I totally disagree with a couple of your suggestions, and that's why I'm giving you a like and subscribe. Most people don't have any unique takes and just regurgitate the same synths. I like that you had an authentic opinion.
I boughtthe GAIA Sh-01 more than 10 years ago. After dreaming for 10 years about making eletronic music, while I barely touched my synth, I finally made a homestudio in one of my rooms. Yestersday I did my first tutorial in the DAW I use and recorded the GAIA for the first time. The fight between depression and dreams is a difficult one, but I finally got somewhere. 😊
Hi Hans, music should be a mirror of your soul. One can make a lot of noise or a mellow voyage to the moon sort of speak. Use what you got and try play/record what comes closest to that dream 🤠
I bought an SH-4D as a beginner synth. The fact it can play 4 synth parts plus a rhythm part and has an basic sequencer drew me over the line. Since than I added a polyend play as a sequencer….that combo is just fantastic for the music i make.
I recently had to buy three synths for beginners as gifts.. Two of the recipiens were very young people, so I chose the Cobalt5s, which is hugely capable and has very nice sounding internal sounds. One was for an older, more experienced musicisn, so he got a Hydrasynth Explorer. All of the recipients loved their new synths, and I think that these were good choices for the skill level of the recipients.
Great choices! I have the Cobalt 5s and it packs a punch for size and price (also good for beginners). I'm also currently looking at getting the Hydrasynth explorer, which is amazing for sound design and experimenting.
So the mininova is out of the question? I noticed it a few months ago in a local store and thought what a compact capable toy/machine (if it turns out to be just a toy, which means lack of interest I would be able to take it back and use it myself)!
@@florkgagga The mininova is not a toy. It has excellent oscillators with wavetables, multiple filter types and 18 note polyphony. The only downside is the slightly nasty keyboard with no aftertouch. But the sound is excellent. I could have chosen one of these just as easily. Arturia and Korg have some good options in this price range too.
@@geoffk777 a toy like when you buy your kid a 1300$ bicycle (if the neighbourhood and your budget allows it) , you know, it is the size and colour of one but it does have some pro features, I wondered would that get my son into tinkering with music, that vocoder may be a selling point, at 12 they are doing presentations at school maybe someone from the team goes "how about some sound fx or music".... "we can even play music together...". It is just in the price range where I could stand it to be treated like toy but eventually I would take it back, sell it or gift it to a kid who couldn't afford it. But he needs to get more at ease with school, and maybe choose which training schedule to stick to, rowing or soccer. I don't want to force music on him, just show him the possibility of spending some fortnite-time on something creative, maybe even recreating fortnite tunes. When I met the love of my life at a somewhat advanced age, some of her friends were climbers. With kids who knew about climbing gear and knots at 6,playing with proper gear, on which you literally hang your life, playing with them like with toys. I want to have a kid like that and in some ways I'm pretty close, we were cheaper at some end to allow some good stuff on the other. Good enough explanation?
Nice round up, thanks :) Just got a Reface CS (lightly used) for my daughters (6 & 8) for Christmas. It can make some great sounds! Having every control have an immediate effect on the sound helps them explore sound design, which was the point I was going for. And they can sit on the floor or the sofa or take it outside or in the car, use it anywhere. They love it. Rather than a Casio CTK or Yamaha PSR, this is one of only a very small number of keyboards that has battery and speakers and so is totally self contained and accessible. And rather than preset surfing, it's teaching them to make sounds, and think about the shape a sound, learning what ADSR means and does. Really good little synth for this purpose - the lack of presets are a positive in this case.
I agree, it's a great little synth, and one of the ones I regret selling - I may end up buying one again. Incidentally, if you connect it to a computer with USB, you can save and load presets using the Yamaha Soundmondo website.
@@ScottsSynthStuff That's handy. Yeah it can make some great sounds pretty quickly. But yeah, especially for something that can just exist in any room of the house lying around for anyone to play with at any time, it's great.
What a fantastic video!! Thank you. It confirmed my choices for beginner synths. I have the XD and the MiniFreak. Both amazing and easier to learn than many others.
Of those I have the Mininova and Roland JD-Xi, and I am quite satisfied with them, because they cover a wide sonic range and also the drum machine capabilities on the Roland and the flexible arpeggiator of the Mininova complement each other beautifully
Totally agree with the GAIA2 for number one. Not only it's an amazing synth but it has a killer feature for anyone trying to learn synthesis: Pressing the exit button while twisting a knob / moving a slider will show you the value without changing it. You can examine how every single preset is made. This is literally a dream for teaching yourself synthesis. I am using it like this and I am really grateful the price has come down (766 euros in EU). Also the keybed is amazing (I had korg wavestate before and we both know how bad that is). Arturia Minifreak: they've done an amazing work on it, including the mini keys with aftertouch (same keybed as Keystep 37, which is excellent). I like the VST a lot as well. But the problem with Minifreak is I don't really like most of the presets. I can definitely create patches from scratch I like, but the presets are well, freaky - obviously intended that way, just not for me. I'm still considering it though. I was surprised to see MX49 make the list. Good value, but quite old and AFAIR you can only do real synthesis with an external (paid) tool. More of a rompler I would for a lightweight gigging experience. Great video Scott, many thanks!
The System-8 has that same trick (to see current values) and I agree, it's a very useful feature. And yup, the keybed is excellent, and far better than the Wavestate. The Minifreak is really trying to make itself SOUND digital, to differentiate itself from all the VA synths out there. The MX49 is really much more capable than people give it credit for. I had one for quite a while, until I got my MODX, at which point there was too much overlaps, so I sold the MX49.
The Jupiter-X/Xm and Juno-X also have this trick (hold Shift and Twist), although they’re not completely knob-per-function. And then (in a different price range, but) the Prophet-6 and OB-6 have a little dot that will light up on the LED panel when you turn a knob to the preset position. This takes a little more time, but it does give you a way to set the panel to match the preset and learn what’s going on.
I can't agree with the Novation Mininova at all. I had its bigger brother the Ultranova and it was an absolute nightmare of menu diving to get any kind of sound out of it. A good presets synth but a hopeless beginner synth for learning subtractive. I sold it and bought a Novation Bass Station II - yes, a monosynth - and what a revelation. I totally love that thing! So easy to make sounds, everything is there on the panel. A total joy to use. I then bought an Arturia MicroFreak and I love that too. I also got the MiniFreak V for a mere 69 Euros thanks to a generous coupon from Arturia. I've been giving some serious thought to getting a Roland GAIA 2. Seeing it in 1st place is making me more convinced it would be a good choice for me. If the price should drop below £600 (yes, I'm in rip-off Britain where we pay through the nose for everything!) I will probably get one. Keeping a keen eye on the 2nd hand market too, just in case.
Combined with a midi keyboard the Roland SH-4d is worth a shout out too. Fun little box that can run on batteries and with phones can be used on the couch. Plenty of editable sounds (SH-101 and Juno 106 based as pcm samples like piano etc.), fx, compressor and a drum track. Pair this with an Arturia or other midi keyboard and you have a really good sounding 5 track Groovebox. Here in Europe SH-4d & keyboard can be had for €580-650 depending on what keyboard you get with it. The SH-4d can also work standalone (no keyboard).
Scott , this was fantastic , I hope you expand this to different price points , I know it has a lot of personal perspective , but who cares I loved it !!!
+1 on the Deepmind. But there are several things I'll share that you didn't mention. First, you CAN get the 12-voice Deepmind for $700, but just the desktop module. Works great if you already have a keyboard that you like with suitable midi out to control the desktop module. Secondly, Behringer provides both a PC and iPad version of and editor/librarian. The screen on the Deepmind, although informative, has a crappy resolution. I plug my Deepmind into my iPad Pro that sits on a stand behind the synth, and it is a DREAM setup. Not only can I quickly load any of the 512 presets onboard, but I can pull from my library on my iPad, and I can easily edit the sounds and avoid the menu diving required to do the same thing on the keyboard. I also use Cubasis on my iPad to sequence my Deepmind. And to get 12 lovely, liquid sounding voices of TRUE analog sound for this price point makes it simply one of the best synth values on the market. PERIOD. Yes, it has very simple analog waveforms, but so did the Juno series, and look how many hits were created on those synths. So highly recommended, especially for a first analog synth. It is truly the real analog modern version of the Juno that Roland should have made (instead of all the digital clones)!
