What instrument do you play?

[cookieboy]

I've been playing the guitar for 12 years now, still my main instrument and I love it.
Been playing piano as well for about 5 years now, still working on getting that jazzy vibe and flow like I've always wanted.

I've also been working on getting that jazzy feel as well. Slowly getting there.

[Numeral]

The guitar, which reminds me I need a new practice/bigger combo amp. I moved due to work and had to leave my amp back home.

[slogant-shirt]

i also play a bit of keys/ uke/ bass and ableton but for 99% of the time this is where i find my musical enlightenment

[TheNAC]

The guitar, which reminds me I need a new practice/bigger combo amp. I moved due to work and had to leave my amp back home.

I think I'm trying to sell my fox vt30, you interested?

[sexualhelon]

music's expensive. Fuck. I don't know how people manage to get a hold of these $2000 keyboards. This is all I've got but would like to get a microphone and add more vocals.





I'm pretty keen on ukuleles and other random things as well. Quite into 8-bit, video game sound modulations and patches at the moment. Also like to try and make stuff like mickey brown, sleep party people, pandit, etc... the most one guy can do.

[BRIX SKWIKZ]

ITS ALL ABOUT HAIRSTYLE

YOU CANT REACH THE HIGH NOTES WITHOUT IT

[augustmoon]

my singer has this one.  Xiu Xiu also used this one when we were on tour summer before last.  pretty decent VA.

I don't know how people manage to get a hold of these $2000 keyboards. 

well, I sold my car, bought a shitty van, and spent what I had left on gear.  i also spend every spare dime on synths and other stuff, but mainly because I'm obsessed with real analog.  i first started with a microkorg, and couldn't imagine spending more that 200 bucks on something.  get your first real analog and your opinion might change.  your setup still gets the job done for sure.  best to work with what is comfortable and inspiring for you

currently what i use:









newest additions:





and this to bring it all together:

[sexualhelon]

Yeah, when I decided to actually go through and buy a synth my first was the microkorg. I didn't do too much research into it so I just got it because a lot of other people in bands I like had one. After fooling around with it and then a friends r3 I ended up returning the microkorg and finding an r3 online cheaper. Definitely worth it.

That Prophet is a couple of g's, no? I've basically had to pinch pennies to be able to get what I've got. For me, it usually comes down to choosing between taking a trip somewhere or spending the money on instruments and having to stay in LA since I usually don't have the money to do both. Like right now I'm planning to either spend a few weeks in Eastern Europe come April or spend money on some more gear.

But you know, speaking of selling cars, I've thought about doing what you did. I'd get at least 6g's for my car now but it's an 06 civic I got new and have taken really good care of sooooo....yeah, I dunno. If I did that and stayed in LA I'd definitely have to get a shitty van as it's a necessity here but I've also thought about doing that, moving back to NYC and in with friends, spending a good bit on gear, and then getting real acquainted with it by maybe taking a month off. I put in a request to transfer back out there with my job but not sure how that's looking...thought about just saying fuck it and going with it but this economy is...egh.

Anyway, what's your recommendation on some real analog's to get starting off? Haha under $500 if there's anything you can recommend in that range. Right now I've just been thinking about trying to get a decent microphone/recording setup.

[augustmoon]

Yeah, when I decided to actually go through and buy a synth my first was the microkorg. I didn't do too much research into it so I just got it because a lot of other people in bands I like had one. After fooling around with it and then a friends r3 I ended up returning the microkorg and finding an r3 online cheaper. Definitely worth it.

That Prophet is a couple of g's, no? I've basically had to pinch pennies to be able to get what I've got. For me, it usually comes down to choosing between taking a trip somewhere or spending the money on instruments and having to stay in LA since I usually don't have the money to do both. Like right now I'm planning to either spend a few weeks in Eastern Europe come April or spend money on some more gear.

But you know, speaking of selling cars, I've thought about doing what you did. I'd get at least 6g's for my car now but it's an 06 civic I got new and have taken really good care of sooooo....yeah, I dunno. If I did that and stayed in LA I'd definitely have to get a shitty van as it's a necessity here but I've also thought about doing that, moving back to NYC and in with friends, spending a good bit on gear, and then getting real acquainted with it by maybe taking a month off. I put in a request to transfer back out there with my job but not sure how that's looking...thought about just saying fuck it and going with it but this economy is...egh.

Anyway, what's your recommendation on some real analog's to get starting off? Haha under $500 if there's anything you can recommend in that range. Right now I've just been thinking about trying to get a decent microphone/recording setup.

all of my gear i got at either a discount or used, so it all wasn't quite as expensive as it looks.  if you like the prophet sound, you should check out the Mopho.  Its the same voice architecture as the Prophet (prophet is basically 8 mophos under one hood).  You can usually find the module version for around 300 used, but it only has 5 knobs so it can be a bitch to edit.  The mopho keyboard has more knobs per function, but its a bit more.  Also, they just came out with the Mopho X4 which is 4 mophos and a keyboard. 

