ESQ-1 + Guitar + ???? = Amazing

[Kirby]

Hi, I'm new here, so naturally my first post is going to be about what I should get next.

1. What is your budget? It depends on how long I save up, but I would prefer a cheaper synth if possible. Lets set the ceiling at 1000 US dollars for now. I'd rather spend less than $500 realistically though.

2. What are you into? I really like prog rock, and psychedelic, evolving, spacey, and trance sounds.

3. Live, studio, or personal home use? This is all for personal home use for now. Maybe when I'm better I'll be able to join a band or even start my own.

4. Level of synth expertise? I'd say I'm pretty much a beginner. I've programmed a few sounds on an ESQ-1 which I've had for just over a year, and I've done a lot of reading and watching videos on the internet.

5. List what gear you already have. ESQ-1 (already mentioned), Yamaha Stagepas 300 (just paid about $600 for it. I still have a couple weeks to take it back if you think I could get a better mixer/amp/monitors.), and an acoustic guitar.

I'm looking for a synth with a good arpeggiator that has lots of knobs for hands on control and has midi. I'm also thinking about getting a good effects processor for both synths and a future electric guitar. For a while I was lusting after the AN1X because I heard a lot of good things about it, but now I think there might be better options that would fit better like possibly the DSI Monoevolver. I know they are completely different. I want something that will inspire me for years to come. I'll leave it up to you guys though. What do you think?

[Elandroth]

Monoevolver is amazing, but it is monophonic (one note at a time). That being said it certainly doesn't *sound* like your usual monophonic synth, because with 4 oscs and all of the modulation and sequencing options you can make some really, really, impressive evolving (duh) sounds. If you're happy with the polyphonic side of things that the ESQ-1 is offering you (I have one too, love it!), then the DSI MEK might be a fantastic choice, but if you're wanting a more modern knobby poly it's not going to be the MEK.

I've never played one myself, only have heard it on video, but every time someone asks about a knobby synth with a good arp section, the Novation Nova eventually comes up. It is an extremely well-respected Virtual Analog board and could be something to consider.

The AN1X is another top VA, along with the Nord Lead series, the Access Virus series, Korg MS2000 (kinda short on polyphony compared to other VA options), and the Alesis Ion. You will find fanatics and detractors for each of them, but I can't honestly say I've heard someone say a bad thing about the Nova, usually it's all praise, whereas other VA's can spark some debate and difference of opinion. Nova is certainly on my wish list.

I'm sure you'll get some more experienced opinions shortly, good luck!

[Stab Frenzy]

I have owned an Evolver of one kind or another for about 8 years now, they're great great great synths. In that time I also had access to an ESQ-1 for a fair while (girlfriend's Dad's which had some dead keys which I was repairing) and played with it a fair bit, there are actually a fair few similarities in the sound of the ESQ-1 and the Evolver if you choose to program the Evolver in that way. Whenever I made a great sound on the ESQ-1 I found I could copy it with the Evolver, but then go much further with it. When I tried to recreate sounds I'd made on the Evolver on the ESQ-1 I'd always end up running into the end of the parameter values.

Long story short I think if you like the sound of the ESQ-1 then you'll love the MEK, and might find yourself thinking of selling the ESQ-1. The ESQ-1 is polyphonic though, which might be something you need in your music. I'd recommend using a polyphonic module with the MEK, I used to run a Kawai K5000W through my Evo, currently I'm running a Tetra through it but I'm looking at installing an Alesis Nanosynth inside the body of my MEK to save carrying two things around to shows. Evolver + a polyphonic synth running into its audio inputs is a fantastic combination.

[prinsen]

I'm looking at installing an Alesis Nanosynth inside the body of my MEK to save carrying two things around to shows. Evolver + a polyphonic synth running into its audio inputs is a fantastic combination.

Great idea!

[Kirby]

Ok. That helped me figure out what I want to do. I'm going to try to get a DSI MEK first, then later if I get tired of the ESQ-1, I can upgrade to a newer VA like the Nova or maybe AN1X. I'll save that decision for later. Thanks guys.

[Kirby]

How effective would a Mopho with a polysynth running into its inputs be compared to the evolver with the same setup?

[Ashe37]

Why run a polysynth onto the Mopho's inputs? especially the ESQ...

[Stab Frenzy]

How effective would a Mopho with a polysynth running into its inputs be compared to the evolver with the same setup?

Evolvers have a lot more tools for processing audio than Mophos, eg. it's stereo, has a HPF, distortion and delays.

[fh991586]

The Mopho offers stereo outputs (yes, I was surprised when I saw that!), and it's cheap (250-300$ used), so it could be a low budget option...

[_seph]

The Evolver is a great suggestion. Once you have one you will find that there are a handful of presets designed specifically for processing guitar, which should give you a nice starting point. Really great synth.

Another suggestion (if you use Windows) would be to add a Nord Modular or Micro Modular. They are essentially a modular version of the Nord Lead 2 that have a software-based editor that allows you to completely reprogram the synth. Where the NL2 has a fixed architecture of a subtractive analog polysynth, the NM can be almost anything, from various types of synth, to being an effects processor, drum machine, etc... There is a vast collection of free user patches and resources online if you're new to synth programming, but for the money they're still one of the greatest and most flexible synths out there and they go far beyond "virtual analog". I mention being on Windows as the newest version of MacOS cannot run its editor and I haven't been able to get mine working within Parrellels virtual machine although I've read that others have had success, but I've been wrestling with the thought of parting with mine yet I love its sound and I've had it for 10+ years.

Anyway, start with the Evolver. I have the desktop model and find that its minimal user interface doesn't at all hamper the experience of using one. The keyboard version is great, but you have your ESQ-1 for a MIDI control keyboard, so that could save you a good deal of money.

One more synth worth considering that fits your budget... Roland's V-Synth. I mention this as it also can process external audio and it has a suite of Roland's COSM effects, including amp modeling and many others (Space Echo, etc..) found in their guitar effects gear. For me, the V-Synth is the greatest synth ever combining a powerful VA synth with variphrase sampling, controlled from an excellent interface and having the plus of being able to turn into a D-50. I love my Evolver, but the V-Synth is definitely my 'desert island' keyboard.

EDIT: and I just noticed the date on the last post .. hopefully the OP has found something by now..

[Phenom]

I think the MS2000 would be nice for you, you can process your guitar through it, and use its signal as just another waveform to throw through it's mod-sequencer, which is just instant cool. Great synth to learn subtractive on too...