GREAT BEGINNER SYNTHS - a guide to picking your first synthesizer
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- Опубліковано 15 чер 2024
- What is a good beginner synth? What synthesizer should you get as your absolute first? Find out in this video. Sponsored by DistroKid: upload your music to Spotify & iTunes using DistroKid distrokid.com/vip/bobeats and you get a discount if you use my link
CHECK THESE GREAT BEGINNER SYNTHS
Links below are affiliate links, I earn a small % on anything you buy, at no cost to you
Korg Minilogue XD all-around best beginner synth
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/465932?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/Rxg72
US: bit.ly/43pwF77
UK: tidd.ly/3zRzrV7
Yamaha Reface CS if you know nothing about synths
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/368212?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/PLJLR
US: bit.ly/YamahaRefaceCS_pc
UK: tidd.ly/3MYozfL
Take 5 if you want full sized keys and want a premium synth
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/526435?offid=...
US: sweetwater.sjv.io/xkk0z5
US: bit.ly/PCTake5
UK: tidd.ly/41rinS0
Cobalt8 if you want full sized keys at more of a budget
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/506277?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/eDP4X
US: bit.ly/cobalt8PC
UK: tidd.ly/3AhgHi5
Arturia Minifreak if you want a more complex but also deeper experience
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/553604?offid=...
US: sweetwater.sjv.io/QyyddY
US: bit.ly/PCxMinifreak
UK: tidd.ly/3A1teGh
HydraSynth Explorer portable, complex but also beginner friendly
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/527778?offid=...
US: sweetwater.sjv.io/jrr64P
US: bit.ly/HSexplorerPC
UK: tidd.ly/4158nxy
CONTENT
00:00 Intro
00:54 The Super Beginner Friendly Beginner Synth
02:54 The All-Around Best Beginner Synth
05:15 Best Beginner Synth with Full-sized Keys
08:30 Full-Sized Keys but at a "Budget"
10:20 Complex Beginner Synths & what is a Mod Matrix?!
16:05 Why you shouldn't start with a mini or mono synth
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I love the "if money is no object beginner tips". Sometimes, us grownup kids want quality stuff but are still beginners.
That’s usually the stupid person 😂
Exactly. Me 😂
I think this is great thought to have in mind. Be always a beginner, no matter your age.
Just got a crystal Microkorg a Volca beats and a little PO-33 KO - I haven't played keys since I was in school. LETS HAVE SOME GOOD FUN!
@@luap89 U like it?:)
my first synth was the minilogue xd and I cannot recommend it enough. knobs per function and the clean workflow helped me to understand what was going on. one great bonus are the awesome effects which makes it a perfect synth to use without a computer at all because you have everything you need straight in your synth.
thats true, im a big advocate for vcv rack but nothing is quite like having an actual hardware synth
Minilogue is superior over the Monologue.
So if you are going tobuy, then buy a Minilogue or Minilogue XD!
How do I put the track I made onto the computer?
@@railfandepotproductionslook that on youtube 😅
Korg all the way! The Minilogue Bass was my introduction to this mad world
I followed Bo’s recommendation in one of his 2020 videos and got an XD. It still is my only synth that I still love to this day.
Yeap, got the minibrute and minilogue based on his recommendations. I could never get on with the minibrute it was too blowy for a starter synth, but damn the microbrute slaps, and the minilogue is always a go to with how hands on it is. Anyway I bought another minibrute later, once I realized what I was missing out on
Beware the person with only one synth, for they know how to use it!
I wanted it then, but only just bought one last year. I wish I had bought it sooner. Such a great synth.
You're following Bo's recommendations? Follow your EAR's recommendations.
@@Station2Station-du2gh You're taking things too literally and assuming that when people say they follow Bo's recommendations, they do so sonically blind?
Great videos great advice . Found your channel after I bought my first synth a Donner B1 cheap and fun , a month later I bought the Korg Minilogue xd and I get lost in the hugeness of the sounds I create . I'm 64 years old and have always loved synth music now I create it wow what a feeling
After watching this video, I bought a Sequential Take 5. It is my first and only synth so far. I have been playing it almost every day for the last 3 months. I am very happy with it. I quickly found out that I need to learn to play keyboard instruments. I am now studying piano at Ridley Academy. It is an online piano course. It is gradually helping me bringing out music from the synth. The sound from the Take 5 is ...... Wonderful.
It’s always great watching a video by Bo. Extremely honest and practical. My big takeaway from this is the mod matrix. I always pursued semi modular to fit this bill. However, now I’m genuinely reconsidering. ✌️❤
Thank you so much for this intro. You are the first to bring up 1 knob or switch for each thing. I have an Alexis and I never got past it’s menus. Also thank you for saving me from picking a mini synth!
