Workstation Keyboard - Nord Stage 3
Nord is a crowd favorite for workstation keyboards for so many reasons. The Stage 3 is packed full of on-board effects and capabilities for sound modulation. Perhaps the biggest benefit is the fact that the user can upload new samples to their keyboards that are being produced all the time by Clavia for their Nord workstations, meaning you can be using a 2015 Nord keyboard with 2018 sounds without upgrading or purchasing new equipment. Nord also seems to put just as much into the aesthetic design of their keyboards as they do the interior design, and that leads to consistently first-rate products.
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Clonewheel Organs - Nord C2D
In every matter related to organs, tonewheel or clonewheel, Hammond is consistently leading the pack. With that said, I think that, for the first time in a long time, they have been outdone. Nord's C2D organ has more to offer than Hammond's XK-5, and even offers it at a cheaper price. The C2D notes a seriously impressive leap ahead of the long-time leader in organ manufacturing.
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Analog Synthesizer - Moog Subsequent 37
Moog is a keystone name in synthesizer brands. They consistently make the best synths on the market, and they always do it first. The Subsequent 37 is a perfect middle ground between Moog's massive rack-style synthesizers and their cheaper, less intricate models. The Sub37 has all the essential characteristics of an analog synth, without being cluttered with thousands of knobs and buttons.
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Digital Synthesizers - Studiologic Sledge 2.0
Miscellaneous Gear - Roland VT-3
Good vocal processors are hard to come by, and not many manufacturers produce them. Typically, someone looking for vocal effects would need to purchase an entire synthesizer with a vocoder function, but that is an expensive route to take. Roland came through with the VT-3 to provide the quality vocal effects musicians were looking for at an amazing price.
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