Name some underrated/hated synths that you like

[blavatsky]

This has probably come up before but didn't see any results in the first few search pages...

List a synth/sampler/drummachine (or 2 or 3) that was underrated/hated/ignored upon release that really works for you...doesn't have to be anything magical about it, just something that fit in your setup despite maybe failing in the retail market/among synth peers.

For the sake of keeping on track, lets say nothing too expensive (< $500?) and nothing that failed at first and now is big bucks (ie, TB303)

A couple to start:
1. M-Audio Venom
Pros: costs $200 bucks on sale.....very thick sound, can sound pretty analog...lots of waveforms/modulation....easy to sit down and enjoy...can do bitcrushed/decimated stuff easily/great pads/basses/sound fx
Cons: Crappy UI , lack of access to all parameters from the front. Cheap-y feeling

2. Casio MT-68
Pros: cost me $6; classicly cheesy analog percussion, casio chord/bass/arpeggiator, fun sounding organs/strings , 2 modulators, vibrato.....send through some reverb and delay and be surprised how it sits in a track
Cons: It sounds like a casio which is not many people's cup of tea

[mute]

I guess you can't even really call it underrated anymore and the prices have jumped up alot, but you could for many many years.... Roland JX-3P.

Casio CZ-1 is also crazy underrated if you go by street value.

[rhino]

1) +1 on the CZ-1 - The DX-7 from Bizzaro-land
2) Ensoniq TS-12 (or 10) - Fullest, warmest synth ever.
3) Casio VZ-1 (10m) - Can make your ears bleed when programed right/wrong.
4) Alesis SQ series - "Just a ROMpler..", but good selecton of non-acoustic waves, great effects and 16-way poly. (keyboard can be split 16 ways too!)

[ppg_wavecomputer]

Yamaha CS50 and Roland JX3P come to mind.

Stephen

[synthroom]

Another vote for the Jx-3P - seriously underrated. The Junos get all the attention and everyone overlooked the JX-3P.

[megamanx]

casio ct 101, yamaha cs 5, akai ax 60 and 80, yamaha dx 9 and 11 are all excellent synths that are still under the radar and are an incredible value..

[c-level]

jx8p

love it

[Walter Ego]

2. Casio MT-68
Pros: cost me $6; classicly cheesy analog percussion, casio chord/bass/arpeggiator, fun sounding organs/strings , 2 modulators, vibrato.....send through some reverb and delay and be surprised how it sits in a track
Cons: It sounds like a casio which is not many people's cup of tea

1. I love my MT-68. Got one in the original box basically in brand new condition with the original receipt from 1983/5 (can't tell--it's handwritten) for $25 a few months back. Sounds great through some processors, especially the percussion. Just beef up the low end in the mixer.

2. Boss DR-110 drum machine is still a bargain. If only it came with MIDI. With the Volcas out now, I don't see prices rising anytime soon. Also the Boss DR-220A/E is a great bargain. Plays nice with its analog brother.

3. Late '70s string/organ synths. Most are still cheap. You can get an RS-101 for around $200. I just got an RS-09 for even less than that. They're cheap because they can't be externally controlled.

And I agree--the whole Casio CZ line are great, and they still fly under the radar.

[Cumulus]

The Alesis as 7.1 and its relatives.

Lots I'd cool sounds, although many if them are drenched in reverb.

[groy]

Korg 707 and, I would have to assume, DS8.
It ain't amazing, but for what it is, it's certainly capable enough that I enjoy it and programing is easy.

[Hybrid88]

I was quite impressed with the Poly800 and the CZ-101, nice sounding machines

[cgren72]

I was quite impressed with the Poly800 and the CZ-101, nice sounding machines

I agree, the Poly 800 can make some interesting sounds. It has character. I've always kept mine around

[fh991586]

The Korg Poly61!

[Mooger5]

Still no love for ROMplers?
To me, the Kawai K4 and the Korg 01/W sounded great.

Listen to that flangey pad (Dark Star preset). Clean tone and dynamics.

[redchapterjubilee]

Heh. Juno 106. Maybe not hated so much as always shunted aside by the "ermehgerd the Juno 6 and 60 are FAR superiuh to the 106" crowd. Sure, I know all about the reliability factor and all, but acetone restores chips AND there are good chip clones out there to keep these synths alive. It's no sweathog heritage 2VCO monster like an Ob-X or Prophet 5 or Jupiter 8. It's a subtle synthesizer. Pads are gauzy, ethereal, somewhat smooth and glassy. Raise the resonance and it sweeps in a uniquely Roland sort of way. It is also at times a very buzzy raspy machine if you fire up all the waveforms at once and raise the cutoff (it cuts with lots of mids that way...stands out amongst lots of guitars in the mix). It can also be a snappy and obese bass machine if programmed properly (I love to layer 106 bass with that snap with a Moog bass to give it a little more largess). Anyhow, I feel the 106 gets an unfair rap and doesn't get the love I feel it should.