Agreed...The DM12 AND the DM6 (yes, that too) are the most bang for buck analog synth on the market today. Also, the keybed is pretty good for the price.
Hi Scott, great video as always! From your top 12 list, I owned the Roland JD-Xi, the Mininova and the Behringer Deepmind 6, and I have to say: the JD-Xi was really a great disappointment due to several things (the worse keybed that I played so far, the very limited analog synth, the locking of MIDI channels 1,2,3 and 4, and the intense menu diving, as you said) to the point that I decided to return it before the 30 days of purchase. The Mininova, on the contrary, was a very capable synth, although not very easy to manage fully without the Virtual App running on a DAW. At the end, and because I needed cash, I ended up selling it after a few Months of use, but I regret that a lot now... The Deepmind 6 is a great synth, with great effects, but a fair keybed, and a very noisy (effects) when switching patches, but all in all, a great synth. I also had to sell it due to money issues... From the remaining of your list, my favorites are the ASM Hydrasynth Explorer and the Arturia Mini-Freak, although the ASM seems a better and more powerfull synth (maybe my next buy, if I can) :-) Take care
Cobalt 5s owner, and I can say the thing is amazing at almost everything one would need from learning to exploring to playing as the first hardware synth, why?, the algorithms shows you lots types of synthesis, just from that you can explore what FM, sync, pwm, RM, AM... sounds like with simple 2 macro parameters that you can mod. As scott and others reviews say, the way modal has layout the synth is pretty intuitive and really fast. The app is amazing for viewing And then the 5s portability is just amazing since it runs from usb, so basically whatever, I travel with the thing and a battery pack and literally play wherever...
I was able to pick up a Gaia 2 at a 40% discount at a Sam Ash liquidation sale, as the remaining stores are going to close around July 21st. Being in South Florida there are 3 different Sam Ash stores and there have been some crazy deals in the final weeks.
Great video! I had no idea Modal was going out of business but I am incredibly stoked that they got bought! I have the craft synth from them as a few years ago when my synth journey began I was looking for something small to help me learn and it has been amazing. I’ve had my eye on the cobalt module for a while. Anyways, cheers!
Great list. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend a mono like the Bass Station 2 if someone isn't into classic bread and butter keys, especially if in a band.
Great selections!! Some good ideas to recommend if I teach students in the future. I really love my Minifreak and am glad it made it to#2 on your list! :) I wish they'd make one with normal-sized keys though. Keys feel really solid but I'm used to playing digital pianos.
Just wanted to say about the Minifreak, although its natural tendency is toward extremely digital sounds, some of the oscillator types such as Waveshaper and the NE Bass, combined with the modulation capabilities and oscillator routings (and the smooth analog filter) mean you can absolutely get "analog sounds" from it. As another commenter mentioned, Arturia's presets didn't necessarily do the synth justice, as they tended toward harsh and digital. Like the Hydrasynth, the MF is extremely deep and powerful and with a bit of sound design experience, can sound like almost anything.
I wish the Behringer Solina could come with a keybed. I guess it's my next buy after I tame the MonoPoly and the MS-01. You really have to dedicate time to tame this little monsters. Thanks for the video.
Great vid! I've had both the microKORG and the Novation MiniNova; I didn't really jive with how the microKORG worked for some reason but I have been loving the MiniNova! Very impressive sound from a low cost synth. I have been thinking of adding another synth to compliment the MiniNova and am between the Cobalt 8 and Hydrasynth Explorer. I'm leaning Hydrasynth but the depth of options are teetering on overwhelming
Great video. I have been watching beginner synth videos by some other people and they have nothing but contempt for many simple, all in one, cheaper devices.
I was pretty close to getting the MX49 as my first synth, but I’m done with “full size” keys. They’re great for those of you with bigger hands, but they’re painful and awkward for those of us with smaller hands. I ended up with a Minilogue OG and have been really happy with it. I now have the Reface CS too, and it’s also great. Currently trying to figure out what to get as a third for use with my SQ-64. I’m currently thinking either a Volca Keys or a Monologue.
I come from classical piano, and my fingers just do not fit minikeys. I have tried, but I just can't play them, I hit keys that I don't intend. Of those, the Reface CS definitely has the best of the minikeys that I've tried, in my opinion.
@@ScottsSynthStuff Yeah. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I now think that key size was one of the things that made me end up picking guitar as my primary instrument in school instead of piano. My keyboard technique is improving much faster now. I’m hopeful that efforts like PASK will eventually make pianos of various sizes more common again rather than being so standardized on only one size. Things are better in the synth/controller world, but you’re still hard pressed to find more than 37 keys in slim keys. And even then, they aren’t the best keybeds. So I do find myself using two Refaces side-by-side at times instead of my 61 slim-key controller.
That's a first hearing from someone that says it's painful or awkward to use full size keys vs mini keys (often known as mid size). My first hardware synth was a Casio CZ-101. I just knew how to tinker at the time, and the first lesson to me with average sized hands are, your going to be limited with these smaller keys. A year later, I upgraded to the CZ-1000. Identical keyboard, except full size keys & membrane buttons instead of regular ones (I didn't see the advantage to membrane vs buttons though). I have a small portable battery operated travel keyboard, an M-Audio Oxygen 8. It has full size keys on it, otherwise it would be hard to really practice anything on it. I have an MX49 too, but almost never use it after getting the superior MODX6. On a side note, the mini keys makes the keyboards look like a toy when you play in a band and they can be hard to be taken seriously. Back in the 80s, only toy keyboards had them. Today, it's a different story though with keyboards like the Jupiter Xm. But it's worth trying to learn how to play on full size keys just so other musicians won't laugh at you.
other musicians don't laugh if the result is effective. So I don't hesitate to bring those 'toys' to a gig, alongside the 'real' keyboards anyone could respect.
So, updates/successors aside, you subbed in the more affordable MonoPoly for the System-8, and added the MicroKorg and Minifreak (both great additions) since your last beginners’ video. Nice Evolution of the list. 😎👍🏼 MicroKorg XL/+ have a very different sound to the og, tho’ … brighter/clearer-sounding, incl. vocoder with double the bands, but it loses the warmer, ‘dusty’ VA sound that the og was/is loved for … just something beginners should be aware of …
You know what else is pretty awesome, the Vermona Mono Lancet 15! I don't own one, and am not exactly a total beginner, but that thing is an extremely usable, very simple analog synth that makes some wonderful tones. I kinda want one, even though it does way less than many other synths!
SUBSCRIBED! I love your in depth discussions- shows your experience. Would love if you could tear down and show us the secrets of the good 'ol Korg Kronos.
great vid! the minifreak track was soooo sick! i broke my microfreak in a move and have missed it dearly ever since, im gonna have to get a mini to replace it one of these days.
MiniNova, you have no direct control for modulation settings, you have to menu dive to get that. Reface CS, downsides: ONE ADSR, you either find a sweet spot mix between filter and amp, or you can go all the way either just filter or just amp. A decent cheap learning synth and of course very portable. I'd recommend buying a good reverb FX pedal, as that is missing in the FX section. Also you can't combine the FX in it, so again buy some pedals to get that ability ( or plug-ins for a DAW ).
I'd say also keep an eye on the used Market. For example on Reverb I seen a Modal Cobalt 8 with Deck Saver in excellent condition for only 500 US Dollars which is a steal.
Revisiting this post after some more thought. IMHO a first/beginner synth should ideally have certain aspects. While I do think any more advanced setup benefits from having both a dedicated straightforward lead as well as bass monosynths for a first a full poly (not para) is best. Quality (if budget allows) at least 4 octave full size keybed avoids annoyances in a first/only synth from having less than that. 8 voices bare minimum again to avoid beginner annoyances. Beginner friendly interface/workflow IF they want to learn synthesis and not just play patches with only a bit of tweaking here and there at most. While an excellent condition Deepmind seems obvious for all that, a used Sledge 2.0 is also a great option.
