hello everyone. sorry, maybe this question was asked, but I didn’t find the exact answer for myself. I have a difficult choice in front of me, I have 550 bucks and 3 synthesizers to choose from:elektron digitone(used and bad condition), roland mc-101(new) and roland sh-4d(new), maybe Waldorf blofeld(used) or korg kingkorg(used). I have at the moment elektron model: cycles which i love very much, korg monologue and roland s-1. I need a synthesizer that will complement my setup as much as possible so that I don’t need to buy anything in the future (maybe except for a sampler). The choice is between these synthesizers, because they are in the same price category, but I am very confused by their differences I’m very used to m:c sequencer, so it’s scary to switch to roland mc-101 os but 128 voices of polyphony, samples, sounds of juno and grand piano make you think that the mc-101 is a more complex device for less money. I used to have volca fm, but I’ve never figured out its engine, so I’ll have to learn from scratch. Digitone won’t digitone and model:cycles be a one-sided pair? maybe model:cycles counts more with mc-101 or sh-4d, which will give you the opportunity to write more diverse tracks? I need something that would help me make tracks in the style of boards of canada, aphex twin (saw i and syro), maybe daft punk and some sort of french house
With the gear you already own, and the amount of money that you have to spend, I would shift my focus towards an MPC one and see if it might be right for you.
You’re right, learning a different way of working is a bit intimidating, but you would get a sampler, a recorder, a sequencer, some synths and a lot more (all in one box).
You could later sell it if you want to shift to a different focus. It’s a better value for your money, IMO.
I’ve considered mpc one, live, key 37, but they cost more than my budget. I used to have an sp-404 sx, but I didn’t like it so much that I don’t want to consider other samplers yet. after the release of digitakt II, og prices dropped, but I’m still not particularly happy with its workflow
SP404 and MPC are extremely different so I would not use that as your point of reference, and I’m not sure where you live but in the US you can buy a used MPC one on Reverb for around $450 in good condition, including shipping.
The MPC workflow (MPC one, live, keys 37 etc) is all the same. When I switch between my digitakt, digitone, and MPC, I think for a more focused set up MPC has a lot of advantages and I use it more as an instrument than a sampler because the instrument plug ins are really pretty good.
The only thing I don’t really like is the touch interface because I prefer the elektron clicky buttons, but I just sort of deal with it because everything is a trade off and there is no “one perfect box”. Just my opinion though.
If you had more budget or different gear I might make a different recommendation.
in my region, the cheapest offer is 650 dollars, and the mc101 is 550, I agree that there are more possibilities, but the portability of the mpc one is much lower, although I will think about your offer, thank you
MicroKorg with the BOC patches will put well within range of those sounds.
Maybe a Digitakt OG could be cheap enough in your area, it’s still a very tight box and would help sequencing the others…
Sh4d would probably be your better fit here: straightforward synth, great sounds and many effects, which would compliment well your current be setup. MC101 is more a rompler than a synth, if you like to tweak sounds it’s not your best choice, if you just want a huge collection of diverse sounds then it might fit. Digitone is also a good choice, but it depends of your familiarity with FM and sound design: it can do almost anything (incl. drums), but it’s less straightforward than a VA like SH4d. Blofeld has great sounds but a bit dated effects and even harder to tame.
Honestly… used but good condition Digitakt (OG, not the new DT2) is pretty much the best bargain in music production right now. The OG DT is an outstanding bit of kit and it is selling for silly money in the used market.
Combine a OG DT with an iPad or any smartphone that can connect to a class-compliant audio and MIDI device and you can do a huge amount for not much money up front. Sample sounds from plugin instruments on iPad/phone, chop and mangle on DT.
A lot of us started out on the DT. It is still a killer piece of gear, and now it’s pretty cheap used. Can’t go wrong.
If you want to stick with a synth first then I’d say SH4D. It has its quirks and limitations but it’s a lot of fun with a lot of hands on control.
Digitone is a wonderful box but if the one on offer is in poor condition, look elsewhere in the used market.
Your right looking at the Blofeld. Its annamazingly versatile synth. Its also 16 part Multi timbral which is rare in this price bracket
On on the team of a used Digitakt. Definitely to be found cheaper than a beat up Digitone. Besides that, I love the SH4d. Packs a lot of punch. Might be able to swap out the S1 for it as well, but I know the S1 has more fans than the 4d. Yeah, Digitakt for the win.
I’d rather have a Cycles new over a bad condition Digitone, and save $200+.
I have a Blofeld and it’s excellent with a huge range of sounds. Wonderful for its age.
But be careful with used Blofelds… they’ve been sold for a nearly two DECADES and you have to watch for units with bad encoders, etc.
I wouldn’t get one used unless I knew it was from a later batch and a person who didn’t go all ‘watch this cool twist’ twiddly on the encoders.
Ooh. Also, if you’re patient and look around, emphasis on the patient bit, you can find a new Blofeld for $550. I paid 750 for my keyboard version… new. They had exactly one and I’d been looking into them for around 6 weeks when it popped up. So: patience.