[101 Force]

As far as fairly inexpensive, digital synthesizers go, I'd recommend the Roland D-50/D-550. You can coax analogue-like tones out of it in a similar vein to Vangelis or Kitaro, and it can create complex pads and sounds similar to real instruments that wouldn't otherwise be possible with an analogue synthesizer that would probably work well for you. Looking over VSE's page for the D-50/D-550 I see both Vangelis and Kitaro are listed as users, in fact.

Classic analogue polysynths like the Roland MKS-80, Oberheim OB-X, Oberheim OB-Xa and the Oberheim OB-8 can all achieve similar sounds quite easily, as well as the famous Yamaha CS-80, Yamaha CS-70m and Yamaha CS-50 synthesizers.

There's plenty of software synthesizers that would work well for you, among which I suggest you check out the excellent (and free) Green Oak Crystal.

[JJQ]

Expressive sounds come from technique - not gear.

I like this

Nope. Thats wrong. I play like c**p, but what I do with my CS-50 sounds expressive and very Vangelis.
And the CS-50s are pretty cheap to.

[Stab Frenzy]

This should be in Buyers Guide and should also contain enough information for people to actually help you, rather than just randomly say the names of synths.

[sqweebking]

Roland Super JX-10, if the aftertouch is still working its a very expressive and beautiful sounding board.

[tom Cadillac]

Maybe the Dve Smith mopho keyboard?

Its a bit of an unknown quantity yet. But I'd say it shines at expressive leads. The aftertouch and keyboard action is v good. But it may well be too agressive for what you want.?

Heh! - at least you can go in a shop and check it out!

Going by what's written about synths is a hard way to tell if you actually will like them.
I should just do what most people do - consume vast quantities of synths and concentrate on buying at a price where you can sell on without a loss.

[cartesia]

homogeneous sound

Trying to figure out what you mean by this...

[Phenom]

Maybe a JP8000, cheap, plenty around and have read from people in the know that well programmed, it's still the best VA synth for CS80 impersonations. (I remember not being wholly convinced by its Chariots preset, but I'm told it can do a lot better with good programming).

The ribbon controller would probably be really useful for these sounds too.

[Bohemian86]

Seconding the SQ-80, SY-1, and Prosoloist. The early korg synths of course are good as well. Vangelis used a 700s for a while I believe. They dont have aftertouch however.