Back when they knew the proper place for controls.
1 Like
The story says that it was meant to be on top of another Synth. Logical choice.
Virus TI2
Toraiz SP-16
Loopy Pro (iOS)
1 Like
Also it would be an idea to put in (but not only) an order:
Like a. best inspiration for mono sounds
b. best ā¦ for choÅds and poly sounds
c. bestā¦ for drums
d. best ā¦ for sequencing and composing
e. best inspiration for everything else 
ā¦and Iāll start:
a. Sh01a & DN
b. NL2x
c. TR8s
d. Force
e. a good master kbd- Blofeld, a Mackie mixer and Analog Heat.
From the gear I already own the MnM, MD, Syntrx, Matriarch and Minikorg 700fs are the most inspiring.
From the stuff I donāt have the ES Perkons, Oberheim OB-X8 and Waldorf M seem the most inspiring.
I donāt think Iāll be buying another synth in many years and the gear I donāt own that inspires me might just nudge the use of the synths I own to different directions instead of making me seriously consider buying them.
Itās the character of the sound that mostly inspires me. A kind of overall mood that transports me and makes me lose the track of time. Also the looks are v important I must admit.
3 Likes
a. DB-01
I just love the dirty sound you can get out of this box especially when FM gets involved
The sequencer is also fun to use and always leads me to a hefty bassline pretty quickly
b. Hydrasynth
The interface with the signal path laid out is just clever and sound design possibilities are endless with this beast
c. LXR-02
Especially when playing a liveset the dedicated volume faders and roll buttons come in handy other than that sound design possibilities are again endless and it has song mode (looking at you Digitakt)
d. Digitakt
Not much to say I guess we all know the Digitakt
8 polyphonic Midi tracks, P-locks and a nice form factor
e. Polyend Tracker
I have to throw the Polyend Tracker into this list because the way I go about composing when using it is fundamentally different than my normal composing process
Also great for making music outside/on the train as you only need a powerbank to do that
edit: reasons
1 Like
Also guys you could mention the reason why certain gear inspires you, like interface, sound, the way it works and so on. 
1 Like
I overhauled my submission I hope it lives up to your expectations
0-Coast. Itās packed with so much functionality that it provides near endless inspiration when patching from scratch (which I do every time), plus the sound of it is excellent (a giant sweet spot) and it does some phenomenal drones and rhythmic beats with some randomness.
Digitakt (even tho I donāt have one anymore and have no inclination to get another). Itās almost perfect, sounds absolutely amazing, and can turn one sample (of anything really) into usable material. Then thereās the master compressor and great FX, plus Overbridge for stems. Just the right number of features to be quick without overwhelming or getting bogged down in options.
Subharmonicon. When you want to break away from the usual chords and melodic lines you always go for, itās pure genius, same thing for rhythms. I plan to get another for deep chords and to feed other semi-modulars.
4 Likes
Iāll add mine (of gear I own):
a. BS2
b. Virus Ti or DSI Tetra
c. Rytm
d. Octa or MPC live2
e. 303, modular, drone/noise boxes
1 Like
Iām still sore they didnāt make a desktop one!
I think the piece of gear that Iāve owned that gets me somewhere the quickest, and that I generally enjoy using the most is probably the Digitakt. I wouldnāt restrict it to drums on the list though as Iāve found it to be capable at getting melodies down and of course all the sample fun you can have generally. I find it to be a very fun groovebox.
I found the NDLR very inspirational as well in how quickly it could help me generate ideas - and Iām finding ways to get the same benefits from the Oxi One (along with a lot more control and power).
And filters. I love filters give me any filter.
But I should really give a shout out to subtractive synthesis in general - a couple of slightly detuned VCOās running through a ladder filter is a tone I will always find inspirational.
2 Likes
The gear that inspires me the most is the stuff that I just canāt help but grab it and play a few notes on whenever I walk by. Op-1, po-32 tonic, and lately the m8 are very hard to ignore for me whenever I see them on my desk. But number 1 would be my fender 66, it just feels very nice to hold and play and I oftentimes come up with new melodies or chord patterns just by noodling around.
5 Likes
Really great, thanks!
For composing speed/fluidity I have to say Novation Circuit Rhythm/Tracks and Korg Electribe 2.
Circuit has quite a unique note entry method where you can see both the grid position and the note(s) at a glance. It is like the best of piano roll and xox grid into one.
Electribe 2 has very fast and easy to use sequencer, with nice shortcuts, pages of differing lengths etc.
2 Likes
Is Circuit Rhythm that good as a sequencer, just to get it for that? Thanks!
CR is 8 monophonic sequencer tracks, CT has 4 poly tracks (2 internal, 2 midi) and 4 mono tracks.
I find composing with them quite nice because for example you can chain all 8 patterns (each upto 32 steps) and work on them in single, pair, or any other combo upto 8. So lets say you realtime record a 8 bar pattern but fluff bar 6 you can just go to pattern 6 and edit/redo, then chain them again.
Also patterns can have different lengths, and playback options, including direction and scale speed - double, half etc.
Not sure Iād recommend as a main sequencer, but for purely a composing one very nice indeed.
2 Likes
The circuit rhythm lacks the nice scale modes of CT or Launchpad pro mk3. No idea why
1 Like
This is the key. Hard to let rest, hard to put down. Well thatās half of it.
For me, thatās my Super 6, Soma Cosmos, basses and guitars, and I would guess that my Vermona Perfourmer mk2 will fit in that category.
Sometimes a good Eurorack patch.
Norand Mono doesnāt feel as good to the touch I can very quickly get into interesting places with sound and sequencing.
The other half is a $20 RF switch. Everything is plugged in, ready to go, and all I have to do is hit a switch.
So a third ingredient is learning all this stuff and avoiding setup and troubleshooting when I want to play
3 Likes