Re: the smallest portable hardware keyboard synth

[Lindsey Walker <lindsey.walker@gmail.com>]

The op-1 looks fun and futuristic.  The microKorg looks like it has enough keys to be a traditional functional keyboard but it's odd that it would be missing such basic sounds.  

I've noticed that using a new interface changes the output even though it seems like it shouldn't.  While the op-1 may have less capacity, using it probably would evoke invaluable inspiration.

Lindsey

On Thu, May 19, 2011 at 2:31 PM, Matt Davignon <mattdavignon@gmail.com> wrote:

btw, I have a MicroKorg. I'm generally happy with it.

Admittedly, I'm quite the noob when it comes to synthesizers. I'm
probably only doing about 5-10% of what this synth does.

My only complaint is that most of the synthesizer controls are not
readily available -  You can control ASDR, or LFOs, or a low pass
filter, but not all at the same time. You have to use a matrix menu to
choose what the knobs do. If I were buying a synth now, I might get
something like the Roland Gaia SH-01 instead. It's a little bigger,
but it has more dedicated controls.

Pros:
--Small keyboard: Easy to play with 1 hand.
--It's possible to tweak some settings while playing
--the mod wheel can be assigned to do different things. (I usually
have mine set as a band pass filter.)
--Synth sounds are pretty good.
--Lots of presets for string sounds, organ sounds, etc.
--All of the synthesizer parameters that I can think of are
represented - 2 oscillators, asdr, lfos, band pass filters, portamento
speed, monophonic/polyphonic, etc.
--Octave up and Octave down keys are easy to use and intuitive -
expanding the range of the keyboard for most users.

Cons:
--In order to change some settings, you need to dial the settings up
on a matrix (which is hard to read in most band settings). This
assigns the controls of the 4 knobs.
--About 1/2 of the presets are for stereotypical "techno" sounds or
auto-arpeggiator sounds which I would never use.
--I don't believe the keys are velocity sensitive. (I could be wrong -
I don't remember)
--Power source is a wall-wart.

--
Matt Davignon
mattdavignon@gmail.com
www.ribosomemusic.com
Rigs! www.youtube.com/user/ribosomematt


On Thu, May 19, 2011 at 12:58 AM, Louie Angulo
<louie.angulo@googlemail.com> wrote:

> Hoi boyz,
> if u were to pick the smallest most portable hardware keyboard synth
> with really nice qualitiy strings,vintage pianos,organs etc. which one
> would it be?
> here is one ive been looking at
>
> http://www.korg.com/microkorg
>
>
> --
> www.luis-angulo.com
>
>