[Yoozer]

It also helps that it's so cheap that it almost falls into impulse buy territory, and it's easy to send back if you don't like it .

[Nase]

I had a microkorg (the classic one) for a while, but didn't get to much use out of it.
The sounds are pretty nice, but it's nothing you couldn't do with software.
Editing patches is bothersome and unintuitive with the few knobs available, you'd have to get very familiar with all the submenus to feel somewhat comfortable with the editing process, and it still wouldn't be as fast as having a complete layout with all parameters in front of you. It does have a software editor, but then again why not just use software.

I think these little boxes (korg/micron alike) mostly are useful to live performers or people who don't use VSTs (e.g. those who don't like the workflow of software sequencers).

What I have now is a little monophonic analogue synth, the Doepfer Dark Energy. Not nearly as powerful from a sound design perspective as the digital synths comparable in price, but it sounds nice and the most important thing is that there's a knob for each and every parameter. You can really work this thing and get lost in tweaking it.

I can't say that I've used it in a lot of my music yet either (software is still the best for getting things done for me), but it's simply loads of fun.
The fact that it's analogue isn't all that important to me, it's the direct access to everything the synth can do that i find so valuable. I haven't seen any digital synth below $500 that offers just that. Of course, digital synths usually are more complex and thus would require more knobs.

Well, YMMV. There's a pretty high demand for these low budget synths, so I didn't have any trouble selling my microkorg for a decent price. Maybe you have to own one for a while to really know if it's the right thing for you.

[OverCoat]

Why does everyone want NEW synths? :(

look to the 80s yo. I'm planning to get a DX7 sometime in the future

My Ensoniq ESQ-1 kicks ass and no VSTi emulate it except for one, but the VSTi more closely resembles the SQ-80 and is not as intuitive as using my ESQ-1, which lays everything out for me nicely.

[Aingeal]

Thanks everyone, firstly I wanted to say the reason I want a synth is because I doubt my LG netbook could run my copy of Reason 4.0 with any reliability. If it could I probably would go with a MIDI controller.

But I'm mostly going to be doing orchestral pieces, so perhaps software would be a better choice.

I'm not certain, I'm new to this guys, guide me.

[Kanthos]

If you want good orchestral, why are you looking at a synth and not a workstation or arranger keyboard? You're right, you might be pushing it for good orchestral samples (at very least, you'd have to do a lot of track freezing to get remotely good performance on a netbook), but getting any of the synths you listed won't take you any closer to achieving what you want.

[Aingeal]

I wasn't totally certain what genre I wanted to go into at first, but I've settled on orchestral because it's the most natural for my mind to think of.

Anyways, What would you recommend in a arranger or workstation in my price range then? $500 max.

[big giant circles]

Originally Posted by Aingeal

I wasn't totally certain what genre I wanted to go into at first, but I've settled on orchestral because it's the most natural for my mind to think of.

Anyways, What would you recommend in a arranger or workstation in my price range then? $500 max.

If you're looking for orchestral with a $500 max budget, then you should definitely go the softsynth route as there's really not any hardware I can think of in this range that has good synth OR sampled sounds. You'd be better off saving your money until you can splurge a little more on something nicer. Otherwise, what'll happen is you'll realize how limited your sound-quality and options are and then probably end up either trying to sell what you bought (for a substantial loss) or just flat out starting over. Then you're just set back $500. :)

I think what you should do is buy Native Instruments Komplete 6 (remember to use that link when you do) because it's on sale for a mere $500 right now which would give you Kontakt which will have a very nice variety of orchestral and world sounds, and plenty of electronic sounds and pads as well, and a Guitar Rig, which is not only good for guitar but pretty much anything.

If you're worried your computer can't handle it, most of those things are not all that CPU intensive, and if it's a storage issue, then just snag an ext USB harddrive or something--they're dirt cheap lately. Then just snag a MIDI controller and you're in business. You certainly won't find any hardware that comes close to the quality and sheer quantity of sounds as Komplete until you get closer to the $2000-3000 range.

[theshaggyfreak]

If this netbook has problems running Reason (which is very CPU efficient), I seriously doubt that Komplete is going to work either. Unfortunately a decent work station keyboard is going to be well above your $500 limit. There are some cheap Yamaha keyboards like this but I'm not sure that would help you much. At this point, you may want to start scouring craigslist to see if you can find a deal.

[big giant circles]

Originally Posted by theshaggyfreak

If this netbook has problems running Reason (which is very CPU efficient), I seriously doubt that Komplete is going to work either. Unfortunately a decent work station keyboard is going to be well above your $500 limit. There are some cheap Yamaha keyboards like this but I'm not sure that would help you much. At this point, you may want to start scouring craigslist to see if you can find a deal.

Yeah, Shaggy's right, don't buy that keyboard. You might like it for a couple months, but you'd grow sick of it in a hurry.

Anyway, reiterating what I said, just save up. If that means you should save up enough to upgrade your computer as well, then do it. You can buy a new laptop PLENTY fast enough to run Reason/Komplete etc for like $300 now. I sure hate to see people buy something that is not what they need just because they're on a budget.

[Aingeal]

If I was able to get a computer that could run Reason what should I do for a MIDI controller? I can spend $600 tops at the moment, but would prefer somewhere around $400. Or would a good controller still be out of my price range?