Hi all!

This is of course just for fun...a little
synth investigation or what you call it.

1) The synth that made you want to play music:
2) Your first synth:
3) The synth that has surprised you most:
4) The synth that has disappointed you most:
5) The synth you love most:
6) The synth you "hate" most:
7) THE synth you really would like to own:
8) Your newest synth:
9) The synths you own:
10)Synths you have owned:
11) The next synth you are going to buy:


All The Best!
Jesper

Oh yes, good one :-)

Quite easy as well, oh and I hope you don't mind my "bending" your game a little by going for soft synths as opposed to hardware (though I have hardware answers) as this is the 21st century ;-)

Okies, here we go......

1) The synth that made you want to play music:
Polymoog

2) Your first synth:
Jen SX1000 (still have it)

3) The synth that has surprised you most:
Casio CZ101/1000 - I had both of these at one time and was astounded at how big they sounded

4) The synth that has disappointed you most:
Yamaha DX7 - promised a lot and gave little in return

5) The synth you love most:
Polymoog

6) The synth you "hate" most:
Yamaha DX7

7) THE synth you really would like to own:
One of two - Moog Modular (I've got the virtual one and it's great!!!) or Yamaha CS80 (again, have the virtual one)

8) Your newest synth:
G-Media Virtual String Machine

9) The synths you own:
Hardware: Jen SX1000
Software: Arturia Moog Modular V
Arturia CS80V
Rob Papen Blue
Rob Papen Albino
G-Media Virtual String Machine
G-Media ImpOSCar
G-Media Oddity
Native Instruments Battery 3
Native Instruments Kontakt 2
Native Instruments FM8 (far far far superior to
the DX7 on every level)
AudioRealistic ADM Drum Machine
Korg Legacy Collection
Korg Legacy Digital Collection
Pokegy (freeware version of Moog Prodigy)
Freemoog (freeware version of Minimoog)
Stillwell Olga (a dirty little minx this one - very industrial sounding)


10)Synths you have owned:
Yamaha DX21 (loads better than the DX7)
Yamaha DX7
Casio CZ101
Casio CZ1000
Casio CZ3000
Roland JX-3P

11) The next synth you are going to buy:
Not sure, most likely a soft synth as I see Rob Papen has a new one out soon, and I quite like the look of Tone2's Filterbank3 synth.

Who's next?

Laterzzz......

Neil

1) The synth that made you want to play music:
Hmm... . The SONG that made me want to play music was "Biscaya" by James Last when I was 8 years old. The lead melody is played by an accordion, so it was my chosen instrument back then. Does that count?

2) Your first synth:
Yamaha SY 35

3) The synth that has surprised you most:
Minimoog. And my SY 35 .

4) The synth that has disappointed you most:
Korg M1 (when I played one at a friend). Or the Yamaha W7? One of these... .

5) The synth you love most:
I love the sound and feel of the Yamaha CS 80, but until now I haven't played a GX1... .

6) The synth you "hate" most:
Don't know.

7) THE synth you really would like to own:
GX1 or CS 80

8) Your newest synth:
Clavia Nordlead 2

9) The synths you own:
Yamaha SY 35
Roland XP-80
Roland JD-800
Clavia Nordlead 2

10)Synths you have owned:
See above

11) The next synth you are going to buy:
Maybe a Kawai K5000S?

Interesting thread!

1) The synth that made you want to play music:
The rare Polymoog Keyboard

2) Your first synth:
miniKorg 700S

3) The synth that has surprised you most:
Sequential Circuits Pro-one. This one is real fun. I'm very impressed with its sequencer and can handle brilliantly external sounds.

4) The synth that has disappointed you most:
None

5) The synth you love most:
Roland Jupiter-4. This one has a special sound and has IMHO the best arpeggaitor.

