Missed this one on my last go-round!
The first thing you need to do when you buy
a synth is to qualify what you most want it
to do. Sounds like this might even be your
first "real" synthesizer. Unless you're only
looking to play live or as a single keyboard
within a band, you WILL want to do loops n'
layers eventually; that's the ultimate
nature of it.
I'm big on getting a good sequencer
and main sound source going first; everything
should build on the basics. If you don't
already have that covered, check out
workstations or computer sequencer packages
before taking on a somewhat specialized
type of instrument.
The reason for this is, in this case, that
the Z1 is NOT a do-everything unit. Its very
much built with both sound design and techno
in mind, so if symphonic poems are your thing,
there are better instruments. The Z1, Nord
Lead and others are aimed more at dance
styles, so check out both the presets AND THE
WAVEFORM SET before buying.
The Z1's touchpad and assignable switches
are a big plus in a dance-y instrument, yet
it has enough passable organs and the like
to make it pretty broad. Its not bursting
with polyphony because its doing a LOT of
processing you don't find in mere PCM synths
and it has that intriguing arppegiator to
run as well.
Define what you most want to do; consider
starting with a more broadly-based synth;
if you're already up there, consider how the
new wonderbox will fit in with your current
rig; don't fall for the "latest thing"
syndrome, even simple synths will do a WIDE
range of things; and last, make sure you
have the money!
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