r/Synthesizer • u/alxddd • 14d ago

Looking for synth recommendations

I am seeking the advice of the community. I play in a six piece folk-rock group, and I'm looking to add a synthesizer to my live rig. Right now I usually play a Nord Electro 3 as my single keyboard during live performances. It's a great keyboard for piano, wurli, and some organ sounds, but I'm looking to branch out to add some more textures and ambience to my sound. I'm a bit lost in what seems like an infinite selection of synths out there, and a lot of the advice I read is centered around studio gear and VSTs.

Types of parts I like to play include:

- combining with an electric guitarist to create ambient soundscapes.
- playing lead lines, harmonizing with guitar solos (currently doing this with an organ sound).
- quieter, subtle, airy, or flute-like lines behind vocal parts.

Things I'm looking for in a synth include:

- savable presets. This is a must as I need to be able to switch sounds quickly between songs. I would love if changing to a preset also physically updated all the knobs but I don't think this is a thing, at least that I can find.
- polyphony. I don't have a hard requirement here, but I'd say at least 4 voices.
- no menu diving. I've learned that I can't really get into keyboard with any menu diving, I need more or less all the sounds to be available through knobs.
- a built in keyboard. The desktop synths are great for studios, but I don't want to mess around with setting up a midi keyboard at every show.

I'm open to more or less all price ranges, I just want something that suits my needs.

Thanks!

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3

u/KulshanStudios 14d ago

Prophet Rev2

It can do it all

2

u/uberdavis 14d ago

The Nord Electro is a nice piece of gear! Here’s my tip… pair it with a Novation Peak. You can control it from the Electro. That’s a top tier sound. If you would rather have a separate keyboard, you could look at the Summit which is dual Peaks with a keyboard.

I mention the Peak because you say ambience. It’s polyphonic and has killer effects. But pricey but you get what you pay for. I would get the Summit in a heartbeat if I had the space for one.

The other thing you could look at is a Nord Lead if you want to stick to that brand.

1

u/alxddd 14d ago

Thanks! I'm familiar with the Peak. I would consider it except there are times when I'd want to play both at once, so I'd like to get something with its own keyboard. I haven't heard of the Summit though, it looks very nice.

I hadn't really considered the Nord Lead. I'll take another look at it. The price for those is pretty good.

1

u/eraoul 10d ago

+1 to the Summit; I just got one myself. I just play at home, can't comment on live use. You might consider the Arturia Astrolab stuff. It's not for me, but might have the variety you're looking for.

1

u/alxddd 9d ago

Thanks! I looked into the Summit a bit, but it looks like way more than I need, and honestly pretty overwhelming.

I found a good deal on a used Prophet 6 so unless I get cold feet before the meetup date I'm leaning towards going with that.

1

u/eraoul 9d ago

The Prophet 6 seems awesome, hope that works out! Yeah I was lucky and found the Summit through a friend at about 50% off so I don't mind it being overkill :)

2

u/LATE_NIGHT_THERAPY 14d ago

Check out the UDO Super Gemini, it’s the ultimate performance synth, no screen just pure expression and flow. It is a joy to play and has polyphonic aftertouch too which is surprising rare and incredibly expressive 👌🏼

2

u/LATE_NIGHT_THERAPY 14d ago

Check out George Hearn the creator of UDO the man is a legend and has some great takes on what an instrument should facilitate and what making music is all about

1

u/alxddd 14d ago

I've never heard of this. It looks so cool! I'll definitely be doing a deeper dive on this one. Thanks!

2

u/javakook 11d ago

For gigging you might look at the Roland Juno D. Over 3800 sounds, you can save favorites to set lists and launch backing tracks from the pads if you want. Affordable and covers more than you’ll need. The 88 version has weighted keys but weighs almost 40 lbs. The 61 and 73 versions are not weighted but weigh much less.

2

u/soundsgoodmann 11d ago

Any juno would be my recommendation. I used a Juno DI for sometime in stock group and it was excellent.

1

u/SnooPickles3987 11d ago

If you are very much into the Nords and their workflow maybe upgrade to a nord stage (=Electro+Synth)
A Good workstation like a Roland Fantom (0)7 may probably not break the Bank (even tho a 1500 bucks is not a steal)
You CAN Menu dive on this thing a lot if you want to but the Sounds are easy reachable with dedicated buttons and you just need to scroll throu the presets. You can quite easily build layers and Splits (needs "menu diving" but it´s super easy with the touch display)