Going all analog synths suggestions

[cupax]

Hello,

I'm an advanced digital synth user (all in a box), but would like to try a new challenge in my life - a full analog synth setup. Here I mean 100% analog signal path, the only digital part would be my DAW to record the master.
Since I am a bedroom producer I would like to spend no more than 2-3000$. This means I should probably stick to Behringer, Korg and similar low cost synths.

I'm all into synthwave music, so my question is, what synths and other hardware should I buy/would you suggest?
I would like to setup a whole song at once (no overdubs by the same synth), so I would probably need an individual synth for bass, pads, leads, drums... which ones are the best for the task?

Thank You!

[SafeandSound Mastering]

Analogue hardware in 2023 is not my expertise synth wise but you probably want to have a Juno 106 - a-like which would be good for bass and probably some basic pads and of course leads. Though the original actually had DCO's (the oscillators were digital and the filter analogue.)

For synthwave you will actually find some of the pitch ambiguity is created in plug ins like Phonec 2, Echomelt and Super VHS. Though they are very specific part of the genres sound and not every track goes the whole retro sounding hog. Some is more bright/thinner arguably more true to the 80's feel and some does the thicker arguably more modern bass heavy style.

You might need an analogue Polysynth of some kind for the bigger sounding chords and pads, but what they are in 2023 I am unsure.

That is all I can add. Hopefully someone will point your more solidly in the right directions with specifci synth suggestions.

[Arpangel]

For your budget, you’re definitely looking at Behringer or similar, it’s entirely up to you how you approach this, what synths etc you prefer, I’d say something like the Behringer Pro 800, a Poly D maybe, but honestly, you could do what you want to do all-in with something like a Montage, or MO-DX, analogue is all very well, but unless you’ve got a definite reason or philosophy of working it’s not all it’s cracked up to be.
I have both, and all I can say is that I could make my music using an entirely digital computer based system, but I could not make my music using just analogue, it’s a mixture of both and exactly what we want to achieve that dictates our choices I think.

[tea for two]

Hello Cupax

For me a hardware Synth should be fun inspirational pretty straightforward to use edit, fairly affordable in the 150-300, portable I want to take it with me places not kept prisoner to it lol.

For these reasons I purchased during lockdown Arturia Microfreak : Analogue filter, Digital oscillator.
There's a newer v2 vocoder version which I would prefer as I no longer have the v1 Microfreak.
There's also IK Multimedia Uno monophonic Analogue Synth, Donner B1 Analogue Bass Synth : both these meet my criterion.

Audiothingies MicroMonsta 2 Analogue Synth has its fans also on SoS foruume as does Novation Bass Station2 Analogue Synth : both these meet my criterion.

[cupax]

Hello,

I'm not planning to exchange my all-in-a-box system for an analog one, I just want to try a different approach. I have Serum and Pigments that can emulate almost all hardware synths ever made. But instead of cycling through endless presets I want to limit myself to analog gear, where you must build every sound on your own and see where it would take me.

[Wonks]

I think you'll struggle to get a collection where you can set everything up, press play and get a full-blown performance at the end. A simple one, yes, but when driving an analogue synth via MIDI or even CV, you are pretty much limited to sequencing notes. A lot of the sound comes from manually controlling filter cut-off and resonance by hand, which means you can only really control one synth at a time.

You can control filter cut-off via LFO, but LFO resonance control is rare on all-analogue non-modular synths. You'd need a hybrid analogue/digital or mode!ling digital synth to get more parameters controlled by MIDI for a full 100% recallable performance.

Obviously you can get a fairly static sound replay with multiple synths, but as you are probably going to need to build up a track synth by synth, then you may not need as many synths as you thought you would. So maybe consider one more flexible, more expensive synth than say three more basic synths. Although the basic synth tonality might dictate more than one for the pads and leads.

So try and get the limitations of an analogue synth system clear in your head first, before starting to think of which particular synths.

You might be better off waiting a while until some of the vapourware synths from Behringer become reality. An Oberheim sound would be very useful in that genre.

