We are the music makers - producers?

Apogee One is great if you can stretch to it, but I appreciate that there are cheaper options...

Cheers for the tip.

I’ve gone and bought a cheap ish thing, NOVATION Audiohub 2x4. Hopefully has all the ins and outs we’ll need.

Yeah that should do you, nothing wrong with Novation stuff.

Can anyone recommend me a rudimentary sampling solution? I used to make pretty basic loops and stuff with a Boss Dr Sample. For fun and record-buying justification more than anything. I’ve rvently had the itch again and wondered what a good software+pad controller alternative was.
I like the look of the akai lpd8 - feel like that sort of thing would be enough for my needs.

Well worth considering the maschine mikro in my opinion. Cheap, comes with a bunch of sounds, amazing hard / software integration, and Brilliant fun.

My track Diversion is on Berlin label Lost Crates tenth various artists album X

https://lostcrate.lnk.to/LC010A

Hello music makers.

I'm switching some kit out, pm me if you're interested in any of the following ...

pedals;

• Digitech Supernatural Reverb (boxed) - 155
  
• Boss DD5 with tap-tempo switch -85
  
  

drum computers:

• MFB Tanzmaus (boxed with manual) - 340
  
  

retro electronics;

• Yamaha PSS 380 (two voice FM synth) - 40
  
• Yamaha QY20 (midi sequencer, with manual) - 45
  
  
  

Cheers.

I really wanted a QY20 as a teenager. Probably saw an ad in Making Music or something.

£45's a good price!

^ Ha! Me too. I remember thinking it was really expensive (for 15yo me) ... and stuck with Octamed on my Amiga :)

The QY20 is a bit odd to use ... but it still does way more than most current hardware midi sequencers. I mean you could write an entire score or album in most genres. Try doing that on a Keystep or a Digitakt.

Apparently Robert Hood wrote most of his stuff on the QY70.

Hello I got a copy of a Propellerhead Reason 10 upgrade (New Sealed) if anyone's interested
£80.00

Hi Guys,
I'd like some advice on buying a little keyboard for my son.
You might have seen me post in this thread that he likes making beats with Pocket Operators and he has a Korg Volca Beats and an Electribe.
He would like some sort of keyboard to add into the mix. Preferable a synth rather than a controller for a computer.
I don't really know where to start with this but I'd like to get him something for his birthday. Don't really mind if it's new or used (presuming there are good deals second-hand).

Alternatively I have a korg microkontrol keyboard that doesn't get used. Is there a way this can be used via midi or something to control a synth of some sort?

Any recommendations where to start?
Thanks

What’s your budget? Mono or poly? If you already have a keyboard controller, I’d get a synth module and a midi cable. I’m a big fan of the Behringer Model D Moog clone or for a bit more money the Korg/ARP Odyssey reissue. A more budget option would be another volca obvs!

Korg Minilogue is a cracking first synth. The Roland System-1 is also excellent. The layout on the System-1 in particular is great for learning how synths work, in general. Both can do 4-note polyphony for chords.

If a monophonic synth is enough then there’s also the Korg Monologue, which I’m a fan of, or the Novation Bass Station II.

In terms of keyboard-less modules, the Roland SH-01A is fantastic and it doesn’t suffer as much from the small size as some of the other Boutique range.

I am selling a near-mint System-1 at the moment if you’d be interested.

The Monologue and SH-01 are both a good shout because the inbuild sequencers are fun. The Korg records in any parameter changes for mental sounds (but only 16 steps) ... the Roland only sequences gate and pitch but iirc you can sequence four bars.

@Dramatic_Hammer @Regal @miro_o
Thanks for the advice guys but I think these are all out of my budget. I was hoping to spend something around £120 - £150 ish like the Korg Volca stuff.
Perhaps something like a second hand MicroKorg.

I did have a look at that - looks loads of fun. In the end a friend has given me one of these, which I reckon will be a decent entry point in to the kind of thing I want to do. just need to find a cheap software pairing now!

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A Microkorg would be cool but I'd also keep an eye on second hand Monologues on eBay, they do go for £150-£170 quite often.

Or if you did go the soft synth route the Arturia Keystep would make a nice controller/sequencer. Could hook it up to the Volcas too.

Yeah. Second hand monologue or microkorg, or maybe you can find a Yamaha Reface CS that cheap.

The Volca Keys and FM can clock themselves at 1/4 timing (of the other synced stuff) and they are both very much proper synths though. And amazing for the money.

'Keyboards' are ... basic. But that just leads to experimental sequences ;)

I got my CS for £120 on ebay, lot of synth for the money.

I’d definitely go volca (plus midi cable and your keyboard controller) over microkorg - the MK is a good intro to synth sounds but tedious editing and the frustrating lack of direct controls means that you’re often just preset hopping.

Volca Bass and Keys both really good. Take a look at the IK Uno, super super cheap and analogue.

https://www.rubadub.co.uk/uno-synth

Also the Behringer Neutron is next to nothing and analogue

Best thing about those MPKs is that they should work with ANY DAW because they're quite generic. Brilliant fun too. Enjoy it buddy!

Neutron is a huge amount of proper synth for the money. The Uno is quite limited in comparison.

Korg Modular https://youtu.be/W8I9kPTv1Dg