Hi James

> hi i was wondering if anyones tried the following synths the dave
> smith poly keyboard, the alesis andromeda the vostok at analogue
> solutions website and the other synths on there as well as the Macbeth
> M5 studio systems synth
>
> also the doepfer A-100
>
> which would you say is the best out of them in terms of filters,
> layouts, features, and lfos

There never is a best, if you try to compare uncomparable synths. Each
of those, you are mentioning is to completely different type of analogue
synth. You cannot compare a monophonic M5 with very unique sound with an
Andromeda. You also wouldn't compare a Ducati motorcycle to Mercedes
Benz longliner Omnibus in relation of cylinder capacity or cliemte
features...

> could anyone tell me what the a-129 vocoder systems like can you
> control it your voice via midi keyboard and make your voice hit
> different notes like

A vocoder is the opposite: your voice controls the synth soundwise (this
is a very limited description, but it fits to your request).

What you are looking for you will find in the Roland VariPhrase products
or in celemony's Melodyne.

Florian