Synthesizers...

**nbfan** · 09-16-2009, 12:27 PM

Well, apparently I'm looking for some keyboard magic. I can't spend a whole lot of money right now, but I want to build up my range of musical/general recording capability. I'm not partial to really anything right now, but I most definitely don't want some crummy integrated keyboard. Outboard, rackmount, module, whatever, I'm not very good with this sort of thing, guitar's my thing. I'm looking at a Microkorg, can anyone vouch for those? THanks for any help provided.

**Rainer.** · 09-16-2009, 12:40 PM

Microkorgs are more like updated digital versions of analog synths. Cool, but what exactly are you looking for? The Microkorg definitely does not play like a piano.

**nbfan** · 09-18-2009, 03:17 PM

Thats what I was worried about... I mean, you can't always have weighted keys, but I freak out if I have to play a keyboard and have no sustain pedal either. I may end up just going with that anyway though just for my love of analog synth sounds.

**Rainer.** · 09-18-2009, 03:22 PM

Well, no, the Microkorg doesn't play like almost any other keyboard I've ever played. The keys are much smaller, and it feels really... different to play.

I think it's a very niche-oriented keyboard, and not your typical electronic keyboard at all.

akaukal · 09-18-2009, 03:29 PM

I use a MIDI Controller and all soft synths. I was using a MicroKorg for awhile that my school owned. It is good for some nice analog lead sounds. It's a one trick pony, and it's not even the best sounding.

I use mostly these synths now: Arturia | | Products

They sound just as good, if not better than the Microkorg, and you have a lot more flexibility with them.

**nbfan** · 09-18-2009, 03:33 PM

That looks pretty cool, I'll have to look into em some more, that may just be what I'm looking for.

Nate · 10-05-2009, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nbfan

I'm not partial to really anything right now, but I most definitely don't want some crummy integrated keyboard. Outboard, rackmount, module, whatever, I'm not very good with this sort of thing, guitar's my thing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by nbfan

Thats what I was worried about... I mean, you can't always have weighted keys, but I freak out if I have to play a keyboard and have no sustain pedal either. I may end up just going with that anyway though just for my love of analog synth sounds.

Nobody who plays an analog synth correctly plays with weighted keys or a sustain pedal at all.

It just doesn't compute. Maybe on a very rare occasion, you would sustain a washed pad, but a bouncy lead or grungy rhythmic sound doesn't require any sustain other than that which fingers or decay time adds.

It's like an organ. You don't have weighted keys or sustain. Weighted keys allow, primarily, for better dynamic control, which is not affected by an organ's keys; sustain is unnecessary on a non-decaying sound.

I wouldn't be looking at weighted keys or sustain pedal inputs, but I also wouldn't be looking at novelty boards like the MicroKorg [or anything else with micro-sized keys]. Just look for a normal synthesizer.

I'm not sure why you're afraid of an "integrated keyboard". I'm not even sure you know what that means.