If the JDXi had better keys it would be the king of all mini synths. It covers so much ground. The engine actually supports aftertouch even though the keyboard doesn't. And yeah menu diving is as always obnoxious but there are some app editors you can get.
100% exactly what I was trying to get across. With a better keybed, and perhaps a larger screen to reduce menu diving, it would be a KILLER synth. It will never happen however, as it would cut into the sales of the Jupiter Xm. Zen Core is Roland's direction today, and outliers like the JD-Xi and JD-Xa are still around...for now.
@@ScottsSynthStuff great vid. Really nice analysis. I sometimes use the JDXi just to compose and arrange things and then route notes to other synths but I always keep the drums from the JDXi those classis vintage samples are great
Thanks a lot Scott. It definitely reaffirmed a few and made me think about a few. I was wondering if you had to pick between not being a ROMpler and allowing good level of DCO/VA/ filter/ mod, etc. with different engines (FM, wavetable, etc.) and being polyphonic (as you said at least 4 voices) and also at least bi-timbral (using two midi channels from DAW instrument tracks to send midi notes and cc values to two different layers of different sounds in the synth) is there any that is below $700 or you have to go higher in price?
Great vid and comparisons, BUT lol, I can't believe the Korg Wavestate is not on your list, which if it was I would think it would be rated near the top.
While not a popular opinion, I would suggest adding an MPC One+ to the list (sub US $700). Ok, the "keybed" is a set of velocity sensitive pads, but it has onboard plug-ins for synthesis and fx as well as sample playback, sampling and sequencing and is a great hub when you add further hard or soft synths to your collection. They won't suit everyone but it provides multiple options when producing music, they're very accessible and can be great fun.
It’s an excellent choice. Best drums, best sampler, can play/make multi layer synths from real world synths. Juno & Moog plug-ins are great. Has CV, sequencer, audio interface. Just add a midi keyboard.
These videos are so dope, thank you Scott! I have a question, I know you’ve done videos on the summit, do you know if the summit has a favorites bank or a 8x8 patch selector? It’s hard to buy any synth that doesn’t have a patch selector button group to chang programs
Hey Scott, great video! I really appreciate the way you explain gear with their strengths and weaknesses. It's very helpful to budding synthesists like myself. Cheers, from Australia 🤙
I feel that you should expand your maximum price and include the Sequential Take 5. I almost bought the Hydrasynth Explorer after watching your videos but decided to go with something that wouldn’t involve a lot of menu diving.
not really a like-for-like comparison there, since the Take 5 is closer to the price of the HS Deluxe -- and if either is your first synth, you have far more discretionary income than most. Scott did well to choose a substantial but manageable price limit.
I understand that Scott decided to use price as a criteria with a maximum of $700, but your comment about “more discretionary income than most” is premature without an understanding of the purchasers other discretionary spending. I chose a more expensive device because the layout of the controls was worth the extra cost.
I like what you do, I don't have a synth or music experience but I'm looking for something inspiring that makes me want to learn that's not too thin on what can be done, I've been on the fence on the deepmind 12 but it doesn't really get my interest until the effects are applied. I'm 59 and at a point if I don't do anything now I never will, I've seen youtubes on Sequential Take 5 and Yamaha Juno X which I like the sounds from, I recently liked a demo track from Roland Gaia 2 but not heard much from it.
Good picks! Did you consider the Blofeld and it was out of the price bracket in your region? I so much prefer mine over the modal 5s, which has wobbly & imprecise encoders and a barely audible output level. Also the Blofeld or a Hydrasynth have so much more sound design possibilities than it. Thanks!
Trusting your clear expertise, I would ask you this. What keyboard would you recommend if I'm looking for those killer 80s tunes like van Halen why can't this be love. I just died in your arms. Pet shop boys etc
So with the MX49 there is actually a lot more available. With the Melas Tools for it you have FULL access to the engine for sound design. You also have FM Essentials whcich adds a full on FM library through an iPad/iPhone.
Speaking of microkorg, look for akai miniak (or alesis micron if feeling extra risky) second hand in your area. Much deeper synth. UI is somewhat bearable, coming from mc-101 and 707
The JD-XI HAS a special feature ( not vocoder) but that's a secret until I decide to sign up w you tube again? Renting these synths is probably best way for muah till the winner is convincing enough . Thanks for the superb comparisons and don't forget to scoop me up in your airplane when you fly by Austin ,tx champ 😊
I have a Sub 37 and would like to add a poly synth I am looking at the Korg prologue or Behringer DM12 or the Behringer OBX. Your advice would be appreciated
None of those are a bad choice. I particularly like the Behringer UB-Xa, although you'll need some outboard effects for it, as it doesn't have any built in.
@ after seeing other videos it seems the hydrasynth or the notation summit are true contenders although I can only afford one poly synth as I have the Yamaha FX and the sub 37. I mostly do r&b. Gospel and pop. What poly synth do you think would serve me best? Doesn’t have to be the ones listed above. Thx again
Hey, is it possible to connect an external controller to the Hydrasynth Explorer to kind of try to compensate for the lack of the ribbon found on its bigger brothers?
As an owner of both the Roland JD-Xi (my first polyphonic synth), and the Korg Microkorg S.... All the review videos I Saw of the Hydrasynth Explorer said it was very portable and compact, so I was expecting it to weigh less, but between those 3 it's my biggest 37 key synth lol
I have digital synths and would like to add a very good Analog (or great VA) for true subtractive synth. I want it to be fairly simple to use and get great sounds and drones. I want to spend under $1K (a good used one is fine). I OWN: Microfreak, Novation CircuitTracks, Roland MC-101. I started with the idea that it would be great to create an entire song in one box (still like the idea), and I am not (yet) into DAW. I would like at least the choice of 5 notes (or so) of poly for chords, midi in/out (5 pin). Edit: I don't mind desktop (without keyboard) but don't want patch cables. I seem to be leaning towards any Behringer product or similar. Any suggestions?
For a true beginner, consider your goal and budget. If you are trying to learn synthesis or just be a twiddler, get a synth with a lot of knobs/sliders so everything is WYSIWYG. Budget wise, you'll get more bang for the buck if you buy something used, considering most new synth prices have skyrocketed. If your goal is to learn how to play, buy a cheap 88 key digital piano and take lessons. Using Scott's picks as inspiration, I would go with a used DeepMind12 or Hydrasynth Explorer. I would avoid the JD-Xi. My personal pick for price range, knobs, sound would be a used Studiologic Black Sledge-- all knobs, bi-timbral, wavetables, high quality 5 octave keyboard, aftertouch....
I hadn't even heard of this one till I delved into the comments, and I've looked at alot of synths. It looks so approachable 👍 (talking bout the sledge)
I have done a used video before here: ruclips.net/video/6Zb2-wAo72I/видео.html I agree with the Sledge, it is a very underrated synth. I wish the made the newest version still in yellow, though!
@@ScottsSynthStuff I also wanted a yellow one, but I heard the keybed is not as nice and maybe some other things. Kinda like Lexus vs. Toyota. I also heard stay clear of the early yellow ones.
Kinda weird to see the Microkorg on the list since it really only becomes more usable with a software programmer, as the quasi-menu diving on the thing itself is not really the kind of direct access you would want from a synth. But since this models is now being phased out by Korg after over 20(!) years (i think it came out in 2002), i'd say get one while you can. Remember, it uses the same virtual analog architecture as the MS2000, which still holds up amazingly well even today. The Arturia Minifreak is definitely a no-brainer and really deserves to be on this list, as it gives the beginner the most bangs for the bucks. Just as the orignal Microfreak that costs even less but sadly has absolutely ZERO internal effects. Depending on what you need (actual keyboard or internal effects) i would say the Minifreak and the Microfreak both should be on the list.
