Your recommendation for cheap polysynth

The Lounge Other Gear
#1

Hi everyone,

I am looking for a cheap polysynth to accompany my DT, DN and A4.

  • It should not cost more than 500 €.
  • Used is okay
  • should be VA, since Analog will not work in that price range
  • DeepMind, Blofeld, Streichfett, Skulpt / Craft and Microfreak are excluded
  • Portability is not an issue, though I prefer no keys
  • MIDI CC is important to me, maybe want to sequence it with DN
  • Easy editing would be great

My thoughts so far: maybe Micromonsta 2 or Nord Rack 2X

What are your auggestions?
Looking forward to read from you. Thanks!

Polyphonic synth
#2

You already said it: Micromonsta 2. Since you mentioned it, you’ve seen it in action and it’s just frigging awesome. Seems you only have to wait for a couple of months until they get some stock, though. If you’re ok with 8 voices and it being monotimbral, then Micromonsta 1 is great as well.

3 Likes
#3

Novation MiniNova should not be discarded as its engine is base on the UltraNova. It is an 18 voices polyphonic beast and the VST makes it really easy to program :slight_smile:
I was planning on selling mine when I recently got the Blofeld but I will keep it as it is a lead, bass and pad beast :slight_smile:
It’s vocoder is more than decent and the audio input allows to process any signal through the vocoder :slight_smile:
Argon Cobalt8 second hand (you will have to wait a bit for this one to be found under 500€, though Argon8 can be found at that price second hand)

2 Likes
#4

Thank you!
I already had a MiniNova so it is among the excluded. Just had forgotten about it.
The Modal‘s however are a good recommendation! :+1:

1 Like
#5

Yeah, thank you. What is somehow still holding me back is its size. Yes, I know it‘s a psychological issue in my head. Bitimbrality is no issue for me.

#6

I bought a Virus B for 450 EUR. There won’t be many better VA synths than that.

6 Likes
#7

Nord rack 2 has no efx, does that matter?

Modal Cobalt VA seems interesting.

Maybe Access Virus B/C/Snow

2 Likes
#8

Boom :slight_smile:
I have always had a soft spot for Novation. Had a bass station rack in the mid 90s and used to love it.

1 Like
#9

Wavestate can do VA as well

#10

Thank you. It is a great synth and I have also been considering it. Just if „semi-vintage“ I think I prefer the Nord 2X.

#11

No FX is fine!
Thanks for your recommendation!

#12

Acces Virus 440€

1 Like
#13

They sure have a great portfolio!

1 Like
#14

Thanks, the editing is a bit intimidating though …

#15

You mean it’s ”too small” in a way? Micromonsta 1 has a plastic enclosure (as opposed to aluminium of MM2) and can’t weigh more than 300 grams. Sort of made me laugh when I first held it in my hands. That’s in no way reflected in the sound, however.

IMHO, there’s no easier and cheaper way to get awesome pads from a hardware synth than the Micromonsta. Sure, it can do bass and leads as well. :slightly_smiling_face:

If I were you, I’d keep looking at options while Audiothingies are building stock but jump at Micromonsta 2 once it’s available again.

2 Likes
#16

Thanks for the hint.
The sound is absolutely without a doubt.
My issue (which is just in my head) is that I had a Microgranny and handling because of the (lack of) size and especially build quality turned me totally off so I have my prejudices.
I know different company and MM2 is a nice metal box and has good encoders… like I said prejudices …
But I am convinced and will check out for one as soon as they become available again! :+1:
And keeping on checking other options as well!

1 Like
#17

You already have a polysynth?

2 Likes
#18

I had a Microgranny and can state my MM2 is definitely not in the same league, rather the opposite in fact. And this for build, sound and UX design qualities.

1 Like
#19

Yes, I have DN, A4, Streichfett and an old Yamaha FM synth.
But there is still lust for more …

#20

Thank you, yes, I figured that.