GREAT BEGINNER SYNTHS - a guide to picking your first synthesizer
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- čas přidán 4. 06. 2024
- What is a good beginner synth? What synthesizer should you get as your absolute first? Find out in this video. Sponsored by DistroKid: upload your music to Spotify & iTunes using DistroKid distrokid.com/vip/bobeats and you get a discount if you use my link
CHECK THESE GREAT BEGINNER SYNTHS
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Korg Minilogue XD all-around best beginner synth
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/465932?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/Rxg72
US: bit.ly/43pwF77
UK: tidd.ly/3zRzrV7
Yamaha Reface CS if you know nothing about synths
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/368212?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/PLJLR
US: bit.ly/YamahaRefaceCS_pc
UK: tidd.ly/3MYozfL
Take 5 if you want full sized keys and want a premium synth
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/526435?offid=...
US: sweetwater.sjv.io/xkk0z5
US: bit.ly/PCTake5
UK: tidd.ly/41rinS0
Cobalt8 if you want full sized keys at more of a budget
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/506277?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/eDP4X
US: bit.ly/cobalt8PC
UK: tidd.ly/3AhgHi5
Arturia Minifreak if you want a more complex but also deeper experience
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/553604?offid=...
US: sweetwater.sjv.io/QyyddY
US: bit.ly/PCxMinifreak
UK: tidd.ly/3A1teGh
HydraSynth Explorer portable, complex but also beginner friendly
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/527778?offid=...
US: sweetwater.sjv.io/jrr64P
US: bit.ly/HSexplorerPC
UK: tidd.ly/4158nxy
CONTENT
00:00 Intro
00:54 The Super Beginner Friendly Beginner Synth
02:54 The All-Around Best Beginner Synth
05:15 Best Beginner Synth with Full-sized Keys
08:30 Full-Sized Keys but at a "Budget"
10:20 Complex Beginner Synths & what is a Mod Matrix?!
16:05 Why you shouldn't start with a mini or mono synth
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I love the "if money is no object beginner tips". Sometimes, us grownup kids want quality stuff but are still beginners.
That’s usually the stupid person 😂
Exactly. Me 😂
I think this is great thought to have in mind. Be always a beginner, no matter your age.
Just got a crystal Microkorg a Volca beats and a little PO-33 KO - I haven't played keys since I was in school. LETS HAVE SOME GOOD FUN!
@@luap89 U like it?:)
my first synth was the minilogue xd and I cannot recommend it enough. knobs per function and the clean workflow helped me to understand what was going on. one great bonus are the awesome effects which makes it a perfect synth to use without a computer at all because you have everything you need straight in your synth.
thats true, im a big advocate for vcv rack but nothing is quite like having an actual hardware synth
Minilogue is superior over the Monologue.
So if you are going tobuy, then buy a Minilogue or Minilogue XD!
How do I put the track I made onto the computer?
@@railfandepotproductionslook that on youtube 😅
Korg all the way! The Minilogue Bass was my introduction to this mad world
I followed Bo’s recommendation in one of his 2020 videos and got an XD. It still is my only synth that I still love to this day.
Yeap, got the minibrute and minilogue based on his recommendations. I could never get on with the minibrute it was too blowy for a starter synth, but damn the microbrute slaps, and the minilogue is always a go to with how hands on it is. Anyway I bought another minibrute later, once I realized what I was missing out on
Beware the person with only one synth, for they know how to use it!
I wanted it then, but only just bought one last year. I wish I had bought it sooner. Such a great synth.
You're following Bo's recommendations? Follow your EAR's recommendations.
@@Station2Station-du2gh You're taking things too literally and assuming that when people say they follow Bo's recommendations, they do so sonically blind?
After watching this video, I bought a Sequential Take 5. It is my first and only synth so far. I have been playing it almost every day for the last 3 months. I am very happy with it. I quickly found out that I need to learn to play keyboard instruments. I am now studying piano at Ridley Academy. It is an online piano course. It is gradually helping me bringing out music from the synth. The sound from the Take 5 is ...... Wonderful.
