Favorite desktop synths

I’m really into desktop synths right now! Ever since I got the Aira compact j6, it’s been fantastic playing the desktop synths with this little keyboard and powerful chord generator!

I got a jp8080 that’s so much fun. Some Nord racks, the prophet 12 desktop, an ms2000r.

What are some other favorites for you? I’m really interested in the novation nova, but they’re hard to find and I’m thinking there’s probably no advantage over a peak…

4 Likes

Besides the obvious Elektron boxes…

Toraiz AS-1
Minilogue XD module
Prophet 6 desktop
Moog DFAM and Minitaur
Blofeld module
Lyra-4 and -8
Landscape Stereo Field (if that’s considered a synth…)

5 Likes

I’ve currently got a few… notable mentions would be Prophet Rev 2 for its sound, and Behringer Deepmind 12 for its insane bang for the buck, and sound.

But, my favourite that I always return to- the Peak.

1 Like

At the moment the Norand mono.

4 Likes

Absolutely love the norand mono. I’ve had the peak and sold it, kinda want it back!

I have most of the ones listed here. I know jp8080 has shot up in price used, but I don’t read much about it on the forums. It’s amazing!

The udo desktop would be nice someday…

2 Likes

Sold my Norand Mono and kinda regret it, but planning to get the Norand Morphos

Still love my Kodamo EssenceFM desktop. Sound quality is terrific, tons of great fx, fun to program and is 16 part multi timbral with 300 note polyphony.

Seriously considering the East Beast/ West Pest combo

1 Like

My favourites are the Prophet 12 and Analog 4, both are very unique, Subharmonicon is also a nice portable unit.

5 Likes

A relatively cheap option that is a lot of bang for your buck would be an Arturia Microfreak. Very versatile, especially if you have some delay/verb to route it through. I’ve used it quite a lot and it is an inspiring little synth with an user interface that is very inviting to play with.

The peak is another favourite of mine, although rather less budget friendly…

…its little brother however, the Bass Station 2 is more budget friendly, and is a permanent resident of my little studio. The AFX-functionality makes it a freaky glitchy drum machine in its own. As with the arturia uF it needs some external effects though.

2 Likes

Dreadbox typhon is pretty dam awesome and fun to jam with

4 Likes

The Virus TI2 is great for me as a Desktop Synth. I pair it with a ROLI Seabord Blocks when designing sounds via WIDI Master and sequence it with Digitone when producing. Multitimbral on 4 MIDI Channels mostly.

3 Likes

Underated synth, but the Uno Synth Pro is a beast too.

2 Likes

I’m not sure whether the Medusa count as a desktop synth (it has a keyboard, just not a traditional one), but it’s the best synth I’ve ever had.

Also I’m thinking of making a desktop Alpha Juno, shouldn’t be hard.

Grandmother+Eventide H9+OP-Z

The GM was too large for my desktop

1 Like

0 coast was most fun
Digitone and A4 but they feel more like grooveboxes to me

3 Likes

Yeah, I no longer have any space for my keyboard and mouse :frowning:

1 Like

That’s what I found. Loved the sound of it, but just couldn’t find the space :pensive:

1 Like

Virus TI2, PreenFM3, Micromonsta2.
The MC707 is what comes nearest to a Zen-Engine-Desktop Synth as it gets.

2 Likes

Tetra/Mopho Desktop - love the sound and size
Prophet ‘08 - RIP Dave Smith
Nord A1R
Teenage Engineering OP-1
Sonicware ELZ_1
Jomox MBase 11/M.Brane 1_1
Moog Slim Phatty
Roland MC-101/JV-1010
Micromonsta 2

1 Like

Virus TI2 Desktop… just bought a second unit :innocent:

3 Likes