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So, is anyone in a similar boat?

I've got a pretty limited studio at present. Record mostly with guitars, but have been adding synth to the mix and liking some of the results.

So far, I've just been using a Microkorg XL, and iPad apps (Animoog, iMS020, and Polysix)

I really want to add a true analog machine to the setup, so I was psyched to hear about the NAMM 2013 releases. I'm limited on funds, like many, but love the look of these two new synths.

Any thoughts?

No contest for me, subphatty all the way. For me the new dsi prophet and mmov subphatty are dreams and from my POV the best work they have done yet. Yet because of all the other bells and whistles I am buying a kronos. Some day I will at least have a sub phatty.

Bear in mind that although the sub-phatty sounds very good it only has a 2-octave keyboard. The MS20 has more although they are slightly smaller. If you are going to be controlling them with something else that's no issue, but as you're on a budget, I would consider the keyboards themselves.

How about adding a few others choices in a similar price range (Sweetwater prices listed)

Arturia MiniBrute $499
Korg MS-20 Mini $599
Moog Sub Phatty $999
Dave Smith Mopho x4 $1299

Of course i would prefer the Prophet 12 but thats in a completely different class. Out of those 4 I think I would prefer either the Sub Phatty or the Mopho x4. The small keys of the MS-20 put me off a bit so until I see just how small they really are the jury is still out on that one.

I guess it's safe to say that I'm still undecided on who get's my cash.

I have a minibrute and am very impressed with it. I heard someone say that they found the build quality of the minibrute to be superior to the ms20 mini, after trying both. With the way the ms20's keys look, I wouldn't be surprised.

roblabs wrote:I have a minibrute and am very impressed with it. I heard someone say that they found the build quality of the minibrute to be superior to the ms20 mini, after trying both. With the way the ms20's keys look, I wouldn't be surprised.

But the MS-20 mini has all of the MS-20 circuitry! Including the beautifully gritty filter. Not the horribly gritty Steiner-Parker D:

I disagree - Steiner Parker isn't full grit. Granted its not the ms20 filter, yes, but it is its own beast for sure. You can get very clean tones - but you can't overdrive the oscillators - most people pump them up to max which is what causes the grittiness.