I started by following Bo's recommendations back in 2020, and got a Minilogue XD and an Arturia Minibrute 2S. While the latter is mono, it really took me to new and interesting places over the past two years thanks to its great cookbook, semi-modular patchbay, and amazing sequencer. "No saving presets" was actually a big advantage for me because it forced me to practice resetting knobs to default, learning what every knob and slider did, and becoming knowledgeable and confident in all the controls (which aren't hard). In fact, I found that Korg's hundreds of presets distracted me from properly learning its controls. Loading a preset means now, none of the controls reflect their actual values. So, unlike a virtual synthesizer on computer, presets don't really teach you how to build that certain sound all on your own.
But don't let that stand in the way of getting a Minilogue XD or Minifreak. These options are deep, intuitive, and sound fantastic long after your beginner phase wears off.
+1 I just bought a minibrute 2 as my first hw synth (this video was a week late for me lol). Spent a long weekend coming to exactly the same conclusion as you. With only a few days experience I feel like I know a few things I otherwise wouldn't playing presets, have the confidence to "look for new sounds" etc. Even just using the cookbook teaches you so much about what goes in to a patch, but of course the whole thing empowers experimentation really nicely. A good option if noodling/modular/the thrill of figuring things out is your bag.
But unlike a Virtual Synthesizer on a computer, those virtual knobs that you have to adjust either via touch or mouse are a real pain in the ass and detract from the creativity and workflow. Sure, you can get software synths that will either map controls to a real synth or midi controller, but it won't be fully automatic and you certainly won't get a knob per function. Am not against VSTs, but there is nothing better than a real physical synth for noodling around and learning about subtractive synthesis. I'm definitely hardware first, software second.
Right!!
But.....
My 8 years old son, a true beginner !! (Sometimes he use my Roland FP80 piano, and always put the synth function: in fact two samples of synth sequances).
So i decide to look for a synth especially for him.
And you know what ? What type of synth who motivate him ? A Microkorg! A Mininova! A Minifreak.
Because of the presets. These presets inspire him. He like to listen theses good prestes, to use them. They took him using the synth.
After that he begin to try something else : tweak buttons, change something.
The presets act like trapps, and it don't take a long time before he know how to change the sounds.
So, these synth with (good) presets and menus are not a bad way for beginners. They can be good bobby trapps for them .-)
Love the CS Reface suggestion. Love my Colbat 8 sounds, and the keybed is excellent! I often use the Cobalt 8 as a controller for any soft synths on ipad or PC. The knobs are actually endless encoders, so they do feel different than potentiometers, but they offer a huge advantage when changing values from one sound to the next.
Very helpful - I have been spending hours on researching these things. I was glad to see the minifreak as well as the hydrasynth
I just see this video today and is so helpful honestly.
Well ..... last Tuesday I order my Hydrasynth desktop and I'm so happy for it after I did my research and obviously I saw your videos too.
Thanks again for all you content and share your knowledge with all of us.
Send you good vibes all the way from Toronto 🎶🙌🏽😎
Definitely some good options you’ve shown. I have a few of them and enjoy each. I always find I go back to the Reface CS and it’s simplicity. Plus it can sound fantastic! My first synth was the microKORG in the 00’s. Still have it and use it from time to time but I’ve always hated the interface. My favourite synth currently is the Moog Grandmother. Barely can make it sound bad and it feels great to play & patch!
Great video once again !! you should expand on this with what makes a synth cost 1-2k over a synth that is 3-4k, as always you break it down so nicely
Thank you, Bo. Great video as always.
This is really helpful. Especially that you explain your reasoning and the downsides to the mini synths. I was debating the east beast or west pest vs the minifreak (thanks to your great review of the minifreak). Definitely more comfortable with my own leaning towards the minifreak based on this discussion.
I have the Minifreak as my first (hardware synth) for a few months and I can tell you that its very versatile, still tho buy what you want to buy.
I think these are all really good choices. One that you didn’t mention that I would recommend as a first synth is the Roland JU-06a (especially if you already have a decent controller). Like many of your choices, it’s an affordable Poly synth and a great learning tool with its knob-(fader?)-per-function layout and it’s fairly simple architecture. Its hard to make the thing sound bad, and it’s a nice balance of classic analog sounds with modern digital features and extensive MIDI control.
I would would rather have an xD than a JU-06a, but the Roland is a pretty great and less expensive alternative!
Great video as always, Bo! 😁
the Modal Cobalt 8 is so calling my name! Such a beautiful sounding synth, definitely got some saving up to do.
Welcome Back Bo! And my first was the MicroFreak and I’m hoping for a minifreak soon!!!
