Re: Best Cheap Guitar Synth

[Adrian Likins <adrian@likins.com>]

Totally agree on the x911. Definately one of my favorites effects. It it
glitchy to say the least, but it makes some great sounds. Aside
from the "traditional" monosynth swells and filter sweeps, one
of my favorite uses is to set the tracking sensisivity to "off"
and just let it glitch like mad. Hit a chord and let it feedback
and it will burble and bubble madly for minutes. Great fun.

Also be aware the x911 patch on the FM-4 doesn't even come close to the 
real thing. Though the FM-4 has some nice sounds itself.

The x911 can be a bit pricey to pick up though, $300-$400 dollars seems
typical.

Other choices:
eh micro synth: pretty cool, but perhaps a bit pricey for what it does
boss vf-1: has some "synth patches" that aren't too bad, but far from
            the total analog freakout of the x911
old 90's korg bass multieffects: I forget the model numbers, but there
            were a couple of models of korg multieffect pedals in the 
           early 90's that had passable "synth bass" effects. (A4 and A5
           models are what I'm thinking of I belive)

Adrian

Shayne Cafferata wrote:
> altho' it will be considered "old and glitchy" by most,  one of the best 
> cheap guitar synth purchases i've made is a korg x911. it has a 1/4" 
> audio input, so you can use anything, not just guitar, as a controller. 
> it's main  functions are either a monosynth very similar to the ms10 or 
> a unique polyphonic filter effect with fairly precise envelope-shaping 
> capability and optional distortion.
> as a monosynth w/guitar controller, i've been able to get some great 
> analog synthbass as well as higher octave flute-type leads. since i've 
> learned to play with a very clean staccato technique, i've encountered 
> very little glitching or lag. the triggering is pretty much 
>instantaneous.
> as a polyphonic filter effect w/guitar controller, the results are more 
> varied. you can get an eh micro-synth type of sound with dirt and wank. 
> you can get cleaner synth-like tones. in this mode the original sound 
> source is being processed, and when you play polyphonically, glitching 
> abounds, but i love it and have learned to more or less control it's 
> intensity and frequency of occurrence. the glitching has a burbling 
> musicality to it and not at all like the glitching on a gr700.
> the greatest asset of the x911 is being able to send anything through 
> it. the monosynth works amazingly with strictly monophonic sources such 
> as voice and electronic wind instruments. the filter effect can tranform 
> mediocre drum machines into a grimy vortex of groove. after owning one 
> for over five years, i still use it regularly and rarely pass up a 
> chance to rave about it.