[nathanscribe]

Just to add a small 2p here, but this is exactly what I used to do back in the early-mid 90s. My first setup was sequenced from an Alesis MMT-8, had two Junos (6 & 60), a TX81z and a Mirage. Drums were a 606 and an RZ-1. Effects were an Alesis. Very limited, yes, but I mixed everything live on a 12:2 mixer and recorded to stereo. Write, structure, practice, perform. Do a couple of takes if necessary, but ultimately that was what I did back then and it forced a kind of discipline.

If I have any recommendations, the various Korg 'logues are good value and surprisingly good at a few things – I have the original Minilogue and it has a niche alongside other bigger things like the Junos and Prophets. Behringer do plenty of poly and mono synths, including the Pro800 which is cheap for an analogue poly and for drums you could take your pick of Arturia, Korg, Elektron, Novation Circuit Rhythm etc. Needn't be analogue, in fact you would do well to choose something that can sample. Plenty of use in a combo of analogue and retro-digital drums.

[SafeandSound Mastering]

Hello,

I'm not planning to exchange my all-in-a-box system for an analog one, I just want to try a different approach. I have Serum and Pigments that can emulate almost all hardware synths ever made. But instead of cycling through endless presets I want to limit myself to analog gear, where you must build every sound on your own and see where it would take me.

You could do that without spending a penny right now. if you wish. Albeit not analogue.

Just thoughts, each to their own of course.. many roads lead to Rome... the 2 softsynths mentioned would not be my first choices for Synthwave personally. They are both super clean synth character wise, perfect for some jobs and genres. Sylenth1, Diva, TAL-Uno have put in good service for my foray into something approaching Synthwave in the past. They seem to have the retro character right from the outset. (Sylenth1 not so much retro but just a superb, rich sounding VA that can do most VA with aplomb - no osc sync though.)

Could it be that your softsynth choices have lead you to believe analogue is the way to go ?

You can also try programming the synths you have from an INIT preset. There is no rule of law to trawl through the presets on any digital synth.

And don't forget your Linn drums ! Seems they were samples in the original Linn machine if my brief search is correct Which also suggests to not to rule out early digital synths for Synthwave, some textures will come from there. D-50-esque etc.)

I think Jan Hammer used a lot of digital looking synths and he appears to be in part one of the key artists that kind of inspire the genre.

Have fun whatever route you go.

[Tomás Mulcahy]

A bunch of affordable synths will not do what you're asking, which I think is smoothen the creative process right? As safeandsoundmastering said, you can do that already. But I think you would enjoy one really good synth. Here are a few that fit your budget:

Sequential Prophet 10 module B stock from Thomann
Prophet 5 module
Prophet Rev2 keyboard
Prophet 6 module (I'd pick this myself)
Novation Peak or Summit
Waldorf Iridium or M

There are loads. Go try some if you can!

[resistorman]

Most analog synths have presets. Maybe Behringer semi modular and modular would do it for you. I use my modular stuff for non re-producable experimental fun, though it is an expensive rabbithole.

[The Elf]

The Behringer 800 takes some beating. I wouldn't touch the Poly D - it's neither a 'poly', nor a recreation of a 'D'.

[N i g e l]

For your first look you might try a Behringer model D.
As the sounds are classic and its eminently usefull, with no menu diving, it will give you a clue to whether its all worth while.

...the various Korg 'logues are good value and surprisingly good at a few things...

2nd that although some of the 'logues cant bypass the digital fx which annoys the purists.



Theres also the Hydrasynth, I know its digital but..........

[ajay_m]

As the previous poster said, the hydrasynth is digital, but.. it can emulate pretty much any analogue synth, as the dual filters in parallel or series give you tremendous control, with all the different models, filter drive etc, a huge range of modulation capabilities, the superb poly aftertouch keybed, incredibly intuitive control system and a ribbon controller. Because many hydrasynth owners have upgraded to the deluxe, the original 49 key version can be picked up second hand for maybe £750 in mint condition as well.
In terms of being a creative instrument with great sounds, this is an unbeatable synth if you can let go of your "digital" preconceptions. Trust me. It can do analogue extremely well. The initial stock presets were a bit much but since then some lovely patches have been created by users. And you have 1024 patch locations to store them in, after a recent firmware update.
And as for the deluxe. Well, 6 oscillators in unison can make some incredibly lush sounds, I can tell you. I'm sorry, but I do think this synth family are hands down the best buy on the planet. That's why you're starting to see them in touring bands. They know they can get the sounds they want from a synth built like a tank, no cheap plastic cases or flimsy knobs.

