Trance Synths--Lets discuss

[Jose Colon]

Well you can post your favorite synths and best's synth for trance and electronic music...

[Norkamus]

Can you please repeat the question?
Nork

[Jose Colon]

best synth's for trance

[nanashiwanderer]

didn't you already ask this?

[epic]

This is a spoonie that wants it all given to him, and is not willing to do the work or research to figure anything out.

[BF]

I don't care much for trance and feel bad for any synth that is forced to play it... but I would expect those known for pads and arpeggios (that is my general perception of trance). It really depends on the type of trance and what sounds you are going for I guess. Epic, GOA, minimal?.. kind of like asking what instrument sounds nice in a symphony.

[earthloop]

I don't care much for trance and feel bad for any synth that is forced to play it... but I would expect those known for pads and arpeggios (that is my general perception of trance). It really depends on the type of trance and what sounds you are going for I guess. Epic, GOA, minimal?.. kind of like asking what instrument sounds nice in a symphony.

LOL... good response...I like it that you empathize with the machines.

I like all music (except Dixiland jazz and Liberaci!)...but GOA is the only legitimate Trance because it all started there!!!

So call me old fashioned...I don't care!

Just get a Nord 2X...that will do the job! If you can't afford one of those, then just use Google to sort it out, for God's sake!!!!!!!

[synthologist]

It ain't the synth......it's the musician!

[km2783]

Alpha Juno 2. Set it to user patch 86, called "What the..." and hoover your brains out

but seriously, there are a lot of synths that can fit the bill. VAs like the Access Virus or Nord Leads, analog hybrids like the afformentioned Juno, even a little VA MicroKorg can get you there.

the bottom line is:

search, read, search, read, and then search and read some more. wait for your eyes to kinda feel hot from being irradiated by a CRT all day (if you have an LCD, use a timer. About 8 hours is the minimum ).

[earthloop]

It ain't the synth......it's the musician!

Yes, and that too!

[km2783]

It ain't the synth......it's the musician!

Yes, and that too!

Yes, yes, and that, too Especially that.

[damstraiht]

This post put me in a trance....

Or was that the shibby...dang it...Im confused more than ever now...

[Carrie-uk]

Hi,

I was browsing through the forum for the first time and saw this post and wanted to reply. I can whole-heartedly recommend the Yamaha CS6x for Trance stuff. Although it is discontinued now, you can still find them around. Plus, they take PLG expansion boards.

http://www.vintagesynth.com/index2.html

I used mine to create all of the trance music I've wriitten: http://tinyurl.com/rjlwp

Carrie

[synthologist]

Korg Wavestation.....for sure.

I have the software version, and it's "trance inducing."

[altus]

OK, if you want the uber-generic trance sound that every run of the mill track uses, that's the Roland JP-8080 and it's supersaw oscillator mode. It's a VA that also does some wicked basslines, synthstrings and pads, plus lots of assorted random weird sounds. And the built-in vocoder is way cool.

The Virus family is also excellent for the above, although it is much darker and somewhat grittier sounding. You can make an evil brooding track using just a Virus C and its 6 outputs. The Virus can also do totally wicked basslines, acid stuff, pads, even electric pianos - whatever you throw at it, it will do it, and do it insanely well. Plus the built-in FX is fantastic, especially the long, dark reverbs. I love mine.

Next up is of course the Roland MKS family. As someone mentioned, the hoover sound comes from the Alpha Juno 2, and the MKS-50 is a rackmount version of that.

The MKS-70 is another classic analog beast. The sound of this synth is classy and majestic. It will give you huge-sounding pads and other analog goodness.

The MKS-80 is a cross between the Jupiters 6 and 8, and it blows everything out of the water - it's HUGE. As big as analog gets. It's pricey and not for n00bs (because if you get it, you won't know what to do with it unless you really got it for a reason; same with the other two MKS's).

Go to http://www.synthmania.com to hear the MKS series synths. My blabbering alone will not do them any justice.

You might also check out the Waldorf Microwave XT, which in itself is a weird but powerful beast. Not user friendly, but once you tame it, it will make your tracks jump out.