Before recommending any first synth it is important to consider a couple of things for who is getting it. Do they have decent keyboard chops and want to use them with it? (Since it is a first synth I assume they do not already have a good full size controller keyboard) If so mini-key synths could be off the table. Do they at least think they want to learn about synthesis and create their own patches from scratch? Or do they mostly want to play pre-sets and tweak a few of the standard "bits" here and there? (Regardless what they tell themselves in reality that second category is the VAST majority of hardware synth owners) No AT on so many Korg/Yamaha/Roland synths is a disgrace. Generally I think your number 1 is a great choice IF the price stays there, but an accomplished keyboardist plus the simpler/more accessible voice architecture could make a Deepmind 12 worth the extra cost IMHO. One other possibility to consider (though it would be possibly a bit more upfront learning curve) with more flexibility later: An M-Audio Oxygen Pro or Novation Impulse controller with a Pro 800 or JX-08.
Better is subjective...it's different. The oscillators and wavetables are more flexible in the GAIA 2, but the Cobalt 8 filters are more creative, adjustable and sound better. The effects (to me) in the GAIA 2 are slightly better, especially the reverb. I have videos where I review both the Cobalt 8 as well as the GAIA 2 - watch them both and judge for yoursefl!
Hi Scott, I'm a soft synth designer and a subscriber who generally enjoys your content but has two criticisms of your list. With so many dislikes and bottlenecks on the JD-XI, you should've excluded it as a "best." You're a Modal fan, but the Arturia software is a prime example of how poorly designed the Cobalt software is. If you use the Cobalt software in a DAW with a mouse and keyboard, it becomes apparent Modal cut corners with their software design. Also, a VA synth (Cobalt) that didn't get free-running oscillators until a year after release is terrible.
Definitely the two weakest options on the list, imho … especially if they need to rely on those JD-Xi keys 😬 … I dislike the Cobalt for other reasons, but at least the full-sized has nice (Fatar!) keys … but depends whether the beginner is interested in sound-design (lots of sounds), learning to play keys/theory (keys obv. more important), etc …
I know it's not new release but still relative cheap . . but as as the story goes start at the beginning as with early pocket programmable synths like the tiny Casio VL tone 'toy' . . even on own but through effects get weird sounds ambient background atmospheric which I think are synths strengths rather than the cacophony of every sound possible played in sequence . . same reason why I like 3 & 2 & 1 , raised action slide guitar . . too many strings muddies the waters
Beginner synth wannabe here - given the fact that you've got 30 years experience under your belt, I trust your judgment. Narrowing my choice(s) down now, and live gigging is important to me so the USB-only isn't useful. BTW, the Gaia 2 is now MSRP at $749 so time to move #2 to #1 and find another choice, or amend your price cut-off!
A decent selection. Although I think the JD-Xi is a plasticky fingerprint magnet and a menu-diving nightmare it's very powerful (but my least favorite of the recommendations). A shame about the $700 limit because for $800 I'd unreservedly recommend a used Studiologic Sledge 2.0
How are any of these for beginners? Surely a simple monosynth ( possibly even 1 oscillator ) would be much more suitable for a beginner learning subtractive synthesis. Jen SX1000 was designed for people to learn on back in the day.
I have noticed that most of your synths you own are not actually real analog synths like Oberheim, Deckard's, Moog Etc. etc. I was wondering whether you like the real deals or too much to mess with. For the first time ever I bought both the new OB-X8m and Deckard's and once I did have a Moog, forgot I had that one. There's something special about the real thing and I'm sure you've had those at some point. It's actually a blessing that we can now buy these and they aren't $30K.
My "analog rack" is to the right, which you can't really see in this video, where I have an SH-101, Juno-106 and a Polysix. I've been at this for 35+ years now, so I've gone through a ton of analog synths in my time. I can appreciate the real thing, for instance I use the Juno-106 all the time, even though I have 106 emulations on the Fantom and the System-8. But I wince every time I turn one on and hear something not quite right, as I know I'm potentially one power cycle away from something going wrong again, and I'll have to pull it apart, find and fix the problem, recalibrate it....I never have to do that on a modern digital synth. :)
So if we have the Gaia 2 … I don’t know if the price is below 700$ i clearly would add the Korg Modwave which is also a wavetable synth like the Gaia but the synth engine is more powerful. Same with the Opsix. But I don’t know if they are below the $700 limit.
The Modwave is $899 and the Opsix is $749, so both outside the price range, but I would not recommend either of them as a beginner synth for someone wanting to learn subtractive synthesis. The Modwave is way more complex, and the opsix is FM (with some subtractive bits tacked on top).
@@ScottsSynthStuff thank you for the reply! I asked because you listed the Gaia 2 and here in Germany both are over 700€ and there is only like 50€ difference between them. And I think the Modwave is not so much more complex if you just use it like a subtractive synth and ignore the rest. However I do think that the Gaia 2 front panel is more beginner friendly and clearer designed. As I’m not a beginner myself I would probably prefer the Modwave but I can see why you prefer the Gaia 2.
I think opsix should be an honorable mention or swapped with one of the ones you "didn't" want on the list... when i was watching the mono poly part i was like ???? as someone who just has the software of it from korg but that is really cool there is a remake from another brand the chord button i feel like is pretty nice on alot of sounds from the vst pretty cool list i got the hydrasynth desktop as my second synth hopefully i will figure out cv or use midi to control it with my keystep pro... but i really think opsix gets a bad rap when its really a nice synth and full size keys not weighted but a nice tool to have im going to learn to add patches and stuff and possible do a firmware update if i didnt already lol its been a while but it really is nice and i feel pretty beginer friendly with 250 presets but the starting from scratch sounds are not very beginer friendly
My list is for subtractive synths under $700, the opsix is neither. You can simulate some subtractive functionality with the opsix, but it is primarily an FM synth.
I need a simple, real vco, "beading" sweetspot poly. ....I have a Hydra and a Virus. The last thing I need is another virtual analog. Your continual extoling of Modal and the Cobalt8 has me gassing anyways though, dang it. Maybe I'll just pass on a fancier poly, and get a Pro-800, so I can afford a Cobalt8 too. hmmmm....
I totally disagree with a couple of your suggestions, and that's why I'm giving you a like and subscribe. Most people don't have any unique takes and just regurgitate the same synths. I like that you had an authentic opinion.
I boughtthe GAIA Sh-01 more than 10 years ago. After dreaming for 10 years about making eletronic music, while I barely touched my synth, I finally made a homestudio in one of my rooms. Yestersday I did my first tutorial in the DAW I use and recorded the GAIA for the first time. The fight between depression and dreams is a difficult one, but I finally got somewhere. 😊
Good for you! Keep going!
Keep fighting the good fight.
Keep it up, you are an inspiration!
Hi Hans, music should be a mirror of your soul. One can make a lot of noise or a mellow voyage to the moon sort of speak. Use what you got and try play/record what comes closest to that dream 🤠
I bought an SH-4D as a beginner synth. The fact it can play 4 synth parts plus a rhythm part and has an basic sequencer drew me over the line. Since than I added a polyend play as a sequencer….that combo is just fantastic for the music i make.
I recently had to buy three synths for beginners as gifts.. Two of the recipiens were very young people, so I chose the Cobalt5s, which is hugely capable and has very nice sounding internal sounds. One was for an older, more experienced musicisn, so he got a Hydrasynth Explorer. All of the recipients loved their new synths, and I think that these were good choices for the skill level of the recipients.
Great choices! I have the Cobalt 5s and it packs a punch for size and price (also good for beginners). I'm also currently looking at getting the Hydrasynth explorer, which is amazing for sound design and experimenting.
So the mininova is out of the question? I noticed it a few months ago in a local store and thought what a compact capable toy/machine (if it turns out to be just a toy, which means lack of interest I would be able to take it back and use it myself)!
But then, if I had all the choice in the stores I would agree with cobalt a and hydrasynth.
@@florkgagga The mininova is not a toy. It has excellent oscillators with wavetables, multiple filter types and 18 note polyphony. The only downside is the slightly nasty keyboard with no aftertouch. But the sound is excellent. I could have chosen one of these just as easily. Arturia and Korg have some good options in this price range too.
