microKorg or Bass Station 2?

[Whiteglass]

I think I'm deciding between the two for a hardware synth. Any advice or recommendations?

Thanks.

 

[Creal09]

The microkorg makes a good midi controller as well if you need something to be used in a different capacity besides the obvious.

 

[rhythmgj]

I don't know the Bass Station 2 other than through video, but love Korg products and have tried several of the micros-- good stuff.

What is your budget? Why do you want a hardware synth (what do you want it to do)? Have you considered Dave Smith's Mopho, or the Arturia miniBrute?
What about used/pre-owned/vintage instruments? Are you only looking at small footprint hardware?

GJ

 

[Whiteglass]

I want to record individual tracks on the hardware synth and then sequence it all on a DAW, with maybe a little further editing. Working that way seems best for me. My budget is only around $500, which really holds me back. The Mopho seems nice, but money-wise not so much. I have looked at the miniBrute and the reviews seem decent. I have also looked into used instruments but I am hesitant out of the fear that something will be out of line. I am pretty much looking at only small footprint stuff due to budget constraints.

 

[rhythmgj]

If it was me, then, I'd be debating either the microKorg or the miniBrute, both excellent choices. OR, possibly the new Volca Keys (which I'm most likely getting); cool little analog synth keys with some fx features, but not optimized for "real keyboard players" (very compact package with keys that are smaller than microKorg's-- BUT, for your $500, I think you'd be pretty close to being able to get all three Volcas-- three different units, Beats, Bass, and Keys). But if you want the smallest possible "real keyboard" (like, you have some chops on keys and at least average to large-size fingers), then I'd go microKorg or miniBrute...I absolutely love just about all Korg products, but I might be tempted to go with the Arturia...

GJ

 

[rhythmgj]

Update-- Dude, the Arturia MicroBrute just came on the scene. This may blow the other options out of the water, and for a couple hundred dollars _less_ than the MiniBrute.

Very small footprint, too: http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cagbBg0TmgM&desktop_uri=/watch?v=cagbBg0TmgM

GJ

 

[micr0c0sm]

def bs2 or mb

 

[Whiteglass]

So, I ended up going in another direction and bought the Maschine for $599, which I'm really happy about. I had a complete change in mindset about what I wanted to do. So now I'm wondering about whether I should stay digital with my synths or should I further invest in a small footprint hardware synth? Any opinions? Of course it depends on what I want to do artistically...in my case I would love a hardware synth, but since I bought the Maschine I'm not sure I want to fork over more money.

 

[krushing]

Well, the aforementioned Volca Keys might be an option. The "keys" on it are pretty silly on their own right, but since it has a MIDI input you can control it via the Maschine or a MIDI keyboard if you have one. I guess no one but you can say what you should or shouldn't do, but I'm personally pretty much all hardware when it comes to synths - it's more or less just a workflow thing, though. I just find it far more inspiring to have a physical interface to do sounds with rather than mousing around.