Great videos great advice . Found your channel after I bought my first synth a Donner B1 cheap and fun , a month later I bought the Korg Minilogue xd and I get lost in the hugeness of the sounds I create . I'm 64 years old and have always loved synth music now I create it wow what a feeling
I started by following Bo's recommendations back in 2020, and got a Minilogue XD and an Arturia Minibrute 2S. While the latter is mono, it really took me to new and interesting places over the past two years thanks to its great cookbook, semi-modular patchbay, and amazing sequencer. "No saving presets" was actually a big advantage for me because it forced me to practice resetting knobs to default, learning what every knob and slider did, and becoming knowledgeable and confident in all the controls (which aren't hard). In fact, I found that Korg's hundreds of presets distracted me from properly learning its controls. Loading a preset means now, none of the controls reflect their actual values. So, unlike a virtual synthesizer on computer, presets don't really teach you how to build that certain sound all on your own.
But don't let that stand in the way of getting a Minilogue XD or Minifreak. These options are deep, intuitive, and sound fantastic long after your beginner phase wears off.
+1 I just bought a minibrute 2 as my first hw synth (this video was a week late for me lol). Spent a long weekend coming to exactly the same conclusion as you. With only a few days experience I feel like I know a few things I otherwise wouldn't playing presets, have the confidence to "look for new sounds" etc. Even just using the cookbook teaches you so much about what goes in to a patch, but of course the whole thing empowers experimentation really nicely. A good option if noodling/modular/the thrill of figuring things out is your bag.
But unlike a Virtual Synthesizer on a computer, those virtual knobs that you have to adjust either via touch or mouse are a real pain in the ass and detract from the creativity and workflow. Sure, you can get software synths that will either map controls to a real synth or midi controller, but it won't be fully automatic and you certainly won't get a knob per function. Am not against VSTs, but there is nothing better than a real physical synth for noodling around and learning about subtractive synthesis. I'm definitely hardware first, software second.
Right!!
But.....
My 8 years old son, a true beginner !! (Sometimes he use my Roland FP80 piano, and always put the synth function: in fact two samples of synth sequances).
So i decide to look for a synth especially for him.
And you know what ? What type of synth who motivate him ? A Microkorg! A Mininova! A Minifreak.
Because of the presets. These presets inspire him. He like to listen theses good prestes, to use them. They took him using the synth.
After that he begin to try something else : tweak buttons, change something.
The presets act like trapps, and it don't take a long time before he know how to change the sounds.
So, these synth with (good) presets and menus are not a bad way for beginners. They can be good bobby trapps for them .-)
Very helpful - I have been spending hours on researching these things. I was glad to see the minifreak as well as the hydrasynth
Thank you so much for this intro. You are the first to bring up 1 knob or switch for each thing. I have an Alexis and I never got past it’s menus. Also thank you for saving me from picking a mini synth!
It’s always great watching a video by Bo. Extremely honest and practical. My big takeaway from this is the mod matrix. I always pursued semi modular to fit this bill. However, now I’m genuinely reconsidering. ✌️❤
I also strongly recomment TAKE5, it's perfectly intuitive for new users and it can accompany you towards later life. The most impressive part is that the filter of the synth is actually from Prophet5, which is insane in this price point.
For a beginner you're much better off with a pro 800 and a midi controller. More voices for a much cheaper price.
I’d love a video covering the soft/apps that come with these, talking about DAW integration, motion recording, playback, etc
I feel like the Roland SH-4D is being slept on so hard. I know it's not the mythical "analog" that everyone loves to go about, but then again almost every song you've ever heard uses VSTs so digital is fine for almost everyone. Let's get down to the positives of this beast:
- $650 US
- Hands on controls for all the major synth workflow
- Many osciallator models (Analog, FM, Wavetable, Ringmod) and models of classic favourites like the Juno, Jupiter, and SH101
- Complex mod matrix
- Small desktop form factor
- On-board buttons so doesn't require an external keyboard to play with
- 4 part mutli-timbral, meaning you can play four different synth parts at once
- 1 part drum machine, with every Roland classic drum set
- 64 step sequencer
- Huge FX library
- Battery powered so can be used anywhere
This gives you a massively complex synth and allows you to create 5 track songs right out of the box without needing ANY other gear. Such a lovely piece of kit either as a first stand-alone synth, or combined with a sample-based groovebox to give you a full music production experience outside of the computer.
Totally agree! I think for me I would include this in more of a ”groovebox” video. But you make excellent points
Thank you, Bo. Great video as always.
the Modal Cobalt 8 is so calling my name! Such a beautiful sounding synth, definitely got some saving up to do.
Love the CS Reface suggestion. Love my Colbat 8 sounds, and the keybed is excellent! I often use the Cobalt 8 as a controller for any soft synths on ipad or PC. The knobs are actually endless encoders, so they do feel different than potentiometers, but they offer a huge advantage when changing values from one sound to the next.