6) The synth you "hate" most:
None

7) THE synth you really would like to own:
Sequential Circuits Prophet 5 v2. Very versatile, just like the Pro-one

8) Your newest synth:
Sequential Circuits Pro-one

9) The synths you own:
Roland Jupiter-4
Roland Juno-60
Roland SH-09
Sequential Circuits Pro-one
Korg M500 MicroPreset
mini Korg 700S
Casio VL-Tone VL-1
Dubreq Stylophone
Hohner Melodica Soprano

10)Synths you have owned:
As in 9)

11) The next synth you are going to buy:
Once recession is over :
Roland SH-101
Roland TR-707 or TR-606

Win the lottery and be like Jean Michel Jarre :
Sequential Circuits Prophet 5 v2
Roland Jupiter-8
Roland VP-330 Vocoder Plus Mk I
Polymoog Keyboard
Minimoog Model D
Korg MS-20
Linn Drum
Eminent 310U
Yamaha SS-30
Yamaha CS-40M
ARP Odyssey Mk II or MK III (mustn't forget this one!)
(...and this one!) Elka Rhapsody 610

Keep it vintage and analogue!

Chris

Very interesting answers - thanks guys!!!

Here we go:

1) The synth that made you want to play music:
Arp Odyssey - especially Billy`s outstanding
noises in "New Europeans"! I was 14 back then.

2) Your first synth:
Roland JX8P - very nice keyboard action.

3) The synth that has surprised you most:
Yamaha AN1x - The closest you can get to a
Yamaha CS-80 today, I think. It surprises me
again and again! The sound isn`t real analog
of course, but the sound has something you can`t
find elsewhere today.

4) The synth that has disappointed you most:
Waldorf Microwave XT - the sound of it really disappointed me when I compared it to my Microwave 1.

5) The synth you love most:
Yamaha CS-80 I think.

6) The synth you "hate" most:
Korg Wavestation - it just sounds so dull.

7) THE synth you really would like to own:
Yamaha CS-80

8) Your newest synth:
Yamaha AN1x

9) The synths you own:
Yamaha AN1x, Waldorf Microwave 1, Minimoog
Voyager + CV Expander, CP-251 Control Processor,
and RingMod, MuRF, Analog Delay Moogerfoogers.
Don`t ask me why I started that Moog-project
- I don`t have a clue, but it sounds really great! And a DX7 IID - I will probaly sell it.
Software I use less and less but own:
Korg Legacy Collection with the great mini MS-20
GMedia Oddity, impOSCar, MiniMonsta
NI Absynth 3, Kontakt 3, Battery 1
WayOutWare TimewARP 2600
SonicProjects OP-X, OP-X Pro, Stringer

10)Synths you have owned:
Roland JX8P, D-50, JV-1080, JP-8000
Korg Wavestation EX
Waldorf Microwave XT, MicroQ, Pulse
Oberheim Matrix-6, Matrix-1000
Yamaha SY77

11) The next synth you are going to buy:
I don`t know really. I really don`t want to own that many synths - perhaps the Arp Odyssey MKII if I can find one, but Sleepy wants me to buy an Alesis Andromeda A6 LOL!

I forgot to mention, that I also own or have
the Waldorf PPG 2.V an Hermann Seibs PPG emulation. They are both very very cool I think.
I have also owned a microKorg once

1. Not sure of the sytnth but it was Chicory Tip - Son Of My Father that made me interested in electronic keyboards

2. Roland SH09

3. Korg Micro Korg.

4. Sequential Circuits 6 Track - looked good on paper but didn't do it for me.

5. PPG 2.3

6. 6 Track

7. Either a Roland Jupiter 8 or a Roland System 700

8. ARP Odyssey MkIII

9. Yamaha DX5
Clavia G2X
Yamaha SS30
Waldorf Q
OSCar
Voyager
Little Phatty
ARP Odyssey MkIII
Atmosphere (Soft Synth)

10. See 9 Plus
Roland SH09
Roland SH101

11. Dave Smith Prophet 08

Chappie, as an Ultra-fan this is...

By the way... the Yamaha CS-80 seems to be
very high rated. Nils is probably the only
one here, who has played one for real...you lucky B......

