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Cheap, amateur portable synthesizer?

Stangmar	Date: December 11, 2005 @ 9:24 PM I've always loved analog, or faux analog synthesizers much like the ARP Odyssey, but upon seeing the flexibility of...more modern synthesizers, I started looking into purchasing the MicroKORG, but my budget is...severely limited, to say the least, but I just don't see too many alternatives to the MicroKORG in terms of sheer power and flexibility. I mean, I really do want as much variety in timbré as possible...but 400 dollars out of the box is too much for me, and I don't really want to purchase one off of Ebay that I don't know will work or not, and doesn't come with a manual. I already checked out what Casio had to offer, but I'm not really well-versed in what I even should be looking for, which kind of limits my ability to search for such things.
TheElf	Date: December 11, 2005 @ 9:46 PM Dude, Casio isn't gonna have anything that resembles analog modeling. I'd stay with either the Microkorg or look for a used Korg MS-2000. I never had a problem with buying from eBay, just make sure you read the auction carefully. I got my MS-2000R for $300. I think the MS-2000 will have more value to you in the long run, although I thought about the Microkorg for a long time. If you already got something you can use as a MIDI controller, I'd suggest trying to find a cheap synth module like the Redsound Darkstar(usually around $150 used) or a Yamaha AN200. The AN200 is geared to be more of a "groovebox", but it's a really flexible analog modeling synth capable of some deep programming. I got mine for $189 on eBay. Hope that helps ya
Stangmar	Date: December 11, 2005 @ 10:12 PM I do have two midi controllers, as it stands, and I already have synth software (Audiomulch,) and normally I would just use that but apparently it doesn't support anything resembling just behaving as a live module for a normal key controller, but just as a live sequencer which is...not what I want at all. As it stands, I'm fairly new to using synth as a medium, only because of, well, being a little cost-prohibitive to me, and of course, because I have written for and performed more...lets say...contemporary, or classical pieces and used related instruments.
TheElf	Date: December 11, 2005 @ 10:38 PM Ahh I see. Yeah, if I were in your shoes I'd wanna stay cheap too. Synths can be very expensive, but sometimes the cheap things just don't give you the sounds or flexibility you need. Visit some sites like www.vintagesynth.com or www.sonicstate.com for info & user reviews. Sonicstate has good input from users & vintage synth usually has sound clips. www.harmony-central.com is another good info site as well.
Stangmar	Date: December 11, 2005 @ 11:17 PM I like what I'm hearing from a variety of synths, but I really can't find a local distributer selling anything but KORG gear, nor can I find an online distributor or even an EBay ad for anything that Redstar has made, which is...a little odd, to me. Any suggestions on where I could find a retailer, because I'm not pulling anything off of Excite or Google?
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TheElf	Date: December 12, 2005 @ 6:41 AM Guess finding a distributor is gonna depend on where you live. My town & surrounding areas only cater to guitar players. (Ya know, the whole "electronic musicians are not REAL musicians thing). The Redsound Darkstar is an older synth, but I see them pop on eBay often enough. I guess be patient. Online distributors I've used are www.zzounds.com & www.musiciansfriend.com
TameasDust	Date: December 16, 2005 @ 7:25 PM red sound ... you mean these guys http://www.redsound.com/flash.htm contact info http://www.redsound.com/miindex.htm RED Sound Systems Ltd PO Box 9372 Manningtree Essex CO11 2WT England Phone + 44 (0) 1255 870895 Fax + 44 (0) 1255 870897 email red@redsound.com
TameasDust	Date: December 16, 2005 @ 7:27 PM Armadillo Enterprises Pressrelease FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: TJ Martin Ph 727.519.9669 Clearwater, Florida March 4, 2002 Armadillo Enterprises is proud to announce that they have aquired the distribution rights to Red Sound for all of the U.S. Red Sound, based in the U.K., is the manufacturer of MI and DJ/Dance products alike. Mark Thompson, founder of Red Sound commented, "In Armadillo, we feel like we have found the young, aggressive company we need". He added, "They have a proven track record with what they have achieved in their distribution of Clavia in the U.S." Red Sound began in 1997 with the "Voyager" which revolutionized the DJ world with it's perfect syncronization of an audio signal's BPM to MIDI. Based on this technology, they have launched effects proccesors (Federation Pro and XS-FX) and a loop-based sampler (C-loops) that syncs to BPM. Red Sound also shook up the synth world in 1999 with their DarkStar virtual analog synth. Red Sound has a number of new products, as well, that will begin shipping in April, 2001.