I just see this video today and is so helpful honestly.
Well ..... last Tuesday I order my Hydrasynth desktop and I'm so happy for it after I did my research and obviously I saw your videos too.
Thanks again for all you content and share your knowledge with all of us.
Send you good vibes all the way from Toronto 🎶🙌🏽😎
The Reface CS was my starter synth and I still enjoy it very much. It's so easy to quickly dial up a great, usable sound. Control it with a sequencer or full size keyboard, and it is quite capable.
You beat me to this comment. Of all my keyboard synths, if the $h!t hits the fan, the CS is the one I'll grab along with my Roland AE-30 wind synth as I flee.
@@oldunclemick It would definitely be in my top 3 for that. I would probably go with my JDXI as number 1. Not as easily tweakable, at least without menu diving, but good for making full songs.
Yes, great sounding synth. Unfortunately no patches and no sequencer, the looper useless. Sold the Reface CS for a AN1x.
@@vectrexboy5605 I agree on the looper, it really isn't very good. Would have preferred a sequencer or even an arp. Patches are technically there if you use the soubdmondo option. Definitely not good for a live situation but fine in a studio setup.
@@low_e_music Soundmondo was no option when id had to go fast on stage. I took polaroid pictures from my Sound settings ;-) So I still have the patches on Polaroid ;-)
Thank you
Great video on what I am thinking of getting now.
Thanks again
Great video once again !! you should expand on this with what makes a synth cost 1-2k over a synth that is 3-4k, as always you break it down so nicely
My first synth when I got back into electronic music was the Microfreak. It was perfect. it was a reasonable and surprisingly versatile for such small inexpensive synthesizer. It is still in my set up. I wasn't a beginner. I learned on a $20,000 Buchla in college in 1982. But I had sold my set up in the early aughts and played acoustic jazz on my flute for many years before getting back into electronic music during the shutdown. I think as a starter it deserves mention because it's not expensive but it surprisingly powerful for what they offer. And I love the keyboard because I can use it as a CV source or a keyboard which was what we did with the Buchla keyboard back in the 80's. I agree wholeheartedly with the Hydrasynth as well, though it is definitely more complicated than many of the synths you mentioned. But it is one that will grow with you. You can get really simple pads and arps or you can get really complicated generative sequences using the LFO's in step mode. It is powerful.
My first synth was a micromoog way back. I think a beginner should make sure to get one with sample and hold....a great way to learn synthesis by playing with all the controls without having to play or listen to the same arpeggios running. Lots to discover while the synth plays various ranges of notes.
Welcome Back Bo! And my first was the MicroFreak and I’m hoping for a minifreak soon!!!
thanks Bo .. always great videos
Definitely some good options you’ve shown. I have a few of them and enjoy each. I always find I go back to the Reface CS and it’s simplicity. Plus it can sound fantastic! My first synth was the microKORG in the 00’s. Still have it and use it from time to time but I’ve always hated the interface. My favourite synth currently is the Moog Grandmother. Barely can make it sound bad and it feels great to play & patch!
My first synth was an Alesis Micron. The Pros for this synth were: "Depth of Presets, customization, performance modes, fullsized keys" the big con is that it's all menu based and within a sound you have limited flexibility. That said it was an amazing size, the full sized keys were great, and I still use it today for some sounds and especially it's pads.
Preset based synths like this are great for getting sounds into your finger tips - but I learned very little on "how synths tend to operate" and it has a ceiling for its creativity. It doesn't have that infinite depth feeling knob-per-function synths have. Which taught me "for synths I want minimal menus please!"
I loved my micron! Despite limited controls and obvious menu diving, the modulation possibilities were amazing
One of your older videos sold me on getting the xd over the original minilogue. The third party oscillators and effects are great for expanding its sounds without needing to purchase additional hardware.
This is really helpful. Especially that you explain your reasoning and the downsides to the mini synths. I was debating the east beast or west pest vs the minifreak (thanks to your great review of the minifreak). Definitely more comfortable with my own leaning towards the minifreak based on this discussion.
I have the Minifreak as my first (hardware synth) for a few months and I can tell you that its very versatile, still tho buy what you want to buy.
Great tip on getting a more versatile synth first. I learned this the heard way 😂. Finally have my first “adult” synth, and I’m super happy to have some depth
Take 5 gets you VCOs, incredible build, portability and pretty lovely effects. great recommendation.
The take 5 is a badass looking synth and it sounds awesome
The Minilogue XD really is an excellent synth, all the more so for the money.
