Devices that punch above their weight?

g3o2 · 2024-04-02T23:07:41.321Z

1010music Tangerine. It’s a tiny, versatile and reliable sampler with an excellent sound.

Jeanne · 2024-04-02T23:07:44.447Z

Volca Drum, Volca Kick, …

OldmanChompski · 2024-04-02T23:08:16.029Z

Audiothingies Micromonsta 2. Duo-timbral polyphonic synth for that price is pretty insane. Sounds good too, really good filters.

DJCHEMIE · 2024-04-02T23:23:20.281Z

Does Minilogue XD count? I feel like I will never buy another synth until I finally retire and go all in FIRST for a Juno…

Ryan · 2024-04-02T23:38:39.963Z

As soon as my Twisted Electrons Blast Beats come in, I’m really hoping I can report that here.

Ita hard to find a drum machine that leans heavily on sound design(rivaling the Machinedrum) so as soon as I heard the demos I had to have it.

Thats all I got. Plenty of other synths I’ve tried that work but are pretty on par with their cost. Minifreak is cool, but it seems reasonably priced- microfreak seems to have a greater bang for its buck

anzbert · 2024-04-02T23:55:24.827Z

I quite like my Roland Aira S-1. It’s like a complete polyphonic sh101 in a tiny box with a few extra aces up its sleeve.
In the Bo Beats best of 23 video, Bad gear guy Florian picked it as his favourite synth of the year. I think that’s a pretty big endorsement from a openly synth critical guy who knows what he is doing.
Personally, I only had to add some tall trimmer toppers to the knobs from thonk.co.uk, because they were originally so tiny, hard to see the current value, and a bit uncomfortable to use. Now it’s great

Edit: Added a pic of the knob-mod. So much more readable.

PXL_20240403_0857426004032×3024 2.18 MB

Edit2: I cut 2-3mm of the bottom of the trimmer toppers with a fine saw. Now they fit more snugly and dont scrape on the S1 when turning any more. I would say it’s a perfect mod now, and I would recommend it 100%.

PXL_20240406_2340187864032×3024 1.93 MB

anzbert · 2024-04-02T23:58:52.523Z

I would love to get one of those. If they ever get back into stock

Dr.K · 2024-04-03T00:13:48.097Z

The Microfreak can do a lot of crazy stuff and sounds amazing. With the last update it even became a sample synth.

Leonsarmiento · 2024-04-03T01:23:14.631Z

Interesting…

The cheapest thing that get the most use time…

The PO-33 K.O. Is definitely up here. That thing is pure fun.
Volca Drum: that thing packs a nice depth in: synthesis +effects +performance mode.

chiasticon · 2024-04-03T03:19:26.562Z

Model:Samples + battery bank. just took it on vacation for some standalone jammin’ and had a blast.

J3RK · 2024-04-03T04:30:18.811Z

I always liked the Typhon in this category. Absolutely gorgeous sounding synth, with nice effects, and fun even without something controlling it. Otherwise agree with many suggestions here so far. In the Typhon’s case it has a quality to its sound that I would usually attribute to something more expensive. Quite an impressive little guy really. I think the Nymphes is probably similar, but may less flexible?

jiffybox · 2024-04-03T04:31:34.195Z

TE EP-133 KO II and Roland Sh-4d. Both offer a lot and definitely punch above their weight if you get along wit their quirks.

JohnnyEgo · 2024-04-03T04:43:28.004Z

Elektron Analog Drive (86,- at Thomann)

I think even that power supply is 29,-

every circuit is wonderful

ViolentMeals · 2024-04-03T05:06:44.469Z

J3RK:

always liked the Typhon in this category

Couldnt agree more. Also, using the Typhon as an effect box for another unit is worth the price. Using an Elektron sequencer to sequence effects modulations and filter modulations via midi is really fun. I got into some real Cursed Realms of the Winterdemon territory with my Lyra-8 running through it.
the Typhon is a fantastic synth capable of so much.

lowph · 2024-04-03T05:55:27.870Z

OldmanChompski:

Audiothingies Micromonsta 2. Duo-timbral polyphonic synth for that price is pretty insane. Sounds good too, really good filters.

Totally! This synth absolutely punches above its weight. It’s a gem. Anything else with its capabilities costs at least twice the price. It even has filter FM (I love filter FM).

The only downside is that it’s hard to find, so much I almost feel bad recommending it.

colectivo_triangular · 2024-04-03T05:59:20.790Z

Roland S-1
Sonicware LIVEN Series
Typhon
Behringer Kobol Expander

Sternenlicht · 2024-04-03T06:04:52.872Z

Behringer 303 clone, sounds better thany any emulation i tested, on par with avalon. Way cheaper.

Starscream · 2024-04-03T06:05:05.595Z

Korg Monotron Delay. Small, affordable but quite a hefty punch.

Omar · 2024-04-03T07:43:52.103Z

Yep, a drum machine AND 4 part synth for that price, with all those faders, are really a steal.

When it came out, it was quite quirky and hard to use - but still sounded awesome. Now it got a number of lifts and it’s starting to rival (IMHO) with Elektrons, but in its own way, with very particular features (e.g. you can sequence the routing to separate outputs, patch changes, etc.).

The new FW to be released soon adds a pack of features I would have never expected on a machine in this price range.

Ryan · 2024-04-03T08:12:55.996Z

Omar:

The new FW to be released soon adds a pack of features I would have never expected on a machine in this price range

Holy fudge! Where can I find out about this new firmware?!