I also strongly recomment TAKE5, it's perfectly intuitive for new users and it can accompany you towards later life. The most impressive part is that the filter of the synth is actually from Prophet5, which is insane in this price point.
For a beginner you're much better off with a pro 800 and a midi controller. More voices for a much cheaper price.
My first synth when I got back into electronic music was the Microfreak. It was perfect. it was a reasonable and surprisingly versatile for such small inexpensive synthesizer. It is still in my set up. I wasn't a beginner. I learned on a $20,000 Buchla in college in 1982. But I had sold my set up in the early aughts and played acoustic jazz on my flute for many years before getting back into electronic music during the shutdown. I think as a starter it deserves mention because it's not expensive but it surprisingly powerful for what they offer. And I love the keyboard because I can use it as a CV source or a keyboard which was what we did with the Buchla keyboard back in the 80's. I agree wholeheartedly with the Hydrasynth as well, though it is definitely more complicated than many of the synths you mentioned. But it is one that will grow with you. You can get really simple pads and arps or you can get really complicated generative sequences using the LFO's in step mode. It is powerful.
YES, excellent points/recommendations on this video. I would also add the korg opsix. Sounds amazing, budgety, very hands on, full sized keys, and makes FM as user friendly as possible. I personally prefer (and have) the Wavestate, but for a beginner I think that one is too complex, they would only be playing presets.
My first synth was a micromoog way back. I think a beginner should make sure to get one with sample and hold....a great way to learn synthesis by playing with all the controls without having to play or listen to the same arpeggios running. Lots to discover while the synth plays various ranges of notes.
Thank you
Great video on what I am thinking of getting now.
Thanks again
The Minilogue XD really is an excellent synth, all the more so for the money.
Even if you buy one used, you can't go wrong as it's such a solid, well built piece of kit.
One of my favourites. 😀
thanks Bo .. always great videos
One of your older videos sold me on getting the xd over the original minilogue. The third party oscillators and effects are great for expanding its sounds without needing to purchase additional hardware.
totally agree about the advantage to the Hydrasynth , hat it gives you the signal flow diagram which doubles as your modulation routing buttons. So this can teach you complex synthesis with a fairly easy overview of what is actually going on. that coupled with the polyphonic aftertouch keybed makes things quite powerful for the long term. MiniFreak has a bunch of nicely curated algorithms , so not as deep programability but lots of variety. can't really go wrong with either of em.
I can say from personal experience that Hydrasynth has been an awesome learning tool. I don’t think it’s a 10/10 on sound, but the build quality, design, interface, and flexibility are all absolutely elite. Love my Hydrasynth. 😁
Hydrasynth explorer is ridiculously good value for a beginner, you can do simple classic sounds but it has enormous depth and you can get as sophisticated as you like. I love having so much capability in a small package on my desk. I'm thinking of getting another one so I can have a different sound for the left hand.
Super helpful video, as always. A friend asked me to recommend a synth, and while they’re not technically a beginner, they’re also not a synth nerd, and have kind of specific criteria and needs when it comes to synthesizers. My main recommendation for them was the Minilogue XD. But we will need to look at everything, right? The bonus is that I get to go shopping without spending a dime of my own money!
Great tip on getting a more versatile synth first. I learned this the heard way 😂. Finally have my first “adult” synth, and I’m super happy to have some depth
Good collection of starter synths. I bought a reface cs early on because i wanted something really immediate, and it was perfect for that. I tried a minilogue, and while i liked the sound and I'm sure it would be an excellent choice for many people, i just didn't vibe with it. My very first synth was the Moog Mavis, and it's still a favorite. But it does have some limitations, like no midi, that could be an issue for some, not to mention that it's mono. Still, i found that underneath the simple interface is a really deep and powerful synth that gives you a really accessible way to learn basic synthesis concepts as well get a taste of the fun of patching.
ty 4 the great recommendations and quality of the video and honesty
The Reface CS was my starter synth and I still enjoy it very much. It's so easy to quickly dial up a great, usable sound. Control it with a sequencer or full size keyboard, and it is quite capable.
You beat me to this comment. Of all my keyboard synths, if the $h!t hits the fan, the CS is the one I'll grab along with my Roland AE-30 wind synth as I flee.
@@oldunclemick It would definitely be in my top 3 for that. I would probably go with my JDXI as number 1. Not as easily tweakable, at least without menu diving, but good for making full songs.
Yes, great sounding synth. Unfortunately no patches and no sequencer, the looper useless. Sold the Reface CS for a AN1x.
@@vectrexboy5605 I agree on the looper, it really isn't very good. Would have preferred a sequencer or even an arp. Patches are technically there if you use the soubdmondo option. Definitely not good for a live situation but fine in a studio setup.
