r/synthesizers • u/DiscoTimeMachine • 9h ago
Beginner Questions Help with daughter going to college
Total newbie here in this world. Daughter has been playing piano for 12 years but as she goes to college even her keyboard will be tough to manage. She does plan on joining a band. Figure maybe a synthesizer is the way to go but like I said I know nothing. Any recommendation in the $400 range where she can continue making music?!!! She loves creating and DJing too but maybe a quality machine is what she needs. Thanks!!!
9
u/DiscoTimeMachine 8h ago
Damn squad ya’ll are killing it. Thanks so much for all this info. I got my 3am insomnia research lined up. Appreciate every single one of you.
3
u/Mikefletcher86 9h ago
Arturia, novation and native instruments all make some fantastic midi controllers, in the 400$ range you’re probably looking at one of the smaller keybeds 25-49 keys instead of the full 88. Being midi controllers means they don’t make sounds on their own, and would require a computer, but I imagine most college students these days have at least a laptop. All of them will include some kind of introductory software to get her started, Ableton live is probably the most common you’ll come across. With one of these midi controllers and even a basic laptop she’ll be able to play piano, as well as basically any instrument known to man thru the software.
2
u/raistlin65 Live 3 • Peak • Virus TI • Model 15 8h ago
Being midi controllers means they don’t make sounds on their own, and would require a computer
And can also be connected to an iPad. And they are good piano and synthesizer apps for it.
3
u/crxsso_dssreer 8h ago
Ask her what she wants instead of asking randos on the internet. I'll never understand this. It's your daughter, if she's been playing piano for 12 years then she must have specific tastes and requirements you didn't list. And $400, unless you plan to buy used I doubt you'll get something actually useful for her. And also, maybe the college already has gear she could use? maybe you don't even need to buy anything yourself.
People here making recs without knowing her are just making bad recs.
3
u/Neil_sm 8h ago
I also second the gift card idea or maybe purchase with her.
But also check into the used market at your price point, like reverb and/or sweetwater and guitar center’s used shops. If she’s looking to get into gigging or playing with a band, a keyboard workstation or even a stage piano is probably the place to start.
When I first started playing keys in rock/jam bands, I was using a Korg n5 as my primary instrument for a while, and got a lot of mileage out of that mostly just playing presets, because it had great piano, organ, and synth-type sounds that were all I really needed for gigging. If you’re ok with something a little older you can definitely find something perfectly usable for that case with 61 or more keys as a jumping off point, that can be stored in a dorm.
Keep in mind, with whatever you get, she’ll need a stand (cheap collapsible one is fine for now) and some kind of powered speaker/amplifier to actually hear it when practicing or playing with other musicians. Or at least wired headphones to practice. A lot of the time there’s going to be some system available to plug into, but it’s not always an option, and it’s good to have something already if you want to join a band.
2
u/raistlin65 Live 3 • Peak • Virus TI • Model 15 8h ago
This is an excellent 49 key keyboard MIDI controller. It does not make sound on its own, but it can work with software when connected to a PC, Mac, or iPad.
If she has a PC or Mac computer, she can also use the Arturia Analog Lab Pro software that comes with the Keylab for free (does not work on iPad). It has approximately 2,000 synthesizer sounds that she can play and tweak. Including some piano sounds.
Here's a demo that can give you an idea of the types of sound that comes with
This has semi weighted synth keys. So not as much pressure to play as a piano. But excellent keys for the price.
If she got to where she wanted to create her own synthesizer sounds from scratch, Vital is an excellent free synthesizer that's available for PC or Mac. The free version is essentially the same as the paint version except for the number of presets
r/iPadmusic could recommend free or paid synthesizer apps if she's connected to an iPad.
Also, the Keylab comes with an Ableton Live Lite license for free, the beginner version of digital audio workstation (DAW) software that is widely used by professionals for recording, creating electronic music, and used in live performance.
Ableton has different resources that you might find helpful to get started
https://www.ableton.com/en/help/
Push Patterns on YT has a set of tutorials to get started learning Live Lite
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLk49l5T8kn7jp9yWQkdnZl_740Bv2yE2j
It's also worth mentioning that if she has a PC that has a Snapdragon CPU, instead of an AMD or Intel CPU, it may have difficulty, or may not be able to run different music making software.
2
u/10ThousandMetalZones 8h ago
One of the Yamaha portables like the reface CP you can find them used for around that price and not much more for new
1
u/ovaldispatcher781 9h ago
$400 is a tight budget but you can absolutely find something that'll keep her creating
a used minilogue would be perfect if she can stretch a tiny bit more, the knob-per-function layout makes it feel like an instrument rather than a menu-diving nightmare, especially coming from piano
if she's into DJing too maybe look at something with a sequencer built in so she can layer ideas without a computer, that way it fits in a dorm room without taking over her desk
1
u/Downtown-Pool-7706 8h ago
Its a bit tricky to answer this question, as we dont know what she would prefer. Assuming she would enjoy full sized keys as she is used the classic piano will narrow the options (not drastically but something to keep in mind). Other one is size, how much room does she have for a synth? for a 37 key model, or 49, 61 etc? the more keys the easier it is to perform in a live setting, but its not impossible with any of them, again really comes down to what she would prefer.
Also the sound and usability is one thing, maybe for a band a used workstation synth could be a solid option, tons of sounds from classic instruments like guitars and pianos to synth sounds. But these are not as approachable as synths that are meant for synthesizing sound with tweaking knobs to alter the sound.
