Hi All
I know nothing about synths apart from the fact that I want one.
Im after some thing that is as cheap and easy to use as possible.I want to be able to creat my own sounds and download and use ready made sounds.I also want to muck about with human voices.It would be nice if I could connect it up to my computer.
I dont have a clue what to buy so any advice would be much apreciated.

sigee
May I be one of the first to welcome you aboard.
What's your budget?
From that, maybe someone here can steer you towards an inexpensive way to accomplish what you're wanting to do.
I see from your profile you're overseas, so personally, I'm not up on the price differences between where You are & North America.
I know you'll get some good sound advice here.

...once again...nice to have you aboard.

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...shboom

Welcome,
Shboom pretty much asked what I wanted to ask. KNowing what your budget is will help us give you some useful advice.

Even without knowing your budget I can right away tell you that the most inexpensive way to get your hands on some good synths and sounds is to get some software synths and instruments. If you have a good computer that is fast enough that is. You will be able to do more and pay less.

Another way to approach this is to look for used synthesizers and sound modules. eBay and other on-line auctions are the best way to find those. Not the safest way however. Buying used gear is a tricky business full of surprises.


-ED-

Hi Guys
Thanks for the welcome.
My budget is so low its almost embarrasing.
Im looking at spending as little as possible to start with...around £50 $100.
I dont want to go the way of software synths.I used to own a DX7 but they are out of my price range for now.
So if you know of any bottom of the range synths that can be brought for my tiny budget please let me know.

Cheers
Simon

As Ed said...perhaps you just need to look at a controller, and have your modules onboard your computer, upgrading your soundcard if necessary also.
Personally, I think $100 is only gonna buy you frustration.
Good Luck..

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...shboom

[This message has been edited by shboom (edited 09-12-2005).]

Iv just been looking into controllers and they do seem to be a good idea.
Does anyone have any suggestions as to what and where to buy ?.
Also what software would you recommend ?.

cheers
Si

Yeah. I have to agree there. A hundred bucks ain't gonna getcha much.
Even if you end up using fre software synths (there are some really good ones out there. Crystal, Minimoog VA, ARP 2600 VA, ZingerDX etc) you will still need some sequencer/audio software, an audio card and a controller. In case if you own a PC (unless of coarse you own a few Macs like I do) software like Cubase A or Sonar will do fine. Not cheap at all but wirth every penny. Audio cards that come with PCs are okay but you will need a good ASIO driver to handle latency and so on. Although don't quote me on that because I do not use anything that runs on Windows XP.
However, just for messing around and exploring software synths and instruments you'll get away with almost any soundcard.

Controller is a different story. I owned quite a few. Still have a DX 7 BTW. If you can find one of those with either E card or SER-7 updates it wil serve you another hundred years or so. Even if it is banged up and scratched like it's been hit by a truck. DX is probably the most reliable and cheap controller out there. Mind you I like to program those too. BUt that is a different story my friend. Will get back to it another time.
Anyway, I think I posted a thread or two on all known MIDI controllers so just do a search. I've described and provided links for almost any controller there is. Should be in archives unless this big hard drive crash that happened last year wiped all of my writing out.

If you don't find much let me know. I'll have to type it all again.

-ED-

Thanks for all the info ed,I will do a search and see what I come up with.
Am I right in thinking that any midi enabled keyboard will do as a controller ?.
If not what do I need ?.

Thanks again to all for all the help

Simon

Yes,
Anything with MIDI, 48 or 88-note velocity sensitive keyboard, modulation and pitch bend wheels will do the job as long as you are able to connect it to your computer. You will need MIDI inputs/outputs to do that (unless of coarse your controller will have USB). Simple USB MIDI interfaces with just 1 MIDI in and 1 MIDI out (you will only need MIDI IN since you will be using your keyboard as a controller) don't cost much. Some come as so called USB-MIDI adaptors that simply look like weird cables. Anyway, MIDI connections isn't an issue.

If you do decide to get a decent audio card BTW most come with their own MIDI ports.

It is far more important to make sure that your computer meets the specifications of the software that you will use. You will need at least 512 MB of RAM and a processor with the speed of 600Mhz or higher (most computers nowadays come with at least 512MB of RAM and processors as fast as 3Ghz (3000Mhz). But unless you have a five year old computer you shouldn't really worry.


-ED-

Hi Sigee
From the £ sign you used first I assume you are based in the UK? If so pop over to www.bck.co.uk as they do some basic PC controller keyboards complete with basic sequence software (Most also connect direct to the game port which also provides power to the keyboard, Midi Output is also provided) which will get you going, although they are slightly more then your budget, these prices are about as low as you can get for new keyboards. (Please remember these are just controller keyboards and contain no sounds or styles etc, all this is done by the computer)
Hope this helps.

Bill