@@low_e_music Soundmondo was no option when id had to go fast on stage. I took polaroid pictures from my Sound settings ;-) So I still have the patches on Polaroid ;-)
Take 5 gets you VCOs, incredible build, portability and pretty lovely effects. great recommendation.
Korg Minilogue XD! Yes!! Great synth with the wave view and knob per function only negative is the the minikeys (which you mentioned) are terrible for me, so I got a Novation Bass Station to trigger the XD module. Cool video, great beginner synths!
Insta sub, I like how you explain things and cover all grounds. Really easy to understand and you constantly hit valid points, probably gonna go with minilogue xd but the minifreak intrigued me that’ll prolly b a future purchase
Thank you for subbing! I hope to bring alot of fun vids this autumn
Great video as always. I agree with your recommendations. I just wanted to say I am more or less cured from buying synths. :) Still if I would buy one today then I would probably go for a synth like Sequential Take 5, but it is more expensive so that could bring me back at the end. I totally agree that a synth itself will not make me a better musician, but it can inspire me to make something. :) Thank you.
The one mini/monosynth I'd make an argument for if you have a midi controller already and money is tight is the Korg NTS-1 - it's 100 bucks, you can use minilogue patches on it, and it has pretty great on-board FX so when you 'graduate' to a bigger synth you'll still have a use for it. I really love throwing mine in the backpack with my Circuit for on the go jams.
The take 5 is a badass looking synth and it sounds awesome
ASM did an excellent job with their hydrasynth platform. The 37 has engine wise the same capabilities as its bigger brothers including poly after touch and MPE. Only the deluxe is more synth due to being two hydrasynths in one. One can get a 37 for as low as $400 used. The build on all is excellent. The knobs are the same. Little more menu diving on the 37 due to less knobs. Ok, no ribbon, but that's not an issue. Bo's video recommends are excellent!
Love my Cobalt 8X. I'm playing it almost every day, also using it as MIDI keyboard with VSTs, since the keybed is superb. But even by itself it sounds amazing.
Superb video as usual, fun and inspiring.
I also wanted to recommend the Roland JD-XI, which with its 4-track sequencer is a really fun starter synth
That was my first synth also. It's more of a workstation than a synth though with its lack of knob per function. These days I'd recommend the Sh4d over the JDXI.
Love to see the Coblat suggested. I love my Coblat 8X
Missing the Microkorg 😅
Awesome video as always! You are a star man!!! ❤
Great reviews and advice! Would however request a best budget synthesiser toplist as well. Cheers 🍻
This is the best resource I would recommend to someone looking for a first synth. It's super comprehensive and with options for different needs.
Personally my first synth was an Opsix which is maybe not ideal because of the menu diving and because FM is quite a complicated concept to grasp. I went for this because I had studied FM previously in engineering school so I had a good technical grasp of it. And the Opsix is such a good jack-of-all-trades (also doing subtractive and even additive synthesis), it fulfilled so many sound design requirements and I didn't need another keyboard for a long time. The only other keyboard I needed to complement my sound needs was a digital piano, for realistic piano sounds, but that's about it.
Thanks for the kind words and you really dove in on the deep end! But i agree, opsix is a great synth in that it can do all kinds of synthesis. Its even a modular synth!
The Arturia MicroBrute was my first synth and was an absolute blast to learn synthesis on. Still have it! I’d highly recommend the MicroBrute as a first synth (they’re only available on the used market). And though I still have my MicroBrute, it’s currently up for sale.
I feel like the Roland SH-4D is being slept on so hard. I know it's not the mythical "analog" that everyone loves to go about, but then again almost every song you've ever heard uses VSTs so digital is fine for almost everyone. Let's get down to the positives of this beast:
- $650 US
- Hands on controls for all the major synth workflow
- Many osciallator models (Analog, FM, Wavetable, Ringmod) and models of classic favourites like the Juno, Jupiter, and SH101
- Complex mod matrix
- Small desktop form factor
- On-board buttons so doesn't require an external keyboard to play with
- 4 part mutli-timbral, meaning you can play four different synth parts at once
- 1 part drum machine, with every Roland classic drum set
- 64 step sequencer
- Huge FX library
- Battery powered so can be used anywhere
This gives you a massively complex synth and allows you to create 5 track songs right out of the box without needing ANY other gear. Such a lovely piece of kit either as a first stand-alone synth, or combined with a sample-based groovebox to give you a full music production experience outside of the computer.
Totally agree! I think for me I would include this in more of a ”groovebox” video. But you make excellent points
Thanks for the good advice.
Yep. Couldn't have been a better list. Reface CS would be a fantastic first synth.
