my Roland A-70 is really good, but I really do not need 76 keys, just the usual standard 61 that the REV2 keyboard has...
That’s a very logical choice... especially considering the Rev2 control layout. That will lead to some happy tweaking for sure.
I’ve been reading your *rant* lately with some interest... mostly because you’ve expressed some of my same frustrations with chasing gear. So similarly to you, I’ve gotten rid of a lot of stuff. I now have only 2 synths: the OB-6 and a Moog Minitaur. I will limit myself to a total of 5 (will power, folks, will power). The other 3 would fall somewhere along the lines of:
1) a monster analogue monosynth. Not necessarily a Moog, but a Voyager or Model D would certainly fit the bill. And depending on the analogue mono I get, the Minitaur may find itself on Reverb.
2) a synth that so far has yet to be determined. I’ll see if anything catches my attention this NAMM. I’d love to hold out for a new Sampler synth that I want DSI to release.
3) a P12 or P6 (yes, I know they are a bit different, but I can coax P6ish sounds out of the P12 if that’s all I had). This decision is also going to be informed by what happens with #2. I’m leaning toward the P12 because it covers various synthesis types (Wavetable-ish, FM).
Sorry, didn’t mean to hi-jack your thread. But you’re not alone in this “frustration with self” over eternally chasing gear.
Carry on...
You're not hijhack'in anything
just rant... that is what this topic is all about
And you're right... seems we are in the same "problem" ... pretty close actually because I've also thought about one big monosynth to take care of the bass departments that the other synths do not... but I'm hesitating getting one simply because I'm hesitating getting anything monophonic.
The reason is mostly because of the genre I want to be doing.... I like the booming MOOG sound, and it was a must when I did techno and rhythmically induced music in the past... but with Ambient, I'm not so sure if a MOOG will be it's money worth in use.... sure, MOOGs are used often for Berlin School basslines, but I really do not think I cannot do these with a REV2... and if it needs some bottom end, my mixer has EQ for this purpose.
For what I do, I'll need polyphony most of all, and certainly also a very deep synthesis engine to create all the FX and wonderful strange noises I'd need in this genre... and a MOOG is usually rather limited compared to a DSI synths flexibillity in the engine department... I've been thinking about a Subsequent37, but I'm not going to do it.
I need to have access to as many synthesis types I can, in just three, maybe four synths... so that put a lot of demand on the devices... I could have gone for a P6 or OB6, but three things make the REV2 a better choice for me... The polyphony, The deepness of the engine, and not the least; PRICE! ... I want ONE polysynth with analog oscillators, and the REV2 is the best fit in almost any category of my requirements.
But a REV2 alone will at some point meet it's limitations anyway, mainly because of the analog oscillators lack of sound pallette... I will need digital oscillators as well, which is where the P12 comes in... it gives me both VA, Wavetable and FM synthesis options, with a whopping 12 voices also, and a very deep engine plus audio rate modulation... it will be the perfect complementation to the REV2 for me.
And after that, I'd say I'm covered.... almost... I'd certainly be able to do loads of nice Ambient music with just those two synths... but I lack ONE crucial element; Vocals, natural FX and ambiences etc.... or in other words: I lack sample oscillators... and I'll patiently wait until something shows up with this combined with analog VCF/VCA... I REALLY REALLY hope Dave would take this up at some point.
With these three synths, I cannot see that I'd need much more.... sure you could get other synths in the future that is largely based on these synthesis types and some extra bells and whistles, but I'd not feel that I lack anything to make the Ambient that I want to...
That is why I think I'll end up with 3... maybe 4 synths in the end.... but they will be VERY VERY VERY carefully picked out, that is for sure...