$5000.00 KEYBOARD AND SOUND MODULE CHALLENGE

[@sonic2000gr]

Easy, Montage M7 and and matched pair of HS8 monitors. It's 4999 euros here!

[@0richbike]

1000 large gin and tonics...

Dude where do you get a 5 buck g & t?

[@trebleboost7]

This morning - currently available summing to $4928. Kurzweil Forte for my workstation and performance needs (1999), Behringer UBXa for an analog poly with poly aftertouch and 61 keys for performance and studio (900), GS E7 module for VCO and ladder filter goodness (1500), GFI Specular Tempus (220), and finally Neo Mini Vent II for proper organ rotary (309). Enough left over for a few cords and maybe a sustain pedal. I am an all around utility musician, performer, recorder, writer, and for fun. Fun excercise!

The Kronos was not surprising at all after being a regular here. As a matter of fact, 7 years ago I decided I could only afford the space for a single 88 keyboard so I went for the Kronos 2. That instrument keeps beckoning me, it's like having James Joyce's Ulysses in your bookshelf daring you to finish it.

[@mybachhertzbaud3074]

My quick off the cuff answer would be the Polybrute 12.😁

[@canimob]

I think I'd have to prioritize three main components: 1) an 88-key hammer action keyboard with decent built-in piano/EP sounds (could be something like Kurzweil K3PC8 or Alesis QS8/8.1, so I reckon within €500) 2) an organ-style, waterfall keyboard (for example Roland VR-760, probably in the €600-1000 range) 3) Hydrasynth Deluxe 73-key for a jack of all trades synth engine and poly aftertouch (€1800), could also be a combination of Hydrasynth module and a Korg Keystage 61 (comes up to about €1450 for that combo). The rest of the budget goes into a PC upgrade, sound proofing/treatment of the studio space and a decent pair of monitors. I have to say, I don't get the appeal of standalone drum machines at this point. The iconic ones have been both thoroughly emulated and also... thoroughly overused. An acoustic piano would be a nice touch but I think I''d rather have an old, relatively cheeap upright in decent condition, so that I can do some nasty experiments on it and not feel too bad (or spend a fortune restoring it afterwards).

[@trebleboost7]

I have the piano you are looking for in my basement studio space. You can come get it. Now.

[@mglohmeyer]

As a hobbyist and primarily someone playing live for fun, but sometimes wanting to produce a complete song, I would pick something along the following. I know the following setup could be found within $5K (buying used). There is a lot of wiggle room on the list below but I give one example that came out to $4900 at the bottom of my message. 1) An arranger/workstation type keyboard with good 88 keys piano action (e.g. a Fantom 8, Yamaha, or similar). This would be my catchall for a large variety of misc sounds from synths to piano, electric piano, organs, etc. Such keyboards can also do drums, but I would still pick a drum machine (see below). 2) A knob per function subtractive poly synth (e.g. a Novation Summit or Peak or similar). There are dozens of options that would work in the $500-$2K range, but the point is this would be my synth for enjoying playing the synth live (playing the whole synth, knobs and all - with easy access to subtractive synthesis knobs - minimal menu diving). Ideally should have its own keyboard, not a module. 3) A Drum machine, probably a Roland TR-8S. It sounds close enough to all the real things it mimics (TR-808, 909, 727, CR-78, etc, plus many other drum sounds, samples, and even FM synthesis sounds). This is one of the most versatile options for a live playing drum machine. Jeff, you mentioned a Behringer RD-8, but bang for the buck, the TR-8S is so much more versatile and largely replaces the RD-8 while also providing TR-909, and all the other Roland TR's for only 2x the price. 4) A Moog like Mono synth. This could be a Moog Grandmother, but more likely needs to be something like a Behringer Model D module, Poly D, or Behringer 2600 to make the $5K budget. Or if I compromised more on the items above, I could come up with a semi-modular mono synth, perhaps based on the Behringer System 100 or System 55 modules for < $1000. Or I could delete this completely and put the money into the subtractive synth above to get something more analog with good mono synth sounds to achieve a similar result. I found the following list on Reverb today. I own all these synths (well, Summit instead of a Peak) among many others, but the following list would provide countless hours of music joy covering all the categories I most care about. $2700 - Roland Fantom 8 $1100 - Novation Peak $600 - Roland TR-8S $500 - Behringer Poly D Total: $4900