[cupax]

Hi,

This is developing in a very interesting debate.

About digital synths: From a studio producer point of view, I don't see any point in having a hardware digital synth, that emulates analog. There is no hardware in the world that is going to beat a VST software synth capabilities, flexibility, upgrades... For me it makes sense only for road use.

About analog synths: I ask myself, if there is really no point in them in 2023, why are there more and more new synths produced these days? And they are selling fast as warm buns Behringer can't cope with the demand. I have a feeling, that more synths are selling nowadays than any other (modern music) instrument.

[tea for two]

I would have suggested OBX8 a Hippopotamus Rhinoceros of a Synth when I noodled on it in GAK Brighton, butt it's quite a bit above your $2K-$3K range, the desktop version is at $3K.
The other Analogue within your range is the reissue Korg 700FS when I noodled on it in SoS Gearfest it doesn't do much butt what it does is a Buffalo stampede as well as morning Birdsong. It's instant aaaah yeeeeah that's the shiver me timbers Analogue.

Current recent Analogues from Novation Peak and Summit, Sequential Prophet08 Ob6 Take5, when I noodled on them can do a lot more than Korg 700FS butt they are more Koala bear in comparison : I adore Koalas.

For Bass I've noodled on Novation Bass Station2 it's deep pretty versatile, haven't noodled Dreadbox Hades nor Moog Minotaur. Other Analogues can do Bass butt these are straight out the box.

With upto $2K-$3K from the Synths I've noodled on I personally would get altogether just under $3K :
Korg 700FS reissue, Arturia Microbrute v2 with Vocoder tonnes of fun straightforward, ASM Hydrasynth 49key for fantasy sounds lots of other sounds, Novation Bass Station 2.

[Arpangel]

This is not about sound, this whole debate doesn’t have a rational conclusion.
It’s all about a way of working, the computer environment, and a hardware environment, both have pluses and minuses, but not in terms if pure sound generation, it’s all about ergonomics, the ability to control many things at once, intimately, and yes, psychology too, but that’s fine if it makes for a more inspiring environment.
As for the difference between digital hardware keyboards and analogue ones, I just can’t buy into that, life is too short to worry about things that simply aren’t important, and things that 99.9% of people won’t even hear or care about.
It’s up to you, digital or analogue, only you care, but no one else does.
I like to see spinning tape reels, lots of analogue keyboards, racks of outboard modular with flashing lights, I’d rather be in that environment from an inspirational point of view, than in a room that looks like an accountants office.
Regarding this Hydrasynth, it needs a few more tentacles to make me buy one, like a decent piano and Rhodes, then it might be on my list.

[The Elf]

Current recent Analogues from Novation Peak and Summit...

Just for completeness... The Peak and Summit have digital oscillators - the rest of the synth path is analogue.

And they are fabulous synths.

[ajay_m]

A digital synth is, technically, a "vst in a box" if we want to be reductive. But the hydrasynth actually has analogue inputs and outputs as well, with the inputs as modulation sources to control almost anything and the outputs as cv/gate which allow you to do all kinds of weird things in the analogue domain if you want.
More importantly the displays and encoders constitute a tightly coupled control surface for the synth which is far more ergonomic than trying to mouse click your way around an on-screen UI.
And most softsynths have pretty dire interfaces anyway so compared with the hydrasynths myriad of buttons and knobs where you just press e.g lfo5 and set params quickly and easily, there's just no contest when it comes to sound design.

[Arpangel]

A digital synth is, technically, a "vst in a box" if we want to be reductive. But the hydrasynth actually has analogue inputs and outputs as well, with the inputs as modulation sources to control almost anything and the outputs as cv/gate which allow you to do all kinds of weird things in the analogue domain if you want.
More importantly the displays and encoders constitute a tightly coupled control surface for the synth which is far more ergonomic than trying to mouse click your way around an on-screen UI.
And most softsynths have pretty dire interfaces anyway so compared with the hydrasynths myriad of buttons and knobs where you just press e.g lfo5 and set params quickly and easily, there's just no contest when it comes to sound design.

