Synth recommendation

[Superfreak]

I really want to get some proper hardware synths, something i can really get hands-on with a feel, but they're obviously not cheap, so can any recommend a synth, I'm a beginner so something that I can hook up to my Allen and heath Zed 10 mixer and use with iMac and Logic.

Budget is around 250-300. Preferably keys, but if there is a good module im open to that too.

I'm into House and Techno, and Funk. So you know, Moog, Juno, Jupiter, Prophet, all sounds that I love.

Is a Novation Bass station MK2 worth getting?

got my eyes on a few, which arE:

Roland JU-06 (£229
Roland JP-08 (£229)
Waldorf Pulse 2 (around 350 ish)
Novation Bass Station MK2 (200-300)

[ImNotDedYet]

BS2 is a helluva synth for the price.

The new Roland's might fit the bill for you as well, if you can handle the mini keys.

Don't discount the idea of the Mini/Microbrutes. It will open you up for some semi-modular stuff.

Not sure the going rate on the MS-20 Mini these days, but I'm guessing you could score one used. I love the sound on those dual resonant filters, and you also get the semi-modular thing with it. (mini keys again)

For Moog - you could go Werkstatt, or perhaps a Mother-32 if you can find one for the right price, but the Mother-32 is a single oscillator, so not something I'd recommend for starting out with hardware. I think you'd get bored. Keep your eyes peeled for a used Minitaur as well for bass duties.

And don't forget the Yamaha Reface stuff as well if you can do mini keys. The DX has gotten quite a bit of love as actually being an FM synth that's not a major pain to program.

[the_bastet]

I alwys loved (and currently miss) my Korg Triton Workstation.

[ian3dge]

novation circuit looks a funky little groovebox

[MaxOne]

Minitaur is soooooo good. Check the vst interface u can use for saving presets etc. Adds proper analogue weight to any production and that filter is sick! Love it.

[markyyoung]

The Bass Station 2 is a beast. Total control over all parameters. Plus you can really crank out some sick sounds.

[Superfreak]

Thanks for your replies guys, please keep 'em coming - i'm really trying to find the best, affordable one.

I'm leaning towards the Bass Station 2 a lot, but of course its just bass, i could get a synth that does bass, chords, and other things, just trying to get the best i can right now.

I would definitely prefer something with keys than a module, as it's just all there ready, instead of swapping midi cables from my midi keyboard to different things, as i have 2, one for midi controlling maschine, and then my main midi keyboard, for Logic , and also my TB-3.

I'm really 'umming and arring' on the Roland Boutique synths, would most likely get the JP-08, Jupiter replication. But i dunno, they seem a bit toy-ish, i dont know, i'm not a synth expert so forgive me if i sound rude..

I want something with a fair amount of control/knobs and stuff, something that will generate sounds that suit my style, House (not commercial), Techno, mainly. But i love p-funk, (think George Clinton/Funkadelic). I want some good sub bass, wobbly lfo stuff, dark basslines, etc

So, is the Jp-08 fully suited for that? Or will i get good use out of the Bass Station.

Don't wanna get something that i could easily get a plugin version of, you know.

Help

[Superfreak]

BS2 is a helluva synth for the price.

The new Roland's might fit the bill for you as well, if you can handle the mini keys.

Don't discount the idea of the Mini/Microbrutes. It will open you up for some semi-modular stuff.

Not sure the going rate on the MS-20 Mini these days, but I'm guessing you could score one used. I love the sound on those dual resonant filters, and you also get the semi-modular thing with it. (mini keys again)

For Moog - you could go Werkstatt, or perhaps a Mother-32 if you can find one for the right price, but the Mother-32 is a single oscillator, so not something I'd recommend for starting out with hardware. I think you'd get bored. Keep your eyes peeled for a used Minitaur as well for bass duties.

And don't forget the Yamaha Reface stuff as well if you can do mini keys. The DX has gotten quite a bit of love as actually being an FM synth that's not a major pain to program.

Watching a demo for the MicroBrute.. sheeeesh, does sound nice......

BS2 can do the same?

[Superfreak]

I just don't know if i should go with something that's just a bass synth, or something that i can get many different sounds out of...

Really close to getting the BSII though...

[ImNotDedYet]

The BS2 isn't just a bass synth, whereas the Minitaur really is. BS2 can do leads just fine - but it is a mono synth, so playing chords is a no go unless you track each note separately. (multiple note capabilities are really only necessary for pads/stabs IMO) It gives you control over everything, and really seems to tick all of your boxes - great sub, great for basses for techno, great for tweaking knobs/levels, etc. although it does share the same set of levers for each osc.

The brutes are more of a dirty type of sound than the BS2 IMO. But they're also single osc. if I remember correctly. (you do get a sub, but I don't really consider that another osc) The BS2 gives you two oscillators as well as a sub - and multiple options of sub waves. I'd say the brutes have a dirty sound similar to an MS-20 Mini, but you get a bit different functionality with the MS-20. (no velocity control, multiple oscillators, no sub)

I don't know about the JP-08. They are small, and toyish feeling, but apparently put out some very good sound, doing a good job of replicating the originals. The big thing these have that the BS2, MS-20 Mini and Brutes don't have is they're polyphonic - only four notes, but you could do simple pads/stabs on these in addition to bass/lead-type stuff. Just watch out for note stealing if you're doing pads or quick stabs since it's only four note poly.