@@geoffk777 a toy like when you buy your kid a 1300$ bicycle (if the neighbourhood and your budget allows it) , you know, it is the size and colour of one but it does have some pro features, I wondered would that get my son into tinkering with music, that vocoder may be a selling point, at 12 they are doing presentations at school maybe someone from the team goes "how about some sound fx or music".... "we can even play music together...". It is just in the price range where I could stand it to be treated like toy but eventually I would take it back, sell it or gift it to a kid who couldn't afford it. But he needs to get more at ease with school, and maybe choose which training schedule to stick to, rowing or soccer. I don't want to force music on him, just show him the possibility of spending some fortnite-time on something creative, maybe even recreating fortnite tunes.
When I met the love of my life at a somewhat advanced age, some of her friends were climbers. With kids who knew about climbing gear and knots at 6,playing with proper gear, on which you literally hang your life, playing with them like with toys. I want to have a kid like that and in some ways I'm pretty close, we were cheaper at some end to allow some good stuff on the other.
Good enough explanation?
Nice round up, thanks :) Just got a Reface CS (lightly used) for my daughters (6 & 8) for Christmas. It can make some great sounds! Having every control have an immediate effect on the sound helps them explore sound design, which was the point I was going for. And they can sit on the floor or the sofa or take it outside or in the car, use it anywhere. They love it. Rather than a Casio CTK or Yamaha PSR, this is one of only a very small number of keyboards that has battery and speakers and so is totally self contained and accessible. And rather than preset surfing, it's teaching them to make sounds, and think about the shape a sound, learning what ADSR means and does. Really good little synth for this purpose - the lack of presets are a positive in this case.
I agree, it's a great little synth, and one of the ones I regret selling - I may end up buying one again. Incidentally, if you connect it to a computer with USB, you can save and load presets using the Yamaha Soundmondo website.
@@ScottsSynthStuff That's handy. Yeah it can make some great sounds pretty quickly. But yeah, especially for something that can just exist in any room of the house lying around for anyone to play with at any time, it's great.
Just bought a Monopoly today i can't wait to try it out. And the Minifreak is amazing I've never once regretted that purchase.
What a fantastic video!! Thank you. It confirmed my choices for beginner synths. I have the XD and the MiniFreak. Both amazing and easier to learn than many others.
Of those I have the Mininova and Roland JD-Xi, and I am quite satisfied with them, because they cover a wide sonic range and also the drum machine capabilities on the Roland and the flexible arpeggiator of the Mininova complement each other beautifully
Totally agree with the GAIA2 for number one. Not only it's an amazing synth but it has a killer feature for anyone trying to learn synthesis: Pressing the exit button while twisting a knob / moving a slider will show you the value without changing it. You can examine how every single preset is made. This is literally a dream for teaching yourself synthesis. I am using it like this and I am really grateful the price has come down (766 euros in EU). Also the keybed is amazing (I had korg wavestate before and we both know how bad that is). Arturia Minifreak: they've done an amazing work on it, including the mini keys with aftertouch (same keybed as Keystep 37, which is excellent). I like the VST a lot as well. But the problem with Minifreak is I don't really like most of the presets. I can definitely create patches from scratch I like, but the presets are well, freaky - obviously intended that way, just not for me. I'm still considering it though.
I was surprised to see MX49 make the list. Good value, but quite old and AFAIR you can only do real synthesis with an external (paid) tool. More of a rompler I would for a lightweight gigging experience. Great video Scott, many thanks!
The System-8 has that same trick (to see current values) and I agree, it's a very useful feature. And yup, the keybed is excellent, and far better than the Wavestate.
The Minifreak is really trying to make itself SOUND digital, to differentiate itself from all the VA synths out there.
The MX49 is really much more capable than people give it credit for. I had one for quite a while, until I got my MODX, at which point there was too much overlaps, so I sold the MX49.
The Jupiter-X/Xm and Juno-X also have this trick (hold Shift and Twist), although they’re not completely knob-per-function.
And then (in a different price range, but) the Prophet-6 and OB-6 have a little dot that will light up on the LED panel when you turn a knob to the preset position. This takes a little more time, but it does give you a way to set the panel to match the preset and learn what’s going on.
@@JeffPalmer83 Clever. It could be easily implemented on synths with very limited displays, like the boutiques
I can't agree with the Novation Mininova at all. I had its bigger brother the Ultranova and it was an absolute nightmare of menu diving to get any kind of sound out of it. A good presets synth but a hopeless beginner synth for learning subtractive. I sold it and bought a Novation Bass Station II - yes, a monosynth - and what a revelation. I totally love that thing! So easy to make sounds, everything is there on the panel. A total joy to use. I then bought an Arturia MicroFreak and I love that too. I also got the MiniFreak V for a mere 69 Euros thanks to a generous coupon from Arturia.
I've been giving some serious thought to getting a Roland GAIA 2. Seeing it in 1st place is making me more convinced it would be a good choice for me. If the price should drop below £600 (yes, I'm in rip-off Britain where we pay through the nose for everything!) I will probably get one. Keeping a keen eye on the 2nd hand market too, just in case.
My pick is the MicroKorg. It taught me enough to feel the need to upgrade to a hydrasynth over last winter. :)
It is at least the most legendary of the list...
Combined with a midi keyboard the Roland SH-4d is worth a shout out too.
Fun little box that can run on batteries and with phones can be used on the couch.
Plenty of editable sounds (SH-101 and Juno 106 based as pcm samples like piano etc.), fx, compressor and a drum track.
Pair this with an Arturia or other midi keyboard and you have a really good sounding 5 track Groovebox.
Here in Europe SH-4d & keyboard can be had for €580-650 depending on what keyboard you get with it. The SH-4d can also work standalone (no keyboard).
Scott , this was fantastic , I hope you expand this to different price points , I know it has a lot of personal perspective , but who cares I loved it !!!
+1 on the Deepmind. But there are several things I'll share that you didn't mention. First, you CAN get the 12-voice Deepmind for $700, but just the desktop module. Works great if you already have a keyboard that you like with suitable midi out to control the desktop module. Secondly, Behringer provides both a PC and iPad version of and editor/librarian. The screen on the Deepmind, although informative, has a crappy resolution. I plug my Deepmind into my iPad Pro that sits on a stand behind the synth, and it is a DREAM setup. Not only can I quickly load any of the 512 presets onboard, but I can pull from my library on my iPad, and I can easily edit the sounds and avoid the menu diving required to do the same thing on the keyboard. I also use Cubasis on my iPad to sequence my Deepmind. And to get 12 lovely, liquid sounding voices of TRUE analog sound for this price point makes it simply one of the best synth values on the market. PERIOD. Yes, it has very simple analog waveforms, but so did the Juno series, and look how many hits were created on those synths. So highly recommended, especially for a first analog synth. It is truly the real analog modern version of the Juno that Roland should have made (instead of all the digital clones)!
Agreed...The DM12 AND the DM6 (yes, that too) are the most bang for buck analog synth on the market today. Also, the keybed is pretty good for the price.
Hi Scott, great video as always! From your top 12 list, I owned the Roland JD-Xi, the Mininova and the Behringer Deepmind 6, and I have to say: the JD-Xi was really a great disappointment due to several things (the worse keybed that I played so far, the very limited analog synth, the locking of MIDI channels 1,2,3 and 4, and the intense menu diving, as you said) to the point that I decided to return it before the 30 days of purchase. The Mininova, on the contrary, was a very capable synth, although not very easy to manage fully without the Virtual App running on a DAW. At the end, and because I needed cash, I ended up selling it after a few Months of use, but I regret that a lot now... The Deepmind 6 is a great synth, with great effects, but a fair keybed, and a very noisy (effects) when switching patches, but all in all, a great synth. I also had to sell it due to money issues... From the remaining of your list, my favorites are the ASM Hydrasynth Explorer and the Arturia Mini-Freak, although the ASM seems a better and more powerfull synth (maybe my next buy, if I can) :-) Take care
Cobalt 5s owner, and I can say the thing is amazing at almost everything one would need from learning to exploring to playing as the first hardware synth, why?, the algorithms shows you lots types of synthesis, just from that you can explore what FM, sync, pwm, RM, AM... sounds like with simple 2 macro parameters that you can mod. As scott and others reviews say, the way modal has layout the synth is pretty intuitive and really fast. The app is amazing for viewing And then the 5s portability is just amazing since it runs from usb, so basically whatever, I travel with the thing and a battery pack and literally play wherever...
