first HW synth - SH-101 or Dark Energy or...

[ryandfl]

Hey all, hardware noob here. I'm planning to venture beyond software and get a hardware synth in the near future. At the moment, I think my first device will either be the Roland SH-101 or a Doepfer Dark Energy.

Any thoughts on that?

[Stab Frenzy]

The Dark Energy is a very nice synth, and would integrate with a computer based setup more easily than an SH-101. I'd go the DE, 101s cost way too much for what they are.

[ryandfl]

I like the idea of the Dark Energy more. My only concern is getting 'big' sounds out of it. The SH-101 can sounds pretty chunky, which nice to have. From what I've heard of the DE, it might have a harder time time achieving very thick sounds. Can anyone confirm or deny that?

[edfunction]

i don't see why it should be a problem for the dark energy. the 101 does have the sub osc but i don't know if i would describe it as big compared to other analogs.
i love my 101, but for the money i'd get a DE. 101's are overpriced these days unless you need the sequencer (which is awesome, but mainly if you have a drum machine also).

[dustinh]

I second (or third) the idea of the dark energy. I owned an sh-101 for a number of years and although it's a nice synth, I never really thought of the sound as "big" or "fat". I might receive flack for this, but I actually thought the 101 sounded a bit thin, kinda like a single juno voice. It can make some nice acidy stuff with it's filter and a nice punchy envelope, but I don't think they're nearly worth the price they fetch.

The dark energy on the other hand is a brand new synth that's not 30 years old so you're not likely to come across any maintenance issues anytime soon. The dark energy I think would be more fun in the long run, especially because of its semi-modular nature. There are definitely more sonic possibilities with it than the 101.

Oh yeah, and as stab hinted at, the dark energy has not only midi, but a usb port for effortless integration with your computer. Be ready to drop another $200 for a midi to cv converter if you plan on getting a 101.

[Nik]

Hmm... have you considered DSI Mopho? Seems much better option to me.

[ryandfl]

I have thought about the Mopho, but I don't really like the DSI sounds. It's a little harsh to my ears. I know they are really popular, so I guess I'm in the minority, but oh well. Great features and routing on the Mopho keyboard thought.

[silikon]

Hey all, hardware noob here. I'm planning to venture beyond software and get a hardware synth in the near future. At the moment, I think my first device will either be the Roland SH-101 or a Doepfer Dark Energy.

Any thoughts on that?

Depending on your comfort level -- I would probably buck the trend here and say SH-101 -- even though as Stab says, they're overpriced for what they are. The overriding reason for my suggestion from the norm is the relative ease of layout on the SH-101 versus the Dark Energy. The layout of the 101 makes it easy to get your arms around programming; if you're an old hand at programming and know how to use various modulation routings and also incorporate different things like FM and whatnot, then disregard everything I just said. The Dark Energy is more of a capable machine in many aspects. (and most times cheaper).

The obvious downsides of getting the SH-101 is exactly as described by others; expensive. somewhat limited. more complexity when intergrating into a modern DAW setup. Old hardware often means the idea that it could require more maintenance than a new machine. The upshot in this certain instance that led me to go down the path less traveled is... simplicity, and the SH-101 is a pretty fun machine to play.

Hand Grip, Shoulder Strap. Rock the f**k out.

[Hair]

The SH-101 probably would be a lot of fun to learn on, but they really are overpriced for what they do. For more affordable knobby vintage monos, you could look at the ARP Axxe, the Yamaha CS-5,10 and 15 and the Realistic Concertmate MG-1 (or Moog Rogue)

The Dark Energy on the other hand is great for the price, and out of the two you mentioned, what I'd definitely recommend as well.

Other modern options include the Vermono Mono Lancet (lose the DE's patch points, 2nd LFO and FM, BUT gain a 2nd VCO) and the MFB Microzwerg/Nanozwerg - Micro is somewhere between the DE and the Lancet: 2 VCOs, 2 LFOs and some patch points; Nano is the simplest of all mentioned, but also the cheapest.

[Solderman]

Another vote against SH-101 here. I bought mine for $200 in 1999, and I didn't even really get to like it until I modded it. Kinda thin with resonance up without modding it to include a triangle waveform to the mixer.
Dark Energy or one of the MFB synths, definitely. I have my Kraftzwerg permanently connected to a Moog MF-101 filter and it's both a low-end monster and powerful lead machine!

