Cheap Synth Suggestions?

suede · Post by **suede** » Fri Mar 26, 2010 12:17 am

also the korg poly 800 can sometimes go for around 100.00, I have one...

[youtube][/youtube]

Yarko · Post by **Yarko** » Fri Mar 26, 2010 3:02 am

A korg poly 800 is available on the classifieds in my city but they're asking 325 for it. I went to check out the microkorg at long and mcquade just now and completely missed the store. I don't understand how I managed that.

suede · Post by **suede** » Fri Mar 26, 2010 3:08 am

Yarko wrote:A korg poly 800 is available on the classifieds in my city but they're asking 325 for it. I went to check out the microkorg at long and mcquade just now and completely missed the store. I don't understand how I managed that.

300!!! fuck that!! 100 to 180 tops...

Yarko · Post by **Yarko** » Fri Mar 26, 2010 3:12 am

yeah, here's the listing. I remember the futureshop around here (best buy equivalent) had a microkorg on display but they said they're selling like hot cakes recently. I can get one for around $300 locally and $450 new.

This looks pretty enticing as well:
[youtube][/youtube]

izodiak · Post by **izodiak** » Fri Mar 26, 2010 12:56 pm

robroe wrote:i got a casio MT 240. i love it. my buddy bought it at a thrift store for 15 bucks and gave it to me for my birthday last january

plug it into a distortion pedal, then into an amp and rage

And I thought where have I heard the name.
But what does those ROM cards mean?
Are the sjounds easy to adjust?
I buying one.. by def.
Cant decide between that one and the calculator-synth.

DanHeron · Post by **DanHeron** » Fri Mar 26, 2010 3:23 pm

I have an Alesis Micron, the MicroKorgs main rival product. Both similar priced and similar sized. However, personally, i think the micron blows the microkorg away.

They both sound good, I have heard the Micron has better bass sounds but i think they both sound good to be fair. The micron has much better features though. It has a step sequencer so you can create your own sequences/arpeggios. The microkorg does have an arpeggiater but you cant create your own sequences. The micron also has built in drum beats/rhythms which you can edit too. Then, the best bit, you can layer these all and trigger them off different keys. So you can have a bassline, rhythm, then improvise a melody over the top all going on at once on the one synth. Its mental.

check this, all coming from the micron:
[youtube][/youtube]

izodiak · Post by **izodiak** » Fri Mar 26, 2010 6:49 pm

Alesis has very minimalistic design.
and no wood on sides )":
hah.

(the Casio VL bid grew so fast, I am surprised, its so expensive.. shit)
And the PT just stands like it was.. 39$
Can You suggest some more 'vintigy' synths for da cheapsz?
(im just looking for naive synth delight and line out, an beat section would be cool)

less_cunning · Post by **less_cunning** » Fri Mar 26, 2010 7:29 pm

if you want "analog modeling," definitely get a Micron.

avj · Post by **avj** » Sun Mar 28, 2010 8:31 am

DanHeron wrote:I have an Alesis Micron, the MicroKorgs main rival product. Both similar priced and similar sized. However, personally, i think the micron blows the microkorg away.

I agree. I was trying to decide on something in the $300-400 USD price range and found a Micron for a great deal on local CL.

I detailed my research into this very same subject in a post here:

Thoughts on the Alesis Micron synth...

There was some interesting discussion that followed, including comments from many of the same people that have chimed in here already.

plaidbeer · Post by **plaidbeer** » Mon Sep 06, 2010 5:26 pm

I just wanted to add--never go by the prices listed on the main Vintage Synth Explorer website. They're woefully out of date and haven't changed since those summaries were added several years ago. They should be removed from the site, but that's probably not going to happen as it's a lot of work for the admin.

The best way to get an estimate is to do a search on eBay of completed auctions and go from there. Also, the classifieds section on the Vintage Synth Explorer forum would be another resource since people normally don't ask insane prices unless it's rare or one of the classic analog flagships.

dorfmeister · Post by **dorfmeister** » Sun May 01, 2011 4:41 am

Here is a thread from the ILOVEFUZZ board about cheap synths - - - Lots of good info:

http://ilovefuzz.com/viewtopic.php?f=149&t=15585

Meeblip is cheap and cool.

http://meeblip.noisepages.com/

Yarko · Post by **Yarko** » Sun May 01, 2011 5:25 am

Thanks, that thread is pretty amazing.

Kurbis · Post by **Kurbis** » Sun May 01, 2011 10:07 am

robroe wrote:i got a casio MT 240. i love it. my buddy bought it at a thrift store for 15 bucks and gave it to me for my birthday last january

plug it into a distortion pedal, then into an amp and rage

I have one of those! They have some really nice and warm sounds but not really flexible at all. But you're right. Great through distortion. It also has MIDI in & out.

rps-10 · Post by **rps-10** » Sun May 01, 2011 11:04 am

I have a Casio VL-1 (tone) hidden away at home somewhere, I can still remember the top ten hit that was written on it from way back.

Also thanks for the tip on the DS synth roms!! never knew such things existed. We have a bashed up old DS lite at home... think I've found a new
lease of life for it

StevePirates · Post by **StevePirates** » Sun May 01, 2011 5:40 pm

Mages wrote:Casio VL-Tone (or VL-1)

I have one that I got in the 80s when I was a kid and have held on to it all this time because it's so awesome. it's the first keyboard/synth Casio ever made. It's a combination monophonic synth/calculator. It has a 100-step sequencer and a programmable ADSR mode. and best of all they're still pretty cheap. last time I checked you could find them for $20 - $40 on eBay.

1980's Casio synths are awesome. I left one at home when I moved out for college, and I'm pretty sure my mom "donated" it. It reminded me of all those stories of moms throwing out old comic books and baseball cards without realizing what they were reall doing.

Nick · Post by **Nick** » Sun May 01, 2011 5:58 pm

old Yamaha stuff can be had pretty cheap. I have a PSS-480 Portastudio that I still love, you can find those for around $40 last I checked...a friend of a friend's band uses them for both recording and live ...pretty sure this is it in action

[youtube][/youtube]

Also here's the demonstration mode showing all the cool things it can do:
[youtube][/youtube]

Keep looking in Goodwills and yard sales. I've seen a Yamaha DX7 for $99 @ Goodwill once.

ekwatts · Post by **ekwatts** » Sun May 01, 2011 11:14 pm

StevePirates wrote:
Mages wrote:Casio VL-Tone (or VL-1)

I have one that I got in the 80s when I was a kid and have held on to it all this time because it's so awesome. it's the first keyboard/synth Casio ever made. It's a combination monophonic synth/calculator. It has a 100-step sequencer and a programmable ADSR mode. and best of all they're still pretty cheap. last time I checked you could find them for $20 - $40 on eBay.
1980's Casio synths are awesome. I left one at home when I moved out for college, and I'm pretty sure my mom "donated" it. It reminded me of all those stories of moms throwing out old comic books and baseball cards without realizing what they were reall doing.

My dad threw out my copy of 2nd Edition Talisman with all of the expansions (even Dragons). That's the worst thing that has ever happened to me.

But my brother sold our Casio sampling keyboard to Mark E. Smiths wife for Â£5. The dick.

MikeG · Post by **MikeG** » Sun May 01, 2011 11:58 pm

AKAI MINIAK. It's the Micron in a different casing, and they're selling them off for silly budget prices.