Even if you buy one used, you can't go wrong as it's such a solid, well built piece of kit.
One of my favourites. 😀
ty 4 the great recommendations and quality of the video and honesty
For polyphonic I'd be quite happy to recommend the Roland System-8.
For monophonic, I think it becomes very relevent as to what type of music the new buyer is interested in,
- that said, the SH-01A is a good all-rounder, or a Behringer K2 if the buyer wants a dirty sounding synthesizer.
And, semi-modular is probably a better route, initially, if modular and eurorack is what the new buyer feels they are into,
- either way, one will lead to the other, but starting with semi-mod means you can get going at patching straight away, but without the added worry/cost of the case, cables, PSU, etc
My biggest advice is,
- don't limit your budget, buy what you know you want, you'll be happier, and probably use it a lot more than something else you bought because you couldn't afford what you actually wanted...
So, work hard and save, if you're serious...
- love to ALL, feel no hate
Yes, the Roland Aira System - 8
looks like a crazy powerful and versatile Synth for virtual analogue, the ACB vst’s and plug outs you can get, and the Cloud access too.
For a beginner, I would say the Aira System-1 25 key synth with a sh-01 plug out included would be great to learn on, fun, great sounds, oscillators, arp, scatter wheel, sequencer, fx, etc!
Love to see the Coblat suggested. I love my Coblat 8X
Love my Cobalt 8X. I'm playing it almost every day, also using it as MIDI keyboard with VSTs, since the keybed is superb. But even by itself it sounds amazing.
Thanks for the good advice.
YES, excellent points/recommendations on this video. I would also add the korg opsix. Sounds amazing, budgety, very hands on, full sized keys, and makes FM as user friendly as possible. I personally prefer (and have) the Wavestate, but for a beginner I think that one is too complex, they would only be playing presets.
totally agree about the advantage to the Hydrasynth , hat it gives you the signal flow diagram which doubles as your modulation routing buttons. So this can teach you complex synthesis with a fairly easy overview of what is actually going on. that coupled with the polyphonic aftertouch keybed makes things quite powerful for the long term. MiniFreak has a bunch of nicely curated algorithms , so not as deep programability but lots of variety. can't really go wrong with either of em.
I can say from personal experience that Hydrasynth has been an awesome learning tool. I don’t think it’s a 10/10 on sound, but the build quality, design, interface, and flexibility are all absolutely elite. Love my Hydrasynth. 😁
Hydrasynth explorer is ridiculously good value for a beginner, you can do simple classic sounds but it has enormous depth and you can get as sophisticated as you like. I love having so much capability in a small package on my desk. I'm thinking of getting another one so I can have a different sound for the left hand.
Thanks for the advice.
Hey! Was that an erae touch blurred in the background as a sequencer? Well, I just got one and I'd love to see what you do with it. You're amazing as always. Thanks a bunch!
Great reviews and advice! Would however request a best budget synthesiser toplist as well. Cheers 🍻
I’d start with a Digitone or Syntakt. So simple and incredibly rewarding
I wanted to ask I have had minifreak since it came out, but would maybe be interested in buying a syntakt and want to use it as a drummachine as well as for the more "synth" sounds. And I would like to ask how versatile it is on that side ( would want to use it for drums and more melodic sounds as mentioned).
Digitone and Syntakt are both really nice all-in-one devices, but they have some pretty big downsides which would prevent me from recommending them as a thing to start with. The biggest one is that the workflow is based on short loops. It usually gets people stuck in a loop, even more than an actual looper tends to do. The second big one is a lack of expressive tactile performance controls like velocity, aftertouch, pitch/mod wheels, and position-based knobs. The user generally must program in the expression instead of playing it, so unless the user has a lot of skill, the results tend to sound mechanical instead of organic.
So I'd instead go for one of the synths in Bo's video, plus an actual performance-oriented looper like a RC-505mk2. They're fantastic for learning, practicing, jamming, meditating, improvising, etc. Or if the person is more interested in composing polished songs, I'd tell them to use Ableton (with a Push) or an Akai Force, with a cheap mic to hum in song ideas before trying to enter any notes. Humming and/or beatboxing for a few minutes is a great way to lay out a song structure before starting, and can completely eliminate any problems with getting stuck in loops.
i'd bump those up to 2nd synths/gear tbh.
@@ToyKeeper i am currently using ablton standard and was opting or a syntakt or upgrade to suite together with a push which would get me a lot of ableton plugins and synths as well as cost about the same. but this was helpfull just wondering the puch is already few years old and out of stock (where i am checked on abletons website) if the might release a new version?
