Synth recommendation for a complete beginner?

[X5Angel]

I've been thinking about trying out synthesis for quite some time now, but I haven't really gotten around to doing anything about it until recently. I'm a complete newbie at this so I don't know much of anything about synthesizing, but I am totally willing to learn which is why I want to invest in a decent synth.

Only thing is...I don't know exactly what to look for, except that I do want an actual synth and not a controller. I don't mind taking a look at shoulder synths either. I prefer to get one that will let me record right away without having to use the program to do so, and probably a 49 key one. I think it'd also be nice if it had a nice range of sounds, particularly one that could give me a variety of very modern, light, futuristic sounds (or like Owl City or Lights).

At one point, I was thinking about the Roland SH-201 and the M-Audio Venom, but I don't know much about the Roland and the Venom doesn't seem to have the recording option that I'm looking for, but I hear it has terrific sounds.

All in all, I really just want a decent one that I will be able to use for a long time so I don't have to switch from one to another if I do get better at it. Does anyone have any suggestions? I'm pretty open to suggestions :]


PS: I think my preferable price range is under $1200...

 

[VESSEL2020]

Depends,..
If you are just getting into synthesis, and would really like to explore "synthesis"...I would recommend starting with an analog synth. Something along the lines of ROLAND SH-2 analog synthesizer vintage | eBay

If you are looking for somethin' to do everything for you, right outta the box...sound good, and grow with you,..I would go with somethin like...Access Virus TI SNOW Virtual Analog Synth Synthesizer R | eBay

The Roland SH-201 is a great place to start,...but even better is the JP8000 or JP8080. That is the engine of which the SH-201 was derived from,...and IMO sounds a hell of a lot better than the SH-201.

Although I'm not a big fan of their products,...
I've heard good things about the M-Audio Venom,...and from what I can see,..it seems like it will "grow" with you as well. (USB updates)

All in all,...I would highly recommend getting an analog synth if you are "serious" about synthesis. It will FORCE you to be creative.

 

[Toddskins]

Recommendation(s)

The Roland SH-01 ($700) is a great virtual analog (VA) synth to start learning on. Check out the two video demos on it here: Roland GAIA SH-01 | Sweetwater.com

And then, if you can afford closer to $1500, without a doubt go this route - The Kurzweil PC361 which not only has the best digital sample sounds (like almost 1000 presets), the best B3 organ emulations, fantastic piano sounds, and then, another whole synth thrown in, the VA-1. So it's both a digital playback sampler with the V.A.S.T. synth architecture PLUS the VA-1 virtual analog synth, too. AND, a phenomenal recording sequencer. Then, also, a company called Tower created a software editor for your PC to edit the Kurzweil. Incredible, and free too. Ya can't go wrong.

Amazon.com: Kurzweil PC361 61 Note Synthesizer Action Performance Controller and V.A.S.T. Workstation Keyboard, Lightly Weighted Keys, Black: Musical Instruments


Lastly, always negotiate price. Whatever it's being sold for, get at least another 10% off that. Try for 20% of the sale price. Remember, we're in a recession so stores need buyers very much.