I’m trying to „optimize“ my studio - which synths can stay, which have to go? I’m not sure. Btw I'm making versatile music in rock/pop/indie context. More mainstream than niche.
tl;dr: One big keyboard instrument (CP30, DX7, EX5) has to go because of lack of space.
Instruments that definitely must stay:
Rhodes, Korg MS10, Roland SE-02, Moog Minitaur, Siel Cruise, Sequential Take 5.
Mostly there’s already everything a keyboard player needs. Software synths (Arturia V-Collection, Memorymode, etc.) complete the range of "classics". Siel and MS10 are pretty odd, but therefore a good counterpoint to the rest (e.g. indie productions) and can not to be replaced as plugins.
Things that will definitely be sold soon: Kawai K1m, Yamaha QY-10, Yamaha TG55, Studiologic SL88, Volca Beats, Ferrofish B4000+. Mostly uninspiring toys or just lying around unused.
Synths only for live use and therefore not rated: Yamaha S90ES (main unit), Yamaha MX61 (cover band), M-Audio Code 61.
Things where there is still uncertainty:
Yamaha CP30 - is not very versatile and very big. With detune and stereo pan you can lay wide chords and have a lo-fi alternative to the Rhodes. Also there's no VST of this. But is it worth the space it takes? hard decision…
Yamaha DX7iiD - classic, but most of the time I only use its presets *duck*. It's too big for that, especially since I have the Arturia DX7V. Its bitimbrality and indestructibility are the only reasons to keep it.
Korg Poly 800 - recently got it for free. Nice for pads but then limited and a bit cumbersome to program. Should it go? Should it stay? Should I mod it? Alternatives? Not sure….
Access Virus C - generally a great addition for electronic music but somehow very rarely used lately.
Yamaha EX5 - is actually already for sale... But it has a great keyboard and is versatile. Along with its other forms of synthesis (VL, AN, FDSP), it can also be useful to have some Rompler sounds handy. Maybe I’d sell the current master keyboard (Yamaha KX49) and keep the EX5 as the new MK?
My Focus in this thread is on the instruments so I excluded the other stuff (interface, preamps, FX, routing etc).
What'd you say? What would you keep, sell, change or even add?
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