Upgrading my synth, suggestions please.

jesserhodes · Post by **jesserhodes** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 8:57 am

I've been greatly enjoying my first synth, a microKorg. It has served me well enough for jamming with friends, but I am beginning to find it's mini keys and interface frustrating. A few friends are interested in buying it, and I hope to make around $340 US off of it, but it'll probably be less than that because my friends are poor.

Anyways, I was thinking I'd take that money and save a few hundred more and upgrade to something a little more sexy.

I'd like synth style action, more octaves than the microKorg, more polyphony etc. Basically all around better.

I'm not too picky about sounds, just needs to be able to pull off something that resembles an organ, and the usual sounds needed for 80s style tunes.

Been looking at Roland SH-201/Juno-D/JP8080, Nord Lead 2x, and the new Korg R3.

I'm a poor high school student so I need an affordable, versatile synth.

Analog Freak · Post by **Analog Freak** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 6:12 pm

I'm thinking that the Roland Juno 60 might be just the ticket. They don't have the dreaded 'dead voice syndrome' that the Juno 106 has, and just about every pop act in the 80's had one. The Nord Lead 2x probably wouldn't be bad either, but it sure doesn't look like something from the eighties.

EDIT: I forgot to mention the Roland Alpha Junos.

Tofuik · Post by **Tofuik** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 8:26 am

There is always the MS2000, the microkorg's big brother.

Analogue Crazy · Post by **Analogue Crazy** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 3:47 pm

Try the Juno Synths. If you want a true 80's experience buy the Juno-60. I just bought one.

Here are its main features:
MEMORY - 56 Patches (actually there are 78 Patches).
NICE KEYBOARD - Full 61 note keyboard. It has no velocity but it feels great and is still expressive.
SLIDERS - There is a Slider or switch for every function unlike on your Microkorg.
EASY TO USE - Its all there in front of you. Just a few hidden functions (like Unison).
CLASSIC 80's SOUND - Much better sounding than any of the VA's. Full of Character. Used on many 80's records.
VERY RELIABLE - Perfect for the Performing musician. Stays in tune. Never lets you down. Great for Playing live.
AFFORDABLE - Classic Sound at affordable Price. Great value for money

Honestly this Synth sounds amazing. You will never go near a VA again if you buy one.

OriginalJambo · Post by **OriginalJambo** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 3:50 pm

I'd have to recommend a Juno as well based on what your needs are. If you don't mind looking into digital then a Roland D-50 will get you sure fire 80s sounds too.

jesserhodes · Post by **jesserhodes** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 9:36 pm

I'd actually prefer a VA/digital synth as I like the reliability and I definitely am in no position to pay for repairs to old equipment. My eventual goal is to have a rig consisting of a laptop+88 key weighted controller, so I'd like a synth that will fit in nicely. I'm wary of buying old stuff and I'm also scared of eBay (

).

The Juno-G looks pretty cool, built in USB and so forth...

Post by **Vxster** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 10:02 pm

If at all possible, you would ideally like to try one out (of the newer of your suggestions). Any chance of that where you are?

Tofuik · Post by **Tofuik** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 11:31 pm

jesserhodes wrote:I'd actually prefer a VA/digital synth as I like the reliability and I definitely am in no position to pay for repairs to old equipment. My eventual goal is to have a rig consisting of a laptop+88 key weighted controller, so I'd like a synth that will fit in nicely. I'm wary of buying old stuff and I'm also scared of eBay ( ).

The Juno-G looks pretty cool, built in USB and so forth...

The Juno-G would go nicely with a Laptop, I've played on a few and loved them. Very nice workstation synth. They've gone for as cheap as $650, so they are also affordable.

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 11:52 pm

A Roland MKS 50 sounds fairly Juno, it is an Alpha Juno in a Rack, can be had for about $150. Get a modern controller. Now you don't really have many parts to break, and you can replace the synth. A lot cheaper than a new expensive synth that runs on samples.

crystalmsc · Post by **crystalmsc** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 7:58 am

jesserhodes wrote:I'd actually prefer a VA/digital synth as I like the reliability and I definitely am in no position to pay for repairs to old equipment. My eventual goal is to have a rig consisting of a laptop+88 key weighted controller, so I'd like a synth that will fit in nicely. I'm wary of buying old stuff and I'm also scared of eBay ( ).

The Juno-G looks pretty cool, built in USB and so forth...

if you want a VA with USB, the Novation X-station looks like a nice fit with your laptop/88 key set up. It got nice interface, usb, aftertouch and audio interface. But if you can skip USB, the K-station is also worth to look at for more synth.

viscerallove · Post by **viscerallove** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 8:30 pm

crystalmsc wrote:
jesserhodes wrote:I'd actually prefer a VA/digital synth as I like the reliability and I definitely am in no position to pay for repairs to old equipment. My eventual goal is to have a rig consisting of a laptop+88 key weighted controller, so I'd like a synth that will fit in nicely. I'm wary of buying old stuff and I'm also scared of eBay ( ).

The Juno-G looks pretty cool, built in USB and so forth...
if you want a VA with USB, the Novation X-station looks like a nice fit with your laptop/88 key set up. It got nice interface, usb, aftertouch and audio interface. But if you can skip USB, the K-station is also worth to look at for more synth.

same suggestion i would give, though you will probably want the KS 4 (the K Station's bigger brother) since it is a 4 octave keyboard.

EDIT: plus, the KS 4 is like having four K Stations in one

mistercooper · Post by **mistercooper** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 8:50 pm

I'd look into the alesis ion, too.

Bryce1888 · Post by **Bryce1888** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 11:04 pm

As a fello microKorg user, i am interested in the alesis ion. It has 512 presets and they are all user rewritable, so you have much versatility. Also how did you mount the strap holders on your micrkorg?

jesserhodes · Post by **jesserhodes** » Tue Mar 06, 2007 6:03 pm

Bryce1888 wrote:As a fello microKorg user, i am interested in the alesis ion. It has 512 presets and they are all user rewritable, so you have much versatility. Also how did you mount the strap holders on your micrkorg?

I just removed the screws that hold on the wood panels, matched them to some slightly longer ones, and put them in the preexisting holes with the strap locks. Easy!

And the Novation looks awesome, I'd never even looked at them!