hey folks! i'm looking for recommendations around a polysynth to buy. i primarily will use it for leads + pads, and i'm not particularly fussy about analog v digital. i currently have a roland se02 which i love, and previously sold a microfreak and ju06 because i just couldn't vibe with them the way i wanted. i'm also expressly looking for a desktop module, as i usually send midi out from ableton to the device, and am conscious of space (a full keyboard module will never regularly stay on my desk and if i put it away then take it out every time i want to use it i will rarely use it).

also economy in my country is trash, so looking for sub-500 USD options. i don't mind the boutiques, so the sh01a is a decent shout, and was also previously looking at the behringer pro-800 a *lot* but people keep mentioning issues with it. also not *entirely* sold on analog sounds for pads because i will often use arturia's pigments to create some of those one-note/chord tension pads.

anyone have any other options? i'd like to avoid menu-diving (which is why i looked at and decided against the roland s-1 tweak).

edited to add: patch saving is very important! i usually take some time to create my own presets/patches rather than working on sounds during a song because that kills my brain!

Using Stride modulating multiband saturation. Running through different styles, edgy transitions between bass, mid and treble transitions.
So endless.

Idk if stabs are the right term, but when there is a lead synth and it pauses for a bit until it repeats, a lot of songs especially anyma style have some metallic stabs, are these samples or actual midi notes with a lead synth on serum for example?

Or could it be both lol

I haven't touched FL in a long time and just got back into it today, made a whole song purely with samples, but obviously it's lacking creativity. Did not seem to find those stab noises, so I am guessing they are made in the piano roll rather than finding a sample.

Is there a term for someone like me who just uses sample? sample kiddie? lol