Personally I would probably go with a workstation synth like Yamaha mx49, as it will give a lot of different sound options with 49 full sized keys. But if I would like a synth to practise sound design i would buy something like a behringer JN-80 or deepmind, if the brand does not matter. Quite limited options for 49 key versions as the pricepoint is a bit tight, but different story if 37 keys is not a problem.
2
u/FreeRangeEngineer 8h ago
Random note, only somewhat related to this thread: the Yamaha MX49/61/88 is such an underrated keyboard! It's effectively an entire Motif XS. It can be such an amazing deal when buying used.
2
u/Downtown-Pool-7706 8h ago
yep! i think for gigging it would be a really good option at that price range!
2
u/FreeRangeEngineer 8h ago
Agreed, it's super lightweight and I appreciate that. I only find the text display a little clunky to use, which may demotivate someone who isn't familiar with all the features. But when using it mainly to play the presets, it's kinda hard to beat.
1
u/Safe-Tough9811 8h ago
Yeah if she has a laptop I would recommend her to use music software like Ableton and a MIDI controller. Ableton has student pricing. And if she likes to produce music and DJ, that software is built for that stuff, and is more intuitive to use than a workstation-style keyboard. There are many MIDI controller options in that price range as the other commenter mentioned. But it depends. If she doesn't mind just making synth sounds and not playing software piano/keyboard instruments, then I would recommend something like a Korg Minologue.
1
u/sonetlumiere 8h ago
Korg Minilogue is a modern legendary synth. You can find one for $300 use locally. It is very direct and easy to learn while style having all the fundamentals of synthesis adjustment at your fingertips.
Micro/mini freak are complex and menu divey. That is the other one people recommend. Go to guitar center yourself and see how direct a minilogue is.
1
u/nord598 7h ago
Reverb has deals for musical instruments. They offer gift cards as well. Gently used synths may be another option for your D. Check out www.reverb.com
1
u/Fair_Yogurtcloset751 7h ago
Midi controller and a used MPC One. If she’s passionate, an MPC will pay rent.
1
u/Redacted_dact 7h ago
If you can go up to $700 you could probably get a used nord lead and thats gonna be solid for a long time.
1
u/Impressive_Bag5444 5h ago
You can get a really
Really good 63 key midi controller in the $100 range
1
u/65TwinReverbRI 4h ago
I'm a university music professor. I assume she's not majoring in music from what you're saying right?
Does she have a Laptop? A Mac?
Does she have a Tablet?
A Laptop, or a Tablet with a Controller Keyboard (they do make DJ controllers too) would really be the absolutely most versatile and least costly solution IF she already has them.
Ideally, a Mac Laptop, running Mainstage, with a MIDI Keyboard Controller would be your best bet.
An iPad, or other Tablet or Windows PC would have to run a similar type software (KeyStage, Camelot Pro, etc.) would be an OK substitute.
I agree with the others though - sitting down and talking about this and working out some ideas would be the best bet.
Is she playing with bands now? Because I think the idea that you're going to go off to college, meet a bunch of musicians in a band or that will form a band, is a little bit of a fantasy. The reality is most people are busy with school, often working multiple jobs outside of school, and those that are in bands - well it might not be the music she likes, they might not be all that good of musicians, and so on and so on - there are just tons of variables there. I've seen more bands meet up and break up than relationships in college!
She may be content just being able to play and create in her dorm. Then if anything beyond that happens, and she has the gear, bonus.
But I wouldn't "plan on" trying to "work" in a band or DJ'ing unless that's something she's already been doing and has a good handle on how to approach that in a new place.
I mean, it's a great time to start trying those things but let's just say it's a VERY fickle world...
But those things may not come together for a while, or may start and fizzle out, and then nothing else happen for a while, and so on - so that means having that "dorm room production station" might be the thing that keeps her going in the down times.
So I'd focus on that as the "core", with the ability to do, or expand into, the other things as they present themselves. No sense putting the cart before the horse here if your budget is $400.
1
u/WhaDaFugIsThis 2h ago
Yeah, letting her pick the unit she wants with a gift card is the way to go. And as others have mentioned, buying used will stretch each dollar even further. Maybe get one from Reverb. Tons of good synths, sometimes half their retail price.
0
u/socal-rook 8h ago
If you can bump up the $ a bit I would recommend the behringer poly d or the moog messenger... they're mono-ish synths for doing synthy kinda music - indie rock and stuff. I'd bring one of those to a college band gig-together. They poly d might be a better choice because it does have 4-note poly (sorry, paraphonic) for chords.
0
u/ShredsHardcock 8h ago
What a college student needs to make music is a good laptop.
Because she is a girl and not redacted like every boy you have ever seen post here, she will understand what Logic or Cubase can do.
Then let her tell you what keys feel good to her. Do not surprise her. Get her a gift card.
0
22
u/FreeRangeEngineer 8h ago
Personally, I wouldn't buy her anything to try and surprise her. If she's genuinely interested in the subject matter, she'll be way more excited to research options herself and pick things she feels excited about.
Hence, I'd give her a $400 gift coupon for sweetwater or similar synth store. It may feel less personal to you but if she's genuinely interested, she may appreciate that more than a keyboard that you pick out that doesn't match what she envisions for herself.
If I was you, I'd frame the gift card like I just outlined - that you don't want to presume what's best for her and want her to feel as excited about the purchase as possible - and see how she reacts.
That said, a "quality machine" in the synth world is usually above the $400 range if you buy new and so it might make sense to bump up the amount a bit. At the same time, I also don't think she needs a "quality machine" to get started in the synth world.
https://www.sweetwater.com/c510--Keyboard_Synthesizers?all&sb=low2high gives you an idea.