On Sun, Oct 31, 2004 at 11:27:55PM -0600, vord wrote: I would get a decent MIDI controller keyboard and use software synths. Especially with modular synths, you have to put in a bit more work, but the varietly of sounds you can get is enourmously wider. - Steve

On Sun, 2004-10-31 at 21:27, vord wrote: Pretty slim indeed. There's only one good synth that's in your price range, and that's a mini version of a bigger one (see below). This mailing list is, naturally, biased towards softsynths. There are quite a few nice softsynths for Linux, e.g. have a look at ZynAddSubFX. However, if you're like me and appreciate the qualities of hardware instruments, then i suggest you should have a look at a virtual analog hardsynth. Why virtual analog? Well, there's little or no point in buying a hardware sampler if you wanna create new sounds; i currently own an Alesis QS6.2 and, while it's an excellent sampler on its own (high praise to Alesis for creating an instrument that's robust, straightforward and appealing), it's not appropriate for creating new sounds (well, no sampler is, by definition). Some people appreciate a sampler (those who want to play existing sounds) but some other people, me included, just want to tweak knobs and come up with new stuff. I'll probably put the QS6.2 on eBay, it's in like-new condition. If you wanna play samples, you can just get a few CDs with sounds, run a soft sampler such as Specimen on your computer, get a cheap but good MIDI controller, and that's it. The reason to use an analog synth is to create new sounds (i won't list here the reasons why to use a hardsynth as opposed to a softsynth, in order to not rehash this old flamewar). Since "true" analog synths are usually expensive, if you can find a virtual analog that sounds reasonably well, then that's it. I recommend to have a look at Alesis Ion or its little brother Alesis Micron: http://alesis.com/products/Ion/ http://www.alesis.com/products/micron/index.html They corespond perfectly to your requirements - "rich sounds and plenty of knobs for twiddlin'". The engines are the same, it's just the interface that's different. In the US, the Ion can be bought brand new for 700...800$, while the Micron is at $400 or so. Of course, second-hand prices (eBay) are lower. Both synths are currently top sellers at most of the on-line retailers (the Micron is often back-ordered). I played with an Ion at a music store, it sounds amazing. I'm in love. See the reviews linked to on the Ion website, then listen to the audio demos and you'll understand. Pay attention that some early Ion batches have issues with the knobs, try and avoid to purchase an early unit (or, if you get an older one, make sure it comes with the manufacturer warranty and send it back to Alesis, they fix all buggy units). I plan to purchase an Ion myself, real soon now, in a week or two hopefully. Other options: Access Virus http://www.access-music.de/products.php4 Expensive ($1000 for the Classic, $1500 for Virus C, even more for the ones with a keyboard) but second-hand might be cheaper. A tad more complex than the Ion, but it's not a superset of the Alesis gear - it sounds very different; plus, in some ways the Ion is more complex. The Ion is "ultrafat" analog, while the Virus has more "digital edge" and bite. Of course, the Ion can sound gritty too, while the Virus can sound fat on its own - it's just a matter of degree. Very popular among european dance composers. Clavia Nord http://www.clavia.se/products/index.htm Expensive ($1000...2000 or more, depending on model) if it's new. Has lots of digital grit (especially the Lead 2x which sounds anything but "analog"). Popular among rock keyboardists (e.g. Derek Sherinian). Evolver and Poly Evolver http://www.davesmithinstruments.com/ Evolver is $550, Poly is $1500 Unusual synths that generate clever sounds. Evolver has unfortunately just one voice. Poly fixes that, but is more expensive. Things that will make you drool: Alesis Andromeda http://alesis.com/products/a6/ The king of analog synths. The best analog ever made. Klaus Schulze uses it. Enough said. Unfortunately, it's like $3000 brand new. Hartmann Neuron http://www.hartmann-music.com/home/ Revolutionary synth, ahead of its time, "the synth to end all synths". It's not really an analog, but rather it's in a class of its own (uses real-time neural networks to process the sound). Extremely expensive ($4700). Also has a software version (comes with a small hardware controller) but it doesn't run on Linux. -- Florin Andrei http://florin.myip.org/