Only others to consider are the Behringer stuff, Poly D or DeepMind 12
but I've never played those.
Thanks for the advice.
MOOG EMERSON. Go big or go home 😂
Great selection, it's easy to forget what it was like being a noob. Deepmind 6 as a substitute if you want a cheaper analogue synth with full-size keys? I'd definitely get something with keys and a sequencer so you get the immediacy of hearing sounds straight away and also to have something playing while you get stuck in with sculpting your sound. To anyone just starting out, welcome to our planet. You'll find most of its inhabitants friendly and you'll soon be having lively debates about infinitesimally small details that no-one in your normal life knows or cares about. 2 things I wish I'd known at the start;
1. Avoid eurocrack unless you're willing to sell a kidney
2. GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome) is real. Learn what you've got inside-out before you buy your next piece of gear. I'm consistently surprised by the sounds other people can wring out of a synth that I thought I understood
It’s all about budget. My fist synth was an SH-101 which I regretted because the DX-7 came out a few months later. But the SH was great for learning and I probably would never have learned to program the DX. Getting something with knobs is good, minilogue us a great idea. Also full circle on the Roland S-1 which is an incredible deal under 200 universal monetary units but as pointed out menu diving can be friction to learning.
Also it’s a great idea when you get something new is to make a track entirely with that synth. Drums, pads, leads, bass everything! It’s a discipline that will accelerate learning because you’ll be directing your energy, and become familiar with it’s quirks.
Thanks for sharing. This video is timely, because I am completing my studio after having lost the first one in a wild fire. The studio is operational and I am not quite a beginner, but am beginning again. I found that I have been learning what works for me and the considerations you give are worth pondering. I did find some of the mini synths limited, though I liked the Craftsynth a lot (lost 3 in the fire) because it builds great chords and the tweaks really shift the sound in ways that work for me, and the dials were intuitively laid out. In the new set up, I do not want to build it as I did before and want less units. Everything has to count and fit making rich drone sounds for meditation music. You video was a very good overview of what to consider. Thanks.
Sorry to hear about the wild fire! Take care and good luck on your journey
My first synth was an Alesis Micron. The Pros for this synth were: "Depth of Presets, customization, performance modes, fullsized keys" the big con is that it's all menu based and within a sound you have limited flexibility. That said it was an amazing size, the full sized keys were great, and I still use it today for some sounds and especially it's pads.
Preset based synths like this are great for getting sounds into your finger tips - but I learned very little on "how synths tend to operate" and it has a ceiling for its creativity. It doesn't have that infinite depth feeling knob-per-function synths have. Which taught me "for synths I want minimal menus please!"
I loved my micron! Despite limited controls and obvious menu diving, the modulation possibilities were amazing
I started with an Elektron Syntakt, monophonic and a drum machine but with insane sound design possibilities. and I have a LOT of fun with it, especially after adding an Arturia keystep 37 for velocity controlled playing. Now I am looking for a poly synth bc the only thing I really miss on the Syntakt is polyphony. Thanks for your overview! I guess I will get a minifreak soon, really looking forward to that :-)
I’d love a video covering the soft/apps that come with these, talking about DAW integration, motion recording, playback, etc
The Modal, Hydrasynth, Xd and minifreak are all pretty good hardware synth to start with.
Compact, not too expensive(well... still expensive but...yeah you get it..) and sounds fantastic.
And i'm totally agree with you Bo...New synth or expensive synth don't transform us in magical Banger creator or solve problems 😅
I personally got an elektron digitone but had my eyes on the monilogue xd. It was harder to learn for sure but much more what i was trying to make and made it much more rewarding to learn. Now im looking at a prologue or getting a digitone keys
Very helpful, thanks !
For full size keys, I'd also consider original Hyrda, it's less expensive than Take 5 and offers a lot room to grow. Also touchstrip and 5 octave poly aftertouch, even those aren't perhaps most beginner relevant.
One thing I'll say is that ASM provide an excellent hard copy manual with the Hydra, which is invaluable for beginners. It can also run for a few hours on good AA batteries, which is kind of ridiculous for a synth of this power. So you can immediately take it out in the backyard and sit on your lawn (along with the hard copy manual, of course!) - away from computer screens etc. One of the first Hydra Explorer YT videos I watched was of Sarah Belle Reid taking it outdoors to create some crazy nature-inspired sounds. Really inspiring, but I still have no idea what she's doing haha. On the other hand, the Arturia comes bundled with the free Minifreak V VST version, which is going to be a big selling point for many. Having said all that, I'd buy the Take 5 if I could justify it financially. Jay Hosking does some really beautiful stuff with this synth.