[@JeffreyScottPetro]

Great list. I had glanced at the Roland TR-8S and rejected it on price, but I'll take another look. Thanks for the recommendation and the comment.

[@mglohmeyer]

@@JeffreyScottPetro Another option for my $5K list for the drum machine would be an Akai MPC or Force. A bit more expensive ($600 for a Force on Reverb), but better for a sample based workflow. Plus an MPC or Force can do sampled keyboards instruments as many people suggested for their $5K lists. The Fantom can do similar sampled instruments, but an Akai is much better for this. I like the TR-8S for its simple UI for jamming, but use a Force for sampled sounds. I also have a TR-8 which is currently my main drum machine (simpler than a TR-8S for just throwing a beat together). The TR-8 has all the TR drum sounds as the TR-8S (808, 909, 707, 727, 606 - if it has the 7x7 upgrade), but none of the other features (no FM synth, samples, fewer FX, fewer output channels). Cost for a TR-8 is about $250-$300. I want to buy an RD-8 and/or RD-9, but with the TR-8, I basically have that already in a single box with a common UI. The UI for a TR-808/909 or RD-8/RD-9 isn't quite as nice. Historically accurate, but a little more difficult to use in a live play or jamming situation. I also realize that an ARP 2600 like synth is probably the best for my "Moog like mono" (#4 in my list). A Behringer 2600 is cheap (would fit the $5K budget), sounds great, and can do excellent deep bass as well as great leads, FX, etc. Thanks for your videos Jeff!

[@jumpingman8160]

ASM HydraSynth keyboard (main poly) + IKM Uno Synth Pro X (bass and sequences/drones) + Behringer Grind (weird sounds and sequences/drones) + Kurzweil K2700 (classic bread and butter and orchestral sounds) + Sonicware Ambient O (drones) + Sonicware Texture Lab (granular synthesis and granular fx for other gear. Pairs great with the Ambient 0 )+ Arturia Keystep 37 (to play the smaller ones) All from Thomann: 4777 Euros (the Grind will sell at 199, altho it's not yet available) Hobbyist

[@jbognap]

I love these thought exercises. Gigging guitarist / keyboard and sequencing hobbyist Roland Fantom G6 - used $1500 - best in-built MIDI sequencer with audio tracks Yamaha MODX6 - used - $1200 - excellent arpeggios, rompler plus FM ASM Hydrasynth - used $807.50 - great digital synth Korg Modwave mkii - used $535.43 - wave sequencing / morphing Roland GR-55GK-BK Synth with GK-3 Pickup and Yamaha 112 - $650 - guitar MIDI input Yamaha FGDP-50 Finger Drum Pad Controller - $269.99 - finger drum MIDI entry Total: $4,962.92

[@trebleboost7]

Excellent rig. Dig it. Like the guitar angle too. Own the MODX6 and it is great.

[@JeffreyScottPetro]

Great choices. Thanks for the comment.

[@philippezsiga1125]

An Emulator 4k will do EVERYTHING

[@TheTMontgomery]

My Choices Kurzweil K2700 $3000 DR 880 $580 Boss RC 600 looper $600 Yamaha HS8 studio monitors $800 all on Amazon Hobby Play for fun Would add a dedicated piano if I bought items used and saved money and a drum pad sampler SX or Alesis strike pad pro

[@JeffreyScottPetro]

Nice list. My best friend has the Yamaha HS8 monitors, he really likes them. Thanks for the comment.