@@phosyton7254 Akai developed the original Push for Ableton. I'm not sure what happened between the two companies after that, but they went separate ways and Ableton removed references to Akai for the Push 2. Akai then made what is effectively the Push 3, but they couldn't call it a Push so it's called a Force. It's the first "Push" which truly works as a standalone device without a computer.
But the most important part works on all 3. What makes it great is the workflow of recording clips into a grid real-time during a jam session, then arranging those clips into a song afterward. Having a full Ableton suite added on to that workflow, or having a full MPC suite, is nice... but it's just icing on the cake.
I think these are all really good choices. One that you didn’t mention that I would recommend as a first synth is the Roland JU-06a (especially if you already have a decent controller). Like many of your choices, it’s an affordable Poly synth and a great learning tool with its knob-(fader?)-per-function layout and it’s fairly simple architecture. Its hard to make the thing sound bad, and it’s a nice balance of classic analog sounds with modern digital features and extensive MIDI control.
I would would rather have an xD than a JU-06a, but the Roland is a pretty great and less expensive alternative!
Great video as always, Bo! 😁
Good collection of starter synths. I bought a reface cs early on because i wanted something really immediate, and it was perfect for that. I tried a minilogue, and while i liked the sound and I'm sure it would be an excellent choice for many people, i just didn't vibe with it. My very first synth was the Moog Mavis, and it's still a favorite. But it does have some limitations, like no midi, that could be an issue for some, not to mention that it's mono. Still, i found that underneath the simple interface is a really deep and powerful synth that gives you a really accessible way to learn basic synthesis concepts as well get a taste of the fun of patching.
Very helpful, thanks !
Super helpful video, as always. A friend asked me to recommend a synth, and while they’re not technically a beginner, they’re also not a synth nerd, and have kind of specific criteria and needs when it comes to synthesizers. My main recommendation for them was the Minilogue XD. But we will need to look at everything, right? The bonus is that I get to go shopping without spending a dime of my own money!
Thanks. Filled with useful tips for me a complete beginner. Is generating pecussion a seperate drum machine?
ASM did an excellent job with their hydrasynth platform. The 37 has engine wise the same capabilities as its bigger brothers including poly after touch and MPE. Only the deluxe is more synth due to being two hydrasynths in one. One can get a 37 for as low as $400 used. The build on all is excellent. The knobs are the same. Little more menu diving on the 37 due to less knobs. Ok, no ribbon, but that's not an issue. Bo's video recommends are excellent!
Insta sub, I like how you explain things and cover all grounds. Really easy to understand and you constantly hit valid points, probably gonna go with minilogue xd but the minifreak intrigued me that’ll prolly b a future purchase
Thank you for subbing! I hope to bring alot of fun vids this autumn
I personally got an elektron digitone but had my eyes on the monilogue xd. It was harder to learn for sure but much more what i was trying to make and made it much more rewarding to learn. Now im looking at a prologue or getting a digitone keys
PS be careful when looking at reviews for the cobalt8, synth buyers. A recent patch basically gave this synth a new lease on life.
Before, everyone hated the filters. Adding resonance killed the volume of the patch. They were very limited.
Now, they added 27 new filters, new filter modes like bipolar and relative, and pre filter drive.
Another complaint was poor digital reverb. They added a reverb V2 that takes up 2 FX slots but sounds MUUUUUUCH BETTER!
the cobalt seriously became 200% better when they released that patch.
Source: I bought one and tried it, and days later the patch hit.
World of difference.
Great synth.
Slightly limited mod matrix, but still useful. Lots of expressivity in mod options, but lacks a few destinations I would prefer. Also, LFO 1 behaves differently than 2 and 3 and there are some limitations.
However the mod routing is still very very easy and you can set up routing by holding the source (LFO button/eg button) and turning the destination knob
But I would get the Argon8, it's even more versatile with the new update.
@@neuzethmusic131 they're both good, depends if you want VA or wavetable. I would have grabbed either, but I have the cobalt because a guy was selling the 61 key for 550usd and I couldn't pass that up
@@d3tuned378 That's a GREAT deal ! Good buy 😀
It’s all about budget. My fist synth was an SH-101 which I regretted because the DX-7 came out a few months later. But the SH was great for learning and I probably would never have learned to program the DX. Getting something with knobs is good, minilogue us a great idea. Also full circle on the Roland S-1 which is an incredible deal under 200 universal monetary units but as pointed out menu diving can be friction to learning.