The Hydrasynth gets mentioned yet again.
I’ve got a challenge, to those here who own one, if you can make these sounds.
A dense forest with many chirping birds and calling animals, along with distant thunder rolling across the landscape, there’s steady rain, and the sound of frogs and insects.
8 oscillators stacked and tuned to individual notes, each has its own VCA and filter controlled by multiple random signal sources, and LFO's, for an Éliane Radigue style evolving soundscape.
Just two scenarios I can do with my modular, if there was an all-in-one box that did all this, plus great pianos strings brass and straight synth sounds I’d buy it, today, but there isn’t.

[RichardT]

I like to see spinning tape reels, lots of analogue keyboards, racks of outboard modular with flashing lights, I’d rather be in that environment from an inspirational point of view, than in a room that looks like an accountants office.

I understand that, but I’m the opposite, I like an environment that’s as close to a monk’s cell as possible, austere and simple. One keyboard, DAC, computer and monitor is as close as I can currently get.

[Kyle Holman]

Neither the Hydrasynth and the Argon8 are not digital recreations of an analog because wavetable synthesis isnt a thing, wavetables are digital by nature. There is the possibility someone creating an analog synth that used wavetable models to use as modulators. I'll say this the original arturia minibrute doesn't have presets and the only part of it that has midi is the keys. Because midi is digital not analog, and presets require digitally control over analog systems. On top of that even the majority of the hottest quote unquote analog poly synths that are currently being manufactured either are controlled digitally have digital effects or have one oscillator that is digital, on the other hand the the arturia microfreak is digital, but has an analog filter that really helps it sound much more analog. As far as workflow go you can have products like Elektron makes some of which absolutely are analog machines like the analog rytm the a4 and the syntak, but their UX is very digital and menu dive laden.

[Hugh Robjohns]

I'm sorry, but I do think this synth family are hands down the best buy on the planet.

I don't think there's any need to apologise — you're absolutely right. The HS range is phenomenally good, and the deluxe is easily the best synth I've ever owned — from someone who had both a CS80 and a Jupiter 8....

[Hugh Robjohns]

The Hydrasynth gets mentioned yet again.
I’ve got a challenge, to those here who own one...

This is as pointless as challenging you to drive the Paris-Dakar rally in your TVR.

Different synths do different things.

The Hydrasynth is stunningly good at what it does. A big modular can be stunningly good at what it does. A nice piano is stunningly good st what it does.

Using the wrong one for the wrong thing is always going to be disappointing...

... but I'm yet to be disappointed with what the HS can do, and am constantly discovering new capabilities, largely thanks to the brilliant user groups sharing knowledge and experience.

[RichardT]

I think choosing pure analogue over digital or hybrids is going to lose the OP some really good options, such as the Hydrasynth and the Novations.

If a digital machine can create the sounds you want, I wouldn’t rule it out.

Real synths, even digital ones, have some pluses over VSTis - especially the physicality of the interface and the (generally) lower levels of latency, both of which increase the sense of connection with the instrument.

[Arpangel]

The Hydrasynth gets mentioned yet again.
I’ve got a challenge, to those here who own one...

This is as pointless as challenging you to drive the Paris-Dakar rally in your TVR.

Different synths do different things.

The Hydrasynth is stunningly good at what it does. A big modular can be stunningly good at what it does. A nice piano is stunningly good st what it does.

Using the wrong one for the wrong thing is always going to be disappointing...

... but I'm yet to be disappointed with what the HS can do, and am constantly discovering new capabilities, largely thanks to the brilliant user groups sharing knowledge and experience.

Yes, it would be pointless, and as we all know, there isn’t one thing that can answer all our needs.
If I were younger, and more into programming, I’d be willing to investigate new things further, but I’m only interested these days if something is genuinely unique and has a new way of making sounds, and actually creating new sounds we haven’t yet heard, almost an impossibility though!
That still gives me a thrill, but synths these days seem to be judged by how well they can imitate, and how versatile they are, I here that a lot about the Hydrasynth, which is all very well, but it doesn’t come across as anything particularly new or innovative, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t sound very good, but it holds no attraction for me on that basis alone, there seem to be many other synths doing "more or less" the same things.