[@SmallWorldBigThings]

@@JeffreyScottPetro Wait, wait, wait! Studio monitors? It supposed to be only keyboards and sound modules! Disqualification! ;)

[@trebleboost7]

Solid List. Check out the Kali IN8's too. I love them.

[@TheTMontgomery]

@@SmallWorldBigThingsyou need to hear the gear so either headphones or monitors must be included.DQ appeal request VAR anyone

[@SmallWorldBigThings]

@@TheTMontgomery Assumption is that you have already headphones or monitors. Beside that you didn't include in your list any mixer or audio interface... ;) The question in the video was only about "KEYBOARD AND SOUND MODULE" - check the title of the video ;)

[@pfmmodule5144]

Sequential Prophet X $2250 used on Reverb. Octatrack Mk 2 $950 used on Reverb Roland V Synth GT $1725 used on Reverb. $4925 total.

[@JeffreyScottPetro]

Not a lot of items, but all premium gear. Thanks for the comment.

[@rhill109]

Hypothetically, the G3 seems like a great deal. I would imagine that getting it up to playing shape will actually destroy the rest of your budget. How much has it been played in the last 50 years? How tight are the tuning pins? Etc. I own a rebuilt 1973 G2. It gets tuned at least twice a year at $150 a pop.

[@JeffreyScottPetro]

You're probably right. The challenge doesn't account for that. I tried to make the challenge simple. Transporting the piano 2,610 miles from the east coast would cost a fortune, but it's nice to dream about owning a real piano again. Thanks for your comment.

[@polyman4]

I'm currently in the process of trying to sell my late fathers house and after the relevant money has has gone to other family members, charities, solicitors, etc... I have decided to buy some music hardware. My limit is £4000. So I have been thinking very hard about what I really wanted. I have come up with.... 1 Yamaha CK88. I already have the ck61 but I need to hone my piano skills on a weighted keyboard. I know there a better digital pianos around but it's good enough for me, and I love the interface. 2- Korg Minilogue XD. I wanted something that was analog and digital that has a sound i'm into but included a nice sequencer and decent effects. 3- korg Drumlogue- again, i want a balance of digital and analog that has some internal fx and onboard dynamic processing. and multiple outs. also, the built in mono synth is handy too. 4 -radial key largo keyboard mixer. 3 stereo ins, built like a tank for live, excellent sound low noise, fx send. 4- Empress Reverb. A real luxury for me. I've always wanted a high end reverb and for that you have to pay. 5- Behringer vc340- I just love the sound mainly the strings/human voice combination though the vocoder is also good and has a lovely 4 stage analogue chorus.

[@thejollyjoker187]

All selections are from the european used synth market: A Korg Triton Le 88 (300€), a Behringer DeepMind 12 (700€), an ASM Hydrasynth (1000€), an Access Virus TI keyboard (1100€), a Roland JD-800 (1200€) and a Roland VP-550 (700€). All that sums up at 5K Euros. I believe it's clear what I tried to do. It's having one piece of gear from any type of synthesis.

[@SmallWorldBigThings]

@@thejollyjoker187 Nice choice!

[@macavree9464]

No drum machines?

[@thejollyjoker187]

@@macavree9464 FL Studio for that. And the drumsets & patterns/sequencer included in the Triton.

[@thejollyjoker187]

@@SmallWorldBigThings Thanks. It also helps with diminishing G.A.S. For example, when I got the Hydrasynth, it replaced the Blofeld instead of piling up. Always one synth for each type of synthesis.

[@SmallWorldBigThings]

​@@thejollyjoker187I didn't know Hydrasynth has wavetable synthesis 😮 Anyway.... Blofeld is multitembral so ony replacement I can see for it is Virus Ti2.

[@MichelMusicien]

I'm totally itb, but if I had to buy a synth, its main qualities would have to be its capacity for sound experimentation and its resale value. So, I would choose the Moog-one first (I would paid the remainder from my pocket). And if this choice is not valid, then I would choose the 3rdwave. These are 2 future classics.

