New to Synths. MicroKorg, SH-201, or NordLead 2x?

I'm wanting to supplement the

The SH-201 is easy to use, but so's the Nord; most knobs only have a single function; but the 201 uses the entire front panel and has its signal flow laid out which makes it really really easy to understand.

As for toggling, you can save your patches in a predictable location - e.g. put the lead for track one on patch 01, the pads for track 2 on patch 02 - just a matter of copying the patches to the right place which will take you 20 minutes, and less with a little practice. That way you only have to switch once. This technique is not uncommon for people who play live.

Also, if you hold the button it should scroll really fast through all the presets, so it's not that you have to push buttons for a lot of times.

Generally most people here on the forum would lead (ha!) you towards the Nord, because of its higher quality - metal instead of plastic, 'cleaner' sound that cuts more through the mix, and European mystique . It however lacks on-board effects so you'll have to add your own reverb/delay (costs more).

You could also wait a bit for the Korg R3. It's the bigger brother of the MicroKorg with decently-sized keys - and for live use you may really like the vocoder option.

I'd second either the 201 or the Nord Lead 2x. The MicroKorg programming matrix is a hastle, especially if you're new to synths.

Cool, so the NordLead 2x is pretty easy to use for a novice. What do you mean by on board effects? How much more might that cost? As you can see, I know nothing...

Probably won't be getting the MicroKorg after all, don't care much for the presets and since it's hard to program...

The minikeys are the real hassle of the MicroKorg.

SH-201 or Nord Lead 2.

Hey,

Im new to the Synthesizer scene as well. I bought a Korg MS2000 and was not really fond of it. Tried the SH-201 in store, and wasent feeling it. Then I tried the Nord Lead 2x and found it to be much more fun then the others.

So I bought an almost new one from a guy, and I'm liking it alot

I'd recommend looking to see if you have a Guitar Center nearby and test them out. But for me, it was the nord.

Steven

Between those 3, the Nord Lead 2X is the obvious choice. Why aren't you considering the Alesis Ion?

Nord all the way! Awesome sound quality!

All depends on tastes and wanted or needed features to meet your needs.

I dumped my Nord Rack 2X for an SH-201 because I like the sound and modern features. The Nord IMHO is still a superior sounding synth but the SH-201 is more convenient and has the modern features I wanted in a VA. It's character is also different. Along the lines of the SH-101 but a lot more advanced as it should be. Plug-ins will also do wonders for ANY synth.

Folks in this forum think I'm crazy but just let you be you as I let me be me.

You'll choose the right one.

I'd take the Nord and add an Ensoniq DP4 or something similar, no question. Maybe a Virus B (used probably less or equal to the price of a Nord, plus no need for efx.) I think it might supplement regular piano music more then the three you mentioned also, don't ask me why though, it's just a hunch.

nord lead 2x! easy!

if you want a roland, go with a used jp-8000. it will be cheaper, has a better UI, and more capabilities sound wise.

or if you want some crazy funky goodness for your indy band pick up a roland sh101 (yes, 101, not 201) as they are cheap, fun, and sound great (real analog!). or hell even a cz101 could be fun.

We'll never learn. I wrote off the Roland as soon as I found out it existed. Not enough zazz.

Or maybe too much zazz! As a friend of mine from another planet once said, looking at ours, I asked, "you like?" and she/it answered, "it all depends on your perspective" (she/it had 12 eyes, stretched across three tentacle eye-stalks, placed where we would normally have our private parts; extensible, though, in fascinating ways).

Really, a forum thread is not going to tell you. Lots of good points here. I love the SH-201, she's a wild beast you can take to a party without worrying about her too much.

Listen and play, let your ears and fingers be your guide. Throw your mind away for awhile.

Zazz is in the eye of the beholder.

Zazz is in the eye of the beholder.

Indeed sir, indeed. The only thing worth knowing.

Such obscene amount's of truth, and quaotable quotes. I really didn't think there could ever be such a thing as to much zazz. I'm going to have to take a few week's off work and examine where it all went wrong. Maybe zazz isn't better then cumming after all.

Go with an Ms2000 KB or the Nord Lead 2x. The 2x will run you double the price so honestly I would get the Ms2000 keyboard and the rack version of the NL2. Get two different sounds for the same price.

i've spent considerable ammount of time with all three of yer choices.

my choice, used Nord Lead 2. or 2X. on all accounts.

NL2 (x) + Ensoniq DP4 or Sony DPSV55 (the latter can be bought very cheap on ebay but give you real classy reverbs and delay.

Organizing patches/performances is piece of cake, even for beginner. One of the best manuals out there in synth world along with Elektron. The Swedes seem to know how to do it.

No contest, really.

I'll go on record once again as a vocal supporter of the Nord Lead 2X. I bought a MicroKorg and returned it. Aside from the menu-diving programming, I couldn't handle the mini-keys. The Nord has a highly flexible, raw analog sound and its user interface, IMO, is second to none, especially the left-hand control section.

Nord. Sound quality and interface.

So friendly your grandmum would take it home for tea.

If you can find a new alesis Ion, that'd be my first choice. Second would be Nord Lead.

R3 looks interesting, but isn't out yet. SH-201, good for a quick thrill, but it'll limit you in the long run.

Microkorg - minikeys:freak: . Some people are ok with them. I guess you can run it on batteries too.

If you'd like a small 37 key synth with full size keys, take a look at the Micron.

Elaborate.