New Member(with questions)

[Harp3]

Hi everyone! I'm new to the world of synth and I have a few questions(well, maybe more than a few). I recently purchased an Akai Miniak and I'm having a lot of fun with it but I was wondering if anyone here uses one as well?

Also, can anyone recommend a good, affordable analog synth to go along with it?

As far as musical taste, I like krautrock, minimalism, 70's 80's sci fi and horror soundtracks(in particular John Carpenter). Oh, and the new Com Truise too.

I'd like to learn synthesis on a relatively easy analog synth, possibly monophonic, although I'm curious as to the advantage of monophonic over polyphonic, no midi necessary.

And last but not least, I'm currently playing thru my guitar amp, and was wondering if that was ok for home recording purposes. Thanks again, aargh, one last question-anyone use guitar pedals with their synths, or have any favorites they use?

[stephen]

If you fancy going down the vintage route, I'd recommend a Roland SH09. I sold mine recently... regrets! They're not uncommon though, and their prices still seem to be reasonable.

Consider effects too. Analogue synth with a nice reverb and/or delay... mmmmmmm.

Not sure about advantages over polyphonic.... just different really. No pesky chord worries, if that's an advantage! A monosynth also has 'creative limitation' too.

[Harp3]

Thanks Stephen! I will have to check that one out. I was originally considering the Korg Poly61 due to the description on the site here( lo-fi, gritty, trippy).

Do you use a specific delay and reverb pedal? I play guitar also and have a boss DM-3 analog delay and a DD-3, and I hate to say this, but I think I prefer the digital delay to the analog. For the synth anyway.

[KrisH]

Hi Harp3. I use a Miniak and love it. It has a lot of sonic capabilities, more than I've discovered so far. A good editor program helps, rather than just spinning that knob. It's great to play with. As for analogs, I can't say -- the rest of my stuff is vintage digital from the 80', along with numerous softsynths with key controller. The Miniak is my analog-substitute. The thing is to enjoy them, and I do!

[Harp3]

Krish, nice to meet you, thanks for the reply. I can't seem to find much online for user forums specific to the miniak. Are you aware of any? I'm also curious as to what the presets are modeled after. Some are obviously easier to figure out than others(j00pit3r)!

[Harp3]

Hey KrisH, just checked out your Phillip Glass cover, real nice stuff. Correct me if I'm wrong but I think I heard some Miniak vocoder action in there!

[loungedumore]

There is a Ion Micron Miniak Yahoo group , but last I was there I did not find much use for membership ... it's there though and YMMV
The Miniak is capable of much in the terms of subtractive and even fm synthesis ...so another unit to go with kinda depends on your needs and/or tastes . If you are not in to using computers than a rompler for "meat and potato" sounds would be beneficial ( lots of old E-MU racks for that ) if you are on the DAW train chances are you got that covered in which case taking your tastes in to consideration I would either go with a recent cheap mono analog or a 80's " hybrid " synth ( digital waves + analog filters ) as they always scream 80's/soundtrack to me . Lots of choices there . If your like me when I first started out then all the above lol
Anyway ...welcome aboard .

[Cumulus]

The guitar amp is OK as long as you like how it sounds. Sometimes a nice tube amp can realy beef up a synth line but guitar amps also tend to color the sound, That's not necessarily bad, as long as you like the osund.

Consider a good keyboard amp or powered monitors at some point in the future if you a more accurate reproduction of the sounds your synths make.

Effects? Well, whatever sounds good to you. I like reverb and delay for synths. Chorus and flange sound good, too.

My best advice is to experiment and see wat you like.

[loungedumore]

Any info you need out there can be found by looking at Alesis Ion and Micron forums as well ...if you were not in the know they are all the same synth engine . As far as pedals go I use the line 6 Podfarm , but they have smaller non computer pedal versions as well . I won't talk crazy and compare them to the kit they model , but they sound good enough for me and they have variety and versatility again YMMV

[Harp3]

Thanks everybody for your thoughts and suggestions. Searching online I rarely found info on the Miniak but routinely found and/or linked to info about the Micron. I just thought the Micron was more popular.

I'm really glad I found this site, I just hope I don't drive you guys crazy with questions.

[Electroluver]

For the most part Romplers suck. If it's going to be sampled, at least make it sound good.
I think the Oberheim OB-X might help you get those John Carpenter sounds heard on the records. If you can find a synclaviar, let me know.

[Ashe37]

if you were not in the know they are all the same synth engine .

The effects are different between the Ion and the Micron/MiniAK.

[Betterthanprozac]

Guitar amps are great for synths...but a lot of speakers for guitar amps (especially entry-level) will be damaged by playing bass sounds loudly (over time). I read that square waves are especially demanding. Bass guitar and some upper tier speakers lack this fault; I've found that Celestion Vintage 30s are a good speaker for the generally used sonic range. Tube is great, better for monosynths IMO the harmonic overtones of the gain are less appreciated during chords.

[Harp3]

Thanks BTP. Over the summer I picked up a 15watt Blues Jr. with an Eminence Cannabis Rex speaker. Shortly afterward
the synth bug bit and I was worried the amp might not work well with the Miniak and I would have to scrounge around to get another amp, so that's good to know

[loungedumore]

if you were not in the know they are all the same synth engine .

The effects are different between the Ion and the Micron/MiniAK.

Yeah and the arp section too , but the synth engine = same . So if our grasshopper is searching for ideas on how to get the most out of / tame it . Ion and micron info applies just as well .