I have a Push 3 and wouldn’t recommend it personally… if I wanted one box and something that would be inspiring to work alongside Ableton (or on its own);
It depends what kind of sounds you are looking for. DT is FM synthesis, which could be done inside Ableton as well. Minifreak has some algorithms, which are unusual.
For standard sounds - what ever this may mean to anybody - I would say, go Ableton. For more experimental or unusual sounds check out modular solutions.
Maybe not a popular opinion or the one you’re specifically looking for, but I’d just spend the whole lump on an Akai MPC Live 2.
Lots of useful synth plug ins plus you can just make a synth out of literally any sound, comprehensive sequencing and automation, Computer/Ableton compatability.
Its also impossible to reproduce natural ambient sounds of nature with a Synth. Hence my suggestion for a compromise of a Field Recorder. Yes sampled Synth sounds have limitations. But they do take you most of the way there.
Yes thank you, I know that a synth sound and a field record don’t sound the same.
Gloom_Kitchen asked for a synth and a sampler, not for a sampler and a field recorder.
You are talking as you hold the truth about what a true producer needs to do sound design. There is so many possibilities and sensibilities about that. You like to use samples taken from field recordings ? Great, it’s nice for you, I also worked like this some years ago. But you should be aware that a lot of electronic producers only need synths because it suits way more their way of making music.
I was being objectively thinking out of the box. Nothing wrong with that, And it certainly isnt subjective as i too have been round the block several times.
The 20% off upgrade to Ableton Live 12 ends at some point in the next 24 hours. I’ve been using the beta and honestly, the upgrade price is well worth it.
I have the Digitone and SP-404MKII. Fantastic combo and with the DN purchased second hand I was just north of your budget! Let us know how you make out!
Edit:
I’d add that before the MKII I used the 404SX and Digitone. Also super fun! If you don’t need the extra functionality of the MKII you could get both used and have money left for a keyboard controller and beer!
I’m not familiar with those genres, but if it were me, I’d get a Push 3 and keep the A4 until the right poly synth is available.
Along the way, I’d add the KO MK2 for the fun/simplicity.
*there’s truly no right answer. Everything is a compromise, no matter how much you spend. It is 100% about your workflow.
I know I miss Digitakt, but for me (personal workflow only) it just didn’t make sense use it in addition to Push 3 standalone. It’s still a compromise, not a 1:1 swap.