Hello. everyone. I. have never joined a forum before so please forgive me If I mess up.
I have some equipment but some has gone defective so I am looking to replace/upgrade. I have an iMac running pro logicX, a Korg Trinity Plus (defective), a Roli Seaboard 1, Old computer monitors (defective). and a small 4 channel mixer. I am thinking of getting Adam Audio t7v monitors, a TR-8S rhythm performer, an Arturia Polybrute 12 & a. Motu 828X audio interface. This is just a hobby, but a like to remix old mii files and make my own EDM
My questions are - Is this a good initial set up? Will it. work? Are there any suggestions for alternative Should consider?
I may be adding a Korg Minilgue XD, an i connectivity mioxl midi controller & a Moog sub 37 at a later date.
I’m a bit shit on the hardware / equipment end (you’re bound to get better responses soon!), but you can do all of that with a laptop and headphones (basically my setup). The rest is luxury .
It seems like you’ve got a pretty great setup already, aside from defective monitors (you might want some studio monitors for starters, if not some headphones depending on your setup). Have you tried making some music with what you’ve got, for starters? Logic seems like a damn good DAW, so I wonder where the current snags are that are prompting you to go all in on the hardware end so soon. Or, spending additional money before you’ve figured out your workflow, really.
@Alan all of that gear is good. customizing studios is a personal thing based on how one makes music because while i can tell you all of that gear is good (in fact it’s better than good for an initial setup), it’s hard for me assess if it’s a good setup for YOU because I don’t know your workflow, what kind of music you want to make/do make, what your budget is, and on top of that how much you know about producing music.
for example there are pieces of hardware i would recommend to a seasoned producer but would refrain from even mentioning to someone who’s just starting out, or a hobbyist who just wants to turn their machines on and jam – vs someone who wants to get super technical and develop something like a aleatoric/generative modular rack. and just FYI both my workflow and my knowledge between those spectra fall somewhere in between. I have been producing a long time, but i’m nowhere near as knowledgeable as some of the folks on this forum.
Go here:
I’m going to move this thread in to that topic so there might be someone more seasoned willing to help you.
Are you interested in getting that Korg trinity repaired/replaced? How are you using it and what do you like or not like about it?
The Polybrute 12 is an amazing synthesizer. I’ve almost bought one twice (long story, off topic). It can do a lot, but before committing the money and space that instrument would require you should understand it’s not a Korg Trinity. You’re not saying this, but I think you might just be replacing the Trinity with a Polybrute and if that’s the case then I think you’ll be disappointed. So what are you trying to use the Polybrute for?
How’s your computer? Is it running all the software you want well? If not I recommend upgrading that first. An “iMac" can be a lot of different computers, but if it’s an M1 or newer then I think you’re set.
Do you like playing keyboard parts or sequencing them? The Seaboard and Polybrute are both incredible playing keyboards, but I could point you towards other instruments depending on if you have any training as a keyboard player and what you want to do.
Do you like playing software instruments with your Seaboard? I can recommend some software you could try if so.
What do you want to do with the Roland Tr 8S? It’s a great drum machine for house/techno/EDM. But there may be other options for you. There’s software called Atlas or XO that is great if you’re using samples on your Mac. I work faster and easier with that than I do with my drum machine. But if you specifically want to use a drum machine to do this kind of music then the TR 8S is one of the best.
If you get the Polybrute, the Korg Minilogue feels like it covers a lot of the same ground. You might consider something like a Hydrasynth desktop that you could control with either the Seaboard or Polybrute and can do more different sounds.
That’s all my notes. Overall, if you’re trying to replace a workstation keyboard with individual instruments I think you’re going to be disappointed. But let us know what you’re trying to do. If you just want to replace/upgrade the Korg Trinity with something newer and then get the Motu and speakers, that might be the easiest option for you. But if you want to get a Polybrute and a drum machine then that could be good too.
Thanks for the response. Very helpful. I will try to explain as best i can. Hopefully it will help.
