Devices that punch above their weight?

Gral_Kerkila · 2024-04-04T08:52:07.618Z

A Raspberry Pi 4B with Renoise installed. A very cheap way to have an almost do whatever you want small device. Obviously you still need a screen, keyboard and mouse, but those can come very cheap or free if you’re not picky. Renoise is insanely well optimized to even run on this, but it runs very smoothly as well.

Otherwise from gear, the M8 (expensive, but not for what it is under the hood with keeping it’s portability in mind). Now, SP 404 mk2 it seems, especially with the new update out.

I own and love many other devices, but wouldn’t exactly call them bang for your buck.

IlTritacarne · 2024-04-04T09:17:31.977Z

My advice is Mutable instruments Shruthi, in xt or “normal” version. It s an underrated really great instrument. It can do very great bass sound or FX sound.

I ve got an XT with rolandish filter. On second hand market you can find it a very low prices (for what you get)

Dr.K · 2024-04-04T09:53:25.531Z

I want to add the Opsix and the Hydra Explorer. For 500 bucks each they provide an extreme amount of sound exploration. Imo they’re real nerd synths.
The muscular Moog might beat you up but the witty Opsix and the clever Hydra will cuss you out until the whole class laughs at you.

AMBello · 2024-04-04T13:46:13.505Z

Speaking of things that punch above their weight, the zoom ms70cdr. It’s Microfreak’s best friend but in reality it pairs well with any synth.

BrokenGadget · 2024-04-04T15:39:01.358Z

Not sexy, but the FMR really nice compressor is a good addition to a DAWless set up. Any thoughts on other value end of audio chain processors out there?

Ciaba · 2024-04-04T15:47:40.085Z

FilipNest:

If they made one (same size) with a tiny screen

I always wish for an android/iOS anytime soon, but a standalone unit could be supercool indeed!

Brokenfader · 2024-04-04T16:08:01.353Z

They’re not inexpensive, but it’s pretty impressive what all you can coax out of a Korg Modwave.

mynewcolour · 2024-04-04T16:21:07.808Z

The Make Noise Ø-Coast

Tchu · 2024-04-04T16:21:18.678Z

GFI System Specular Tempus.

sacguy71 · 2024-04-04T16:21:35.101Z

teenage engineering pocket operators

monquixote · 2024-04-04T16:22:32.595Z

Mostly been mentioned but:

Drumbrute Impact is so fun and inspirational and costs very little
Roland S-1 is just a crazy bargain

My suggestion
Poiyend Tracker at the current crazy cheap prices. At that price it would be a bargain if it was just a really powerful MIDI sequencer, but add in a sampler and synth mode and it’s a total bargain.

lowph · 2024-04-04T16:35:39.671Z

monquixote:

Poiyend Tracker at the current crazy cheap prices. At that price it would be a bargain if it was just a really powerful MIDI sequencer, but add in a sampler and synth mode and it’s a total bargain.

Yeah, at these prices it’s a steal. I sold mine a while ago, at a really low price (about where the discount is these days) and I think it was a deal for the buyer. Personally, I only got rid of it because I already had too many pieces of gear that fit that category, so I wasn’t using it enough.

Sometimes I still miss that FM radio sampling. More samplers should include that feature. Or shortwave radio sampling would be pretty rad too!

Moonwax · 2024-04-04T16:40:45.528Z

Volca Sample. With careful selection of samples it can produce great sound, just multitrack it.

JES · 2024-04-05T02:25:12.118Z

On the used market, the Kilpatrick Phenol.

heretical_audio · 2024-04-05T03:41:15.675Z

Mellotron Micro, OTO Machines BIM, and Oblique Strategies card deck.

pseudophysics · 2024-04-09T11:30:28.061Z

West Pest is another bargain, that people will cry about once it gets discontinued

Chreeb · 2024-04-09T18:07:31.247Z

Was just looking at WP vs DB-01 for bass. Both have a pattern generator which I am after. DB-01 seems to have more randomization parameters, but at about double the price.

pseudophysics · 2024-04-09T18:16:58.871Z

DB-01 is more versatile, but I heard there are some problems with the firmware

I used the WP with a Tr-8s and I had a bunch of fun
I think it’s great for techno in a live setup, once you put some delay/reverb behind it

And it can integrate great into your euro rack setup and offer an interesting voice, that sounds different from my other modules and can give you some of that juice that people are after when they buy stuff like Verbos modules, which are much more expensive

Chreeb · 2024-04-09T18:36:55.330Z

Heard the same about the DB-01 firmware. Looking for a bass synth to accompany guitar and drums that I can control while playing guitar. So either sequencing a whole song beforehand with something like an Oxi, or using pattern chaining.

But, I need to decide on the actual synth first.

Getting a little off topic, sorry.

I will say the OG Novation Circuit absolutely punches above it’s weight, especially for beginners. A couple youtube tutorials and you’re off. Don’t need to know anything about sound design, just twist knobs and have fun.

pseudophysics · 2024-04-09T18:40:16.054Z

maybe a used bass station II?
excellent device