True synth or controller?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Gustin
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Gustin

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Alright, I've decided that I want to get some synth like sounds to add some textures to different stuff and what not.

I have a powerful laptop that I pretty much bring with me wherever I go, so buying a controller and using it with my laptop is not a problem. I'm trying to figure out the benefits of a real synth (like an Alesis Micron or something) over a controller laptop combo.

I know a synth will have built in sounds which are great, but if I can find some synth stuff on my laptop getting a controller will be significantly cheaper.

What would you suggest (give suggestions of products as well please)? If you suggest the controller, can you give some suggestions of some versatile software?

Budget is pretty much anything from 100-300 for the controller route, but can go higher eventually if absolutely needed (if the synth route is the best).

I'm a guitarist at heart, so I don't need anything super fancy. Just something that can add a little texture to rhythm and melody tracks.

I played around with the Korg MicroX and Alesis Micron and really liked them both (especially the korg!), but if I can get something similar from a laptop + controller set up, that would be fantastic.

Thanks a lot.
 
Before suggesting a laptop + controller setup, I'll need to ask if you have a suitable environment to hosting soft synths, such as a sequencer of some sort.

If you do, then probably going with the controller + softsynths will give you more flexibility in the long run if/when you decide to add more instruments.

If you liked the MicroX and the Micron, you'd probably love Albino, Z3ta and Rapture as well.
 
Yes, I have a host application. I have Sonar that I use for recording. The only question I have about that is if I wanted to use it live. Would there be a better host application for live use?
 
Some synths can be used standalone, others require a host. You could use something like Steinberg's V-Stack which is a straight up VST host rack system that allows you to load up VSTis and VSTs and has a mixer (no sequencing and recording though).
 
Just get a micron and use it as both a hardware synth and a controller for your daw with something like this
 
altitude909 said:
Just get a micron and use it as both a hardware synth and a controller for your daw with something like this
Click to expand...

By your logic I should spend 400 dollars on a true synth and use it as a controller when I could spend 100-200 on a controller? I'm asking what the benefits of buying a true synth would be over a controller.
 
your softsynths are only as good as your computer, crappy computer, poor softsynth performance. With an synth, it always works.
 
I am also a guitar player who likes to have a little synth action here and there. I got a keystation 49e and have never looked back. There are tons of good free soft synths out there. Check out kvraudio.com for a ton.
 
altitude909 said:
your softsynths are only as good as your computer, crappy computer, poor softsynth performance. With an synth, it always works.
Click to expand...

As stated in my original post, I have a pretty powerful laptop. Crappy computer is not a problem.

So far the only benefit I see from a true synth would be not having to drag a computer around which I already do anyways. Those that use a controller set up live, is latency ever an issue? When I record, I usually get it down to 2 to 3 milliseconds.
 
If you can get it down that low, then you should be OK... In live setup, if you can live with 5ms latency (some can, some can't) then even better from stability point of view.

Hardware
Benefits: Stable, no latency, tactile and logial interface for the given instrument.
Cons: You're locked on to one synth/limited sound pallette, can be more expensive

Software
Benefits: You can have more instruments for the money which translates into more sonic flexibility.
Cons: Crappy soundcard/crappy sound, latency may be an issue, some instability may be an issue, gotta mentally adjust the mappings of the controller to the software.
 
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