Analog Poly Synth

[imperets]

I'm looking to buy a new synth, and it needs to meet the following criteria:

- 100% analogue
- polyphonic (at least 4 voices)
- under $1000
- has a keyboard
- has MIDI
- has at least 2 ocsillators per voice

The first 3 criteria is an absolute must; the last 3 I'm flexible on. All ideas will be appreciated.


PS: not interested in Juno 106

[Z]

The closest contenders I can think of are:

Akai AX60 - meets all criteria except only one VCO per voice.
Akai AX80 - dual DCOs

Korg DW-8000 - dual DCOs
Korg PolySix - single VCO, no MIDI
Korg Poly 61M - dual DCOs

Roland JX-3P, 8P and 10 - all dual DCOs
Roland Juno 60 - single DCO with sub-osc, no MIDI but you can get a MIDI to DCB converter

SCI Prophet 600 - meets all criteria if you can find one under $1K. For a while, they were in the $800 ballpark. I couldn't find any completed listings on eBay.

[Projectile]

You're going to have a h**l of a time meeting all of those criteria for under a grand.

[Ashe37]

DW-8000 is obviously not 100% analogue.

technically, if you're looking for "100% analog" you would be saying you dont even want a microcontroller scanning the keys, which excludes anything in the $1000 range and means you wont even have patch memory.

If you want something *new*, then a Tetra + MIDI controller is the obvious choice.

Other suggestions include the Roland JX series as Z mentioned, and the Oberheim Matrix 6r, which usually runs about $600. Of course, those aren't "100% Analog", they are DCO analogs...

[imperets]

i've been thinking about picking up a tetra + controller... hmm

[Ashe37]

i've been thinking about picking up a tetra + controller... hmm

If you get a really good controller like a Novation Remote (I have a Remote Zero) you can set up controls to be able to do much deeper editing than you can on the front panel of the unit. I made a template for my Mopho like the second day i had the Remote.

[CfNorENa]

- 100% analogue
- polyphonic (at least 4 voices)
- under $1000
- has a keyboard
- has MIDI
- has at least 2 ocsillators per voice

Another vote for the Prophet 600. They do still pop up for around $1000, and it definitely meets the other criteria as well. Luscious, vintage analog sound. Probably the last "bargain" in the vintage poly analog market...

[krzeppa]

i've been thinking about picking up a tetra + controller... hmm

If you get a really good controller like a Novation Remote (I have a Remote Zero) you can set up controls to be able to do much deeper editing than you can on the front panel of the unit. I made a template for my Mopho like the second day i had the Remote.

+1...this would be the way I would go. The Tetra is a great synth, and the price is great for something brand new (which means you should theoretically have less to worry about in terms of maintenance costs). Team that up with a good midi keyboard....and I like Ashe's recommendation of te Remote, and you have a very powerful synth right in your price range.

[TheKeytarist]

The prophet 600 is, of course, vintage, and that may mean higher maitenence bills. How ever, newer analogs may have more features, but are said not to sound as warm as their vintage counterparts. The prophet 600 seems to have most of the features that the tetra has, plus it features more hands on controlls. The tetra, still, could work, that is, paired with the novation controller. Just my thoughts...

[imperets]

Is there a "boutique" alternative along the lines of Vermona Perfourmer, but one that's still in production?

[Sir Nose]

I was gonna say Jomox Sunsyn, but it looks like they stopped production.

http://www.jomox.de/product_details.php ... duct_id=14

[Z]

I was gonna say Jomox Sunsyn, but it looks like they stopped production.

http://www.jomox.de/product_details.php ... duct_id=14

And is WAY more than $1K.

[imperets]

I've been also considering one of the following Roland synths: JX8P+PG800, JX-10+PG800, MKS-70 or similar. How do they compare to Prophet 600 or Tetra? How do they compare to Juno 106? My problem with 106 was that it only had one oscillator. Will I be happy with a JX8P (or similar) that it has 2 ocdillators? I'm aware of the crappy interface of the XP and the likes, I'm mostly comparing the quality of the sound. I already have the following synths in my setup: Moog little phatty; Access virus Ti; Nord Modular; Vermona Drm1.

What adjectives would you use to describe the sound character of the mentioned above Roland synths?

[antilles]

The JX8P is good but sounds a bit dull compared to the Juno's IMO. There's also the Oberheim Matrix 6, though it's not 100% analog. (Digital envelopes and modulation).

I'd say the Tetra has the fattest and most analog sound for a polysynth in that pricerange. However its only 4 voice polyphony, which is a b***h.

[aeccoin]

If I were you I would go for:

- Sequential Prophet 600
- Roland Juno 106
- Korg Poly Six (or Mono/Poly!)
- Oberheim Matrix 6
- Roland JX3P + PG200
- Roland JX8P

Personally I would hold out for a Prophet 600, 106 or Matrix 6. I picked up a Juno106 for $200! And I've recently seen Prophet 600's go for $600-$900, Matrix 6's sometimes pop up for $400.

It's worth the wait.

I also have a Tetra, it's cool but you'll be wishing you got something with a keyboard and more control.


Cheers!
M