Which desktop synth for space / ambient ?

[mungbeans]

Hello

I'm looking to get a desktop hardware synt to make space / ambient type sounds, something like:
YouTube

YouTube
YouTube

Size and space is a consideration so it should be a desktop synth (not rack mount) but it must have lots of knobs - so the Blofeld isn't a contender.

Here's what I've been looking at so far:

Access Virus TI2 Desktop - lots of people on forums say its good for ambient, and I've listened to many ambient preset pack examples, but they all sound a bit too metallic.

Novation Peak - can't find many ambient example videos to judge it ambient type sounds

One of the Nord Leads - can't find many ambient example videos to judge it ambient type sounds

A DSI desktop - which one? Polyevolver sounds ok, but there's no desktop variant. Is there a Prophet N desktop which would be suitable

Are there other synths that contenders apart from these, and out of these which would be "best" for getting ambient type sounds most easily?

I'm not an expert sound designer, instead of starting with an init patch from the groud up, I tend to buy a set of presets which I like then use them as starting points. So while it may be possible to get any sound from any synth, it may be for an expert sound designer but for me a synth which already has a tendency to lean towards space / ambient sounds is what I'm looking for.


TIA

[ChamomileShark]

What is your budget?

Your You tube links aren't working

I'm never entirely sure what "ambient" means these days but my feeling is that you get most of the sound from the FX - particularly a reverb but also pitch. Put almost any sound through something like an H9 Eventide and it comes out ambient.

So for example generally people don't think of something like the Korg Odyssey as an ambient machine.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoOYTR5xtls

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQzV7EJS7VI

I'm using my module here for all sorts of things including ambient.

[chk071]

I'd think the Waldorf Blofeld is your best bet. It's pretty awesome for space/ambient.

https://soundcloud.com/waldorf-music/al ... cksnippets

[thecontrolcentre]

Dreadbox Abyss ...

[chk071]

Ah crap... just saw that you look for a lot of knobs, so, nevermind the Blofeld recommendation, hehe. I'd really take a look at the Virus then though. It's a nicely featured synth, and it's being heavily used in Ambient/Space as well.

As far as i know, she made frequent use of it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKf3iTCtUv4

[thecontrolcentre]

https://www.dreadbox-fx.com/abyss/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEgo-kEmlTU

[elassi]

You want sloooooow LFOs (good to have S&H, too) and at least one convincing reverb plus a capable dub delay.

That said: The synth isn't the problem. Pay attention to the FX.

[mungbeans]

Here are the links
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_cont ... mdoHwOQ7dU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZvVLu0QgUw

My budget is flexible but maybe around $1500

[aMUSEd]

Virus Ti doesn't have to sound metallic

https://soundcloud.com/kymeia/uvula

[ttsakonas]

I have Virus TI2 desktop, Peak and Nord Lead A1. I recommend the Virus for the task you want.

Edit: Peak's firmware update to v2.0 offers now 4 LFO, which makes Peak equivalent in this aspect to DSI Prophet Rev2-8, which was the only significant feature lacking to Peak (in other aspects Peak is simply superior to Prophet Rev2-8, which is in the same price range). So I wouldn't go for the Prophet either.

------------------------------------------------------
HW: HP i5@2.50GHz 64 bit, 8GB RAM, Access Virus TI2, Clavia Nord Lead A1, Novation Peak, Roland SH-101, Behringer DeepMind 12, Roland SH-201, Yamaha TG-500, Roland JV-1080, Behringer Neutron, Electron Digitakt, Yamaha Clavinova, D-Tronic Q5 (drums), Focusrite Scarlett 6x6, Samson Graphite 49, E-MU Xboard 49, Omnitronic FAD-9, Doepfer Dark Link, Behringer Xenyx 1002, Behringer Xenyx 502, Shure SM58, nEar06 by ESI (active, 1x6", 70W), AKG K-240-MKII, Audio-Technica ATH M-20X
SW: Cubase 9.5, Melodyne 4, Nora, Scaler, Magic A/B, jBridge, Ample Sound AGF2-AGP2

[mungbeans]

I have Virus TI2 desktop, Peak and Nord Lead A1. I recommend the Virus for the task you want.

Hello, why would you recommend the TI2? I've listened to several sets of presets on youtube and it seems to have a tendency to sound more cold and metallic.

I notice you also have the DM12, I knows that not as fully featured, but especially for the price, the sound of demos sounds pretty nice.

If you just wanted to load a preset and then randomly tweak knobs and sliders without any direction or intention, which out of DM12, Peak and TI2 would mutate the sound the most with just a few twirls of a knob or few pushes push of a slider?

Thanks

[mungbeans]

Virus Ti doesn't have to sound metallic

https://soundcloud.com/kymeia/uvula

Is this your TI patch? Very nice. You have other patches available on your website but nothing for Virus?

[aMUSEd]

It was made up as I went along - I find the Ti awkward for patch saving/management but great for improvisation.

thanks

[ghettosynth]

You want sloooooow LFOs (good to have S&H, too) and at least one convincing reverb plus a capable dub delay.

That said: The synth isn't the problem. Pay attention to the FX.

+1

And poly or mono is a function of what and how you're playing. I would say the DM12 is cool, except for the multi-use EG controls, I hate that. I'd pay money for a DM16 with 61 keys and separate controls for all three envelopes.

[thecontrolcentre]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WnFaWkasIk