Also it’s a great idea when you get something new is to make a track entirely with that synth. Drums, pads, leads, bass everything! It’s a discipline that will accelerate learning because you’ll be directing your energy, and become familiar with it’s quirks.
The Arturia MicroBrute was my first synth and was an absolute blast to learn synthesis on. Still have it! I’d highly recommend the MicroBrute as a first synth (they’re only available on the used market). And though I still have my MicroBrute, it’s currently up for sale.
I started out with the Reface CS and think it's an excellent starter. Full hands-on control with a simple interface. I'd also say some of the Roland Boutiques like the JU-06a & JX-08 are also a good shout for similar reasons (love my JX-08!).
The more I play with my JX-08, the more I find myself loving it. it was really difficult as my first hardware, but in the end, I'm glad I found it in the pawn shop. The menus are still hard for me to remember, especially with needing to be in certain modes to access them, but once I started playing with it more, it made a lot more sense. Definitely an amazing piece of gear though. 🤩
This is the best resource I would recommend to someone looking for a first synth. It's super comprehensive and with options for different needs.
Personally my first synth was an Opsix which is maybe not ideal because of the menu diving and because FM is quite a complicated concept to grasp. I went for this because I had studied FM previously in engineering school so I had a good technical grasp of it. And the Opsix is such a good jack-of-all-trades (also doing subtractive and even additive synthesis), it fulfilled so many sound design requirements and I didn't need another keyboard for a long time. The only other keyboard I needed to complement my sound needs was a digital piano, for realistic piano sounds, but that's about it.
Thanks for the kind words and you really dove in on the deep end! But i agree, opsix is a great synth in that it can do all kinds of synthesis. Its even a modular synth!
Superb video as usual, fun and inspiring.
I also wanted to recommend the Roland JD-XI, which with its 4-track sequencer is a really fun starter synth
That was my first synth also. It's more of a workstation than a synth though with its lack of knob per function. These days I'd recommend the Sh4d over the JDXI.
The one mini/monosynth I'd make an argument for if you have a midi controller already and money is tight is the Korg NTS-1 - it's 100 bucks, you can use minilogue patches on it, and it has pretty great on-board FX so when you 'graduate' to a bigger synth you'll still have a use for it. I really love throwing mine in the backpack with my Circuit for on the go jams.
The non-keys version of the Hydrasynth seems like the best intro into semi-modular, and going this route allows you to expand into the keys later.
Thanks for sharing. This video is timely, because I am completing my studio after having lost the first one in a wild fire. The studio is operational and I am not quite a beginner, but am beginning again. I found that I have been learning what works for me and the considerations you give are worth pondering. I did find some of the mini synths limited, though I liked the Craftsynth a lot (lost 3 in the fire) because it builds great chords and the tweaks really shift the sound in ways that work for me, and the dials were intuitively laid out. In the new set up, I do not want to build it as I did before and want less units. Everything has to count and fit making rich drone sounds for meditation music. You video was a very good overview of what to consider. Thanks.
Sorry to hear about the wild fire! Take care and good luck on your journey
I'm making a new record with only the Minilogue XD. Incredible Synth.
MOOG EMERSON. Go big or go home 😂
Great selection, it's easy to forget what it was like being a noob. Deepmind 6 as a substitute if you want a cheaper analogue synth with full-size keys? I'd definitely get something with keys and a sequencer so you get the immediacy of hearing sounds straight away and also to have something playing while you get stuck in with sculpting your sound. To anyone just starting out, welcome to our planet. You'll find most of its inhabitants friendly and you'll soon be having lively debates about infinitesimally small details that no-one in your normal life knows or cares about. 2 things I wish I'd known at the start;
1. Avoid eurocrack unless you're willing to sell a kidney
2. GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome) is real. Learn what you've got inside-out before you buy your next piece of gear. I'm consistently surprised by the sounds other people can wring out of a synth that I thought I understood
Yep. Couldn't have been a better list. Reface CS would be a fantastic first synth.
Only others to consider are the Behringer stuff, Poly D or DeepMind 12
but I've never played those.
Missing the Microkorg 😅
Awesome video as always! You are a star man!!! ❤
MicroBrute for the win. The bare basics, full hands-on... just what you need when getting into the synth experience
Excellent direction..thanx😊
Korg Minilogue XD! Yes!! Great synth with the wave view and knob per function only negative is the the minikeys (which you mentioned) are terrible for me, so I got a Novation Bass Station to trigger the XD module. Cool video, great beginner synths!
