best low-cost hands on polyphonic VA?

[nateholt75]

I was hoping to get an opinion or two (or more hopefully) on the SH201 - I have just about every virtual softsynth i could want for composing/experimenting/etc. but i bought an SH201 so i could have a polyphonic synth with real time hands on control in live application. I knew before I bought it reviews were mixed to say the least - on the one hand it is really easy to use, but the sounds i can get have been just ok at best for what im using it for. i've looked at novation products and would splurge on a moog little phatty if it was polyphonic. i also think the waldorf blofeld would be great but i really like the idea of having more controls laid out in front of me.

i use an rd300gx, a nord electro 3, and just acquired a jd990 - which i LOVE - that i'll control with either a novation or akai controller. but for a synth with real-time hands on control and quick editing (not rackmount via controller) im still not sure what the best option would be. although i'm still scouring the forum, it'd be nice to hear specifically from people who have or used to have any of the boards i mentioned.

[druzz]

the ms2000 has a great caracter of its own that can tastefully raw .
the rack version as all the controls on it also.

the best deal in the VA departement is the nord modular . its so awsome . i just bougth a micro modular and i am so impressed . very powerfull.

[Dubersive]

I bought an SH-201 a while back. IMO, it's a cheap, flimsy, thin sounding synth. It did teach me the basics of synthesis, but I can't give it much more credit than that. Getting it to connect to my computer was a pain in the a*s, because I was running Vista, and none of the extra features which were offered for the computer were compatible with my OS as a result (it's designed for XP users).

Also, not long after I bought it, one of the bank selection buttons broke, reducing the amount of patches I could work with and modify. It's sitting in storage now, waiting to be sold.

For better alternatives, I'd look at all of Druzz's great suggestions, or the Novation Nova/Supernova, which I'm pretty sure come in keyboard versions. I've also heard the Korg Radias is good, but it might be a bit out of your price range.

[paugui]

I quite like my Novation Supernova II.
I wouldn't say it has the best interface possible, but it is quite ok, I would say.

The Nord Modular is the best one, for sure, but you won't have the interface you wish.
The editor is quite easy to work with, and the possibilities are simply amazing
It is likely my favourite synth.

The MS2000 could be a nice choice, it seems to sound good despite I have never tried one.
The only big problem I've come to think about it, is the fact that you only get 4 notes of polyphony...

[pricklyrobot]

The Nord Modular is the best one, for sure, but you won't have the interface you wish.

Yeah, it has plenty of hands-on control (and you can edit everything but the patchcords without the PC editor), but you do have to assign every controller for each patch you make. This can certainly be seen as a plus, but doesn't sound like what the OP is looking for.

As far as hands-on VA's, I find my An1X and my MP-7 (not technically a VA I know, but it has raw waveform sounds and plenty of modulators), while not strictly knob-per-function, both provide plenty of easily accessible editing and performance-control options. Also they both sound great and can be had for cheap.

[paugui]

The AN1x is great too, but I don't think it has the interface needed...
But the sound I have to agree... is really nice.

The same with the Waldorf Micro Q, a really nice sounding sound, easy interface, but you cannot tweak too many things at the same time (you can't tweak filter cutoff and resonance together with filter overdrive, which is something I love to do in my Supernova II).


I have an EMU XL-7 and it is quite nice (an amazing groovebox with a good sequencer and nice sounds), but I don't find the interface to be any good for what is wanted.

[nateholt75]

Thanks for the responses! i have been able to peruse the forums a bit more and many of the synths you mentioned were talked about. I heard good things about the ANx1 but yea, not quite the interface I'd like. I spent alot of time with an MS2000 a few years back and it was ok but i think i like the SH201 better -- maybe that sounds dumb and if had one to mess around with again i might change my mind. although the sh201 isn't great, it's not awful and it may just be what i'm going to have to use until i can afford something really nice. i can get pretty close to the sounds i want and the sounds cut through well in a mix. i've also created some pretty cool sounds out of it just messing around though i would never use it to emulate analog synths on a recording -- too many great softsynths (i personally prefer using cause you can get pretty much anything you want) and better affordable rack options out there if was looking for that.

i almost bought a prophet 600 though there are the potential pitfalls that come with a real analog synth so using it as a live workhorse probably wouldn't be smart if i wanted to keep it in the condition i'd want it to be in. same reason my rhodes stays home. maybe one day i can afford something like that to grace my home-only collection

for live performances or jamming/song-writing with other live musicians i just want one piece of gear that i can plug in and tweak away. a little phatty would rock but need more key range and polyphony. those supernova II's are hard to find (not the rack version). i did see a nord lead (original) for about $500 - thought about cutting my losses on the sh201 and getting that. any thoughts? i know there's some limitations (no ring mod, and no fx ) but i'm not wanting to compromise for a rack synth - i just got a jd990 and that's going to be excellent for creating some awesome sounds but live i don't necessarily want to rely on racks and controllers and mapping parameters all the time you know?

[madtheory]

Get the KS Rack instead. Deeply under rated, sells for stupidly small money. Better than MS2000, An1x, SH201 (which IMO is among the worst, only slightly better than the Red Sound thingomebob). As good as Nord Lead 2x but different. I have spent time with all those synths, and that is my opinion.

[Cybercardinal]

What about a Virus KB? You cant go wrong with that. Dont know what they cost in the states though..

[meatballfulton]

There aren't really any low cost alternatives that will outdo the 201, esp. if you want equal or greater knobbiness.

Korg Radias or pretty much any Virus come to mind as alternatives but I wouldn't call them cheap. Maybe a second hand Nord Lead 2x?

[Elandroth]

I second the 2X suggestion, super awesome interface, fantastic sound, something you won't mind having as a part of a wider range of gear down the line. Then again they aren't exactly cheap as they were some years ago, you'd have to come across a deal on CL or something. And honestly now that I've expanded into some more synths, the only thing that I'm disappointed with on my Nord (and it is significant disappointment at this point) is the keyboard quality. It's not *bad*, but compared to my Rolands it feels cheap as h**l, even the Casio CZ-5000's keys I prefer significantly. At some point I will probably move to a rack version if the opportunity presents itself - but the pitch bender on the Nords *is* pretty damn pimpin' compared to any others I've used, so I'd probably miss that a tad.

[madtheory]

There aren't really any low cost alternatives that will outdo the 201, esp. if you want equal or greater knobbiness.

The Novation KS rack and its brethren will definitely outdo the 201, and as I said, used they are stupidly cheap at the mo.

[nateholt75]

So a Novation KS? I may have an opportunity to pick one up - really sounds pretty good eh? I know I haven't seen many around so I might grab it while I can. I am trying out a Nord Lead 2 tonight - I know some are down on it but I've definitely heard way more good things than bad.

Think I could unload the Novation (full keyboard, not rack) easily around these parts (VSE forum) if I wasn't happy with it? Since I have the opportunity I may take it since it's seems much easier to find the NL2.

[wiss]

I would 2nd any novation recommendation

[nateholt75]

this is awesome, many thanks for all the suggestions!!!!! probably will end up with the novation KS or the NL2. anyone want an sh201.. lol! i know i know, 'gear for sale' thread