Anyone know anything about synthesizers?

[Ikin]

So, I was thinking about buying a synthesizer, but I had a few questions. Do you need lessons to learn how to play one? What would be a good model to start with? Anyone?

[exetra]

If you can play a piano you can play a synth. Are you after an old analogue synthesizer, a new digital synth or like one of those little MIDI keyboards that call themselves "synthesizers"?

[Android]

No you don't need lessons. The beauty of the synthesizer is that you can make it sound cool without having much of an idea how to play piano. This is achieved through various filters and arpeggiators.

In terms of a great synth that is easy to use, but packs a lot of punch is the Korg Microsynth. It's portable, has smaller keys and is easy to program, not to mention the presets are pretty cool sounding. The synthesizer also comes with a microphone and has a built in vocoder (to make your voice sound robot/transpose it to the keys you are playing.)

http://www.zzounds.com/item--KORMICROKORG

[theblueneutrino]

I completely agree with Android.
I've owned the Microkorg for about 9 months now and the short answer is that you'd be a fool to go or anything else, it's the perfect beginner synth, whatever sound you're going for.

The Korg Microkorg is the one you see every band playing on stage, and with good reason. When you first buy it, and you don't want to venture into the scary world of programming your own sounds, you can just piss around with its 128 preset channels (N.B. I saw the Killers play at a festival this summer, and he only used the pre-sets so you need never venture of the beaten track if you don't want to).

If you want to get down and dirty with it, an afternoon spent pissing arround with it using the manual for reference when things go wrong, and you will be a master of it.

And a quick aside, the vocoder A7 setting is the Vocoder used in Harder better faster stronger, so everybody loves you!

It's also dirt cheap (as far as synths go, although it has no inbuilt speakers so make sure you set aside to buy some/have good headphones) so it doesn't take forever to save for.

Finally, if you get frustrated by the small range of the keyboard, steal a midi-keyboard from school and then you're all set.

[Ercoledi]

If this strays too far from the topic at hand, I'd be happy to edit this post out and start a new topic.

I'm looking for a keyboard I can play both as is and plugged into my computer. It has to have a full keyboard and feel reasonably good. Basically, I'm looking for a piano that I can carry around with me. Do I want a synthesizer, or something different?

[Riddlebox]

If this strays too far from the topic at hand, I'd be happy to edit this post out and start a new topic.

I'm looking for a keyboard I can play both as is and plugged into my computer. It has to have a full keyboard and feel reasonably good. Basically, I'm looking for a piano that I can carry around with me. Do I want a synthesizer, or something different?

That sounds more like an electronic keyboard than a synthesizer. I have something like a synth in that it has lots of features and effects, and all this other cool stuff like distortion, blah blah blah. But it's definitely not a keyboard, the notes on this thing, no matter what setting, could never possibly be mistaken for a keyboard/piano. A synth is more for like techno, a keyboard is more for stuff like power metal, or piano-ish stuff.

At least, that's my understanding.

[Android]

Finally, if you get frustrated by the small range of the keyboard, steal a midi-keyboard from school and then you're all set.
You can actually use the Korg as a midi controller if you want to so you don't have to go out and buy a separate one. All you would need are the midi cables. And :hf: on your choice of synths. I have a blast with my Korg, it offers everything you could want in a small bundle. The biggest complaint with this model is that it's more difficult to program, but I read on another message board that there is a program that will show all the parameters on your computer for ease of program use.

[exetra]

Surely it can't be much more difficult to program than my CZ-101 :\

I'm looking for a keyboard I can play both as is and plugged into my computer. It has to have a full keyboard and feel reasonably good. Basically, I'm looking for a piano that I can carry around with me. Do I want a synthesizer, or something different?

Something from Roland's SX series would probably suit your needs the best, as even the base model (RD-300SX I think) has the same multi-sampled pianos as the top model. Except carrying it around will still be a bitch, because the thing's aren't small, but the key's are professionally graded hammer action business, no flappy springy casio crap or halfweight here.

[TheHighwaySong]

Ah I'm glad somebody made this thread. I'm in my friends EBM band and use his keyboards, and I was thinking of purchasing my own sometime to fuck around with and finally contribute to writing music with him. My first choice would also Korg Android picked. I'm glad it looks like a smart choice. :douchecock:

[Ikin]

No you don't need lessons. The beauty of the synthesizer is that you can make it sound cool without having much of an idea how to play piano. This is achieved through various filters and arpeggiators.

In terms of a great synth that is easy to use, but packs a lot of punch is the Korg Microsynth. It's portable, has smaller keys and is easy to program, not to mention the presets are pretty cool sounding. The synthesizer also comes with a microphone and has a built in vocoder (to make your voice sound robot/transpose it to the keys you are playing.)

http://www.zzounds.com/item--KORMICROKORG

That's exactly in my price range. How hard is programming your noises?

[Android]

That's exactly in my price range. How hard is programming your noises?

It really isn't that difficult at all. The only reason I mentioned the program for your computer is so that you can see all the parameters you change at the same time. I've never used it to program sounds, but it could be helpful.

[theblueneutrino]

It really isn't that difficult at all. The only reason I mentioned the program for your computer is so that you can see all the parameters you change at the same time. I've never used it to program sounds, but it could be helpful.

That program sounds incredibly useful. You wouldn't happen to know where i could get it from/ what it's called?

[Android]

http://www.korg.com/service/downloadinfo.asp?DID=435

It's a free download. I downloaded this but I haven't really gotten to play with it yet.

Sound Editor Software
Here is a great piece of software for organizing and editing the sounds in your microKORG Synthesizer/Vocoder. It’s a free download, so enjoy!

Using the microKORG Sound Editor, you will be able see all of the parameters and their values on the computer screen, so editing is quick and easy! The envelope parameters are displayed graphically, and you can edit them by clicking and dragging.

In addition to editing and creating new sounds, this software allows you to create libraries of individual patches, full loads of custom sounds, and even global settings.

The microKORG Sound Editor allows you to name each patch, even though the microKORG itself does not display these names. In fact, we've even included a duplicate of the factory preload data, including the patch names, to get you started.

[theblueneutrino]

Awesome thanks very much :)
I feel bad for detracting from Ikins original question and turning this into a MicroKorg love-fest, but seriously, get one.