[skizzle]

i love both; dark energy.

http://kunz.corrupt.ch/products/tal-bassline

[Sir Ruff]

Hey all, hardware noob here. I'm planning to venture beyond software and get a hardware synth in the near future. At the moment, I think my first device will either be the Roland SH-101 or a Doepfer Dark Energy.

Any thoughts on that?

Depending on your comfort level -- I would probably buck the trend here and say SH-101 -- even though as Stab says, they're overpriced for what they are. The overriding reason for my suggestion from the norm is the relative ease of layout on the SH-101 versus the Dark Energy. The layout of the 101 makes it easy to get your arms around programming; if you're an old hand at programming and know how to use various modulation routings and also incorporate different things like FM and whatnot, then disregard everything I just said. The Dark Energy is more of a capable machine in many aspects. (and most times cheaper).

The obvious downsides of getting the SH-101 is exactly as described by others; expensive. somewhat limited. more complexity when intergrating into a modern DAW setup. Old hardware often means the idea that it could require more maintenance than a new machine. The upshot in this certain instance that led me to go down the path less traveled is... simplicity, and the SH-101 is a pretty fun machine to play.

Hand Grip, Shoulder Strap. Rock the f**k out.

But... we're not exactly talking about a K5000 vs. a 303. Both the 101 and DE are knob-laden and lack menus. Anyone who is literate will get to grips with the DE pretty quickly. The 101s, for what they go for today, are jokes.

[silikon]

Hey all, hardware noob here. I'm planning to venture beyond software and get a hardware synth in the near future. At the moment, I think my first device will either be the Roland SH-101 or a Doepfer Dark Energy.

Any thoughts on that?

Depending on your comfort level -- I would probably buck the trend here and say SH-101 -- even though as Stab says, they're overpriced for what they are. The overriding reason for my suggestion from the norm is the relative ease of layout on the SH-101 versus the Dark Energy. The layout of the 101 makes it easy to get your arms around programming; if you're an old hand at programming and know how to use various modulation routings and also incorporate different things like FM and whatnot, then disregard everything I just said. The Dark Energy is more of a capable machine in many aspects. (and most times cheaper).

The obvious downsides of getting the SH-101 is exactly as described by others; expensive. somewhat limited. more complexity when intergrating into a modern DAW setup. Old hardware often means the idea that it could require more maintenance than a new machine. The upshot in this certain instance that led me to go down the path less traveled is... simplicity, and the SH-101 is a pretty fun machine to play.

Hand Grip, Shoulder Strap. Rock the f**k out.

But... we're not exactly talking about a K5000 vs. a 303. Both the 101 and DE are knob-laden and lack menus. Anyone who is literate will get to grips with the DE pretty quickly. The 101s, for what they go for today, are jokes.

Well to be fair, they are NOT both knob-laden, which was one reason I cited what I did. The DE certainly is knob laden, and to someone who's fairly new to hardware, it might be a little intimidating.

The 101 is petty plainly laid out, and simple in terms of options and routing.

And for what it's worth, you and I may agree they are "a joke" while others clearly hold the 101 in a different regard. This could explain the amount of money (to an extent) they are fetching these days. It might be better not to come across as an elitist a*s about something so purely based in personal opinion.

[georgemarauder]

I wouldn't buy either of these synths as a first synth. For the same price you can get a polyphonic virtual analog synth that has a million more sound possibilities than either the Doepfer or the SH-101. I'd look into buying an Oberheim OB-12/Alesis Ion/Korg MS2000. Why would you want to limit yourself to very basic mono-synths, especially as your first synthesizer? Don't you want to play chords? You could even buy something killer like a JX-8P or JX-10 for the same price. The 2 you are contemplating about are too limited.

[Sir Ruff]

And for what it's worth, you and I may agree they are "a joke" while others clearly hold the 101 in a different regard. This could explain the amount of money (to an extent) they are fetching these days. It might be better not to come across as an elitist a*s about something so purely based in personal opinion.

Ok, calling them a joke is overly combative, but how am I an elitist a*s (in fact it's the exact opposite) to say that something is incredibly overpriced for what it is? The reason people are paying so much for 101s today is the same reason they're paying so much for any other "vintage" synth - they are cool, collectable and somehow elevate the users status. They are no more effective at helping you make music than a $1 kazoo.

The point about the knobs - why do we have to dumb down for newbies? Is it too much to ask that people should actually have to learn how to use something?