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Help a n00b pick a 1st synth


shaun126

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I have been reading this forum for days, and I just cant decide what I should go for. Here's the deal, I have never played a synth, so something with a simple learning curve is needed. I want to spend around $300-500, and will probably buy used to save some cash. This will be used in a band context, mostly for leads. I dont think I am into navigating LCD displays, so knobs are good.

 

I dont expect to be "starting a synth career" (I'm mainly a guitar player) so I'm thinking this is going to be my only synth, and I wont be looking to upgrade, at least for a long, long time.

 

Right now I'm thinking about :

 

Microkorg

Roland SH-201

KORG MS2000

 

Any imput or opinions you gentlemen can provide me would be appreciated.

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How about the Korg R3? It'll be available soon, and I'm very excited about it. It has nothing to do with the MicroKorg, it is derived from the Radias and OASYS synth structure. I like the mp3 demos, and I like the Radias sound.

 

its way above 300 - 500 the poster mentioned as his target..

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its way above 300 - 500 the poster mentioned as his target..

 

The R3, are you sure you are not confusing it with the Radias? The R3 street price will be within $500-600 price range IIRC, if not even lower. When I went to www.sweetwater.com today and sorted the keyboard synth by price from low to high, the R3 was the first even before the Micron. Their price is not advertised though.

 

Also, thought you'd like to hear the available demos: http://korg.com/gear/prod_info.asp?A_PROD_NO=R3

 

Best.

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You want a knobby synth mainly for playing leads in a band? Nord Lead 2.

 

Ion would be a good choice too, but may be hard to get your hands on one right at the moment.

 

Not much sense speculating about the R3 as it won't be out for a while and Korg won't set a price for it. When reading thru the NAMM reports tho, I read reports of its price as being anywhere from 299 to 599(USD). It will have to be priced low to compete with the Micron(399) and Xiosynth(299).

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From this the R3 is way more than I want to spend http://www.dv247.com/invt/38087/

 

A Nord lead 2 is also more than I want to spend, even used.

 

I just played an SH-201, and I liked the sounds I could get from it. Keeping in mind I dont have the "refined" ear most of you have for synth sound, I thought it sounded pretty cool.

 

I can grab one of those locally in great shape for $400, or a microkorg used for about $300. I think right now these are my choices.

 

I know these are frowned upon by many, but for the price, I dont see a better alternative.

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Quick question if someone can help...

 

Got the guy thats selling his SH-201 to agree to take $400...and he will deliver it.

 

He says he hasnt "activated" the warranty on it, and seems to think I can do that and it will be under warranty with Roland as new. Anyone know if this is possible ?

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Usually, you send in your serial #, date of purchase, place of purchase and so on, and the warranty becomes effective from the purchase date.

 

Otherwise, you could buy a board, keep it for 5 or 10 years, sell it, and the buyer would get the warranty if it wasn't registered - ain't gonna happen.

 

$400 for the 201 is a pretty good deal tho, if the guy didn't beat it up already. And if it's still pretty new, you could get the balance of the warranty.

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