Imo Korg ms20 mini should absolutely be on this list. The only knock against it is that it’s not a poly synth. To be honest having to work within the limitations of a mono synth (and multi tracking in my daw) subconsciously taught me a lot about traditional orchestration and how different sounds should fit across the keyboard. It also gave me the ability to make chords (via multitracking) where my filter sweeps, envelopes, etc. were variable per note. If it’s a synth to play in a band and you need chords, it’s probably not the right choice. But for somebody with a fair bit of daw/multitracking experience, I think it’s one of the best hands on, knob per function, complex (if you want it) synths out there.
Started with a Bass Station II, it's knob per function and all the basic function options are labelled on the keys. I know Bo's featured it before but it gets slept on for some reason. You can even have it sequence triads if you use AFX mode. Bought it used for $350, If you're looking for a mono synth it's a top contender. I am a bit envious of the Monologue's sequencer though...
my first synth was the minilogue xd and i love it. but the choice was rather easy (not least considering the amount of "your first synth" guides ;) ). a question that was far harder for me to answer was what my second(!) synth or piece of equipment should be as both parts shouldn't exist in a vacuum but complement each other. i went with a groove box, which i think was the right choice for me, however the specific mode (circuit tracks) was not as novations user interface on the tracks doesn't resonate much with me.
My first was behringer deepmind 6, and I think I will never sell it. You can get it to sound really beautiful and it got so many options. Also have the xd, and love that too.
Also consider Arturia's Minifreak VST version, I believe it sells for $199, but they do have price drops throughout the year. It works very well w a general midi controller. My first "learning" synth was the Monologue, which I had recently sold. The new Roland SH-4d at $650 USD allows some variation, from the SH101, 108 (limited but good intro), to various synth mods. And it teaches the basics if you've got the bread, even does wave tabling, plus has a sequencer, though no metronome. Now the two synths I play the most is the SH-4d, and the Circuit Tracks (though the tracks is more of a beat box), I also have the Korg Wavestate, but that's definitely not a beginner's synth and it's overwhelming, hoping to eventually get back to it.
I got into synths during lockdown. BEHRINGER MS-1 was my first synth. Then, moving on to purchase a JU-06A, PO Office, Volca Beats, FM & NuBass. They are all really fun, the MS-1 being the best above all, and then the JU. I would trade them all, though, immediately without hesitation for something like the Hydrasynth.... 😅
I started out with the Reface CS and think it's an excellent starter. Full hands-on control with a simple interface. I'd also say some of the Roland Boutiques like the JU-06a & JX-08 are also a good shout for similar reasons (love my JX-08!).
The more I play with my JX-08, the more I find myself loving it. it was really difficult as my first hardware, but in the end, I'm glad I found it in the pawn shop. The menus are still hard for me to remember, especially with needing to be in certain modes to access them, but once I started playing with it more, it made a lot more sense. Definitely an amazing piece of gear though. 🤩
For polyphonic I'd be quite happy to recommend the Roland System-8.
For monophonic, I think it becomes very relevent as to what type of music the new buyer is interested in,
- that said, the SH-01A is a good all-rounder, or a Behringer K2 if the buyer wants a dirty sounding synthesizer.
And, semi-modular is probably a better route, initially, if modular and eurorack is what the new buyer feels they are into,
- either way, one will lead to the other, but starting with semi-mod means you can get going at patching straight away, but without the added worry/cost of the case, cables, PSU, etc
My biggest advice is,
- don't limit your budget, buy what you know you want, you'll be happier, and probably use it a lot more than something else you bought because you couldn't afford what you actually wanted...
So, work hard and save, if you're serious...
- love to ALL, feel no hate
Yes, the Roland Aira System - 8
looks like a crazy powerful and versatile Synth for virtual analogue, the ACB vst’s and plug outs you can get, and the Cloud access too.
For a beginner, I would say the Aira System-1 25 key synth with a sh-01 plug out included would be great to learn on, fun, great sounds, oscillators, arp, scatter wheel, sequencer, fx, etc!
Got inspired by a amazing sound i heard on a youtube video generated by a minilogue so and found the minilogue vs minilogue XD just now leading to this video.
So now i am not sure what to pickup will checkout the Take 5 maybe i will pick that one to try to play around with Synths :)
Love your videos, and this one was just what I was looking for. I'm reluctant to shell out big money for a first synth. About 400 $/euros 400 is my limit. I don't mind buying used. I want a 37-mini-key model (so it fits on my desk) and with a decent looper and sequencer. I'm more interested in creating unique sound effects as well as having access to good quality instrument voices for regular playing. Good built-in effects (including long delays) are important to me. I'm thinking about Minifreak, Mininova, JD-Xi, Minilogue XD or Cobalt 8
Hey! Was that an erae touch blurred in the background as a sequencer? Well, I just got one and I'd love to see what you do with it. You're amazing as always. Thanks a bunch!