Hehe, here's the evidence :



It was in 2002 - far too long ago. The last time I visited him the CS 80 was out of order. He got spareparts of a damaged 2nd CS 80 and fixed it. But You could see the disappointment in his face when the instrument was not usable .

That picture is just so cool!!!
Beyond words really....

Synth porn if I ever saw it (The CS80 not Nils!!!)

N

Not me?!??!??

Honestly, the stool was more than uncomfortable.

Here is a videoclip of my fellow and his studio:
Mark Brandis - Aus der Werkstatt: Jochim-C. Redeker (german language)

Nice to see that shot of you playin' the big 'Tolex' covered beastie again, sweet indeed

Mark Brandis, the man you love to hate!!!!

He got a Waldorf Wave anarl!!!...IT'S JUST NOT FAIR...AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH!!!

Anyway, here's my wee list:-


1) The synth that made you want to play music:-Minimoog, ARP 2600 maybe

2) Your first synth:- Roland Juno-6

3) The synth that has surprised you most:-Waldorf Blofeld...'Monster In A Box' along with Sequential's Prophet VS...'VERY FAT'

4) The synth that has disappointed you most:- Oberheim OB:12...A bit on the 'Thin' side for an analogue modelling synth & the OSCar for unreliability! I've also heard the Hartmann Neuron is a total nightmare to repair if something goes wrong!

5) The synth you love most:- Roland Jupiter-8A
(How I miss that synth, sold it to buy a D-50!!!)

6) The synth you "hate" most:- None

7) THE synth you really would like to own:- Roland JP-4 & JP-8A & Juno-60 & an Elka Synthex

8) Your newest synth:- Kurzweil K2600XS

9) The synths you own:- Keyboards...
Clavia Nord Lead 2
Emu Emulator ll+HD, Elll & E4K


Kurzweil K2600XS
Roland JD-800...I will never part with this synth, very underated indeed!
Yamaha SS-30

Rack...

Emu Proteus 2000, 2500, Vintage Keys Plus & Vintage Pro.
Korg Wavestation A/D
Novation Supernova ll
Roland JV-2080
Waldorf Microwave (MK1,V.2.0)
Waldorf Pulse...(Almost as beefy as a Model-D Minimoog)

10)Synths you have owned:-

ARP Axxe
ARP Odyssey (Mklll), now owned by Mr Chaplow
Elka Rhapsody 610
Ensoniq Mirage DSK
Korg MS-10, Trinity Plus, Poly 800 (Mk1)& Wavestation EX
Moog Rogue, Prodigy & Polymoog (Keyboard)
Oberheim 2 Voice & OB:12
PPG Wave 2.3 & PRK Fd
Roland Juno-6, 60 & 106
Roland Jupiter-4, 6 & 8A
Roland D-50, D-70 & D-110
Roland SH-101
Yamaha CS40m, CS1x, CS2X, CS6x & DX7 (MK1)
Yamaha SS-30

Here are some of them


Sorry about the quality of the above shot, it was taken with a crappy old Samsung mobile phone, that I used at the time!

(ARP Ody, Emu Ell+HD, PPG Wave 2.3 & Yamaha SS-30)


11) The next synth you are going to buy:- THEM ALL!

Oh, he is not Mark Brandis, he is Jochim Redeker. "Mark Brandis" is a character in sci-fi stories. Jochim made the music and production design for "Mark Brandis"-radio play.

OOOOPS!

Sorry...'We all hate Jochim Redeker then'

So that's it .
But how could You now - the clip is in german only... .

By the way: what about a ConBrio?

Sleepy!

It would be very interesting to hear your opninion about the sound of the Blofeld
- compared to the PPG and Microwave 1!!!

1) The synth that made you want to play music:

I guess it must have been all of the synth on Ultravox's All Stood Still.

