Is there any hardwaresynth <500 that can compete with softsynths?

[zaphod betamax]

Lots of hardware synths have mod matrixes, not just the vapourware DM12.
Hmm... Blofeld, Ion, Virus, etc.

[Steve Bolivar]

I'd go with what tehlord said and not try to replicate what you already have in software with hardware. Go for something different. For $500 you can get 2 Akai Timbre Wolf keyboards. There's got to be some decent "fun" factor in that. Looks like Guitar Center still has some.

[RichieWitch]

That gives me an idea... for $500 you could pick up a used Korg MS2000R and a classic Korg ER-1, and have a four-voice VA synth and a drum machine!

I'll bet there are lots of other combinations like that for under $500 too.

[opoint]

How about a used Nord rack, or even those little Korg Volcas are fun if you just feel like jamming on some knobs.

[Foxedge]

Thanks for all the replies! I think I will stick to software for now and get a better midi controller - and if I ever buy hardware, you are right, I will aim for something that software cannot (yet) - for example the analogue sound.

That being said, check out the Legend Synth by Synapse Audio. It's out for a couple of days and comes very close to analogue sound.
I demoed it and afterwards my other softsynths did sound really.. soft, lol

[lolilol1975]

under 500.. no.
while strictly not really related to the question you're asking, I think the things this guy does is nothing short of amazing:

http://www.synth-project.de/controller_overview.html

If I had just under A$2,000 to burn I'd love the Hardware Diva controller.

http://www.synth-project.de/diva.html

But generally speaking softsynth vs hardware synth - they are two different beasts. hardware synths have a distinct personality and concentrate on doing that with the design of the hardware and the built in sound module.. Soft Synths, open ended possibilities (to a degree). Both have a place in music, and it'll be a sad day when they kill off dedicated synths. I'm already impressed by the System-8 and the forthcoming Behringer Analog synth.

Damn, this guy is incredible. But why doesn't he release the schematics if he doesn't plan to sell his designs ? He says he wants to inspire people, but he isn't inspiring so much by keeping everything for himself. Had he released them, he would have started a new trend, with people replicating his designs and creating new ones. But that didn't happen, proving that he really doesn't inspire much, he simply shows off his skills and creations, which aren't even used on stage.
So no no giving away, no selling, not even using them in real life situations, that's rather selfish in my opinion. Admirative of his skills, but not his attitude.