My first hardware synth is the minifreak, had some Arturia stuff already. and have had minifreak since it came out and have had a lot of fun.
(was actually just going to buy micro but then they announced mini😄)
I'm making a new record with only the Minilogue XD. Incredible Synth.
Excellent direction..thanx😊
MicroBrute for the win. The bare basics, full hands-on... just what you need when getting into the synth experience
My first synth is the AN1x, bought it wayback in 2005, before the price explosion :) still learning everyday with the synth. My second synth was the DIY package of the Midibox community: the SammichSID. I guess you could argue that my first synth was the C64, but I never really delved into programming the SID chip. My third synth is the TD-3, single purpose, but so much fun. So yeah, I agree: the synth should be fun :) currently my last synth are the two that came with the Novation Circuit Tracks. Quite a different beast to program in the companion app and think about the macros and modulation possibilities.
I suggest interface/workflow and cost requirements vary greatly from person to person for even a first synth. Complexity (often tied to interface) I generally recommend avoiding in a first synth. Also, what is the comfort level (and prior experience) with buying used items. If that is a viable path the Prologue 16 is a criminally underrated synth that can be had for $1200. The same goes for the even better Summit which can be had for under $1600 which is a steal. To me either is a better choice than alternatives here for a first/beginner in that price range. Finally, as a "crazy old man" suggestion if the primary goal is to learn & master the principles of analog synthesis then Matriarch prices new just dropped to $1700. Yes, that MIGHT be nuts for a first/beginner, but what a masterpiece you then own and it is all right there in front of you.
My first synth (you may laugh. I do) Prophet 12. After 2 - 3 weeks couldn't get anything going, realized i was in waaaay over my head and sold it. 2nd - Roland Phantom X6. Easy to get all sorts of instrument sounds from the modeler. But I am averse to menu diving. Sold it. Current synth Moog Mother 32. Simpler, easy to get around and had that classic Moog sound, but it's monophonic and the sequencer plus other functions require various button push sequences. Was going to sell it, but thinking the bleeps and beeps might be easier sequenced with a controller (Arturia?) Electronic artists who inspire the direction I want to go, Kevin Braheney, Chris Sphreeis, Ray Lynch and recently getting into David Whaler. I used to create 4 tract tape compilations from records, created a short act for Magic Theater featuring women's voices worked through a Buchla (i didn't operate it!) and play (at) guitar. Do not want to make beats (I grow em) So i'm looking for a synth, max budget around $1200- $1400 but cheaper is easier. My problem is there's no place within a 4 hour drive selling them. Ideas?
I feel like this advice is good if you play or plan to learn keyboard/piano, but there are other ways of playing both acoustic and electronic instruments. My first synth wad a Moog Mavis, and I have no problem making a full track on it because I'm not trying to make a song with six voices.
That being said, the Microfreak (and probably Minifreak, which I don't have) is a great starter because it has all of that - whether you want to experiment or play more traditionally, it sets you up fotmr everything.
Totally valid perspective…i tried keep it ”general” but for more specific needs there’s absolutely many other great synths
The non-keys version of the Hydrasynth seems like the best intro into semi-modular, and going this route allows you to expand into the keys later.
Great video, thanks
As always, a very nice video, but... I think we have a pretty expensive list of synths here.
Regarding the mini-synths, I can understand that POs and Volcas are limited (and thus will probably need more gear to be useful), but for a beginner, synths like Korg's Monolog and Arturia's MicroFreak doesn't appear to be so limited.
I mean, a Monologue has a simple step sequencer and a MicroFreak still offers different types of oscillators. A Minilogue, albeit being very interesting feature-wise, costs almost the same as a Monologue and a MicroFreak together. The newer Minilogue XD is so expensive, that even a MicroBrute could be purchased too (considering the Brazilian market).
Though its easy to speak bad on Behringer, I still think a used Deepmind 12 is one of the best synths you can buy as a beginner. Fantastic for learning the basics and growing
I started decades ago with the Roland D-10. Although I regret my selling it the options you guys have these days are truly marvelous.
Thanks for feeding my G.A.S. Bo!
I got my first synth a few months ago, a rugged Roland D-20. I think because a few keys and buttons didnt work, I couldnt really play it to the fullest, and may have made my synth experience not so fun. Still fun tho, just maybe a little bit less for me lol
@@itsJoel59 A broken synth is not exactly a great start in 2023, so if you can get rid of it and grab a cheap working synth somewhere it might help. But respect for trying!
