First purchase. Should I get a Synth or a Keyboard?

Talk about non-Korg Synthesizers/Keyboards and the whole synthesizer world in general.

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y2kbug77
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Joined: Sun Sep 25, 2011 9:18 pm

First purchase. Should I get a Synth or a Keyboard?

Post by y2kbug77 »

Multi-part question. Thanks in advanced. =D

So I'm wanting to get an electronic keyboard. But I can't decide if I should go with a full fledged Synth or just a nice electronic Keyboard with synth voices. I'd like to stay under $500.

Right now I'm leaning towards a synth for the freedom of it, but I feel as though I wouldn't use its full potential. As in not actually taking the time to create new sounds with it.
Everyone seems to have a microKorg. Idk if that's just because it's the most obvious choice or most well known brand. I'm not sure I would want to put up with the small keys and have been looking at the M-Audio Venom 49. It has 49 full-size keys, but the only videos I can find with it are people using it for techno stuff. Does anyone have any experience with the Venom when it comes to normal Synth Playing?
Any reason I should get the Korg over the Venom?? Or any other brand??

These are some of my favorite synth/keyboard bands and good examples of what I would be doing with my instrument. The second video has cursing, just so you know =).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQPq_yEpFcE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6H9tHLQSWY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2H3nQLcNnA
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DennyC
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Post by DennyC »

That's a real challenge for under $500. M-audio...ok You might want to get a used Korg, Roland, Yamaha, or Kurz; in the long run IMHO you would be better off. Good luck! :)
Kronos 2 61, Wavestation A/D, Yamaha Genos and others.
johnxyz
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Post by johnxyz »

Roland JP8000. Look it up.

john
CURENT GEAR USED LIVE
Triton Extreme 61 + Moss, Kurzweil PC3K6, Roland JP-08, Studiologic SL88 Studio
shawnhar
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Post by shawnhar »

I would definitely consider something second hand. Synth prices deprecate fast, way faster than technology improves, so you can pick up a solid piece of kit from 5 years ago that will do basically the same stuff as the latest and greatest models but at a fraction the price.

Musical instruments are so much a matter of personal taste, and especially if you consider used models, the condition it is in matters a lot, so rather than making any specific recommendations, I would recommend head down to your local music store and see what they have available. Take a pair of headphones so you can hear clearly and aren't at the mercy of whatever crappy speakers they happen to have hooked up, spend a few hours playing around, and see what calls to you...
dflan83
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Joined: Tue Jul 12, 2011 1:21 pm

Post by dflan83 »

for 500$ you may be able to find a second hand radias but for sure you could at least snag a second hand r3 for $350 - 400 which is a good deal

if you want something that will give you more power I might add 100$ and get the radias
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