I've been researching for a week or so now, and I've got my choices narrowed down to 3. Now I can't decide which one. I know there's some synth knowledge in here, so tell me what one I should get.

I'll be using it to play live. The set up I have now is: A cheap M-audio MIDI keyboard that I run through my Macbook playing Garageband instruments/sounds, that's then run through a M-Audio Firewire Solo box and then through a PA system. The whole set up is a pain in the ass when we play live shows. Setting it all up, and just the possibility of something going wrong with all the equipment I'm running just to get my sound. I want something small, that has all my sounds built in, so I can leave the laptop and M-Audio box at home.

Also, I know someone will say "Don't get any of those, get a Nord" (or some other beautiful synth that I can't afford). The key here is bang for my buck. I don't really wanna go over $400.

So, which one???

MicroKorg


MicroKorg XL


Korg MicroX

if you don't get the MicroKorg, MGMT will kill you in your sleep

I should never have sold my MicroKorg.

for some reason i have a microkorg and ive never been able to really do anything but make moogy sounds with it

I have a microkorg, and I'm certainly not unhappy with it.

Not sure if you have already pulled the trigger on any of these, my issue with all of them is how damn small the keys are. Seriously, complete pain in the ass. For the same price you can grab one of the little DSI Mopho tabletop boxes and just run your M Audio Midi Controller into it and you pretty much have a Mopho keyboard there. Infinitely better than any of those Korgs in my opinion.

However, if you are sold on Korg, again for the same price you can grab one of the ESX-1 Electribes, again run your midi controller to it to control the synth section (you have a great amount of control there) and you get a decent (not great by any means) drum machine, synth, sampler, and sequencer in the same box.

Ended up with the Microkorg. Was leaning towards the Microkorg XL, but spent a week in Hawaii last week and found a guy on CL down there selling a Microkorg for $160. Considering a new Microkorg sells for $400 here, I figured I can try this out for a while and if it's not what I'm looking for, I can resell it on CL for $250-$300. Win Win IMO.

As for the actual synth. Just fired it up for the first time yesterday and it's a lot of fun. There are some sounds I need that I haven't found on it yet, but I love the fact that everything is customizable. If it doesn't have a sound I need, I can use the included sound editing software and MAKE the sound I need, then save it to one of the Microkorg's 128 preset slots and BAM, I've got that sound at my fingertips anytime I need it.

As for the small keys. Yes, they are a pain in the ass and would be a deal breaker if I was planning on shredding on this thing, but I'm not. It's being put to use in a rock band and it's use will be somewhat gentle. I'm happy with it thus far.