module/synth for beginners

[elektra]

my eyes have been on a nord lead or modular for a long time, but i have posted a question last month and
some of you guys told me that a nord lead is not a good synth for beginners and yes you are right i'm a total beginner.

i heard that it's mainly because it has only 4 channels (or ports?) available plus i have to program the whole sounds and was told that i should get a more generally easy-to-use synths like korg triton, etc.

it would be greatly appreciated if you guys tell me why a nord synth/module is not a good gear for beginners and could you please please recommend other alternative synths for me?

btw, i fell in love with the nord sounds (my friend makes most of his music with nord lead) so i instantly thought that the nord synth is definitely my kind of sound.. so enlighten me with your views on this problem. thanks a million!!!

[Gio]

I was in the same position about four months ago; i went for the Nova IIx which has 6 parts - and is technically superior to the nord - although the nord is a bit warmer and more unique. I also love the nord but am now broke - 4 parts basically means how many different sounds/patterns can be played simultaneously, (not how many keys - thats polyphony). 4 won't be a problem if you aren't doing live work and you can record at at least cd quality ie to a PC. I went for the nova coz i got it for £400 quid off the normal price of £1200, but otherwise it would have probably been the nord. Also check out the access virus, i havent used it but its always mentioned in the same light as the supernovas. Like i say if you can record you just 'bounce' your synth tracks down to audio recordings and then use the synth for 4/6 whatever new tracks.. Some stuff made mostly with the nova IIx will be up on my mp3 page (see below) in a few days time.

Basically find a good music shop and try out lots of gear.. buy what you fall for. The nords good at that...

Good luck

[MusickMan]

Elektra do yo have any other synths ? if you do which ones ? the Nords are amazing pro synths, but they are not do it all synths, do you plan to have the Nord as your master keyboard/synth ?

[elektra]

musikman! your kind reply to my last question has been a great help to me, i know it's kinda late, but thanks

you see, i have a somewhat old version of yamaha psr400 keyboard, i think i could use that as a master/midi keyboard. so, i'm trying to get a decent synth module and here i am all confused as to which one i, as a beginner, should get.

once again, could you give a little advice? thanks

and gio, thank you!

[MusickMan]

the nord modular is extremely powerful and sounds absolutely amazing, but you need to understand how synthesis works in order to use the modular to its full power, I mean you can use the modular as a preset machine and that's cool, but then you'll only be scratching the surface (and that would be a waste).
the nord lead is simpler and less intimidating plus it sounds great, it is very powerful too but you only get 4 parts and no effects (no delay, no chorus, no reverb, no nothing) .
alternatively you have the waldof q, novation's nova and the access virus, all three are incredible sounding synths and you get more parts +effects, definitely check them out ... for the price of a nord lead 3 you can have a waldorf micro-q and a virus rack, but maybe that's not what you want .

sorry gotta go but I'll return later....

[MusickMan]

So the nord modular is more fun in the studio because you need a computer to program your sounds, and the nord lead is simpler ....
Btw being a beginner doesn't mean that you can't buy pro level equipment, if you feel that the nord is what you want and you can afford it, go for it , I just wanted to point out that the learning curve can be a little steep if you are starting out
do you have a (hardware) sampler ?

[elektra]

thanks again musikman for your kind infos...

i have nearly made up my mind on getting a korg triton
or roland 5080 to begin with... what do you think? or am i too intimidated or what, gosh...

for sampler, i'm thinking about getting a emu e4 platinum, not quite decided on that one, too

btw, you are an angel!

[MusickMan]

hey !
well the triton and the 5080 are both very good, you can get great sounding results with them, here are some points to consider :
• both the triton and the 5080 are "romplers" or sample playback synths; this means they use sampled waveforms stored in memory, this is kinda limiting because if the waveform is not good sounding or perfectly looped you are stuck; it's difficult to improve the sound if it's no good, not that I'm saying that the triton's or roland's waveforms aren't any good, just try before you buy.
• Virtual Analog synths like the nord don't play back samples, they resonate mathematical models of analog synths in realtime, that's why they sound so good, there's a difference you can hear.
• if you're buying a sampler you don't really need the triton's and the 5080's playback sampler, but you can add VA synthesis to the triton (a six voice Z1, an awesome synth btw)
In my opinion the E4 platinum is great but it is overpriced, (in my opinion the A5000 by Yamaha is just as good and the price is right) get the akai Z8, you can have more than 500 megs of ram in that thing, that's like having four E4's you also get effects and a 20 gig drive standard,plus akai is the industry standard, most sample CD's out there are in akai format, this means you don't have to waste time importing and re editing your sounds .
I'm thinking you are serious about your music so don't be afraid to invest in the best equipment you can get; there is a learning curve with almost every synth, and with synths like the triton or the 5080 things are not that simple; they are pro synths as well, you can go really deep if you want to but make sure they will complement the music you are producing ....