My Imac is pretty much top notch. I maxed it out for ram & hard drive when i bought it. Runs everything & then some
I have had the trinity for about 12 years & it was second hand. It sounds great even through my desktop computer speakers. However i have never had keyboard training, i just muddle through. I have been thinking of upgrading/changing for some time as it kept loosing its preset voices & now the internal battery is defective (could be the voice loss because of the battery).
I bought the Roli about 2 years ago. It works great & i love it.
I enjoy 2 things. Taking old 80’s midi files. Remixing with them with the mac (logic) and adding to them with the keyboards combining the two styles where possible to give an EDM vibe. I prefer a hands on approach & would like to manipulate the production in real time (drum patterns, sounds etc) as i record into the DAW.
I think from what you have said so far, both the polybrute & minilogue may be overkill & i may be better off getting just the polybrute or the minilogue & something like a kaos. This may give you a better understanding of what I am trying to achieve.
As a final note, i am very much into Vitalic but am no way even close to his talent.
If you’re at all handy, replacing the battery on the Trinity seems to be a straightforward process. I’d personally put in a battery clip for easy replacement in the future. Even if you had to buy a soldering iron it’s a lot cheaper than a replacement synth.
On the other hand, new synth = fun, so any excuse is okay by me!
Knowing that you wan to be more hands on is super helpful. I think you’ll definitely enjoy the Roland TR-8S in that case.
The polybrute 12 would also probably be a good choice for hands on performance, even if you’re just sending midi to it and tweaking controls, the ribbon, and the morphee. When you’re considering spending that kind of money on a synthesizer there’s no bad options - just things that might be better or worse for you.
Another question I didn’t think to ask is what is your familiarity level with synthesis? Do you have experience making your own sounds? Are you interested in learning if not? Do you just want a synthesizer that has a bunch of great presets already that you can use and/or tweak? Or are there specific kinds of sounds that you want to make?
I think the Polybrute could be great for all of those (it has good presets already and you can buy more if you don’t want to make your own). If you have the money and you want it, then get it. But you may struggle a bit to create your own sounds on it at first if you haven’t done that before. So that might be where it’s actually a good idea to have a smaller synthesizer in addition to the Polybrute that can do some different sounds and help you to learn some sound design.
For that, a Minilogue XD actually would make some sense. You could also consider something like a Behringer Deepmind, Behringer Wave, or Behringer UBX at or near that price range (some of those are modules without their own keyboard that would plug into one of your other keyboards to play). All of those behringer synths are also based on 80s synths, so if that’s the kind of sound you’re trying to make they will all naturally sound kind of like that already.
A KAOS pad sounds like a great addition for you in any case because it is a great way to have some hands-on playable effects you can add to any sound.
For speakers, consider the equivalent priced Kali audio speakers to the ADAM T7Vs that you are looking at. Kali make some of the best speakers at lower price points. I also personally use and can recommend the JBL LSR 305s (fun fact, the team that designed those left JBL to make Kali!). I’ve heard Adam speakers before and you will not be disappointed if you get those either. If possible, go to a store near you and listen to the speakers yourself. Or buy them somewhere you can return them and try them in your room, and then send them back if they don’t sound good.
I’ve been wanting to swap out my HS8’s for IN-8 v2’s for ages, mainly cause i need the front port, but can’t justify the expense rn. I just FIR filter the HS8’s for free and they sound good
I actually got the chance to hear the original IN8 at my friend’s apartment almost 2 years ago and was really blown away.
He owns a local studio and they were his previous mains, but he had upgraded the studio mains as payment from an artist and brought the Kalis home. They were HUGE. In the sweetspot I was surprised by how balanced they were in an entirely untreated room with sensible EQ/gain settings. And they could also fill a pretty large room (probably 3x6 meters at least) very comfortably. Like we went and sat on a sofa at the far end of this very long room and they still were pumping out sound at the loud end of what I would consider comfortable.
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