[@trebleboost7]

I own 3rd Wave and it is A MONSTER. Absolutely love it.

[@TheBroDotTV]

For my purposes I'd probably go with a Proteus 2000 (£50-100), Waldorf Blofeld (£120-200), Akai S2000 (£50), Atari 1040 STe 4mb with Cubase (£100), Secondhand say 18-20 parametric EQ mixer say (£50-100) and just a reasonable second 49 keyboard midi controller that'd do me and I can crack on and make tunes and maybe a DAT machine. I make electronic stuff mainly all sorts techno, underground garage, house, jungle etc. My list would be about £500-700 max. 😎

[@JeffreyScottPetro]

Old school Cubase, I love it. Perhaps you've seen my Atari 8-bit episode... I'm an Atari nerd. Thanks for the comment.

[@klinkske]

A rx5 for 300, a kawai r100 for 400. A pro one for 2k, a hydra desktop for 500, maschine for 350, korg ody desktop for 400, reface cp for 250. Leftover for some fx, rack or pedal. And a revox a77 to repair for tape delay with a pitch mod. I make ebm kinda noise 😎(not edm!)

[@JeffreyScottPetro]

Nice choices for your style. Appreciate your comment.

[@PurpleMusicProductions]

Oh wow what a great challenge! Definitely the used market is how this would work. I will have to see if I can accept as it will require some thought.

[@JeffreyScottPetro]

Thanks, yeah, take your time on deciding. Thanks for the comment.

[@0richbike]

But seriously...might get a Yamaha a4000 or a5000 for your change. If I didn't have a (ancient but working) emu e4x id grab one

[@JeffreyScottPetro]

That's a choice. I'll certainly consider it. Thanks for the suggestion.

[@HazeAnderson]

I have the RD-8 mK2, I paid $275 for it used. I highly recommend it, my only reservation being that I prefer the RD-9 😆

[@JeffreyScottPetro]

Yeah. I am a little torn between the 8 and the 9. I have a lot of samples of both, but it would be cool to finally have a hardware drum machine. Thanks for the comment.

[@HazeAnderson]

@@JeffreyScottPetro That was my hint for the rest of your budget ... get BOTH the RD-8 and RD-9! But then someone would just say to get the Roland TR-8 or TR-8s. Definitely the best bang for the buck HAS to be the TR-8s. But as a drummer I just like drum machines more than samplers. Samplers can take all the fun out of it.

[@wendelynmusic]

I'd pay off my car so I have more money available to buy music gear

[@JeffreyScottPetro]

Wise choice. Thanks for the comment.

[@20680]

A nord stage 4 compact

[@FLH3official]

Good video! I will pass this challenge, unfortunatelty my compositionnal work is more toward orchestrals thing and hybrid. Consequently I can perfectly work without any hardware gear if I've no choice, but it's impossible for me, unless I change my artistic direction, without a computers, DAW and samplers, a bunchs of SSDs, orchestral libraries, few plugins and a controler keyboard (incidentaly all of this can be in the 5.000 ball park)

[@JeffreyScottPetro]

If you watched the video until the end, you know what's coming next week. It should be perfect for you. Thanks for the comment.

[@FLH3official]

@@JeffreyScottPetro I've noticed that, that's why I'll be there next week!

[@arakaneuman]

$5000? $50.000 is more realistic for an acceptable synth budget.

[@JeffreyScottPetro]

You're right, but saying $5K gets one response like this; saying $50,000 gets me shot. Thanks for the comment.

[@jumpingman8160]

Define "acceptable". You can get A LOT of hardware synth/keyboard power under 5k.

