Looking for a cheap-ish synth

I want a synth that has some good analogue sounds, 61 keys, and is LIGHT. My older Roland synth is much too heavy.

Ideally I'd like it to have some good Piano/Organ/Flute/Ethnic sound samples, the typical PCM stuff. So I'd probably be looking for an old synth, or a cheap Analogue Modeling synth with an older cheap module. The other way around might work too, of course.

Any suggestions?

No help?

Whoa there, wait a day or so, then bump.

Anyway:

But what are you willing to spend?

It helps if you tell us what you have, because that way you won't get something that is similar to what you already own.

Anyway, a Nord Rack 2 or a JP8080 isn't that bad as a workhorse, but the NR2 is compact. So is a Yamaha AN200 (but it'll only give you 5 voices). A Yamaha AN1x weighs practically nothing.

Under $400. I'm kind of a beginner.

Is the CS2X heavy/any good? Does it offer a full filter section? It doesn't have semi-weighted keys like my U20 though. I wouldn't mind one with semi-weighted keys, even if it's obviously going to add to the cost/weight.

1a) No, it's very light-weight.

1b) Sounds are mainly aimed at electronic music, which is good. Realistic sounds (which require a different mode) are IMHO not that great.

2) Lower-end keyboards with semi-weighted keys are sort of nonexistent, since it seems that the first features to cut in the lower-cost synths are a decent quality keyboard and aftertouch.

A Yamaha CS6R with PLG-AN board would give you the magic combination, but good luck finding one.

What about a cheap MIDI controller with semi-weighted keys?

I mean my U20 has semi weighted and it was pretty cheap.

What about an MIDI controller to use with VSTs - one that can work on different channels?

That requires that you have a computer left over for music production and comes with its own set of caveats - e.g., it's very cheap (free) to get analog-ish sounds, but not that cheap to get PCM stuff. Also, you'd have to buy a soundcard. Also, the U20 is cheap because it's only a keyboard - controllers have knobs and sliders.

If you can live with 49 keys, what about a Novation Xiosynth 49 (or a used X-Station 49/61)? A good standalone virtual analog synth that is also a good MIDI controller for a software sampler or that cheap rompler module that you will one day run into?

The Yamaha AN1x will get you great analogue sounds and some nice control features (aftertouch, ribbon) in a very light (and nowdadays, incredibly cheap) package. I wouldnt want to use it for piano sounds, mind. (There might be some small light rompler modules you could use with it to get the more realistic type sounds. Something like an alesis nanosynth, perhaps.) And the keys are completley unweighted, and slightly smaller than my nord elctro keys.

In my experience, MIDI controllers (first hand, at least) can be a bit of a rip-off, when for the same price you can get second hand older keyboards that serve as a similarly-functioned MIDI controller *and* thier own sounds etc.

YES. Thank you. I keep saying this, and nobody agrees with me. MIDI controllers are a rip off.

I'm thinking; is there another keyboard like the U-20 but lighter, with semi weighted keys? Problem with the U20 is that it's made out of some ridiculously hard metal. I don't mind a plastic keyboard, my old Yamaha weighs very little(but is too clunky). A nice hard plastic keyboard, with semi weighted keys, would do me fine. As long as it has some good piano sounds and a filter section, it'd do me fine.

I'm looking second hand most likely. We'll say for now Semi-Weighted is important, and I'll look at the options. It has to be at least a *little* lighter than the U20, and preferably with less length/bulk in the not-keys part.

There must be something. The Korg X5D or CS1x would both be perfect if they had semi-weighted keys. Must be 61 keys. Loads of knobs not necessary - but must be able to take an MIDI controller with loads of knobs, if you get me. Also, having a mono mode with Portamento would be REALLY useful but I imagine most half-decent ones would.

Looking for older synths that "Used" to be higher end as opposed to lower end new synths(though again, it depends).

What did Progsters use in the late 80s/early 90s?