I was able to pick up a Gaia 2 at a 40% discount at a Sam Ash liquidation sale, as the remaining stores are going to close around July 21st. Being in South Florida there are 3 different Sam Ash stores and there have been some crazy deals in the final weeks.
Great video! I had no idea Modal was going out of business but I am incredibly stoked that they got bought! I have the craft synth from them as a few years ago when my synth journey began I was looking for something small to help me learn and it has been amazing. I’ve had my eye on the cobalt module for a while. Anyways, cheers!
Great list. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend a mono like the Bass Station 2 if someone isn't into classic bread and butter keys, especially if in a band.
Whenever you do these videos I get excited. Then I remember that I live in Canada while you're in the US😎
Great selections!! Some good ideas to recommend if I teach students in the future. I really love my Minifreak and am glad it made it to#2 on your list! :) I wish they'd make one with normal-sized keys though. Keys feel really solid but I'm used to playing digital pianos.
Just wanted to say about the Minifreak, although its natural tendency is toward extremely digital sounds, some of the oscillator types such as Waveshaper and the NE Bass, combined with the modulation capabilities and oscillator routings (and the smooth analog filter) mean you can absolutely get "analog sounds" from it. As another commenter mentioned, Arturia's presets didn't necessarily do the synth justice, as they tended toward harsh and digital. Like the Hydrasynth, the MF is extremely deep and powerful and with a bit of sound design experience, can sound like almost anything.
There are also great vintage presets available for the Minifreak.
there is literally a whole video on making just those old classic sounds from the miniFreak
AWESOME Vid Scott!!!!!.....The Help You offer and freely give is Priceless!!! ❤.
🤗I'm Very Happy With Your Class!🤗
I wish the Behringer Solina could come with a keybed. I guess it's my next buy after I tame the MonoPoly and the MS-01. You really have to dedicate time to tame this little monsters. Thanks for the video.
Absolument amazing video. You’re the man (even if I already got a Deepmind12, HYDRAsynth, Minilogue XD)
This is a perfect video for a beginner !!!
MiniFreak has an analogue filter which I do think makes a difference, and it sounds slightly better than it’s VST equivalent, to my ears at least
Agree on the Roland JD-XI. I have this synth and i like the possibilities that it offers for the price but just hate the user interface.
Master class master catalogue. Am hapoy you included Arturia. This video has def influenced my go to. Asante sana😊🙏🏼
Great vid! I've had both the microKORG and the Novation MiniNova; I didn't really jive with how the microKORG worked for some reason but I have been loving the MiniNova! Very impressive sound from a low cost synth. I have been thinking of adding another synth to compliment the MiniNova and am between the Cobalt 8 and Hydrasynth Explorer. I'm leaning Hydrasynth but the depth of options are teetering on overwhelming
Go for the Hydrasynth. Yes it's deep, but the absolute genius user interface design makes it accessible and easy to use.
Great video. I have been watching beginner synth videos by some other people and they have nothing but contempt for many simple, all in one, cheaper devices.
I was pretty close to getting the MX49 as my first synth, but I’m done with “full size” keys. They’re great for those of you with bigger hands, but they’re painful and awkward for those of us with smaller hands. I ended up with a Minilogue OG and have been really happy with it. I now have the Reface CS too, and it’s also great. Currently trying to figure out what to get as a third for use with my SQ-64. I’m currently thinking either a Volca Keys or a Monologue.
I come from classical piano, and my fingers just do not fit minikeys. I have tried, but I just can't play them, I hit keys that I don't intend. Of those, the Reface CS definitely has the best of the minikeys that I've tried, in my opinion.
@@ScottsSynthStuff Yeah. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I now think that key size was one of the things that made me end up picking guitar as my primary instrument in school instead of piano. My keyboard technique is improving much faster now. I’m hopeful that efforts like PASK will eventually make pianos of various sizes more common again rather than being so standardized on only one size. Things are better in the synth/controller world, but you’re still hard pressed to find more than 37 keys in slim keys. And even then, they aren’t the best keybeds. So I do find myself using two Refaces side-by-side at times instead of my 61 slim-key controller.
That's a first hearing from someone that says it's painful or awkward to use full size keys vs mini keys (often known as mid size).
My first hardware synth was a Casio CZ-101. I just knew how to tinker at the time, and the first lesson to me with average sized hands are, your going to be limited with these smaller keys. A year later, I upgraded to the CZ-1000. Identical keyboard, except full size keys & membrane buttons instead of regular ones (I didn't see the advantage to membrane vs buttons though).
I have a small portable battery operated travel keyboard, an M-Audio Oxygen 8. It has full size keys on it, otherwise it would be hard to really practice anything on it. I have an MX49 too, but almost never use it after getting the superior MODX6.
On a side note, the mini keys makes the keyboards look like a toy when you play in a band and they can be hard to be taken seriously. Back in the 80s, only toy keyboards had them. Today, it's a different story though with keyboards like the Jupiter Xm. But it's worth trying to learn how to play on full size keys just so other musicians won't laugh at you.
other musicians don't laugh if the result is effective. So I don't hesitate to bring those 'toys' to a gig, alongside the 'real' keyboards anyone could respect.
So, updates/successors aside, you subbed in the more affordable MonoPoly for the System-8, and added the MicroKorg and Minifreak (both great additions) since your last beginners’ video. Nice Evolution of the list. 😎👍🏼
MicroKorg XL/+ have a very different sound to the og, tho’ … brighter/clearer-sounding, incl. vocoder with double the bands, but it loses the warmer, ‘dusty’ VA sound that the og was/is loved for … just something beginners should be aware of …
Shout out for the Roland Boutique JU06A. Great synth if you want to learn how to program a synthesizer. Very hands on.
Starting out with synths. Thanks
I'm most intrigued by that first Yamaha ....reminds me of the look of those 90s Yamaha series...
You know what else is pretty awesome, the Vermona Mono Lancet 15! I don't own one, and am not exactly a total beginner, but that thing is an extremely usable, very simple analog synth that makes some wonderful tones. I kinda want one, even though it does way less than many other synths!
SUBSCRIBED! I love your in depth discussions- shows your experience. Would love if you could tear down and show us the secrets of the good 'ol Korg Kronos.
Thanks for the video, I´ve chosen for my first synth the Minilogue XD, really love that synth. the next will be the hydrasynth explorer...
great vid! the minifreak track was soooo sick! i broke my microfreak in a move and have missed it dearly ever since, im gonna have to get a mini to replace it one of these days.
Excellent video! That Yamaha MX-49 sounds beautiful!
MiniNova, you have no direct control for modulation settings, you have to menu dive to get that.
Reface CS, downsides: ONE ADSR, you either find a sweet spot mix between filter and amp, or you can go all the way either just filter or just amp. A decent cheap learning synth and of course very portable. I'd recommend buying a good reverb FX pedal, as that is missing in the FX section. Also you can't combine the FX in it, so again buy some pedals to get that ability ( or plug-ins for a DAW ).
I'd say also keep an eye on the used Market. For example on Reverb I seen a Modal Cobalt 8 with Deck Saver in excellent condition for only 500 US Dollars which is a steal.
Revisiting this post after some more thought. IMHO a first/beginner synth should ideally have certain aspects. While I do think any more advanced setup benefits from having both a dedicated straightforward lead as well as bass monosynths for a first a full poly (not para) is best. Quality (if budget allows) at least 4 octave full size keybed avoids annoyances in a first/only synth from having less than that. 8 voices bare minimum again to avoid beginner annoyances. Beginner friendly interface/workflow IF they want to learn synthesis and not just play patches with only a bit of tweaking here and there at most. While an excellent condition Deepmind seems obvious for all that, a used Sledge 2.0 is also a great option.
Thank you! This is great.
Great video. Thank u
If the JDXi had better keys it would be the king of all mini synths. It covers so much ground. The engine actually supports aftertouch even though the keyboard doesn't. And yeah menu diving is as always obnoxious but there are some app editors you can get.
