Hi, I am new to this forum and played my 1st synth 10 months ago at Guitar Center. It was a Roland Gaia. before that, I barely knew what a synth was and just played guitar and harmonica at the novice level. Well, that experience left a lasting impression on me, as today I am the owner of the Gaia as well as, a Slim Phatty. Yes, I appreciate and have always purchased excellent quality and analogue guitar gear. The Phatty is a must have for me as it just has a sound I can’t do without. I’m sure there are other synths out there that would blow me away, but I don’t want to, or have the funds to, drop 2 to 3 grand for a synth. It will take me a while to figure out how to bring out all the Phatty has to offer. For now, i’m simply enjoying an awesome tone. As for the Gaia, well i’m still on the fence about it. I am considering swapping it out for another piece of analogue gear, Dark Energy and Mopho (keys) come to mind, however, I actually like and at time love the sounds and the tonal possibilities of the Gaia. Right now I use it as a midi controller for the Phatty and play both simultaneously If I had just the one or the other, I think something would be missing. The Gaia gives me Polyphony and tons of modulation. It also has a tone that at times, when played through A6 Revolvers, puts me in a tone cloud. 
Played with the Phatty, the 2 seem at times to compliment each other. 
I have some videos up on u tube with me playing them together. My channel is Bluesmanba. Please show respect if you decide to post a comment, as I have stated that I am completely new to the synth world and have nothing to prove by posting videos, other than enjoying the process. I do eventually hope to be creating some heavy house and acid. But for now, I’ll take what I can get. I’m a beginner, not a producer. Anyway, it’s a tough call for me, as I love the on board parameter options of the Gaia, even if it is thin in comparison. It also allows me to use it as a midi controller, albeit, no seperate mod wheel. So I get no modulation from the Phatty, without physically holding the pitch bend in it’s upright position, which is annoying. 
I have messed around with a ti snow, but do not like menu diving. For me, it greatly detracts from the creative process. Bottom line, the Gaia is OK. I just don’t know what to replace it with in this price range that will bring me closer to the type of music I want to make. And having polyphony is occasionally nicce. So, any thoughts or suggestions on an alternative to the Gaia is appreciated. It will be tough to let it go though. Thanks. Rob
My first thought would be a Little Phatty, and chaining the Slim to it for a 2-voice Moog synth. But, you mentioned the DSI MoPho keyboard, and I gotta say, I love that little yellow synth. So much it can do, and the sequencer is awesome. But, it’s also a monosynth. Whatever you do, don’t lose the Phatty, or you will regret it. Nothing else sounds like a Moog.
Thanks for that. It’s just difficult deciding on 2 when you really want 3. Don’t think I can let the Gaia go and definetly not the Phatty. The Gaia just keeps getting better for me, each time I use it. I guess the Mopho will have to wait until i’ve earned another toy.
Hi Rob,
Here’s a link to a free bank of GAIA sounds I made for Roland:
http://www.rolandus.com/news_events/current_promotions/rebate_details.php?rebateId=88
You just have to take a short survey (about the GAIA) to get them.
If you want more sounds, I made a different bank for Sweetwater:
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SH01patches/
(Scroll down to watch the Patch Demo video.)
Thanks, I’ll check it out