xmlguy wrote:The Microkorg is a good entry point for the price, however you'll need much more than that to get very deep into the french techno genre. You'll need to get into sequencers, loopers, and heavy effects, and more powerful analog modeled synths. I'd recommend the R3 or Radias instead of the Microkorg, and the MicroX/X-50 to get the Triton sounds, with a groovebox or two, which are more expensive than the MK, but not outragious.
Whoa whoa whoa...pull the handbrake here.. What about the Roland SH-201? That thing was actually designed to teach people synthesis intuitively. You might also look into (depending on your country) a local community college or university. Some are now offering full-fledged courses in synthesis (including granular, modular, etc). Or Berklee College of music has free classes online at
http://www.berkleeonline.com
The Alesis Micron is also a viable option and has a built-in sequencer. However, construction quality on the face of the instrument (the knows, screen etc) is incredibly shotty. I see them missing knobs on ebay all the time. I opted for the MicroKORG despite it having fewer features because a)I like to make music in Starbucks. This runs on batteries. lol
b)I found the interface DRASTICALLY more intuitive and easy to learn.
c)There is NO Mac-based editor for the Alesis. There's a PC version, but it's not even an official one from Alesis. Alesis never made one.
Other models I would recommend would be the Novation A-Station (used; discontinued), and Novation V-Station (available at many music retailers including Guitar Center in the United States) which is a virtual A-Station. Sound on Sound recommended the Novation XioSynth but I think it sounds a bit thin..
The only other models I can think of might prove to me too deep and out of your budget..but..the Access Virus is a great choice. An original Access Virus generated the lead sound in Darude's Sandstorm, which was a major club hit and still receives air play all over the world.
The others are the ALESIS ANDROMEDA (possibly the greatest synthesizer ever made) which is a TRUE ANALOG synth. THAT IS A HUGE DEAL. BIG TIME THING. It's $2,999 though.
Finally, there is the Roland V-Synth. The last three here have a very steep learning curve, but you do want to purchase something that you can grow into for some time..
Though the microkorg can't really compare to the SH-201...I'd recommend either of them for sure. Depends on what you need. Plus, the microkorg's microkase from korg allows you to strap on the microkorg. 80's style!
Anyway..take care boys..and girls..
