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Post by gambali on Jul 19, 2022 20:25:38 GMT -5
Just ordered a Kawai K1m. Thought you'd be interested.
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engraven
Merchant

atmospheric music made physical / handmade & diy / engraven.bandcamp.com
Posts: 65
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Post by engraven on Jul 20, 2022 10:55:47 GMT -5
I just noticed Chanterelle's latest album is made with a cheap Casio, and I've heard them lauded before in the community. Anybody have opinions on which are the best models for DS, or at the cheap price point is it just worth using whatever comes available? I think the Casio CZ models are the ones that come up the most in DS circles. I’m partial to the Casiotone MT series myself (play an MT-70) but those sounds aren’t generally what you hear on other DS records. I’d say look on your local Craigslist or some other auction site for whatever comes up cheap, then watch some YouTube videos to see if you like the tones. There’s something rewarding about working with the limits of cheap hardware. CZ is definitely the "premium" Casio line -- and they are definitely capable of doing more interesting things than just plucky melodies (there's a CZ-101 all over an Apoxupon album I will be releasing later this year; I mainly use it for phase-shifting pads and atmospheric effects). I have an MT as well, that I have not actually used on any recordings, but it's great for breaking out quickly to work on melodies (MTs are not really capable of doing much more than plucky melodies haha; in fact, they are actually better known for their rhythm presets, like the infamous "MT40 Riddim" that was copied-and-pasted into like every 80s dancehall reggae track). Most of the music from the first Lost Tales was actually written on the MT, but I ended up using a Korg M1 to record everything.
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Post by mahrgdidj on Jul 21, 2022 4:28:26 GMT -5
I think the Casio CZ models are the ones that come up the most in DS circles. I’m partial to the Casiotone MT series myself (play an MT-70) but those sounds aren’t generally what you hear on other DS records. I’d say look on your local Craigslist or some other auction site for whatever comes up cheap, then watch some YouTube videos to see if you like the tones. There’s something rewarding about working with the limits of cheap hardware. CZ is definitely the "premium" Casio line -- and they are definitely capable of doing more interesting things than just plucky melodies (there's a CZ-101 all over an Apoxupon album I will be releasing later this year; I mainly use it for phase-shifting pads and atmospheric effects). I have an MT as well, that I have not actually used on any recordings, but it's great for breaking out quickly to work on melodies (MTs are not really capable of doing much more than plucky melodies haha; in fact, they are actually better known for their rhythm presets, like the infamous "MT40 Riddim" that was copied-and-pasted into like every 80s dancehall reggae track). Most of the music from the first Lost Tales was actually written on the MT, but I ended up using a Korg M1 to record everything. Patiently waiting for Apoxupon’s Sleng Teng cover.
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engraven
Merchant

atmospheric music made physical / handmade & diy / engraven.bandcamp.com
Posts: 65
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Post by engraven on Jul 21, 2022 12:11:57 GMT -5
CZ is definitely the "premium" Casio line -- and they are definitely capable of doing more interesting things than just plucky melodies (there's a CZ-101 all over an Apoxupon album I will be releasing later this year; I mainly use it for phase-shifting pads and atmospheric effects). I have an MT as well, that I have not actually used on any recordings, but it's great for breaking out quickly to work on melodies (MTs are not really capable of doing much more than plucky melodies haha; in fact, they are actually better known for their rhythm presets, like the infamous "MT40 Riddim" that was copied-and-pasted into like every 80s dancehall reggae track). Most of the music from the first Lost Tales was actually written on the MT, but I ended up using a Korg M1 to record everything. Patiently waiting for Apoxupon’s Sleng Teng cover.  lol I got so caught up in de riddim that I forgot to even answer the question bartizanier asked ... It's worth using any old cheap Casio as long as you enjoy the tones. Don't expect the cheap ones to be good for much more than plucky lil melodies and simple chords. If you want something with the Casio sound that has some true synthesizing capabilities, the CZ line is the way to go, with the CZ-101 being the logical option for our context.
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Post by towerofmourn on Jan 9, 2023 11:49:21 GMT -5
Hi all! I would like to get into making ds and I am looking to buy a hardware synth to do so. I know many people will suggest I start virtual but I work with computers all day and would really like to do something more tactile. I was considering the casio cz 5000 as I saw another post that said fogweaver uses that, and I really enjoy their music. My favorite artist at the moment is probably Myst, I think all of his Coniferous Myst releases are incredible. If I wanted to make songs that were in that realm, would I be able to get those sounds with the cz 5000 alone? Any and all suggestions are welcome, thanks in advance!
Edit: if it would be better to post this elsewhere, plz let me know
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Post by bartizanier on Jan 9, 2023 13:08:30 GMT -5
Hi all! I would like to get into making ds and I am looking to buy a hardware synth to do so. I know many people will suggest I start virtual but I work with computers all day and would really like to do something more tactile. I was considering the casio cz 5000 as I saw another post that said fogweaver uses that, and I really enjoy their music. My favorite artist at the moment is probably Myst, I think all of his Coniferous Myst releases are incredible. If I wanted to make songs that were in that realm, would I be able to get those sounds with the cz 5000 alone? Any and all suggestions are welcome, thanks in advance! Edit: if it would be better to post this elsewhere, plz let me know Budget would be good to know. Also you can find way more info/responses on r/synthesizers or some other places. If I were going to buy one hardware synth on a modest budget I would be looking at something like a Korg Minilogue XD, but they answer could change depending on specific features or sound that you're looking for. Things to consider - how many keys do you need, do you need a sequencer included, how much polyphony do you want, etc.
