THREAD FOR YES, PORTABLE SYNTHESIZERS. Category is quite open, but I had in mind something that is easy to transport on tour/to gigs, combined with use in recording sessions/studio. Being a synth fetish with not the right sized wallet I hope there is a possibility that I can realize my dreams through the following posts.
My instrument of choice: Vermona Mono Lancet.
http://www.vermona.com/index.php/en_monolancet.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlUvvHui_Mw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlUvvHui_Mw
I have microcon, which I have considered selling, as it's something I used mainly for live gigs. But despite limitations, it has certain qualities in sound what I like a lot and very quick and easy ways to achieve those. Unlike some of bigger synths I have which always takes time to operate.
While most appear to laugh at this "toy" monotron, due it's limitations and laughable size & looks, I like it. Basically all (though little) synth work of my past album was done with it. Especially modulation of external sounds can results interesting things. Using it most of all as filter, not for creation of generic oscillations.
Quote from: FreakAnimalFinland on September 06, 2013, 09:40:51 AM
I have microcon, which I have considered selling, as it's something I used mainly for live gigs. But despite limitations, it has certain qualities in sound what I like a lot and very quick and easy ways to achieve those. Unlike some of bigger synths I have which always takes time to operate.
While most appear to laugh at this "toy" monotron, due it's limitations and laughable size & looks, I like it. Basically all (though little) synth work of my past album was done with it. Especially modulation of external sounds can results interesting things. Using it most of all as filter, not for creation of generic oscillations.
didnt see that one coming.
i have the minibrute. small & lightweight. never played a show with it but taking it to friends house is no problem. thinking about a lil modular system next. (http://pittsburghmodular.com/storage/thumbnails/11809266-21685396-thumbnail.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1358554433523)
Dark Energy, love the sound also that it dont have any keyboards is a big plus.
The KORG Monotribe weighs about 2-3 kgs, approx. the size of an A5 paper, runs on batteries and has a built-in speaker. But still a powerful little beast.
Quote from: ARKHE on September 06, 2013, 06:07:44 PM
The KORG Monotribe weighs about 2-3 kgs, approx. the size of an A5 paper, runs on batteries and has a built-in speaker. But still a powerful little beast.
For the price is the best portable synth - I'm curious of Korg Volca Keys for just 150 euros.
I use a monotribe as well, they are really one of my favorite pieces of equipment.
Quote from: FreakAnimalFinland on September 06, 2013, 09:40:51 AM
I have microcon, which I have considered selling, as it's something I used mainly for live gigs. But despite limitations, it has certain qualities in sound what I like a lot and very quick and easy ways to achieve those. Unlike some of bigger synths I have which always takes time to operate.
While most appear to laugh at this "toy" monotron, due it's limitations and laughable size & looks, I like it. Basically all (though little) synth work of my past album was done with it. Especially modulation of external sounds can results interesting things. Using it most of all as filter, not for creation of generic oscillations.
The Korg Monotron series is quite good in my opinion. The customer get a lot for a small penny. Personally I use the Monotron Delay. Sound quality is quite gritty and cold - just the way I like it. Works perfectly for vox, synth, plus.
Quote from: STREETMEAT on September 06, 2013, 09:55:42 AM
i have the minibrute. small & lightweight. never played a show with it but taking it to friends house is no problem. thinking about a lil modular system next. (http://pittsburghmodular.com/storage/thumbnails/11809266-21685396-thumbnail.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1358554433523)
FETISH SYNTH! Pittsburg Modular is an interesting company. a friend have several components from them. Their Modular delay is fantastic!
Quote from: ARKHE on September 06, 2013, 06:07:44 PM
The KORG Monotribe weighs about 2-3 kgs, approx. the size of an A5 paper, runs on batteries and has a built-in speaker. But still a powerful little beast.
Never tried that one. If you are bringing it to Oslo this fall I love to try it out if time.
I'll probably have both my Monotribes in Oslo.
Took a look at the Pittsburgh modular & it looks nice but every time I listen to other synths, I just end up thinking it has the same sounds as what I already own.
The Microcon would have been perfect if it had white/pink noise you could mix with the other sounds or as an output. White/Pink noise is the first thing I look for on any of these synths. It's that important! I'd love to have something the size of a videotape & has pretty much everything, just add a distortion pedal. Seems like that option should be available...
I use a Monotribe, a MicroKorg (the full black edition), a Korg MicroSampler with killer sounds loaded, and a casper electronics Drone Lab.
I've also a Monotron but i give it to the kids...
All these synth are light and run with battery.
I own several :
Bugbrand weevil.
Lumanoise
Leploop.
Black death/yersinia pestis
Monotron/monotron delay
I am currently using more noise generators like noise swash, moody sound baby blue, etc.
"EDIT: Someone please recommend portable synthesizers with a "hold" function. There is no fucking "hold" button on mine, you've gotta hold down a trigger the entire god damn time you're playing. "
You can run a cord from the Microcon to Effexon that will keep the sound going without holding down that little button. Should be easy to figure out since there's only a few connections on each.
I have a noise generator built by Moribund which is fine but I prefer as many options on a synth as I can get.
I'd love to have a SH-101 as well. Years ago I missed out on a couple in pawnshops because $150 was too much. I'd buy BOTH of them if I could go back in time! Not to mention the Korg Vocoder that looked like the MS-10. I had no idea what a vocoder was at the time.
Quote from: bitewerksMTB on September 09, 2013, 03:20:22 AMI'd love to have a SH-101 as well.
Been my main synth for years. I was lucky to get one second hand from a friend. The mileage you can get out of it is amazing (with effects of course). And it is reasonably portable, it's certainly light to carry, I've just used a backpack for the most part.
I have Teschnosaurus effexor too, but never really found much use for it. Never used for live, and I don't think there is releases I used it either. Should look into it again...
I don't need "hold" for microcon, as I just put this "clamp" to push button non-stop. Then if sound would need to stop, just turn down volume.
Teenage Engineering OP-1 ? :-)
That Arturia Minibrute looks cool as hell and for $400 I'm seriously considering picking one up. Seems like a good deal. No patch-saving feature doesn't really bother me as I'm not planning on playing shows or anything. So I was really close to pulling the trigger when I noticed that the Novation Bass Station 2 just came out. $500 and you get one more oscillator than the minibrute and patch saving...but maybe not true analog like the brute. I've been looking at original Bass Stations on ebay for a while now so this new version is very tempting.
Quote from: Leatherface on September 12, 2013, 09:27:35 AM
Holy shit... the Bass Station II look nice!
Indeed. It's kind of confused though because the Novation website says "signal path is pure analogue" but I've read elsewhere on forums that some of the stuff is digitally controlled (LFOs, oscillators). People also say it has a smoother sound than the Minibrute (which has been described as a bit harsh and "old" sounding).
One thing that might tip the scales in favor of the minibrute: what you see is what you get, as far as the knobs & sliders go. I think I read that the BSII is one of those synths where the position of the knobs doesn't necessarily reflect the sound you're getting, because some things control multiple values and an "original value" is stored
The Bass Station II does look good. I looked at it a few weeks ago but forgot about it. It has the added benefit of a distortion knob too so, maybe, that would help with the 'digital' sound? I don't think I've used a digital synth but I would think you could fix the sound with the right distortion pedal.
The wonderful world of FOLKTEK
LUMINIST GARDEN.
(http://folktek.com/media/instruments/images/luminist2.jpg)
http://folktek.com/instruments/electrocoustic/luminist-garden (http://folktek.com/instruments/electrocoustic/luminist-garden)