Reddit reviews Korg microKorg 37-Key Analog Modeling Synthesizer with Vocoder

This is an actual synthesizer. The keyboarist in my old band used to use this on top of his piano for certain songs. The reason we used it is because you plug it right into an amp, and you perform the piece live without the need for a laptop with a DAW on it.

If you want to also use a synth as a controller, what you need is one with a MIDI output. MIDI controllers/keyboars have MIDI outputs, because that's what they're made to do. MIDI is the language that the controller uses to speak to the DAW/computer. A MIDI output looks like this. A cable will run out of that port into your computer.

As far as whether an actual, self-contained synth like the one I posted would have a MIDI output on it or not, I'm afraid that is not my area of expertise at all. I know nothing of electronic music aside from what I've said already, I was mainly hoping to help you decide what instrument you want to pick up. I'm sure someone here will give you a good synth recommendation, or you could head over to /r/synthesizers.

EDIT: One more thing. You say you want to be able to play the instrument. If so, you're going to need something you can practice on. You can't really practice very well on a little 3-octave microkorg like the one I posted up there. If you're serious about acquiring the skill to play keys, you should think about getting a decent sized MIDI controller like this (this is what I use to control my DAW), or, if you really, really don't want to have to use a computer, get a nice electronic piano like this. It's all about what you want to do in the end.

Im guessing a few hundred bucks.

https://www.amazon.com/Korg-microKorg-Modeling-Synthesizer-Vocoder/dp/B0000WS0SC/ref=sr_1_3?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1496824422&sr=1-3&keywords=Synthesizer+korg

Do you think this one would be a good choice? The Ion looks good as well.

If you mean this one, holy damn nice.

https://www.amazon.com/Korg-microKorg-Modeling-Synthesizer-Vocoder/dp/B0000WS0SC

Is that tablet hooked up to a speaker? it would be cool if you had a Vocoder app installed and hooked up to a speaker. it would add allot of atmosphere to the whole spacship design and allow your son to roleplay aliens and flying through the galaxy.

check out this vid for inspiration. Something like this would work.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=coxK-gI6lv4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaResO47NpI

An app would be the easiest route, but you could go with a hardware vocoder.

Something like this maybe but you would have to connect it to a mixer/amp/speakers...still this gives you knobs that could be overlayed with a different panel naming different controls and bring some more interactivity to the space ship.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPF5nHcmmGk

its a little pricy at $200 so app would be only a few bucks. You could have a vocoder app running on an old iphone/android phone hooked up to blootooth headset for him to use to communicate with the outside.

A Microkorg would be the ultimate addition and might get him interested in music but thats going a little nuts. Still I would do it even if he is a little too young at this time. You could do some cool things with him on it and roleplay together.

Here is a youtube vid of the microkorg in action

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjDMWZYB4sc

and this one...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OATHRi-B2a0


http://www.amazon.com/Korg-microKorg-Modeling-Synthesizer-Vocoder/dp/B0000WS0SC

http://www.amazon.com/Korg-microKorg-Modeling-Synthesizer-Vocoder/dp/B001MQUZJ2/ref=sr_1_7?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1463539057&sr=1-7&keywords=microkorg

Korg also makes some nice iphone/android apps for tablets. Might be worth checking out and way cheaper.

The microKorg, $400. I use the same wishlist for personal, holiday, and Reddit use so I have a few big-ticket items on there.