Unusual hardware synth recommendation...

[Djberwick]

No worries, I've spent a lot of time with the Wavestate and enjoy deep crafting sounds/sequences. Not worried about tuning either, adds to the charm!

Seems like you pay a premium for the "Moog" name, but they always come with quality.

[Arpangel]

I will not recommend Behringer for personal reasons: I think Uli and his company are mercenary and unethical.

The 0-coast is fantastic and you can create a 0-series ecosystem based off of it.

A used Mother-32 or perhaps Subharmonicon should be on your audition list, depending on how experimental you want to get.

In the head-to-head semi modular shootout, the contenders will be the M32, 0-Coast, and SubH, in my opinion. I can't speak to the Neutron.

I personally think that the SubH gives the most bang for the buck: 2-6 oscillators, dedicated audio outputs for each, MIDI and analogue sync, fantastic sound, and an architecture that invites exploration. You can use it as a simple 2-voice synth or something far more experimental.

Ben is right about the O Coast, it’s pick of the bunch for me, simply, because it doesn’t really have a sound, it can be very conventional, or very, very way out, the Behringer 2600 is a lovely synth, I thought about it, but it’s still an analogue mono synth, basically, with a very stereotypical sound, that’s hard to get away from, I’ve got the Arturia 2600, and it’s fantastic, it does all the things for me that the original 2600 doesn’t, but it’s nothing like the Behringer, it’s very hard to get away from "that sound" which is very good, but not if you don’t want it all the time!
Some of my favourite sounds ever I’ve made on the Arturia 2600, but I’d never be able to get them on the original, or the Berry.
If soft synths were an option, well, the world is your oyster, and if you’ve got an iOS device, Animoog, what more can I say, how much is that? $30?

[Djberwick]

The soft synth approach would definitely be a lot lot cheaper but my DAW is already stacked up with VSTs for the orchestral instruments, plus really keen to get into the analogue area by merging the two.

Thanks for everyone's suggestions and demystifying this for me!

[Ben Asaro]

Fortunately, there are lots of us here who are using hybrid systems and sync'ing hardware synths, software synths, and DAWs!

[Djberwick]

My current thinking is that I'll get a Mother 32 first then at a later date get an 0-Coast. From what I've heard no doubt both are top notch but I think coming from my lack of experience the Moog might be better to start off with. I haven't really heard many demos online for the 0-Coast that I like, whereas there's plenty for the Mother...but sounds like it has a lot of scope (maybe more than the M32) to create a wider palette of sounds....

[Ben Asaro]

You literally cannot go wrong starting with a Mother-32, that was the synth that launched 10,000 modular addicts.

Just make sure that you are running the latest firmware on it, it greatly improves the performative aspects of the synth!

[Eddy Deegan]

On a related note, the Mother-32 is capable of self-generating patches in the real sense. Here's one and this is the patch sheet for it:

[Djberwick]

Sold

[Ben Asaro]

Do let us know how you get on with it!

[Arpangel]

The main thing here is that you heard something you liked from the M32, and it had potential for you, that’s all that needs to be said.
YouTube can be a real let down with demos though, most are awful, I wouldn’t judge the O Coast by those, like any synth, you need to try it.
Hope you enjoy the 32, Moog never disappoint, I’ve a Grandmother and Matriarch, couldn’t be without them, I don’t think there’s been a time in my life when I haven’t had a Moog around somewhere.

[Djberwick]

I'm sure I will, cheers. There is just something about the Moog brand that is very desirable to me

[Arpangel]

There is just something about the Moog brand that is very desirable to me

It’s the sound.

[Djberwick]

Mostly that On a superficial level it is the heritage/history as well!

[Ben Asaro]

Mostly that On a superficial level it is the heritage/history as well!

There is definitely a prestige factor added to the Moog brand. When I purchased my M32 (from B&H in Manhattan), the salesman was like, "oooo ... that's the Cadilac of synthesizers".

[Arpangel]

Mostly that On a superficial level it is the heritage/history as well!