2) Your first synth:

Korg Prophecy

3) The synth that has surprised you most:

Vanguard (a VST)

4) The synth that has disappointed you most:

Korg Karma

5) The synth you love most:

Access Virus Ti

6) The synth you "hate" most:

didn't think much of the DX7

7) The synth you really would like to own:

Hartmann Neuron (only £3.5k!)

8) Your newest synth:

Access Virus Ti

9) The synths you own:

keyboards:-
Access Virus Ti
Korg Prophecy
Korg N264 (76 key version)
Korg Karma

Modules:
Novation Supernova
Korg Trinity rack
Access Virus XL
Access Virus B

VSTs:-

Battery 3
Novation V Station
Gmedia ImpOscar
Refx Vanguard
Refx Nexus

10)Synths you have owned:

still have them all!

11) The next synth you are going to buy:

no idea! Perhaps a Novation X Station.

Thanks a lot guys!

As always I read this with great interest!!!

Very VERY nice pics Sleepy!!!

Interesting thread...

1) The synth that made you want to play music:
ARP Odyssey (Into to The Man Who Dies, and Magazine's My Tulpa)

2) Your first synth:
Transcenent 2000

3) The synth that has surprised you most:
Alesis Ion

4) The synth that has disappointed you most:
Crumar Stratus/Trilogy (seriously crap!)

5) The synth you love most:
My DIY Modular (Broadwave)

6) The synth you "hate" most:
I just know I'm gonna get lynched for this... Minimoog

7) THE synth you really would like to own:
Prophet 08

8) Your newest synth:
Alesis Ion

9) The synths you own:
Broadwave Modular
Broadwave Micro Modular (another DIY project almost completed)
Alesis Ion
Alesis Micron
Novation Nova
Odyssey ASB
Nord G2 Engine
Roland Fantom XR

10)Synths you have owned:
Transcendent 2000
Korg 700S
ARP Axxe (Mk III)
ARP Odyssey (Mk III)
ARP 2600 (Mk II 1977)
ARP Omni II
SCI Pro One
Moog Multimoog
Korg Mono/Poly
Korg Poly 61
Korg DW8000
Korg Triton
Crumar Performer
Crumar Stratus
Roland Jupiter 6
Roland JP8000
Roland D110
Roland XP50
Yamaha DX7
Yamaha DX100

11) The next synth you are going to buy:
No more purchases, unless something really revolutionary comes out.

Here goes:

1) The synth that made you want to play music:

Although I had already been into electronic music for some years, the first time I can remember being specifically influenced to start paying serious attention to the instruments involved is probably when New Song by Howard Jones came out and it had that lovely Jupiter 8 on the cover, triggering a fascination with both Roland and that particular synth that persists to this day.

2) Your first synth:

Depends on your definition of synth. Strictly speaking it would have been a Casio VL-Tone followed by one of those tacky preset home keyboards (MT-32?). First proper synth (definition - without inbuilt speakers!) was a Casio CZ-3000.

3) The synth that has surprised you most:

I think that crown has to go to the CZ-3000. I was very careful when buying my first synth to get something that was going to allow me to do as much as possible within the relatively small budget I had at the time and the Casio appealed above, say, the mid range Yamahas of the time because of things like the multitimbral MIDI possibilities. What surprised me was the quality of the finished tracks I was ultimately able to coax from it using just a two track MIDI sequencer and a drum machine without any multitracking. Some of those sounds and tracks, albeit demos, still stand up to scrutiny now.

There's nothing quite like having limitations like that for forcing you to wring the best out of an instrument and whilst it's great to have so much gear these days, I am conscious of the fact my music making has in some ways suffered from having too much available - in the same way that I think many of the great records of the early eighties came about largely because of the limitations and difficulties of working with synths rather than the fact that they made things particularly easy. There's something about working with barriers that adds a certain something to what you produce. From about the mid eighties onwards that started to change and I would venture that electronic music (perhaps even music in general) has never been so fresh and exciting since.


4) The synth that has disappointed you most:

For the second time in this thread, the Waldorf Microwave XT. It has its uses, but it's never really fufilled the expectations I had of it. To be fair, I've never really applied myself to truly exploring how to get the best out of it.

