R3, Microkorg or Microkorg XL?

[Radfordfordsoup]

Im currently looking for my first synth. I want to play enter shikari songs and maybe dubstep. i was wondering for these types of music which synth should i get ? I am still saving but could strech up to the R3's price. I also have big fingers/ Hands and the r3 has bigger keys. ? im confused

[tpantano]

Im currently looking for my first synth. I want to play enter shikari songs and maybe dubstep. i was wondering for these types of music which synth should i get ? I am still saving but could strech up to the R3's price. I also have big fingers/ Hands and the r3 has bigger keys. ? im confused

They're.

All.

The same.

With three exceptions:
A. The MicroKorg has warmer, MS20 emulating filters from the MS2000
B. The MicroKorg XL has samples neither the MK or R3 has.
C. The R3 has many more features and higher polyphony (notes able to be played at a time)

Get the R3. Get it used, so long as it's in good condition you'll save some cash. You're obviously new to synths so going after the warmness of an original MK isn't something you'll need and isn't worth the features lost from not getting an R3.

Also, Dubstep isn't really played. It's produced, then mixed live by DJs. Almost nobody actually plays a keyboard synth live for Dubstep and similar genres of music. So therefore keysize doesn't really matter. You'll be pre-recording everything or sequencing live (having the computer play your synth) so you'll probably never touch the keys.

As for Enter Shikari... I highly doubt they make their own music, just FYI. I've seen them have Korg products on stage but never actually touch them... They're sequenced, playing back pre-recorded data.

Also, as someone who's learned from mistakes..... if you want to make your own music, I'd consider going into softsynths. They're cheaper, and a LOT easier to work with in a DAW. If you want multiple patches from the same synth in a DAW, you just run multiple instances of the softsynth. With the R3, the closest you can come to two different patches is two different Timbres- and sometimes, you need the two timbres for one sound. It's quite inconvenient.

So if you'll actually be PLAYING- which for many genres of electronic music, you don't- a keyboard/hardware synth like the R3 will be best for you. If you're just producing- as much as I hate to say it, go softsynth. There's plenty of amazing free softsynths out there, plus ones you pay for which are still 1/4 of the price of hardware synths.

Not to say hardware won't work for producing music- I use my R3, X50 and Moog all the time in my music. But for a lot of things its much more convenient for me to use a software synthesizer.

[Radfordfordsoup]

Thanks this helps alot =)

[tpantano]

Thanks this helps alot =)

So tell me exactly what you want to do.

Do you want to make dubstep? Do you want to make songs like Enter Shikari?

Do you just want to be able to play Enter Shikari music live?
Are you looking to DJ dubstep?

What else?

[Radfordfordsoup]

I want to learn how to play songs really. I have played the keyboard at school a few times but then i heard about synths and wanted one. so i still need to learn how to play. but i need to learn about all the Buttons and knobs and music terms. I like the type of music enter shikari plays and woud like to learn some of there songs. but when i get a job and can afford more equipment I will get a better laptop and more things like Emx / esx .. But Overall i want to learn how to produce and play music .. if that makes sense but to clear this up i am only 14 soooo.... haha

[tpantano]

I want to learn how to play songs really. I have played the keyboard at school a few times but then i heard about synths and wanted one. so i still need to learn how to play. but i need to learn about all the Buttons and knobs and music terms. I like the type of music enter shikari plays and woud like to learn some of there songs. but when i get a job and can afford more equipment I will get a better laptop and more things like Emx / esx .. But Overall i want to learn how to produce and play music .. if that makes sense but to clear this up i am only 14 soooo.... haha

Let me tell you something; the music you listen to isn't played. Sure, Enter Shikari may sing and have a guitar live, but the synth isn't played- it's merely sequenced, a pre-recording in a computer.

Dubstep is never played. Ever. Producers make the music, gives their samples to DJs, and DJs mix the music live. Almost noone actually touches a keyboards keys.

Also, while you can 'play' something similar to dubstep with a synth like the R3, it won't sound good and polished like dubstep recordings you hear. Dubstep synths are all about the post-processing- the effects you apply to your original synth sound- and can't really be recreated perfectly live.

[zalo]

I am pretty sure Enter Shikari uses an EMX. I learned synthesis on an EM1 then EMX. The knob jitter has pushed me away from the EMX. My advice, get the cheapest one you can find. Go on craigslist and keep lowballing people till someone says yes.

[tpantano]

I am pretty sure Enter Shikari uses an EMX.

I am pretty sure Enter Shikari's PRODUCERS use an EMX. And then give it to ES to put on stage, and press play.

Also, he claims he wants to play the songs- an EMX isn't really 'playing'.

[zalo]

I am pretty sure Enter Shikari uses an EMX.

I am pretty sure Enter Shikari's PRODUCERS use an EMX. And then give it to ES to put on stage, and press play.

Also, he claims he wants to play the songs- an EMX isn't really 'playing'.

I don't think they are as externally produced as you think they are.

I PLAYED an EMX for years, you can play them. Its not the same as playing other synths, you play notes, the arpeggiator, mutes, and knobs.

[Radfordfordsoup]

Perhaps playing the 'interlude' part is the correct way to put it ? :L i dont know haha but the enter shikari songs can be covered like the ones on youtube.... :S

[tpantano]

I am pretty sure Enter Shikari uses an EMX.

I am pretty sure Enter Shikari's PRODUCERS use an EMX. And then give it to ES to put on stage, and press play.

Also, he claims he wants to play the songs- an EMX isn't really 'playing'.

I don't think they are as externally produced as you think they are.

I PLAYED an EMX for years, you can play them. Its not the same as playing other synths, you play notes, the arpeggiator, mutes, and knobs.

Is it really playing? Isn't it more programming, then triggering tracks and messing with knobs?

Anyways, I saw Enter Shikari at warped last year. They had their synth, and EMX I believe it was, just sitting there. It played by itself, they didn't touch it.

[zalo]

I have been more active when using the EMX than any keyboard based synth I have ever used. Remember, you don't have to sequence every track, I usually left 1 open to play notes live. Just because something is sequenced doesn't mean you are only pressing play and going to sleep. If your view of playing is defined to pressing down keys, you might want to expand that view when it comes to live performance. One of the coolest shows I have seen was played only with a wiimote.

I have seen some videos of Enter Shikari where he is more active with the electronics, its really a moot point. You can play what ever you want, you don't have to do it the same way the original artist does and I don't think that was the point when Enter Shikari was originally brought up.

[Aciphecs]

Dubstep is never played. Ever. Producers make the music, gives their samples to DJs, and DJs mix the music live. Almost noone actually touches a keyboards keys.

This is not true, I have seen several live dubstep acts. Although it is mostly triggered and sequenced patterns\rhythms there are some out there that can do it live, and actually playing the keyboards that are onstage.

Check out EOTO, they have a live drummer, guitars, and synths all played and looped thorugh a laptop and the KP3 I believe. I saw them live last November and was blown away trying to figure out how their rig was setup and working, very impressive

[Blankman8503]

Not only that, EOTO's sets are nearly all improv. A couple years ago I saw the drummer walk out and pick up the beat of the house music that playing between bands and then pulled the house track back and the show was going. Because they are so much based in improv their sets can be hit or miss, builds and short bridges can be repetitive. But no matter the set quality they are impressive to watch. Wide-spectrum of sound being played live and looped by only 2 people.

Ganja White Night controls/plays some or all of their bass live, via axiom last time I saw a video, and another guy in the group uses an ESX-1.

I've also seen the Disco Biscuits synth player lay down some heavy wobbles live. I've seen STS9 do a live wobble to but it wasn't pulled off as well as Biscos.