I want a hardware synth, need some questions answered!

[kbridge]

Hey guys, I'm in the market for a hardware synth, but I just have a few questions!

1. If I get a rack synth, can I plug my midi keyboard into and record live audio through it?

2. I have a Focusrite 2i2, will I need a different soundcard to have my synth plugged in aswell as my monitors?

3. Any recommendations for a good cheapish synth?

[Tarekith]

Your focusrite will work fine it looks like. Do you want a rack, tabletop, or keyboard synth is the real question I guess, along with how much do you want to spend?

There's some nice synths like the Mini and Microbrute, or the new Bass Station if you want analog. For tabletop you've got the DSI stuff like the Mopho. Tons of older rack synths of Emu, Roland, Korg, etc.

[ponk]

In the lower price range, the Arturia MicroBrute is getting rave reviews.

[kbridge]

hi guys, I've just realised how vague my questions were haha!

I am looking for a keyboard synth, UNLESS a tabletop synth works with a midi keyboard (not sure about how tabletops work!)..

With tabletop synths, do I plug my midi keyboard directly into them? And with these type of synths do I still have the option to write in midi first then affect through synthesis, AND record straight to audio into Ableton?

Sorry for being so vague, I'm very new to hardware synths!

[Patch]

If you already have a midi keyboard, why wouldn't you use soft syths? (VSTi's)

[kbridge]

If you already have a midi keyboard, why wouldn't you use soft syths? (VSTi's)

well this is what it really boils down to.. I feel like using a hardsynth would open up a new creative style to me, I just don't seem to get very far clicking and dragging with a mouse!

As well as that, it's much easier to automate on the fly with a hardware synth although obviously parameters could always be mapped to a knob on my keyboard..

[kbridge]

If you already have a midi keyboard, why wouldn't you use soft syths? (VSTi's)

well this is what it really boils down to.. I feel like using a hardsynth would open up a new creative style to me, I just don't seem to get very far clicking and dragging with a mouse!

As well as that, it's much easier to automate on the fly with a hardware synth although obviously parameters could always be mapped to a knob on my keyboard..

[kbridge]

apologies for double reply - my phone was playing up!

[Tarekith]

Guess it comes down to how much you want to spend then, synths can run from $50 to $5000+.

[kbridge]

Guess it comes down to how much you want to spend then, synths can run from $50 to $5000+.

The focus is less on which synth and the cost, and more on HOW do I set these up, a previous commenter has said that my Focusrite Scarlette 2i2 will be fine for this, and that if I get a synth without a keyboard, how do I connect the synth, a midi keyboard and my soundcard/laptop together?