5) The synth you love most:

Difficult. A bit like asking someone to name their favourite child. If forced to choose from the ones I own, it would be the Roland Juno 60. It's become such a mainstay in all my tracks, even though I have others that do certain things better.

6) The synth you "hate" most:

Only wives and girlfriends "hate" synths.

7) THE synth you really would like to own:

Jupiter 8, no contest. I actually don't really need it now, especially as I now have an MKS80/MPG80 combo which isn't far off, and there are other things that would be more beneficial or useful overall. But I just... want one. For the sake of being able to fulfill a long held ambition. However, I fear prices are now too high for that to be a realistic prospect. Although I never give up hope - apparently there are people out there prepared to do stupid things such as trade them in for D50s ;-)

8) Your newest synth:

As in most recently purchased, the aforementioned MKS80/MPG80. In terms of release date (excluding soft synths), it would be the Microwave XP.

9) The synths you own:

In order of purchase:
CZ-3000
Pro-One
Emax II
Juno 60
Digisound Modular
SH2
Matrix 1000
Microwave XT
E-5000 smapler (does this count?)
MKS80/MPG80.

Soft synths include: ImpOscar, CS-80V, Jupiter 8V, MiniMonsta, Absynth, Reaktor.

For other equipment, see http://www.steveadam.co.uk/studio.php (shameless plug!)

10)Synths you have owned:

I've been fortunate never to have resorted to selling gear to acquire new stuff, the only exception being an SH09 but that was to get an SH2 so in every practical sense that was an upgrade.

11) The next synth you are going to buy:

I'm curious about getting a Yamaha FS1R. I need some more non analogue stuff to balance things out. I'm also thinking about expanding my meagre Digisound modular with some modules from Tony Allgood's Oakley range.

Very very interesting read!!!
Thanks a lot guys!

11) Roland SH-101. If it arrives safely. Then a Roland drum machine and a couple of Electro Harmonix effects and I'm complete.

Should GBP 5,000 land in my way a Jupiter-8A and a Prophet 5 Rev 2 will surely enhance my rig.

I guess it's time to compose now.

Bye for now!
Chris

Cool Chris!!!

11) I´ve already bought it...the DSI MEK!
Look in the new topic!

1) The synth that made you want to play music:
The synth Alphaville used on "Sounds like a melody", whatever that was

2) Your first synth:
Yamaha PSS680

3) The synth that has surprised you most:
Jarre used a dutch organ extensively on Oxygene, it amazes me that those fantastic string sounds came out of something like that

4) The synth that has disappointed you most:
Ensoniq SQ1, so impossibly boring to program

5) The synth you love most:
Anything analog from the 70's, maybe the Yamaha CS-80?

6) The synth you "hate" most:
In general 80's digital synths, sounds soooo thin

7) THE synth you really would like to own:
Receptor Komplete

8) Your newest synth:
Cymbiant 2 VST by Osiris, pretty good one: http://rekkerd.org/osiris-synths-releases-cymbiant-v20/

9) The synths you own:
I only keep a midi keyboard these days.

3) The synth that has surprised you most:
Jarre used a dutch organ extensively on Oxygene, it amazes me that those fantastic string sounds came out of something like that

That's an Eminent 310U and yes it features on my wish list.

Electric pianos and organs were an integral part of the new wave sound. OMD used a custom made electric piano and a Farfisa combo organ. Magazine used a Hammond organ and a Yamaha CP70 electric piano.

A Jupiter-8 and a string synth is a nice combination. Kansje en dag....

Chris

1) The synth that made you want to play music:
The synth Alphaville used on "Sounds like a melody", whatever that was


I believe their earlier synths included a Jupiter-8 and an Arp Odyssey Mk III. Apparently both Frank and Bernhard owned a Jupiter-8 each. 2 similar analogue sources passed through Chorus can make very fat string sounds.

