??? It's a synthesizer with full control over all aspects of the sound - sound synthesis features are all it has!

It looks funky, and if they sell it for around 700 bucks it's not the worst deal either, considering 64-voice polyphony and all. I especially like how there is no display, no menus digging, no bullshit.

Nah, you're right. I am aware that it is a synthesizer in the literal sense of the definition.

It's a bit difficult to explain, but I mean how you can literally just change a noise or sinus wave, build several layers and change it into something very original.

There's (almost?) a bit more to it than what you sometimes come across feature-wise. At least it did make that impression.

Full on hardware, no comp interface/ virtual bs. DOPE!

WTF is a sinus wave? Something that comes out of you nose?

Sorry being anal about it again, but doesn't every proper synthesizer do that? (except when it doesn't have sine or layering, obviously)

Anyways if you're looking for a small synth, you might want to take a peek at such funky tools like Korg Microkorg, Alesis Micron, Xiosynth, or even Roland SH-201. All those are "virtual analogue" aka digital subtractive synthesizers enabling you to shape the sound to your liking, including the stuff you described.

EDIT: Don't forget the Waldorf Blofeld Keyboard either! In terms of synthesis functions and features, it pisses all over the rest basically. Widest range of sounds of them all.

quote.


ps

sorry, but seems like roland makes the same synth since 15 years...this one seems just a repackage...

this is Roland new target...
that's why all this seems to be "strange" to me eheheh...

http://www.roland.com/products/en/AX-09/images/image_05_L.jpg

...groovy tymes....

http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/64/l_91daa87d8508e4cbbff5b18b9f2ddfcf.jpg

Looks like a excellent synth. It would definately be an option for me if I was looking for such a synth, but since I already picked up a Waldorf Blofeld module and Novation KS rack last year, it would be a little over kill with yet another VA.

Plusses for the GAIA over the Blofeld in my view:
- more controllers
- better polyphony
- more effects

Plusses for the Blofeld:
- deeper synthesis
- display
- programmable arpeggiator
- can be upgraded to enable loading of up to 64mb of samples
- cheaper?

That's sort of what I meant, there are definitely gradations on how much tone / sound synthesis can be accomplished with any random synthesizer.

Regardless, basically I had assumed this was going to be more of a sound module style synth and less of something you can tweak to death. All I'm saying.

Other that than, we fully agree when it comes to synths in general, don't worry.

I had one I picked up from a local pawn shop, but the most important button to change the sound banks had been busted. So if I had kept it, I would have found someone to fix it, and I didn’t really have that kind of cash. So I took it right back the same day and got my money back. I wouldn’t mind finding another though.