Long time lurker, first time poster. I'm currently setting up my studio and am looking for a master controller keyboard -slash- main synth, plus whatever counterpart I need to cover anything I'm missing in terms of sonic territory. My music is song-based as I'm primarily a vocalist. Been a huge fan of subtractive synthesis for many years and have a good handle on sound design and production. I tend to sketch out songs in NI Maschine and/or Abelton, so a sequencer isn't a huge deal for me. I'm about to outfit my modest studio, so need to come to a decision on this.
Originally, I was going to get a Sequential Pro 3 – incredible mono/para that just sounds killer – and use it in conjunction with (and as a controller for) a Hydrasynth Desktop. However, more exploration into the Hydrasynth leads me to believe it might be the better choice as the master KB. The polyphonic aftertouch, its sonic palette, the workflow all appeal. However, I am a huge fan of warm, beefy, analogue oscillators. I hear users say the wavetable equivalents can be made to sound warm, and I've seen some demos of recreating Moog and Prophet patches on the Hydrasyth that sound pretty convincing. Yet I'm reluctant, as I'm still drawn to that Pro 3 growl and warmth.
So here's the question: Do you think that running the hydrasynth audio through something like a Zen Delay or Elektron Analog Heat would lend sufficiently convincing analog warmth/variation/harmonics to its sound whereby I might actually be able to convince my ear that I made the correct choice here? With full intentions of eventually incorporating some decent analogue desktop monosynth or module in the future.
Or should I grab the Pro 3 and use it to control the Hydrasynth Desktop? The in-built sequencer with the 4-in/4-out CV could be used to drive all sorts of stuff given its power and ease of use.
In both cases there's the outboard effects in the equation (zen delay, plasma pedal, nightsky). I would grab an analog heat for the Hydrasyth if necessary.
Any insight? My brother has and raves about the Take 5, but the lack of CV is a deal killer for me, and I can't justify spending the kind of money a high-end prophet would require, when I could spread that $$$ around for complimentary gear. I really dig the workflow and potential flexibility of both keyboards, so it's a tough one.
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