There is definitely a prestige factor added to the Moog brand. When I purchased my M32 (from B&H in Manhattan), the salesman was like, "oooo ... that's the Cadilac of synthesizers".

I think the Moog’s I own were designed like a TVR.

[t-sun]

Mostly that On a superficial level it is the heritage/history as well!

There is definitely a prestige factor added to the Moog brand. When I purchased my M32 (from B&H in Manhattan), the salesman was like, "oooo ... that's the Cadilac of synthesizers".

I think the Moog’s I own were designed like a TVR.

Total Voltage control Reliability

[Folderol]

Mostly that On a superficial level it is the heritage/history as well!

There is definitely a prestige factor added to the Moog brand. When I purchased my M32 (from B&H in Manhattan), the salesman was like, "oooo ... that's the Cadilac of synthesizers".

I think the Moog’s I own were designed like a TVR.

Total Voltage control Reliability

More like Terrible Voltage Regulation

[Arpangel]

I've had issues with both of my "current" Moog’s, and my confidence has been knocked, build doesn’t seem as good as it used to be.
Also, not a good company to deal with, no replies from support, I’ve given up.
My Grandmother has been back for repair and they found nothing wrong with it, as soon as I got it back it went wrong again, and still has an annoying fault, filter stops working, overloaded, no reverb. My Matriarch just freaks out now and again, then comes back again.
I just accept all this, like my car, comes with the territory

[Arpangel]

OP, there’s a Neutron in readers ads right now, you should look at.

[Djberwick]

Cheers, I've gone off the Neutron a bit - would like to spend a bit more (contrary to what I said before).

[Arpangel]

Cheers, I've gone off the Neutron a bit - would like to spend a bit more (contrary to what I said before).

OK!

In that case I think I’m going to take this Neutron, it’s right near where I’m going at the weekend, at that price, even if it doesn’t work out for me, it may come in useful for a friend.

[Djberwick]

Ah ok, thanks for running it past me mate

[Djberwick]

Since I increased my budget I checked out a few other semi-modulars... The Dreadbox NYX V2 looks interesting.

[Djberwick]

...or even the Arturia Minibrute 2S...too many to choose from...

[Arpangel]

...or even the Arturia Minibrute 2S...too many to choose from...

Yes way too many to choose from, I’d be trying to get away with balancing up features, that "you" need, and price, and trying to come out as economically as possible, it’s all very confusing, you just have to make a choice, it’s not set in stone, in these days of instant returns.

[Ben Asaro]

MiniBrute is a monster, I have one and love it for very specific things. The filter for the MiniBrute isn't my favourite, it's a very raw-sounding synth, but can get some great sounds if you like and have use for the base sound.

I only own a couple of Dreadbox products, and none of their synths. I know a lot of people love their stuff, but it does absolutely nothing for me.

It sounds to me like you need to do a lot more research before you jump in.

[Djberwick]

Cheers guys, I'm going to get a shortlist of 3 or 4 then just get hands-on in a store.

[Ben Asaro]

Cheers guys, I'm going to get a shortlist of 3 or 4 then just get hands-on in a store.

BEST WAY TO DO IT.

[t-sun]

MiniBrute is a monster, I have one and love it for very specific things. The filter for the MiniBrute isn't my favourite, it's a very raw-sounding synth, but can get some great sounds if you like and have use for the base sound.

I only own a couple of Dreadbox products, and none of their synths. I know a lot of people love their stuff, but it does absolutely nothing for me.

It sounds to me like you need to do a lot more research before you jump in.

I feel similarly about the microbrute. It's a huge synth in a tiny package but you have to want to use a 'huge' synth. It doesn't really do small sounds, if you know what I mean?

Great build quality for what it is though, and the power adapter is a cable-wart instead of a wall-wart and that's always a thumbs up from me.

I have a pre-order in for the Nymphes from Dreadbox and will post opinions when that comes through, hopefully next month barring delays.

[Djberwick]

The Nymphes does look good - if I didn't have my mind on modular then I'd be very tempted...