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First sub £700 analog synth for experienced keys player

Context: I’m not a newbie, I’ve been playing keyboards for almost 2 decades and have a wide range of experience playing and programming workstations and, to an extent, VSTs. Pretty confident at sound design, but apart from a microKorg I hardly used in college I’ve never really had a hands on synth (lots of ROMplers, workstations and Nord like boards).

I’m selling quite a bit of gear, and one piece that’s going quickly is a a digital piano that will go for £700 at least. There’s a few options with what I could do with the money depending on what else I sell, but one of my thoughts was picking up an analog synth to go on top of my Nord Electro.

At this point in my life I’m done using workstations and designing with screens - for the next few years I want a simple set up that’s fun to play and has lots of hands on control.

At first I thought I’d be happy enough with a mono synth, but after some thought I’d rather have something that does those sounds well, but which also gives me the flexibility a poly/paraphonic would give.

With that in mind I’m currently looking at either the Korg Minilogue XD, or the Behringer Poly D. Very different instruments. The Behringer gets me closer to the Moog sound I’d want, but the Minilogue does a lot of cool extra things, including custom oscillators and effects. However I’m also thinking about getting a certain effects pedal which would smooth out some of the differences if I got the Poly-D.

I know Behringer doesn’t get a good rap here, but I’d like to hear peoples thoughts anyways.

Someone also offered to trade me a Rev 2 (6 voice) for one of my boards a while back, but I’m more after something smaller that can literally sit on the side of my Electro with a bit of tweaking on my stand. It’s a tempting thought, but would mean I’d get a lot less money for my total gear if I traded. Would be interested to hear if you guys think that sounds good for my purposes.

Anyone got any thoughts, or good suggestions I may have overlooked?

submitted by /u/anewhand
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