100% exactly what I was trying to get across. With a better keybed, and perhaps a larger screen to reduce menu diving, it would be a KILLER synth. It will never happen however, as it would cut into the sales of the Jupiter Xm. Zen Core is Roland's direction today, and outliers like the JD-Xi and JD-Xa are still around...for now.
@@ScottsSynthStuff great vid. Really nice analysis. I sometimes use the JDXi just to compose and arrange things and then route notes to other synths but I always keep the drums from the JDXi those classis vintage samples are great
Love this video
I like it when you do these reviews. I wonder if you would ever do a review of some of the newer Korg synths like the King Korg Neo?
Thanks a lot Scott. It definitely reaffirmed a few and made me think about a few. I was wondering if you had to pick between not being a ROMpler and allowing good level of DCO/VA/ filter/ mod, etc. with different engines (FM, wavetable, etc.) and being polyphonic (as you said at least 4 voices) and also at least bi-timbral (using two midi channels from DAW instrument tracks to send midi notes and cc values to two different layers of different sounds in the synth) is there any that is below $700 or you have to go higher in price?
Great vid and comparisons, BUT lol, I can't believe the Korg Wavestate is not on your list, which if it was I would think it would be rated near the top.
Lot of love for the Mini freak lately! Word on the street is Arturia has a new synth coming next week too..
While not a popular opinion, I would suggest adding an MPC One+ to the list (sub US $700). Ok, the "keybed" is a set of velocity sensitive pads, but it has onboard plug-ins for synthesis and fx as well as sample playback, sampling and sequencing and is a great hub when you add further hard or soft synths to your collection. They won't suit everyone but it provides multiple options when producing music, they're very accessible and can be great fun.
It’s an excellent choice. Best drums, best sampler, can play/make multi layer synths from real world synths. Juno & Moog plug-ins are great.
Has CV, sequencer, audio interface. Just add a midi keyboard.
A reasonable suggestion. Of course Scott did say that a playable keyboard was one of the parameters for his list.
These videos are so dope, thank you Scott!
I have a question, I know you’ve done videos on the summit, do you know if the summit has a favorites bank or a 8x8 patch selector?
It’s hard to buy any synth that doesn’t have a patch selector button group to chang programs
Hey Scott, great video! I really appreciate the way you explain gear with their strengths and weaknesses. It's very helpful to budding synthesists like myself. Cheers, from Australia 🤙
I feel that you should expand your maximum price and include the Sequential Take 5. I almost bought the Hydrasynth Explorer after watching your videos but decided to go with something that wouldn’t involve a lot of menu diving.
not really a like-for-like comparison there, since the Take 5 is closer to the price of the HS Deluxe -- and if either is your first synth, you have far more discretionary income than most. Scott did well to choose a substantial but manageable price limit.
I understand that Scott decided to use price as a criteria with a maximum of $700, but your comment about “more discretionary income than most” is premature without an understanding of the purchasers other discretionary spending.
I chose a more expensive device because the layout of the controls was worth the extra cost.
I like what you do, I don't have a synth or music experience but I'm looking for something inspiring that makes me want to learn that's not too thin on what can be done, I've been on the fence on the deepmind 12 but it doesn't really get my interest until the effects are applied. I'm 59 and at a point if I don't do anything now I never will, I've seen youtubes on Sequential Take 5 and Yamaha Juno X which I like the sounds from, I recently liked a demo track from Roland Gaia 2 but not heard much from it.
Good picks! Did you consider the Blofeld and it was out of the price bracket in your region? I so much prefer mine over the modal 5s, which has wobbly & imprecise encoders and a barely audible output level. Also the Blofeld or a Hydrasynth have so much more sound design possibilities than it. Thanks!
Any potential Blofeld buyer should make sure to check all the encoders though.
Unfortunately the Blofeld is $1200, so way out of the scope of this video.
$750 at Thomann for Blokeys. Right under the import tax threshold.
Oh, in Germany it can be found new for under 700 euros. (I have the desktop version, though)
Me too. Sold the Yamaha Reface CS, regret it, bought again. Will never sell again
Trusting your clear expertise, I would ask you this. What keyboard would you recommend if I'm looking for those killer 80s tunes like van Halen why can't this be love. I just died in your arms. Pet shop boys etc
So with the MX49 there is actually a lot more available. With the Melas Tools for it you have FULL access to the engine for sound design. You also have FM Essentials whcich adds a full on FM library through an iPad/iPhone.
Interes6t8ng, this synth intrigued me the most...
I didn't even know about it....remember those 90s yamahas, I think was the CX series ?
@@tonystevenson26 Yamaha CS1x
Speaking of microkorg, look for akai miniak (or alesis micron if feeling extra risky) second hand in your area. Much deeper synth. UI is somewhat bearable, coming from mc-101 and 707
Without knowing what a (beginning) player wants lists like these are almost completely arbitrary, but sure all of these are good in their own right.
The JD-XI HAS a special feature ( not vocoder) but that's a secret until I decide to sign up w you tube again?
Renting these synths is probably best way for muah till the winner is convincing enough . Thanks for the superb comparisons and don't forget to scoop me up in your airplane when you fly by Austin ,tx champ 😊
thx for sharing
I have a Sub 37 and would like to add a poly synth I am looking at the Korg prologue or Behringer DM12 or the Behringer OBX. Your advice would be appreciated
None of those are a bad choice. I particularly like the Behringer UB-Xa, although you'll need some outboard effects for it, as it doesn't have any built in.
@ after seeing other videos it seems the hydrasynth or the notation summit are true contenders although I can only afford one poly synth as I have the Yamaha FX and the sub 37. I mostly do r&b. Gospel and pop. What poly synth do you think would serve me best? Doesn’t have to be the ones listed above. Thx again
Cobalt 8 is my keeper and def was underpriced and built so sexy solid. 🎉 Tough choice between GAIA VS WAVESTATE?
Deepmind 12 still very very good!
Hey, is it possible to connect an external controller to the Hydrasynth Explorer to kind of try to compensate for the lack of the ribbon found on its bigger brothers?
Deepmind 12 second hand is about 700 ( sometimes). can't beat that.
As an owner of both the Roland JD-Xi (my first polyphonic synth), and the Korg Microkorg S.... All the review videos I Saw of the Hydrasynth Explorer said it was very portable and compact, so I was expecting it to weigh less, but between those 3 it's my biggest 37 key synth lol
It's got mini keys, but it's definitely not a mini synth!
I have digital synths and would like to add a very good Analog (or great VA) for true subtractive synth.
I want it to be fairly simple to use and get great sounds and drones.
I want to spend under $1K (a good used one is fine).
I OWN: Microfreak, Novation CircuitTracks, Roland MC-101.
I started with the idea that it would be great to create an entire song in one box (still like the idea), and I am not (yet) into DAW.
I would like at least the choice of 5 notes (or so) of poly for chords, midi in/out (5 pin).
Edit: I don't mind desktop (without keyboard) but don't want patch cables. I seem to be leaning towards any Behringer product or similar.
Any suggestions?
There is a free editor for Windows (Only) for the JDX-I
For a true beginner, consider your goal and budget. If you are trying to learn synthesis or just be a twiddler, get a synth with a lot of knobs/sliders so everything is WYSIWYG. Budget wise, you'll get more bang for the buck if you buy something used, considering most new synth prices have skyrocketed. If your goal is to learn how to play, buy a cheap 88 key digital piano and take lessons. Using Scott's picks as inspiration, I would go with a used DeepMind12 or Hydrasynth Explorer. I would avoid the JD-Xi. My personal pick for price range, knobs, sound would be a used Studiologic Black Sledge-- all knobs, bi-timbral, wavetables, high quality 5 octave keyboard, aftertouch....
I hadn't even heard of this one till I delved into the comments, and I've looked at alot of synths. It looks so approachable 👍 (talking bout the sledge)
I have done a used video before here: ruclips.net/video/6Zb2-wAo72I/видео.html
I agree with the Sledge, it is a very underrated synth. I wish the made the newest version still in yellow, though!
