industrial.org

Hey everyone,

I was told that if I wanted to get into hardware, but didn't want to kill myself, that I should just get a controller and a synth module, as they allow the same quality sound with less cost. What's the truth?

Are synth modules just samples with choices, or are they legitimate synthesizers?

Thanks,
Ik3

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posted by: BLANK on 2005-12-04 13:00:54
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a synth module, as they allow the same quality sound with less cost. Are synth modules just samples with choices, or are they legitimate synthesizers?

Hi, A synth module means a rack mounted or table top synth. Depending on which one you buy, it may or may not be a full blown synth. Ex. Most Roland synths offers no ability to edit patches without the use of a computer. Whereas if you buy a Virus classic you could do anything you wanted to right off the front panel. Honestly, I love synth mods. It was how I started. They take up less space, are slightly less expensive, and look very intimidating all lined up. Some good starter synths (IMO) would be- roland / sh-32 / fully editable, cheap 200- Alesis / Micron / no need to buy a midi controller with this one, great sounds, cheap, 400- same goes for the microKorg ... but in the end all that matters is what YOUR trying to do. If you want to make techno in vain of Prodigy, buy an alpha juno. If you want to make noisey stuff, buy something that offers onboard effects....etc..

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posted by: the bushmaster on 2005-12-04 19:44:18
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Honestly your better off spending your money on a really good soundcard, a really good Midi-Controller, and a really good Soft-Synths. Hardware is a thing of the past. The only hardware synth I still have is my K-4 mainly because of its insanely good Choir and Choir-Like Pads. But I would seriously forget the hardware.

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posted by: gacky on 2005-12-04 19:48:19
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yeah, but when has Gacky ever been right?





j/k

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posted by: the bushmaster on 2005-12-04 19:59:37
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Gacky's right - it's cheaper and easier just to use the computer.

But I want to begin to cut my teeth on synthesizers, and then use some more "experimental" stuff, like get into circuit bending. I have some circuit bending stuff waiting for me at home, honestly, and maybe when school dies down...

Winter project mayeb?

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posted by: BLANK on 2005-12-04 20:01:12
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Quality computer production costs the same as hardware. This is assuming your not stealing the software.

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posted by: the bushmaster on 2005-12-04 20:10:07
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you can buy software?

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posted by: Lofilegionnaire on 2005-12-04 20:14:53
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you can buy software?

lol. that was amazing.

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posted by: the bushmaster on 2005-12-04 20:15:58
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I can burn you a few damn good software programs if you want, but it might take me a while. Reason 3.0, and that Virus stuff, except not just Virus, everything they ever made. We're talking over 1000 dollars in software here. Haven't used any of it yet, will once I get a new computer.

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posted by: --VVIIII/\/\/\-- on 2005-12-04 20:29:08
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YOU THIEVES!

I would steal software if someone could give me an justification for doing so.

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posted by: BLANK on 2005-12-04 20:43:38
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I agree with Gacky that going the soft route would be cheaper, but stating that hardware is the past is overstating it to say the least.

I'd say start watching eBay for stuff. It's amasing what you can find at ridiculous prices. But don't just look at synths. Look at samplers too. You can find some Akai and Emu stuff going at really low prices lately.

If you're willing to put in the time to learn programming some of the more difficult interfaces, you might want to look at the Casio CZ1000. It's a phase distortion synthesizer (sort of related to FM), and can produce some interesting sounds, including shredding basses and can be had for some ridiculous prices.

Samplers would open up the world of messing with drums, other percussive hits, "found" sounds, other recordings... the limit is your imagination. You can send different sounds out of different ports, and thus you can use cheap guitar pedals to mess them up even more. The filters in the Emu samplers are fantastic too.

Modules vs. Keyboards... In most cases when you're dealing with pro level gear, there's really not much of a difference between the two. A module is basically the entire synth engine minus the keyboard and maybe some of the front panel knobs and such, depending on the product. But functionally there shouldn't be much of a difference.

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posted by: noisewreck on 2005-12-04 23:36:24
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YOU THIEVES!

I would steal software if someone could give me an justification for doing so.

It's the cyber-punk thing to do. :)

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posted by: R-23 on 2005-12-05 07:55:23
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"Hardware is a thing of the past."

This is always an interesting statement. I personally disagree but I have been curious if synths can be completely replaced... or if they alread HAVE been replaced by soft equivalents.

I don't wanna hi-jack the thread so I'll start another...

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posted by: t.o.t.s. on 2005-12-05 08:25:18
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hard ware will NEVER be replaced. ever

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posted by: agent_black on 2005-12-05 09:00:57
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Hardware looks cool on stage.

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posted by: R-23 on 2005-12-05 09:57:51
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