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Hi All,

I've got a £1000ish to spend on a new synth and I'm wondering if you can help me decide what to buy?

Currently I have 2 Controlers a Nektar P4 and a LX25.

I use a lot of stock Reason devices and also have quite a few VSTis (Omnisphere 2 included).

Outboard wise I've only got a Behringer Pro-1 and so I'm on the lookout for a new Polysynth.

At the moment shortlisted are:

ASM Hydrasynth Desktop
Novation Peak
Sequential Take 5

I do love the sound of Analogue, so I was originally thinking about the T5, but I don't really need a keyboard/ controller.

Have I missed any on my shortlist and what are your thoughts?

Cheers

Jon.

Depends on what you want to use it for?

Those you listed are all good choices. If you want something really versatile and with an amazing sequencer that can integrate well with your DAW then the Elektron Analog Four is worth checking out. As an analogue Groovebox it is superb but the sound divides opinion. I personally love it (MKII). Also, there's no keybed unless you go for the Analogue Keys.

My guess is it will come down to 'sound' vs features. Take 5 should have the classic Prophet sound, but doesn't have the features the other two synths offer.
When I was in a similar position I ended up with Peak, for the analog filters and the extended modulation features including a good modulation matrix (not to mention the FX). For me, 8 voices is a minimum for a poly synth, so you would need to consider 5 vs 8 voices.
For the modulation nerds out there, HydrySynth delivers even more than Peak - in fact, I'm pretty sure my next synth will be a HydraSynth because of the poly pressure, ribbon, and extreme modulation features.

The things to consider are the feature set, sound, and user experience. How you prioritize these will help determine which synth is best for you, and at the least I would watch as many videos as possible to determine which will work for you (and visit a music store if possible to see how things feel 'hands on').

Also check out the Digitone.

Thanks for your replies and I hadn't taken the Elektron units into consideration.

I've got to say I really like the look of the Peak - how well does it do the Analogue sound?

If Sequential did just a Module version of the T5, then I think I'd get one...I think lol....

Juno

In that price range it would have to be true analogue for me. We're overloaded with virtual/modelled analogue in REs and VSTs so I don't see much point in buying a hardware version of that unless you are going to be playing live and need the wider palette of sounds.

I think the first question is why do you want another hardware synth? You can buy a lot of great software for that money.

When I saw the post on the Take 5, I nearly posted "just buy Repro 5". It sounds very analog and is great. Importantly to me, it sounds vintage analog. There's a bunch of real analog synths out there now that are analog but sound modern/contemporary, not vintage.

I would add Roland System 8 to your list of contenders. Yes it is a digital emulation not true analog but don't let that put you off auditioning it. A very hands-on / tactile synth that is fun and inspiring to use, and sounds absolutely superb.

raymondh wrote: ↑

16 Jan 2022

I think the first question is why do you want another hardware synth? You can buy a lot of great software for that money.

When I saw the post on the Take 5, I nearly posted "just buy Repro 5". It sounds very analog and is great. Importantly to me, it sounds vintage analog. There's a bunch of real analog synths out there now that are analog but sound modern/contemporary, not vintage.

I would add Roland System 8 to your list of contenders. Yes it is a digital emulation not true analog but don't let that put you off auditioning it. A very hands-on / tactile synth that is fun and inspiring to use, and sounds absolutely superb.

I can answer that, hardware sounds better.

Creativemind wrote: ↑

16 Jan 2022

raymondh wrote: ↑

16 Jan 2022

I think the first question is why do you want another hardware synth? You can buy a lot of great software for that money.

When I saw the post on the Take 5, I nearly posted "just buy Repro 5". It sounds very analog and is great. Importantly to me, it sounds vintage analog. There's a bunch of real analog synths out there now that are analog but sound modern/contemporary, not vintage.

I would add Roland System 8 to your list of contenders. Yes it is a digital emulation not true analog but don't let that put you off auditioning it. A very hands-on / tactile synth that is fun and inspiring to use, and sounds absolutely superb.

I can answer that, hardware sounds better.

Haha - I agree in most cases! Often the software sounds 'soft' or thin or weak compared to the real McCoy, especially at higher frequencies. Korg's software version of the Arp Odyssey is a good example. Captures the essence of the sound, but not as bold, alive and present as the hardware.

There are some exceptions :
- u-he Repro 5 sounds better than the DSI Mopho X4 - I sold the Mopho X4 and never looked back.
- Synapse Audio The Legend sounds as good as say my Moog Sirin. (Though the Sirin has a different character and sounds awesome enough to keep!). The Legend can make a rich deep bass as good or better than any from the Mopho too (and the Mopho is very good at it).
In both cases, the software is emulating a different hardware synth than my comparison, but you wouldn't hear them and pick up on being software, the other hardware.
- The PG-8X synth sounds very, very close to my JX-8P.
- The System-8's Juno emulation seems to be highly regarded by Juno owners. It's been 35 years since I played a real Juno 106, so I'm not qualified to compare!

Modal Electronics Cobalt8?

Standard recommendation if you like to tip modular world along:

bigbadjon303 wrote: ↑

16 Jan 2022

Hi All,

I've got a £1000ish to spend on a new synth and I'm wondering if you can help me decide what to buy?

Currently I have 2 Controlers a Nektar P4 and a LX25.

I use a lot of stock Reason devices and also have quite a few VSTis (Omnisphere 2 included).

Outboard wise I've only got a Behringer Pro-1 and so I'm on the lookout for a new Polysynth.

At the moment shortlisted are:

ASM Hydrasynth Desktop
Novation Peak
Sequential Take 5

I do love the sound of Analogue, so I was originally thinking about the T5, but I don't really need a keyboard/ controller.

Have I missed any on my shortlist and what are your thoughts?

Cheers

Jon.

Sounds like you have the regular analog sounds covered with your current setup. I'd go with something conventional and something weird. Like an Arturia microfreak (350). then run it through a Makenoise Strega. (600).

Just learned about the Behringer Neutron being a prestine, producing rich in harmonics sounds and incredibly pact with features minimodular synth for an almost too good to be true price of 268 Euros
Though having quite a modular system here, I would go for one immediately anyway if I currently had the funds. Its easy integration in an existing rack makes it even more attractive.

Without having played with it myself, merely from what I´ve heard and also seen in the demo I can easily recommend it to anyone being interested in a hardware synth.

moofi wrote: ↑

01 Feb 2022

Just learned about the Behringer Neutron being a prestine, producing rich in harmonics sounds and incredibly pact with features minimodular synth for an almost too good to be true price of 268 Euros
Though having quite a modular system here, I would go for one immediately anyway if I currently had the funds. Its easy integration in an existing rack makes it even more attractive.

Without having played with it myself, merely from what I´ve heard and also seen in the demo I can easily recommend it to anyone being interested in a hardware synth.

And there's also Behringer's Deepmind (a powerful polyphonic analog synth).

Another option is getting a used Yamaha MODX. You can usually find them for under $1000, and they have an exceptional FM engine with brilliant control features such as the One-Knob and the (IIRC) dynamic macro controls.

With that money I'd go all in on the new fully polyphony Roland boutiques...JD-08, JX-08, and you could also get the SE-02. I own all three and love them.