Great video, thanks
My first was behringer deepmind 6, and I think I will never sell it. You can get it to sound really beautiful and it got so many options. Also have the xd, and love that too.
I started with an Elektron Syntakt, monophonic and a drum machine but with insane sound design possibilities. and I have a LOT of fun with it, especially after adding an Arturia keystep 37 for velocity controlled playing. Now I am looking for a poly synth bc the only thing I really miss on the Syntakt is polyphony. Thanks for your overview! I guess I will get a minifreak soon, really looking forward to that :-)
Late to the party but still I wanted to say thank you! This is such a great video. I've been making beats for a little while and having a lot of fun but I'm looking into synths and this really helped. I'm still undecided but this still really helped point me in a narrower direction lol. Synths are such an enigma for lots of people. What the hell is oscillating ( I'm assuming it has nothing to do with a room fan... ) and how does the synth make the noises share the path? There is a path ? Is it paved or grassy? Cobbles?
Great video as always. I agree with your recommendations. I just wanted to say I am more or less cured from buying synths. :) Still if I would buy one today then I would probably go for a synth like Sequential Take 5, but it is more expensive so that could bring me back at the end. I totally agree that a synth itself will not make me a better musician, but it can inspire me to make something. :) Thank you.
Got inspired by a amazing sound i heard on a youtube video generated by a minilogue so and found the minilogue vs minilogue XD just now leading to this video.
So now i am not sure what to pickup will checkout the Take 5 maybe i will pick that one to try to play around with Synths :)
For full size keys, I'd also consider original Hyrda, it's less expensive than Take 5 and offers a lot room to grow. Also touchstrip and 5 octave poly aftertouch, even those aren't perhaps most beginner relevant.
My first hardware synth is the minifreak, had some Arturia stuff already. and have had minifreak since it came out and have had a lot of fun.
(was actually just going to buy micro but then they announced mini😄)
My first synth is the AN1x, bought it wayback in 2005, before the price explosion :) still learning everyday with the synth. My second synth was the DIY package of the Midibox community: the SammichSID. I guess you could argue that my first synth was the C64, but I never really delved into programming the SID chip. My third synth is the TD-3, single purpose, but so much fun. So yeah, I agree: the synth should be fun :) currently my last synth are the two that came with the Novation Circuit Tracks. Quite a different beast to program in the companion app and think about the macros and modulation possibilities.
Nice video.
Lol…I’m still using my old Roland Juno G. Love that thing!
Started with a Bass Station II, it's knob per function and all the basic function options are labelled on the keys. I know Bo's featured it before but it gets slept on for some reason. You can even have it sequence triads if you use AFX mode. Bought it used for $350, If you're looking for a mono synth it's a top contender. I am a bit envious of the Monologue's sequencer though...
i love that painting
Imo Korg ms20 mini should absolutely be on this list. The only knock against it is that it’s not a poly synth. To be honest having to work within the limitations of a mono synth (and multi tracking in my daw) subconsciously taught me a lot about traditional orchestration and how different sounds should fit across the keyboard. It also gave me the ability to make chords (via multitracking) where my filter sweeps, envelopes, etc. were variable per note. If it’s a synth to play in a band and you need chords, it’s probably not the right choice. But for somebody with a fair bit of daw/multitracking experience, I think it’s one of the best hands on, knob per function, complex (if you want it) synths out there.
Minologue XD was my first. I'm still finding new ways to get more out of it. With my newer modular gear I've been using the 2 CV inputs and getting whole new kinds of sounds. (Not to mention the user oscillator).
I always take your advice Bo!
The best early synth i bought was defenetly the Korg Monotribe so much fun
I went with the Hydrasynth, Novation Bass Station II and the Akai MPC One+
my first synth was the minilogue xd and i love it. but the choice was rather easy (not least considering the amount of "your first synth" guides ;) ). a question that was far harder for me to answer was what my second(!) synth or piece of equipment should be as both parts shouldn't exist in a vacuum but complement each other. i went with a groove box, which i think was the right choice for me, however the specific mode (circuit tracks) was not as novations user interface on the tracks doesn't resonate much with me.
