Hi,

I'm currently gigging with a nord electro and roland fp-3 and want to add either an analog or VA synth to my rig. Since I know that the "what should I get questions" can be tedious for senior members I can assure you that I've searched the archives extensively before posting this.

Basically what I'm looking for is something with a very warm and round tone. I'm NOT looking for something with patches for horns, drums etc but rather something that I can manipulate to get the more classic synth sounds. I've played for awhile but mostly piano and organ and am somewhat benighted when it comes to truly synthesized sounds. I've heard everything that I am looking for from a multimoog but doubt that I can afford one.

I'm considering a used korg MS2K or alesis ION or a new micron. They main thing I'm concerned about is getting a very warm round tone out of the instrument suggestive of the multimoog. Of course I would also like the instrument to serve as an introductory synth so that I can learn a bit about generating and manipulating sounds. The MS2K is attractive due to the hands-on controls and the micron and ION are attractive in terms of a sleek portable designs. I've had a chance to hear the alesis boards but never the Korg. Does anyone have any advice about which synth would offer the most in terms of generating sounds similar to those of the multimoog? Should I be considering others synths as well? The price range is tight at around 300-500.

Thanks in advance for your knowledge and help!

-Evan