Best 2nd Synth to go with my Fantom X??

It depends if you're on a tight budget or not. However I cannot recommend you any "dancy/effect" synth since I've never played that genre... I mosty play orchestral / ambient / classical / ballads...
Maybe you'll be better getting Supreme Dance + Platinum Trax SRX cards... or a Sonic Cell (if your other 4 slots on your Fantom X8 are full) in order to stick those cards in it... or you may simply get a MC 808 for that matter.

Anyway, I second your call... I also feel I need "je ne sais quoi de plus" for complementing the X...

What about a Virus? I'm looking into one of those myself...

Virus or a V-Synth would be great.

also, Clavia Nord Lead or Nord Modular

An XT would go nice! No extra space and very user freindly despite what others might say about it. And it has the vocal card and the D-50 in there for whenever you need them. sort of like three synths in one...

1trickymicky,

I have tried to build a rig that suits my needs as a musician. I evaluate it and see what I may be lacking and go from there. The X8 is a GREAT instrument and in my opinion is not second fiddle to the G or the other players in the field. IMMENSE power is in the X that remains untapped.

I have gone through a lot of gear in my years as a musician - sometimes I erred in getting rid of instruments I should have kept. To this very day I rue the day I sold my Matrix 6, DW-8000, SC Six Trak, Kawai K1 II and others.

Anyhow, I have a pretty complete rig. Here is the list of the keyboard harware I own hardware I own now and why I chose it. I could pair off any two of them and explore uncharted waters. I LOVE music!!

Fantom X8 - Simply fantastic keybed, great sampling and multisampling, intuitive sequencer, great MFX, and the best piano I have ever heard in a hardware workstation.

XV-88 - A workhorse 88 key beast that captures the halcyon days of the legendary Roland XV engine. Crystal clear and capable of growling and purring.

JP-8000 - Insane VA that I love. It might be older, but to me, old is never a BAD thing

SH-32 - I have this little tigress MIDIed to the JP-8000. PHAT analogue emulation between this and the JP-8000.

Juno 106 - Simply a classic

Wavestation EX - This instrument is frightening in its possibilities even today. The number of complex sounds that still have yet to be discovered are astronomical

K2000 - For sheer patch creation, the K2000 is insane! People complain about the small ROM set in Kurzeils, but many forget that Kurzweils allow you to do things to the waves that transform them into something totally different. You can take a snare hit, and transform it into a very rich sawtooth for a gazillion patches. That is just one example. Thirty one different types of synthesis engines in this old beauty. I am considering retiring her - lots of years of gigging - and getting a PC3X. Kurzweil was doing all these amazing things YEARS before the OASYS, and they still do it better

TG-33 - On the surface, a humble little instrument, but, a quite capable synth. I have this MIDIed to the Wavestation to create extremely complex vector atmospheres combined with the Wavestation's vectors and wavesequencing.

Yep, nothing in my rig is "new". But it works for me.

The best second synth to go with your great X is the one YOU feel is best, whether it is the latest off the line, or a vintage piece of kit that expands your pallette.

Best,
Vlad

you can color your X pallette quite nicely with a VsynthXT and it has the vocal designer card that is a "must have" for some musicians. also you get the D50 card, also built in, which can add a lot of seasoned flavors. Lots of good stuff out there to compliment the outstanding FX. j

(vlad has nice set up!)

thanks all, im still a bit new to the synth game - so I figure better to get some suggestions here first then by a sales man at a shop..

If you are new at this game then why do you want a second synth already? I would suggest that you download the Tweakbook and explore the possibilities on the X before looking elsewhere.

the reason for a 2nd synth is to have the option for the bass player in my band to be able to switch between playing a bass, or a synth part...

1trickmicky,
Whatever you may decide on, be sure to consider one thing. If you have the X8, make sure your second keyboard does not have weighted keys like your 8. It just doesn't feel right playing for instance some B3 organ stuff on a weighted keyboard.

BrianB

Have your bass player buy a synth. (Just kidding) You really should check out the tweakbook though to really get into the guts of your machine.
Personally, I would love an original V-synth, or an XT, or even a little phatty. The latest Moog with actual analog.

My first "second" keyboard for my Fantom-X8 was a Korg Radias. Inexpensive, sounds way different, and fun! The Virus sounds "most" different, but it's VERY expensive (plus, they just had a HUGE price increase for US customers). You would be fine with either a Radias, Virus, Nord, or even one of the less-expensive Korgs, like an R3 or a MicroX. The MicroX is actually very cool. And, don't forget Alesis either! There are TONS of inexpensive VA synths out there that contrast quite well with a ROMpler such as the Fantom.

Rezfactor. This is insane. I ALSO have the Korg Radias as second keyboard to Fantom! And for reasons you say too, it really is different, and great fun. Highly recommended.

Sold my X7 2 days ago, bought an XR rack today, and have already put Radias into rack too.

Haven't used Radias on stage, but it looks really good with all the flashing lights.

Fantom X8 + Radias. Good combo.