[@arakaneuman]

@@jumpingman8160 An acceptable synth armada, My armada in the 90s, main synths/samplers, PPG wave 2.2 with midi, memorymoog with midi, minimoog. Ob8, Xpander, Prophet VS, Sixtrack, OSC Oscar, Waldorf Microwave, Roland D550, Yamaha TX81Z, Akai S1000. I also owned Rhodes Chroma, arp Odyssey, Yamaha TG77, Kawai K5r, Roland tr 808, mc 202, SVC-350, Emax 2, MS20, Korg wave station, Korg wave station ad, Ensoniq Mirage but I didnt use them very much/sold them relatively fast. All these were bought second hand so I maybe payed about $14.000 for the lot in late 80s and early 90s money. Today its would be Prophet 10, Groove 3rd wave, OBX8, Moog muse, Trigon 6, Waldorf M, TEO-5, Moog Grandmother, Roland D50, Yamaha TX81z, Yamaha TX802 and a couple of Akais hardware samplers.

[@arakaneuman]

@@JeffreyScottPetro Its all about having fun with your synths.

[@jumpingman8160]

@@arakaneuman many of those synths do the same. Why would you want that?

[@BrianKalles]

G3 sounds tooo good to be true 😎

[@JeffreyScottPetro]

Hi Bri. Yeah. I'd definitely go look at it, if I lived there. What a deal.

[@trebleboost7]

@@JeffreyScottPetroit may be legit. But in my area these deals pop up and they are usually ‘I acquired from an estate and don’t know much about it, but it is in transit, and if you just pay the ‘movers’… if you try to make arrangement to actually see in person there will be responses about disability/inability. I’ve even traced photos to old or existing EBay posts. But indeed sometimes deals are real.

[@matthewgaines10]

Hobbyist Composer New Kurzweil K2700: $3,000 MPC Live II: $1,300 Used Kurzweil K2700: $2,400 MPC Live II: $875 Roland Integra 7: $1,100

[@JeffreyScottPetro]

Nice list. Appreciate the comment.

[@SmallWorldBigThings]

Fun game/challenge! To start, I'll say that I do thorough research and buy gear that absolutely fits my personal category of the "dream setup." So, to begin with, I'll list (some of) the synthesizers I own and wouldn't want to part with - this will be my base, which I will supplement with a few additional devices I don't have but would gladly welcome (while keeping under 5000 USD). So, my base - meaning the synthesizers I already own with the prices I bought them for: Synthstrom Deluge OLED - 544USD (purchased for 800AUD) Korg Radias module - 509USD (purchased for 750AUD) Waldorf Blofeld desktop - 271USD (purchased for 400AUD) 1010Music Nanobox Lemondrop - 320USD (purchased for 470AUD) Roland Aira Touch Bassline TB-3 - 340USD (purchased for 500AUD) 3 x Behringer Crave in one rack - 475USD (purchased for 700AUD) Arturia 49 Key Analog Experience The Laboratory - 135USD (purchased for 200 AUD) Altogether, it came to 2594 USD First, the devices I would gladly add to the setup to stay under 5k USD (with these two synths it comes to 4982USD): Access Virus Ti2 desktop - 1358USD (found one in FB Market for 2000AUD) Vector Synth - 1030USD (new one for 940Euro) ...and the devices I would also gladly welcome if the budget was higher than 5k USD: Waldorf Iridium Desktop - 1630USD (found one in FB Market for 2400AUD) Roland JP-8080 - 1358USD (found one in FB Market for 2000AUD) So, this is my dream setup below 5K USD ;) As for me - music is just a hobby, something to enjoy at home and relax with interesting sounds and cool melodies/rhythms. I want the gear I own to give me as wide a range of options for fun as possible (the semi-modular Craves, granular synth in Lemondrop, unique features of Radias, versatility and extensive possibilities of Blofeld, the excellent brain of the setup in the form of Deluge, and the legendary 303 sound in a box without limits - the TB-3). Cheers!

[@JeffreyScottPetro]

Nice list. Thanks for the comment.

[@SmallWorldBigThings]

@@JeffreyScottPetro Thanks! :)