I think the best value for the money, though, is the Arturia minibrute I posted up there.  it retails for $500, but you can find them for as cheap as 4.  sounds really unique, nice sturdy metal chasis...only downside is that there is no patch memory so you can't store sound (you have to make each sound up on the fly).  Its just a real straightforward way to learn subtractive synthesis since you are forced to come up with sounds on your own. 

[sexualhelon]

Yeah, you can definitely find some steals on ebay or craigslist but cl is a bit sketchier. The Mopho X4 seems amazing but I know on the Mopho people tend to complain about the interface a lot. I'm a little more keen to try and get a minibrute over the mopho but then I've also contemplated getting a little phatty. I want to say I'm just more into moogs but then again I've never really played around on a Mopho. I downloaded the minimoog v free not too long ago.

I think I bought my R3 for around 400, my guitar for around 250, my drum machine around 300, and the kaoss pad for 200. I usually try to not go over 500 and have been fortunate to find what I wanted for the prices I got everything at. Omnichord's pretty sick and I try to just pick up random keys at garage sales or flea markets. I'm pretty into distortion and keeping it fairly minimal.

This is funny, so this guy I work with was one of the original members of Indian Jewelery if you've heard of them. I never knew that and only that another coworker told me he was in some "psychedelic" band but he walked by when I had this page up and said, "I used to have one of those" about the electribe and we got to talking. I'm pretty into that band so I had to refrain from fanning out haha. I actually found out about them because my friend Tyler Franz used one of their songs for his MagMinute on Theskateboardmag website. Not sure if you're into Handsome Furs - sheds a tear since they're no more - but it amazes me that it's just 2 people, a guitar, drum machine, microkorg, and lots of distortion pedals.

[augustmoon]

Indian Jewelry is pretty rad.  saw them a few years back and was pretty into it.  you from Houston?

had a little phatty for about a month, wasn't too into it.  its a cool synth, just didn't blow me away like i thought it would, so i sold it.  if you're into the LP though, you can probably find the slim phatty version (just the module) for pretty cheap and just control it from your r3 via midi.  i've actually been contemplating the moog minitaur bass synth lately though.  sounds awesome and pretty cheap considering their other stuff.  what I'm doing now is running the minibrute through the filter of the SEM, controlling the SEM using CV from the minibrute,  and getting a 3 osc monosynth for about the same price as a phatty (and about 1/3 the price of a moog voyager).  sounds really cool, but i'm thinking it might be a bitch for live shows and touring. 

gonna check out the handsome furs.  its pretty crazy what simple gear some people use.  Saw HEALTH a while back and was expecting a wall of synths, but seemed like all they had were guitars and a shitload of pedals

[StimCoCruzer]

played bass in Roman Plows, not sure if they let you post links here but we're on myspace. heavy prog rock.

[sexualhelon]

Nah, I'm originally from Mississippi but have lived on/off in LA since I was 18. Actually just passed the staying put for over a year mark here which is the only time I've done that since I left MS. Rodney lives out here though and was saying LA's where they basically got there start at - said they played some of their first shows with Ariel Pink, John Mau, etc... when they were all getting started. The other two guys moved back to Houston and he was saying he didn't want to and also just couldn't really afford it so he only plays with them when they're out here.

I'm pretty sold on the minibrute - think I'm gonna try that one out. I've been meaning to go into a guitar center or some other massive center and mess around with things but haven't gotten around to it. I'd like to get a monomachine and a sidstation but they can be hard to find - especially for a good price.

Yeah, I know Dan - Lead guy in Handsome Furs...wolf parade and now Divine Fits if you've heard them - was into Health. He get's pretty into pedals so it makes sense. Speaking of, you ever hook any up to your synths? Circuit bending's pretty rad too. It's funny, but makes sense really, that sense I've gotten into music I'm always interested in peoples setups and often times how they could afford what they got.

Drowned in sound has a rad feature they do where bands walk you through their gear. Do you like Sleep Party People? He had one on there http://drownedinsound.com/in_depth/4144739

[augustmoon]

oh rad, where in Mississippi (i'm in New Orleans).  Played "Part Time Punks" at the Echo in LA a little over a year ago, hung out with Gnarls Manson while I was there. 

monomachines should be a lot cheaper right now, because Elektron just came out with the Analog 4.  I think there is a sid machine on the monomachine so that might cover all your needs (no analog filter like on the original sid though).  keep an eye out, because there should be a ton of them popping up on ebay/craigslist.  i just got the analog 4 right before christmas and I love it to death.  pretty affordable for what you get as well. 

not using any pedals at the moment, but i have been toying with the idea of getting some eventide pedals.  right now i'm using the octatrack as an effects processor, running an effects loop from the aux sends of my mixer into the octatrack.  you can assign different effect paramaters to the crossfader, so I can do lots of crazy effects sweeps with it.  the analog 4 also has really good reverb and delay, so i think i'm going to start using that for effects too.  i also think i'm going to start recording my synths through mic'd amps instead of direct to the interface.  trying to get out of the box and use hardware as much as possible these days

[sexualhelon]

I'm originally from Tupelo if you know where that is. I've been through Louisiana a good few many times but only to New Orleans once pre-katrina. Definitely keen to check it out sometime sooner than later hopefully. That's sick, if you've got any upcoming shows out here I'd be down to check them out and maybe shred if you have time.