Also consider Arturia's Minifreak VST version, I believe it sells for $199, but they do have price drops throughout the year. It works very well w a general midi controller. My first "learning" synth was the Monologue, which I had recently sold. The new Roland SH-4d at $650 USD allows some variation, from the SH101, 108 (limited but good intro), to various synth mods. And it teaches the basics if you've got the bread, even does wave tabling, plus has a sequencer, though no metronome. Now the two synths I play the most is the SH-4d, and the Circuit Tracks (though the tracks is more of a beat box), I also have the Korg Wavestate, but that's definitely not a beginner's synth and it's overwhelming, hoping to eventually get back to it.
I'm starting on this synth thing, I already have a midi keyboard, I looked at Bo's recommendation and took my interest the Ik multimedia UNO synth, that's is a good option since it's cheap, you guys approve this choice or recommend any other thing?
Thanks for the overview. I'm looking at this as a guitar player trying to get some 70's ambient stuff to put as a background layer or downtempo part in hard rock and metal. I know about some of the late 70's analogue gear, but that's not (synth) beginner budget... What I was wondering is if those synths without keys can be driven by a regular keyboard or digital piano, so one wouldn't be limited by mini keys.
One thing I'll say is that ASM provide an excellent hard copy manual with the Hydra, which is invaluable for beginners. It can also run for a few hours on good AA batteries, which is kind of ridiculous for a synth of this power. So you can immediately take it out in the backyard and sit on your lawn (along with the hard copy manual, of course!) - away from computer screens etc. One of the first Hydra Explorer YT videos I watched was of Sarah Belle Reid taking it outdoors to create some crazy nature-inspired sounds. Really inspiring, but I still have no idea what she's doing haha. On the other hand, the Arturia comes bundled with the free Minifreak V VST version, which is going to be a big selling point for many. Having said all that, I'd buy the Take 5 if I could justify it financially. Jay Hosking does some really beautiful stuff with this synth.
Hi Bo, I live in a tiny/space concious apartment and was thinking of the Microfreak. Would you say that's good for someone like me who's new to synthesis? I have the minilab and really like the form factor, the fact that it takes up very little space on my desk primarily. So I was thinking similar, since I'd be staying within the Arturia ecosystem. From a glance it didn't look too complex but I wasn't sure if that would be a good fit for me.
I got into synths during lockdown. BEHRINGER MS-1 was my first synth. Then, moving on to purchase a JU-06A, PO Office, Volca Beats, FM & NuBass. They are all really fun, the MS-1 being the best above all, and then the JU. I would trade them all, though, immediately without hesitation for something like the Hydrasynth.... 😅
Are there specific synths for specific genre’s? Personally I want a synth I can learn to play a bit so obviously I’ll need some theory but I’d like to make electronic pop, so are there beginner synths fly hat suit that genre more than others or does it not matter? Also are there any other bits of kit you need ? Or is it best to learn how to use the synth as not to be overloaded with info and jargon
Thanks 👍🏻
I can't recommend the Minilogue XD enough as a great all-rounder, especially because it's upgradeable with third-party plugins.
Though its easy to speak bad on Behringer, I still think a used Deepmind 12 is one of the best synths you can buy as a beginner. Fantastic for learning the basics and growing
My first was a Microbrute. I still have it. Soon after that I found a PSS-270 at the flea market for 20 bucks, so now I have polyphony
The Modal, Hydrasynth, Xd and minifreak are all pretty good hardware synth to start with.
Compact, not too expensive(well... still expensive but...yeah you get it..) and sounds fantastic.
And i'm totally agree with you Bo...New synth or expensive synth don't transform us in magical Banger creator or solve problems 😅
I just purchased my first affordable synth and ot was the minifreak. I have my eyes onnthe hydrasynth too in the near future. Any feedback on the arturia small Brute version?
Wouldn't it be better to pick something like the ASM Hydrasynth or Arturia Minifreak since they are cheaper than the Korg Monologue XD and also have the Mod Matrix (and an analog filter in the case of the Minifreak)?
I feel like this advice is good if you play or plan to learn keyboard/piano, but there are other ways of playing both acoustic and electronic instruments. My first synth wad a Moog Mavis, and I have no problem making a full track on it because I'm not trying to make a song with six voices.
That being said, the Microfreak (and probably Minifreak, which I don't have) is a great starter because it has all of that - whether you want to experiment or play more traditionally, it sets you up fotmr everything.
Totally valid perspective…i tried keep it ”general” but for more specific needs there’s absolutely many other great synths
Question you have any plans to make a new digitakt or digitone full tutorial.. would be awesome thank you
The IK Multimedia uno synth pro Keyboard version is around 400€ at Thomann these days (it was about 700 at its launch..). For a first synth (or even upper), it's a steal!!