@@ScottsSynthStuff I also wanted a yellow one, but I heard the keybed is not as nice and maybe some other things. Kinda like Lexus vs. Toyota. I also heard stay clear of the early yellow ones.
@@caleb5780 Even though it is all digital, the sledge front panel reminds my of my ill-fated memorymoog (stolen).
@@ScottsSynthStuff hell yeah, man. That's where I learned about the opsix. Keep up the great work 👍
What is the best synth to hardwire into the audio interface of my GL1500?
Kinda weird to see the Microkorg on the list since it really only becomes more usable with a software programmer, as the quasi-menu diving on the thing itself is not really the kind of direct access you would want from a synth. But since this models is now being phased out by Korg after over 20(!) years (i think it came out in 2002), i'd say get one while you can. Remember, it uses the same virtual analog architecture as the MS2000, which still holds up amazingly well even today. The Arturia Minifreak is definitely a no-brainer and really deserves to be on this list, as it gives the beginner the most bangs for the bucks. Just as the orignal Microfreak that costs even less but sadly has absolutely ZERO internal effects. Depending on what you need (actual keyboard or internal effects) i would say the Minifreak and the Microfreak both should be on the list.
Does the minifreak have granular? I thought it was just the micro that got it?
Before recommending any first synth it is important to consider a couple of things for who is getting it. Do they have decent keyboard chops and want to use them with it? (Since it is a first synth I assume they do not already have a good full size controller keyboard) If so mini-key synths could be off the table. Do they at least think they want to learn about synthesis and create their own patches from scratch? Or do they mostly want to play pre-sets and tweak a few of the standard "bits" here and there? (Regardless what they tell themselves in reality that second category is the VAST majority of hardware synth owners) No AT on so many Korg/Yamaha/Roland synths is a disgrace. Generally I think your number 1 is a great choice IF the price stays there, but an accomplished keyboardist plus the simpler/more accessible voice architecture could make a Deepmind 12 worth the extra cost IMHO. One other possibility to consider (though it would be possibly a bit more upfront learning curve) with more flexibility later: An M-Audio Oxygen Pro or Novation Impulse controller with a Pro 800 or JX-08.
Does the Roland GAIA-2 sounds better than the Cobalt 8?
Better is subjective...it's different. The oscillators and wavetables are more flexible in the GAIA 2, but the Cobalt 8 filters are more creative, adjustable and sound better. The effects (to me) in the GAIA 2 are slightly better, especially the reverb. I have videos where I review both the Cobalt 8 as well as the GAIA 2 - watch them both and judge for yoursefl!
Hi Scott, I'm a soft synth designer and a subscriber who generally enjoys your content but has two criticisms of your list. With so many dislikes and bottlenecks on the JD-XI, you should've excluded it as a "best." You're a Modal fan, but the Arturia software is a prime example of how poorly designed the Cobalt software is. If you use the Cobalt software in a DAW with a mouse and keyboard, it becomes apparent Modal cut corners with their software design. Also, a VA synth (Cobalt) that didn't get free-running oscillators until a year after release is terrible.
Definitely the two weakest options on the list, imho … especially if they need to rely on those JD-Xi keys 😬 … I dislike the Cobalt for other reasons, but at least the full-sized has nice (Fatar!) keys … but depends whether the beginner is interested in sound-design (lots of sounds), learning to play keys/theory (keys obv. more important), etc …
I know it's not new release but still relative cheap . . but as as the story goes start at the beginning as with early pocket programmable synths like the tiny Casio VL tone 'toy' . . even on own but through effects get weird sounds ambient background atmospheric which I think are synths strengths rather than the cacophony of every sound possible played in sequence . . same reason why I like 3 & 2 & 1 , raised action slide guitar . . too many strings muddies the waters
what about Korg, Microkorg 2?
The MicroKorg 2 want released yet when I made this video.
Beginner synth wannabe here - given the fact that you've got 30 years experience under your belt, I trust your judgment. Narrowing my choice(s) down now, and live gigging is important to me so the USB-only isn't useful. BTW, the Gaia 2 is now MSRP at $749 so time to move #2 to #1 and find another choice, or amend your price cut-off!
A decent selection. Although I think the JD-Xi is a plasticky fingerprint magnet and a menu-diving nightmare it's very powerful (but my least favorite of the recommendations). A shame about the $700 limit because for $800 I'd unreservedly recommend a used Studiologic Sledge 2.0
How are any of these for beginners? Surely a simple monosynth ( possibly even 1 oscillator ) would be much more suitable for a beginner learning subtractive synthesis. Jen SX1000 was designed for people to learn on back in the day.
Roland Sh 4D?
I still can't believe everyone totally missed the most unique feature of the JD-XI ? 🎉
I have noticed that most of your synths you own are not actually real analog synths like Oberheim, Deckard's, Moog Etc. etc. I was wondering whether you like the real deals or too much to mess with. For the first time ever I bought both the new OB-X8m and Deckard's and once I did have a Moog, forgot I had that one. There's something special about the real thing and I'm sure you've had those at some point. It's actually a blessing that we can now buy these and they aren't $30K.
My "analog rack" is to the right, which you can't really see in this video, where I have an SH-101, Juno-106 and a Polysix. I've been at this for 35+ years now, so I've gone through a ton of analog synths in my time. I can appreciate the real thing, for instance I use the Juno-106 all the time, even though I have 106 emulations on the Fantom and the System-8. But I wince every time I turn one on and hear something not quite right, as I know I'm potentially one power cycle away from something going wrong again, and I'll have to pull it apart, find and fix the problem, recalibrate it....I never have to do that on a modern digital synth. :)
JD-Xi is not hard to find used for $250 which is pretty good
You might have added the Roland Juno DS as it can be easily had for $600. I kniw that is a used price.🤔
So if we have the Gaia 2 …
I don’t know if the price is below 700$ i clearly would add the Korg Modwave which is also a wavetable synth like the Gaia but the synth engine is more powerful. Same with the Opsix. But I don’t know if they are below the $700 limit.
The Modwave is $899 and the Opsix is $749, so both outside the price range, but I would not recommend either of them as a beginner synth for someone wanting to learn subtractive synthesis. The Modwave is way more complex, and the opsix is FM (with some subtractive bits tacked on top).
@@ScottsSynthStuff thank you for the reply! I asked because you listed the Gaia 2 and here in Germany both are over 700€ and there is only like 50€ difference between them. And I think the Modwave is not so much more complex if you just use it like a subtractive synth and ignore the rest. However I do think that the Gaia 2 front panel is more beginner friendly and clearer designed. As I’m not a beginner myself I would probably prefer the Modwave but I can see why you prefer the Gaia 2.
I think opsix should be an honorable mention or swapped with one of the ones you "didn't" want on the list... when i was watching the mono poly part i was like ???? as someone who just has the software of it from korg but that is really cool there is a remake from another brand the chord button i feel like is pretty nice on alot of sounds from the vst pretty cool list i got the hydrasynth desktop as my second synth hopefully i will figure out cv or use midi to control it with my keystep pro... but i really think opsix gets a bad rap when its really a nice synth and full size keys not weighted but a nice tool to have im going to learn to add patches and stuff and possible do a firmware update if i didnt already lol its been a while but it really is nice and i feel pretty beginer friendly with 250 presets but the starting from scratch sounds are not very beginer friendly
My list is for subtractive synths under $700, the opsix is neither. You can simulate some subtractive functionality with the opsix, but it is primarily an FM synth.
I think best synth for a beginner is probably an OG Arturia Minibrute
I will never sell my Mininova. I feel like the Roland SE 02 should have been on this list
MicroKorg was released in 2002, so it’s 22 years old, not 14.
You can find used DeepMind 12s for $600
I had the JD-XA and I couldn’t read any of the knobs. The red on black was literally illegible
The mininova has 3 banks of 128, not 2
I need a simple, real vco, "beading" sweetspot poly. ....I have a Hydra and a Virus. The last thing I need is another virtual analog. Your continual extoling of Modal and the Cobalt8 has me gassing anyways though, dang it. Maybe I'll just pass on a fancier poly, and get a Pro-800, so I can afford a Cobalt8 too. hmmmm....
A running list of jargon would be long. Wow.