This is very much a personal account of what I am using to make electronic music. One of the most important things you can do is figure out what works for you. What do you like when it comes to making music?
My collection of synths started off and continues to be more along the lines of the budget conscious and continues that way. Some Korg Volcas, use Microkorg XL, Roland SH-01A, Uno Synth, and a D-05. A Behringer Neutron is for Christmas. Many are not used all the time. I also have effects pedals - Digitech RP100, Zoom B2.1u, Boss DS-1, Danelectro Wasabi Reverse Delay - those were purchased when I played more guitar. EHX Oceans 11 and Zoom MS-100BT were purchased with synths in mind.
My collection of synths started off and continues to be more along the lines of the budget conscious and continues that way. Some Korg Volcas, use Microkorg XL, Roland SH-01A, Uno Synth, and a D-05. A Behringer Neutron is for Christmas. Many are not used all the time. I also have effects pedals - Digitech RP100, Zoom B2.1u, Boss DS-1, Danelectro Wasabi Reverse Delay - those were purchased when I played more guitar. EHX Oceans 11 and Zoom MS-100BT were purchased with synths in mind.
Another new purchase has been the
Empress ZOIA. It is both a modular effects pedal and a modular synth.
You can combine the two parts to your liking. It is not all that hard
to learn but if you are considering it, it is worth watching a couple
of YouTube tutorials on it to see if it might fit the way you like to
work.
I also have a iPad with Korg Gadget 2
and a few other apps like the Moog Model 15. Some apps I do not
really use, to be truthful but they are there. Many apps like this
sound very good. Korg Gadget 2 is its own DAW with all the apps or
Gadgets necessary to cover just about any type of synthesis there is.
Other budget based options are VCV Rack
and Caustic for computers. These can be made to sound very good even
though they are free. You have to put the time in, just like learning
hardware and plugins for your DAW.
If I had my choice and more room to
spare, I would be considering synths like the Novation Peak, Moog
Grandmother and Matriarch, a Minilogue XD, maybe a Prologue, maybe
some DSI synths. Maybe a Novation Circuit soon as well as a Behringer
Model D. - Those two could be made to fit in my current setup. I like
the idea of modular but I have neither the money or the space for a
modular setup.
The Moog One is way out of my budget so
at this time I do not spend time thinking about it. This is also true
for the DSI synths. The Novation Peak desktop module is about as high
as I could go and I would have to save for quite some time for that.
Take some time to consider how you want
to hear your instruments. Do you want to record? Do you want an audio
interface with MIDI IO? Do you want a mixer and if so, with USB audio
and what about number of audio channels?
What about speakers? Monitors to hear
with, or some might laugh or shake their heads but I am using a set
of Altec Lansing 6.1 speakers that are meant for surround sound on a
computer. I only use stereo out with a bass speaker for this setup as
I am using the stereo plug. These were there for me to use so at this
time I am not spending money on monitors. I like sound so they
suffice.
In the end, you should watch a bunch of
YouTube videos to figure out if you like the way different devices
work. When you buy, that is when you are really going to find out if
certain pieces of equipment work for you. It is well worth the time
to learn how each piece of equipment works to figure out if you
really like it.
In my opinion, it when people do not
spend the time learning their equipment that GAS strikes.
To start with, whatever you buy, you
should get something that is oriented towards subtractive synthesis.
It is by far the easiest type to learn and the most common among
equipment used. It can be analog, virtual analog, or a VST. Given the
paragraph above, I highly suggest reading and APPLYING Sound on
Sound's "Synth Secrets." Look it up.
That last bit brings you to the option
of a MIDI controller. Any synth with a keyboard these days will act
as a keyboard MIDI controller. If you are to buy one piece of
equipment a wise investment would be a new analog or VA synth as it
will act as both a synth and a MIDI controller. It could be a mono
synth or a poly synth. It depends on your budget. Have a look around
and watch YouTube. If you go with just a MIDI controller, get
something with at least 8 knobs with keys. Mini-keys are a
possibility but full size keys are nicer.
One last note, buying used can very
often be a good option for many pieces of equipment. If you can buy
using eBay or Reverb as they have some buyer protection practices in
place. If you buy used from the classified ads such as Kijiji,
Craigslist, or the newspaper, it is best to be able to try the piece
of equipment in person so you do not get burned. I have sold some of
my own equipment through online classified ads and mailed them to
buyers with them not having tested them. I never had a complaint.
But, as a buyer, there is always a risk.