@@rayderrich its fun to sit with but yeah, it takes time for me to replace parts, it turned out to be more of a project than a music maker!
@@itsJoel59 Well if you don't mind the technical aspects they can be just as fun as making music itself, so enjoy the ride!
@@rayderrich thanks 😄
I always take your advice Bo!
Nice video.
Lol…I’m still using my old Roland Juno G. Love that thing!
Im actually looking to buy a synth. I currently make my music with iPad, AUM, Drambo and software synths. But from your videos I have learned the value of having a single purpose device just to make music for myself, just to enjoy, which is a great way to dedicate less time in front of a computer, a phone, or an iPad, which is a multi purpose device. I was looking into smaller synths which also include drum machines, because once you get a groove my ears ask me quickly for some beats. But the fact about buying more expensive and better synths is avoiding having too many smaller and cheaper and less fun, I think this is a great point. and my current space is just a table where I also work, and game, so space is important as well.
I was also wondering how you record stuff you like once you go dawless, I wouldn't like to loose when I get inspired and make something I deeply love, what would be a dawless beginner setup?. In my iPad I have some sort of sequencer, then software synths, then a mixer, and then I have something to render that to an audio file. I can't help thinking how to do the same, and be able to record it somewhere, is recording that important?
You based your selection based on sound design and western salaries. For live performances and cheaper price a VA can be also a good starter like Mininova, Cobalt 5s, Microkorg (these have accessible tweeks and preset options)
Behrenger is a little controversial as a company, but the DeepMind 6 and DeepMind 12 are excellent and very inexpensive polysynths, which would be a fine choice. They're loosely based on the Roland Juno, sound great, have nice effects and even have a useful iPad interface. I also would recommend the Poly-D which is a 4-voice paraphonic version of the MiniMoog, with some other enhancements lke analog chorus and a sequencer/arpeggiator. The MiniMoog is an all-time classic and the Poly-D adds to that, for a fraction of the price and with excellent build quality. Even if you buy another polysynth, it will stll be super-useful as a bass and lead instrument indefinitely.
I can't recommend the Minilogue XD enough as a great all-rounder, especially because it's upgradeable with third-party plugins.
i love that painting
I bought a Roland System-8. Loads of knobs clearly arranged and ZERO menu diving. I'm still learning things and having fun (Oh, when I adjust the envelopes like this and add noise, I get percussion sounds!). A system upgrade (yay for digital emulators!) brought 8 FM oscillators that turned it into something completely new.
And when I need variety, it also emulates the Jupiter 8 and Juno 106.
I bet it's cheap second hand, as it's not a cool analogue...
Let's not ignore the Cobalt8 and Argon8's joysticks 😁 The Argon8's good and bad points will be similar, and I own an Argon8. The bad, as Bo mentioned, is the shift commands. I find navigating the front panel a pain as there are lots of key combinations for shortcuts and the manual is poor. I find pulling a good sound from the Argon8 a chore sometimes.
The good bits. They are cheap synths, despite having Fatar keybeds and metal chassis. The Modal app, especially running on a computer, is something I wish more manufacturers did for their hardware. It really does make it easier to work the sequencer and arp, especially.
I would add the Novation Mininova, which is incredible value for money (but the mini keys aren't great).
Disagree on the mini synth argument. I found the Roland J6 mini synth was amazing as a complete beginner, and especially as I was combining it with wider midi functions like vocoders. It was also great to learn how to use a basic sequencer on. Not something for 'crafting sound' I agree, but as for making music and being a gateway into how awesome synthesisers are, it was perfect for me.
The IK Multimedia uno synth pro Keyboard version is around 400€ at Thomann these days (it was about 700 at its launch..). For a first synth (or even upper), it's a steal!!
My first synth was a Poly-D (yeah yeah, behringer sucks blablabla, stop it) and it's amazing! Sounds cool, looks cool and is JUST complicated enough that you won't get bored but also simple enough so that a total beginner like me (at the time) can easily learn subtractive synthesis on it
My synth journey was Bass station,Aira S1, Circuit, Peak... then new era came... sold gear moved out of the country 5 years ago and now im on Massive and Vital xD
But from hardware point, i really resonate with Novation.
(Although im lurkin lately in used "Virus" section on Reverb)
Thanks for the overview. I'm looking at this as a guitar player trying to get some 70's ambient stuff to put as a background layer or downtempo part in hard rock and metal. I know about some of the late 70's analogue gear, but that's not (synth) beginner budget... What I was wondering is if those synths without keys can be driven by a regular keyboard or digital piano, so one wouldn't be limited by mini keys.
I went with the Hydrasynth, Novation Bass Station II and the Akai MPC One+