Which one? For the sake of theoretical questions …let’s assume you could have any synth…not just what you already own.
Among those I own, I’d go with my Yamaha MODX6 and would be happy for ever. Among all synths… hm, this is a tough one. I like too many! Perhaps, I’d still go for a workstation synth and probably the Roland Fantom 6. Note that I’d still prefer a workstation synth rather than my laptop with the best DAW with all the plugins in the world, even though a DAW is indispensable to produce music, while the hardware synth is not. I am here for the fun first, not the production necessarily.
Does the Erika Synths Black System iii count? It’s sold as one big alien monster…
Otherwise, the Twisted Electrons MEGAfm.
I have one of these already!
Those look sick. I haven’t delved much into patching but the black system iii looks like a ton of fun. Haven’t seen the MEGAfm. How would you describe it?
Well, the MEGAfm uses two Sega Genesis frequency modulation sound chips so, if you’ve ever played one of them you’ve got an idea of some of it’s capabilities and sounds. This brings it to a whole new level.
As you might imagine, finding working hardware from the early 90’s is not that easy so, these are a fairly rare item. I feel like I need to get a vault just for it. It’s definitely not seeing many, if any, live shows. It’ll be staying in my studio and be used for recording authentic chiptunes.
I’ve got an older version with the older, grittier chips. I haven’t played it actually as I’m still just getting set up. Tomorrow, or this weekend, I’ll have the rest I need. Really, it’s just a proper MIDI cable. Lol
The Black Systems iii looks sick. It’ll be a few years before I can afford that thing. Lol.
Maybe a Waldorf Quantum MK2? I don’t know, I’m not going to think about this too long. Never interacted with one, but I’d be aiming for something that’s flexible with deep sound design capabilities, and wavetables are mandatory. The sounds are good from what I’ve heard. Voice count is probably adequate. Excellent variety of filter options. They haven’t skimped on envelopes or lfo’s. Fatar keybed with polyphonic after touch (which I haven’t any experience with, but I’d need channel aftertouch for sure). Being a theoretical exercise I don’t have to worry about the price, lol.
To answer my own question… the Prophet Rev2. It is the synth I always gravitate towards and fits well in any mix. Plays well with other instrumentation.
I have no experience with other prophets but the Rev2 has never disappointed me so I have not bothered to look for another.
Csound! Endless possibilities. I’ve been programming it for 25 years now, and it still manages to surprise me sometimes.