Yeah, I'm thinking I'm pretty keen to get a minibrute then go for the monomachine after. Definitely got a lot of things currently on the ebay watch list with fingers crossed the last minute bidding doesn't kill it. Mic'ing can make it sound bigger, maybe easier to mix. I like that you can include room ambiance. I remember reading something interesting on the way Trevor Powers of Youth Lagoon recorded all his stuff.

[augustmoon]

yeah i know Tupelo.  i think i've passed through it a few times on my way up to Louisville, and my homie Wesley is also from there.  let me know what you end up doing gear wise, and if you have any questions on anything feel free to hit me up. 

[SUPERNAUT]

I used to play tenor sax and guitar, but my fingers are too fucked from dislocating them all skateboarding. :\

[sexualhelon]

For sure man, thanks a ton. I'm fairly new to getting into synths, drum machines, and electronic stuff in general so I may actually end up pm'ing you a question or two. Are you still in Kindest Lines from when you posted in the "post your music" thread? You guys are rad, I dig it man.

It's a fairly small town and skateboarding's a small world so odds are I probably know your friend. Haha Elvis is from there and every once in a while people will fan out when I say I'm from there but that's about it as far as town attractions go.

[augustmoon]

For sure man, thanks a ton. I'm fairly new to getting into synths, drum machines, and electronic stuff in general so I may actually end up pm'ing you a question or two. Are you still in Kindest Lines from when you posted in the "post your music" thread? You guys are rad, I dig it man.

It's a fairly small town and skateboarding's a small world so odds are I probably know your friend. Haha Elvis is from there and every once in a while people will fan out when I say I'm from there but that's about it as far as town attractions go.

my friend wes showed me this film called "teenage Tupelo" that I guess was shot there in the 80's.  very John Waters, i thought it was pretty cool

still doing KL, but its kind of slowed down a bit.  been working on a new thing thats a lot darker and dron-ier.  horror movie/doom vibes. 

PM me anytime

[GZA liquidswords]

Fender Geddy Lee Jazz bass, and Fender American Precision bass

[BRIX SKWIKZ]

LEARN HOW TO PLAY

[Steyv Seynystyr hyhy]

I have been a Augustus Pablo fan for ages and a couple months ago i got a melodica and learned some of his tunes.
Good times.

[landCow]

I play guitar and ukulele. I started on uke because they are cheap as all hell. I focus on guitar now but I cant help returning to the uke every now and then because its just so damn happy. its impossible to feel sad playing a uke.

[Rockin Robbin]

Been drumming for 12 years.

[pizzafliptofakie]

Picked this guy up yesterday.

[WeirdBeach]

bass and guitar for about 16 years. mostly jazz and proggy stuff. MPC. Ambient/process music on my computer. sounds pretentious  i know but its like therapy for me. about the MiniBrute, I read that the demand is exceeding the supply and they take forever to get. anyone run into problems getting one??

[augustmoon]

i think they finally caught up with the demand recently, so it should be pretty easy by now.  you might even be able to find one used on ebay as well.  i got really lucky and ordered mine last minute last june from guitar center, and also got $100 off for some father's day special, and still got mine after only a couple weeks of waiting.  people on the Arturia board were furious 

btw, thats a sweet tele up there.  dig the black on black

[Conan]

Gibson SG standard

[sexualhelon]

Alright, question:

I was in a guitar center the other day and they're having a sale on the Korg MS-20 for $400 so I'm curious if anyone's messed around with that model and what you think of it? I went in there to mess around with the Minibrute which I'm still leaning towards but just curious about the Ms-20...

[augustmoon]

that's a really good price.  they're supposed to retail for $600 and they just came out.  I haven't played it, but the MS 20 Mini is supposed to be an exact reproduction of the vintage MS 20, which go for about 2 grand on the used market.  I'd put it in the ballpark of the minibrute.  Its actually got 2 oscillators, where the minibrute only has one, and it also has semi-modular patch points.  The MS 20 is a classic.  I don't think you could go wrong with that purchase.

In other Korg news, these are coming:

http://www.synthtopia.com/content/2013/04/09/the-korg-volca-beats-volca-bass-volca-keys/

Korg is straight killing it with the affordable analog

also coming soon from Novation, with a street price of $500:

http://www.synthtopia.com/content/2013/04/08/novation-bass-station-ii-updates-classic-analog-design/

not really my cup of tea, but if you're into techno/acid house/303 type sounds this might be up your alley

really exciting time for real analog, especially considering that the real thing is going for what a brand new fake analog microkorg was going for just a few years ago.