Uh, no, not exactly. Those knobs send out MIDI messages. Also, synthesizers like the U-20 and its descendants don't have any advantage of having a load of knobs - even the Fantom X has only 4 rotary knobs because having 16 just serves no purpose; what are you going to assign them to?

Uh, no? They're awfully cheap; not as cheap as cheap old synths can be, but still awfully cheap. It's when you get into crazy town with the drumpads, dozens of displays and endless rotaries that they start to become expensive. Yes, the advantage of an old synth is that you get an old synth with it, but if it sounds like wet cardboard you still don't have much of the advantage.

The AN1x is a better virtual analog than the CS1x is a rompler.

Korg M1 or Roland D50, perhaps - but those have no knobs whatsoever .

Untrue. Even a Behringer one costs close to

Korg M1 looks like a great idea though! Will it be lighter than my U20?

I remember seeing some good value Korg boards when I was looking into my U20... the M1 was one of them.

Is the D50 lighter than the U20?

I'm thinking maybe getting a rackmount module and going the MIDI controller, as much as I feel they're overpriced, may work out best for knobbing options.

Okay, so I found some M-Audio MIDI controllers on eBay for not too much. So I guess I'm looking for a cheap rack mounted synth thingy...

Probably not. Also, the M1 is slightly overpriced because it's the most famous machine - a Korg T3 might be a bit cheaper (while it can do everything the M1 can and more).

Probably not either .

I haven't found any specs about the U20 being semi-weighted, though; it's got those little metal plates glued on the insides of the keys?

U20 is definitely Semi Weighted, I should know having one

Is that Behringer U-Control Semi Weighted? Probably not...

The JV-1080 I've always liked the sound of. But, it's extremely heavy.

Does the Behringer or M Audio support sending to multiple VSTs for splitting layering though?

Actually, the M-Audio has no knobs... I doubt I can plug a knob controller thing into it? Also, I don't think it can route keys to different MIDI channels.

What's the best MIDI controller option for 61 keys, semi weighted, with rotary controllers?

Welcome to teh forum!

You seem like you need this and once you learn beatz and bazz lines you can move up to something more.

Welcome to teh forum! You seem like you need this and once you learn beatz and bazz lines you can move up to something more.

It's got no Ribbon Controller

Maybe you need a refresher course. Teh ribbon is an accessory.

OK, unsure about controllers again.

Let me revise what I want.

61 keys semi weighted, with a few knobs, analogue modeling or PCM. USB out would be preferable. I'll be getting it second hand though so I might go for an older synth.

Seperate analogue modeling unit, quite cheap, if PCM. Separate PCM unit if no analogue modeling, something like the U220 but with a different sound set.

any kind of weighted keys is gonna make it heavier...hence eradicating the "GOTTA BE LIGHT" element. if you want a cheap synth that has good analog modeling and excellent general sounds and weighted keys but is light...you're kinda not gonna find it. If you buy something inexpensive, its not going to have everything, you're gonna have to sacrifice something.

or, you could be realistic with what youre looking for.

either way.

if you hadn't started all that crap about weighted keys and separate modules, etc and were serious about the 300$ estimate then I was gonna suggest taking a look at the cs1 or 2x or an1x, etc that line of synths is great bang-for-your-buck-quality analog-type sounds (and often good general-type stuff like strings and pianos and so forth), often large #s of keys, even a decent amount of knobs and whatnot so you dont have to screw with too many menus, plus a decent amount of filters and manipulation options so you can have some fun tweaking the sound.

otherwise, youre gonna be out there looking for an inexpensive kurzweil or a nord electro with weighted keys or whatever for 3-400$ and, you know, good luck with that.

Alesis QS6.1...decent key action, decent ROMpler sounds, about $200 on eBay.

BAM.

Alesis QS6.1...decent key action, decent ROMpler sounds, about $200 on eBay. BAM.

Brilliant suggestion. Thanks. Any idea on weight though? I know the keys will be heavy, but what about the Chasis? The metal chasis on the U20's really what made it awkward for me. Will it be lighter?