Chris

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Valeriun:
1) The synth that made you want to play music:
The synth Alphaville used on "Sounds like a melody", whatever that was

FYI, here's a gearlist for Alphaville's debut album:

Roland Jupiter 8
Roland system 100M (single-cabinet, 5-modules)
PPG Wave 2.3 w /wavetwerm
Roland TR-808
Linn LM-1
MFB sequencer
Arp Odyssey mk III
Solina string ensemble
Korg MS-20 & MS-10
Simmonds SDS-V

cheers,
Micke

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Chappie:
1. Not sure of the sytnth but it was Chicory Tip - Son Of My Father that made me interested in electronic keyboards

Chicory Tip's version of that song was recorded with a Moog IIIP. Giorgio Moroder's "own" version (recorded around the same time) was also done on a Moog modular.

Micke

If I win the Euro-Millions jackpot, be prepared for a wee visit Mr Lawson!

It would have to be:-


Roland Jupiter-8A, System 700 & Juno-60
Oberheim OBX-a, Xpander
Sequential Circuits Prophet-5
Yamaha CS80, GS1 & DX1
Elka Synthex
PPG Wave 2.3 / Waveterm-B

ARP Odyssey 1,2 & 3, 2500 & 2600
Minimoog Model-D,Voyager, 55 & 3C Modulars
OSCar
Yamaha CS40m
Sequential Circuits Pro-One

Emu SP12 Turbo & 1200
Linn LM-1
Linndrum
Linn 9000
Roland CR-68 & 78
Sequential Circuits Drumtraks
Star Synare 3

Oh aye & signed yours truly:- Alan Pearlman, Dave Smith, Wolfgang Palm, Tom Oberheim, Chris Huggett, Roger Linn, the Japanese chaps at Roland & Yamaha...& the man himself...Dr Robert Moog

I'M WISHING ON A STAR

+ a new BIG house and an invitation to all of us
including 3 meals a day (at least), beer, sightseeing etc. Sleepy...

To the list of synths I own:
Yamaha SK20 Symphonic Ensemble - a combined
FM organ, very simple stringsynth and simple
polysynth. Is actually capable of sounding
a lot GS1/CS80-like!!! The ensemble chorus
is incredible!!! OUTSTANDING value for the
money!!!

1) The synth that made you want to play music:

Korg MS20 - played one "by accident" in J G Windows, Newcastle. It went "Swwooosssshhhh.... Pzzllzllzlzllzzzzllllll....." and I was hooked. Instantly.

2) Your first synth:

Moog Prodigy (Still have it)

3) The synth that has surprised you most:

Roland JD800. It still surprises.

4) The synth that has disappointed you most:

Korg 01/W. Loathed it.

5) The synth you love most:

Oww..... toss up between Kurzweil K2000 or Roland JD800. Can't decide.

6) The synth you "hate" most:

Korg 01/W. Passed it on to someone else in less than 3 days. No redeeming features whatsoever.

7) THE synth you really would like to own:

Infection Music Aztec

8) Your newest synth:

Infection Music Aztec

9) The synths you own:

So many...

Kurzweil K2000, Yamaha EX5, TX81, TG77 and DX21, Roland JD800, JD900, D110 and D50, SCI Pro One, Moog Prodigy, Waldorf Microwave plus a stack of soft synths. Too many to name.

10)Synths you have owned:

Yamaha DX5 - a good machine, better than the DX7 by a long way. Akai AX80 - hybrid digital analogue. I have the carcass but the machine itself is as dead as the proverbial Dodo.

11) The next synth you are going to buy:

Infection Music Aztek

Cheers
David

Hey Dave

'3) The synth that has surprised you most:

Roland JD800. It still surprises.'


I love my Roland JD-800, great synth matey.
I remember when I bought a Roland JP-8000 & was told why bother as you'd be better off with it's big brother & the guy was spot on, so I sold the JP & kept the JD...a very underated synthesizer!

So what about this new synth, any details on it yet? IE Spec & Pics etc?