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Post by towerofmourn on Jan 10, 2023 10:01:39 GMT -5
Hi all! I would like to get into making ds and I am looking to buy a hardware synth to do so. I know many people will suggest I start virtual but I work with computers all day and would really like to do something more tactile. I was considering the casio cz 5000 as I saw another post that said fogweaver uses that, and I really enjoy their music. My favorite artist at the moment is probably Myst, I think all of his Coniferous Myst releases are incredible. If I wanted to make songs that were in that realm, would I be able to get those sounds with the cz 5000 alone? Any and all suggestions are welcome, thanks in advance! Edit: if it would be better to post this elsewhere, plz let me know Budget would be good to know. Also you can find way more info/responses on r/synthesizers or some other places. If I were going to buy one hardware synth on a modest budget I would be looking at something like a Korg Minilogue XD, but they answer could change depending on specific features or sound that you're looking for. Things to consider - how many keys do you need, do you need a sequencer included, how much polyphony do you want, etc.
Whoops! My bad I am looking to stay around $500 give or take. Tbh my knowledge of synthesis is basically 0. I asked around in r/synthesizers and the Korg Minilogue XD was suggested there , so I will probably look further into that (Arturia Minifreak was also suggested). If I had to try and narrow down to a sound it would be something like these tapes outofseason.bandcamp.com/album/lost-mountain-pathways-remaster. Specifically I love Singing to a Dark Wall of Endless Pines and The Alchemist's Apprentice.
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Post by bartizanier on Jan 10, 2023 12:09:02 GMT -5
Budget would be good to know. Also you can find way more info/responses on r/synthesizers or some other places. If I were going to buy one hardware synth on a modest budget I would be looking at something like a Korg Minilogue XD, but they answer could change depending on specific features or sound that you're looking for. Things to consider - how many keys do you need, do you need a sequencer included, how much polyphony do you want, etc.
Whoops! My bad I am looking to stay around $500 give or take. Tbh my knowledge of synthesis is basically 0. I asked around in r/synthesizers and the Korg Minilogue XD was suggested there , so I will probably look further into that (Arturia Minifreak was also suggested). If I had to try and narrow down to a sound it would be something like these tapes outofseason.bandcamp.com/album/lost-mountain-pathways-remaster. Specifically I love Singing to a Dark Wall of Endless Pines and The Alchemist's Apprentice. Do you play keys? Some people are picky about the size of the keys, amount of keys, feel etc. I think Minilogue XD and Minifreak are probably two of the best options in that price range. Youre going to get a huge variety of great sounds, good form factor, and pretty good layout for learning how to use the synth. Like if you're new to synth you want something with knobs that control the parameters as opposed to menu screens, that way you can fiddle and experiment more easily. If you have a local music store I'd suggest going there and seeing if you can just try some stuff.
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Post by towerofmourn on Jan 11, 2023 11:24:45 GMT -5
Whoops! My bad I am looking to stay around $500 give or take. Tbh my knowledge of synthesis is basically 0. I asked around in r/synthesizers and the Korg Minilogue XD was suggested there , so I will probably look further into that (Arturia Minifreak was also suggested). If I had to try and narrow down to a sound it would be something like these tapes outofseason.bandcamp.com/album/lost-mountain-pathways-remaster. Specifically I love Singing to a Dark Wall of Endless Pines and The Alchemist's Apprentice. Do you play keys? Some people are picky about the size of the keys, amount of keys, feel etc. I think Minilogue XD and Minifreak are probably two of the best options in that price range. Youre going to get a huge variety of great sounds, good form factor, and pretty good layout for learning how to use the synth. Like if you're new to synth you want something with knobs that control the parameters as opposed to menu screens, that way you can fiddle and experiment more easily. If you have a local music store I'd suggest going there and seeing if you can just try some stuff. I don't play anything at the moment, but fiddled with piano when I was younger. This will be all very new for me. I appreciate your advice a lot!
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Post by talvisynth on Jan 12, 2023 18:20:16 GMT -5
Got myself the Korg Minilogue XD last autumn; it's my first touch in analog synths, thus still fresh on the path of learning, but so far it feels good, sounds good and has plenty of stuff for me to explore. Casio on the other hand brings me memories of the good days of the past when I had a cheap CTK-431 that I used when composing and creating early Talvi material. The instrument had MIDI-connections, so I then used it as a MIDI controller and plugged it in the front panel device for PC that came with Sound Blaster Live! Platinum sound card. Also had countless deep nocturnal pajamas wizard moments (  ) playing it in my bed in the late evenings/nights with my headphones on just before sleep; many melodies for the early demos came up in those sessions. Too bad I haven't had the instrument in a long time anymore. Could probably get myself something similar for those moments where I don't want to turn on the PC or not feeling analog but just want to sit on the couch and blast away with those more primitive, simplier and/or lower-budget tones. Could furthermore revive the old pajamas wizard thing too.
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