So I’ve been spending some time with the Muse and it’s quite hefty; ~30lbs, 16.5" deep or so and 39" wide - similar in size to a Jupiter-X and larger (or so it feels) than the 3W was, and a good 3.5" deeper than the Prophet X and Summit. The Rev2 keyboard feels positively diminutive next to it. I even have a 48" table off to the side with a 7u 104hp rack, a keystep pro, a couple semi modulars on it, and the Muse still fees like the biggest iron in the room.
I can’t imagine something like the Polybrute12 or Super Gemini. The massive weight of the PB12 especially. I can move it, of course, but how often would I want to do that? It feels like it takes up much more space than either the Summit or Prophet X, and I’d need to reconsider my keyboard stand solution in some cases. The depth of the Muse is actually a bit of a problem for some of my two-tier racks. I don’t think I’d want to gig with the Muse when I have other options. It’s making me rethink my room layout which is not something I had considered.
The Super Gemini isn’t so bad once it’s on a desk. I will say that taking it out of the packaging and bag alone was a bit interesting! I’m pretty big too 6’4” so I can’t imagine someone smaller doing it alone
Mainly because it gets awkward since you REALLY don’t want to drop it or set it down while doing it
No offense to OP but why is the first thing that people do after spending 4k on a synth is complain about it?
For me, too big is only relative to whether there’s a reason to move it and if I have space for it. I don’t legitimately know if I can afford any synths too large to be moved so for now, I’d say no more than 1 full sized (88 key) keybed in a room at a time, however you could have a couple or three 61 keys and still feel as though you have pretty good mobility.
If you have a real studio instead of a room with synths in it then it probably won’t matter, but I’m in the latter demographic so (for me) the point is moot.
As a bedroom producer myself, the only thing I would tolerate as big enough is a 64 keys+ MIDI controller. For me, I am put off not just by the size of the gear, but by how unnecessary it will most likely be, as nice as it may be.
I think it always depends, I have really grown to prefer vertical tilted interfaces, with keys in front… with roughly 12inches for controllers in front, I fount playing putting waldorf M flat behind my keyboard controller to be quite awkward comparatively. That said a synth with a keyboard at piano height on a keyboard stand isn’t bad even with a decent amount of depth, still prefer a vertical set up vs the sort of traditional flat keyboard synth.
For long vacations, I take the Digitone. That, and my laptop, are all I use for making music/video projects. Too big, to some extent, means inconvenient to travel with, for me.
For my teaching job, I travel with a small Reface keyboard. I am an itinerant teacher, traveling between three school sites every day. Keeping things small is important. I have to use whatever room is available, which means there is probably not a dedicated keyboard in the room. I would love a real piano or a full-size, weighted electronic keyboard in every room. Not happening. I get annoyed at the limited range of the Reface. The mini keys, despite my huge hands, don’t bother me too much. My artistic preferences get pushed aside for practical concerns.
I also travel with a Behringer Eurolive mini PA. Size of a toaster, but puts out 150 watts, no wall wart, recessed controls won’t be damaged when I accidentally kick or drop the thing. I would love a nicer sounding amp, maybe one with more low end. But I am accompanying beginning strings students, and my goal is not to bury them in big, fat sound. Again, compromise.
Answering the question: Not very big is too big for me.
The Polybrute 12 is the same size (1.5" thicker), but 20 lbs heavier.
When it was being announced, I watched some demos, and imagined it in my current apartment. Pretty much impossible unless it was set up in the living room (not what is primarily my music room now), and even then some furniture would have to be moved. They claim their “Wooden Legs” accessory is compatible; I wouldn’t trust it. I do have a hefty X-stand which is overkill for my Digitone Keys. We are moving to a new apartment, and there would be enough space, in the living room or music room/office. But I’d have to get a new chair for it, probably. I don’t gig (and won’t, ever). It would never move, until we give up the apartment again. Not going to happen (I don’t think there’s a single poly out there that ticks 100% of my boxes), but if I really wanted it, I’d make it work.
yeah, the Muse is big but it’s not awful to me. it’s basically the same size of the Prophet 5. the OB-X8 is pretty damn big though. deeper and wider than those two. you’re right that all of them dwarf the Rev2 or the Prophet 6 and OB6.
biggest synth I ever owned was a Macbeth M5N. it was absolutely massive (and mostly empty inside!). a fun experience to play and patch because of this, but a major pain in the ass to try to and keep space for it in the studio. and ridiculous to ship. it was the size of a washer/dryer, once it was boxed up. that’s actually one of the biggest pains with large gear: finding a box big enough to ship it in. I’ve found myself hanging onto larger synths just because I have nothing to ship them in, if I sold them.