And lets not forget the Clavia synths - the Nord family has its own set of evil capabilities that will blow your trousers off if you don't watch out, but you have to know what you're doing.

For the digital side of trance, someone mentioned a Wavestation, which has a very specific sound that will make your tracks stand out if you know how to fit it in. Korg synths are notorious for sounding fantastic solo, but trying to fit one into a mix can be a nightmare.

Kurzweil K2000 series is great, and the VAST algorithms will keep you busy for weeks or even months. Kurzweils are amazingly good at imitating analog stuff, and they do other sounds well, too. In terms of sound, the Kurzweil does not exhibit a heavy sonic signature, and it's the opposite of Korg - it might not sound that great solo, but can be fit really easy into a mix, and once there, it sounds fantastic.

And of course, let's not forget about the E-mu E4 series samplers. These also have a very specific sound, thanks to the Z-plane filters, but at the same time are infinitely versatile. With the right samples, you can build an enitre track without ever coming out of the E-mu (that is, reaching for other instruments). There are countless sample libraries available out there, so once you pop, you can't stop.

All in all, I'd recommend getting ONE synth, and really mastering it. Like someone already said, it's not the tools, it's what you do with them. This way, when you max it out, you'll know exactly where you want to go next, and thus, what to buy. Do not buy everything I listed at once. You'll get lost and waste tons of time trying to figure out where to even start. I've been there myself, so I'm speaking from experience.

[jsepeta]

the big problem for korg synths since the m1 has been the use (overuse?) of effects with the presets. that's probably the number one reason for it being difficult to fit their keyboards into a mix. you can always shut off the effects, then try to re-do them in your daw.

as a side note, i'm having some fun with the korg effects that came with the legacy collection software. given enough time, i'm sure you could make trance with a cheezy $50 synth and a bunch of rhythm loops if you know what you're doing, and appy effects liberally.

[Jose Colon]

i think i am going with the ALESIS ION

[Proteus9]

I wouldnt reccomend it for trance.. the engine is extremely capable.. but I think
1. the over all sound is on the high end and it lacks deep bass sounds..
2. it'll be painful trying to tweak the engine into producing trance sounds.. 3. if you're not used to programming synths, the presets are all vintage emulations and wont help you much.

[Jose Colon]

what about the Alesis Micron, Microkorg or Juno D

[motulover]

what about the Alesis Micron, Microkorg or Juno D

Why don't you head over to your local store and try all of them out and see which one you like best?

[Proteus9]

the micron is the same thing as the ion...

I would reccommend either the Roland SH201, Korg EMX1 and then last, the Microkorg.

Reason being, all three engines aren't that deep, can be automated a bit with a small modmatrix, easy to learn on , quick to get sounds you want. The advantage of the 201 and emx1 is that all the functions have a knob right up front.

The microkorg can handle the range of sound, but may be a bit tricky to program since all the functions run through a menu and several knobs.

[Kristian Pedersen]

Get the freeware trance VSTi synths Superwave P8 and Lallapallooza Lite from www.kvraudio.com/allpluginononepage

They sound great, and I would at least try them before spending hundreds on dollars on hardware synths.

[synthologist]

I would reccommend the Roland SH201

For the price it's a great place to start.

As far as the free softsynths......yeah, give them a try, but you will need a decent PC, upgraded sound card, MIDI controller and host for them.

Are you planning on playing live? Because I don't recommend using a computer on stage. Tried it a couple times.....it's OK, but there's no substitute for a stable hardware synth.

[Visionism]

Its like asking "Whats the best guitar for rock" There isnt a synth in existence that you can't use for trance. As far as I can tell the "defining sound" of trance is the detuned saw wave. You can do that on everything from a Minimoog to a Motif.

Besides, getting the definitive "trance synth" isnt going to make you sound like Tiesto. (Thank god..) any more than my M1 makes me sound like The Orb. There's a lot more to it than gettting a synth with the right preset.

[synthologist]

There isnt a synth in existence that you can't use for trance.

Ain't that the truth!