Warning that I am a NEWBIE TO SYNTHESIZERS. I am a singer/songwriter/guitar player looking to make acoustic music on my own after working in bands. I have been learning synth and have a solid grasp of the concepts. Keyboard proficient but no direct experience in synth and sound design. I gravitate toward the Sequential products because of quality and their sound.
OVERVIEW: Looking for a synth to give beautiful accompaniment to finger-picking and guitar leads. Not looking for thick, lush or heavenly sounds that are the majority of pads I hear. In some cases, I want precision enhancement with (dare I say?) minimum audibility; sometimes a core part of the melody, but not a synth lead. (I am largely speculating, but I am thinking I might achieve a lot of my desired sounds with intimate, pitch modulated, mellow, 2-4 notes, 1-2 Oscillators ... perhaps tuning the second Oscillator to a fifth or even a major 10th and then possibly an octave down for a sub Oscillator. Probably will need unison, reverb, delay, etc
When I want it to sound a bit more like strings, more complex I am sure. I want to use the synth for stereo spread.)
I have listed some links to examples (not the style of music, but the type of pads for communication.
OBJECTIVE: (1) NEED HELP CHOOSING A DESKTOP MODULE SYNTH. Currently looking at the Rev2 and Prophet 12, or perhaps Prophet 6 or OB-6. I like the form factor and weight of the 12 (4 lbs) and Rev2 (7 lbs) as apposed to the 6/OB-6 (14 lbs.). Lighter weight is important because I am a bit handicapped with my back. But if the filters and effects of any of them is key to getting the type of sounds I need, so be it.
(2) USE THE SYNTH TO LEARN WITH SYNTORIAL, (3) At the same time, WORK WITH A MUSICIAN/CONSULTANT TO DEVELOP SOUNDS FOR MY SONGS (in the vein of the examples). In the long run, want to make and modify sounds on my own.
CONCERNS on SYNTH CHOICE: I have done hours of listening to these synths. Some of the best sounds I have heard come from the Prophet 12, but I read a lot about lack of warmth from the DSP based Oscillators. And often I feel I hear that. Also the 12 doesn't really have effects (reverb, etc.) which for a purist is fine, but I would like to find sounds without leaving the platform if possible. The Prophet 6 and OB-6 sound amazing and I would consider them even at their weight if they would work best in the long run. Rev2 might be the best bet with its four envelopes, four LFOs, more voices, 2 and 4 pole filter, and mod matrix To be clear, I am interested in how the sound fits into my mix, not by itself.
Links To Songs DON HENLEY (FOR MY WEDDING): Understated but powerful
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=don+henley+for+my+weddingLEAH by Bruce Springsteen Leah. Minimalistic, but has some build.
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=bruce+springsteen+leahPERFECT by Ed Sheeran: Melodramatic, but well restrained.
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=perfect+by+ed+sheeranWHITE FLAG (Intro) by Ditto. This about as lush as I would ever go.
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=white+flag+didoYOU by BONNIE RAITT.
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=bonnie+Raitt+youINOCENTE (Sleep of Trust) 30 Minute Point. Great example
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