Since so many people ask, I figured I’d compile a list to direct them to- and it’s fun to consolidate 6-12 months of fevered synth Googling into a single page. Please, let me know what I forgot:
*“Analog” is defined as a synth with at least one digitally controlled analog oscillator (DCO) or one VCO. Strict hybrids (meaning analog filtering/processing but no analog oscillators) aren’t being considered for this post (mostly because people don’t come around asking “Hey what’s the best hybrid I can use with the 4 Elektron boxes I just got within the last month- I don’t have enough to learn already!”), but items with digital oscillators and at least one DCO/VCO will be listed._
** On that note, the list does not include 303 clones, DIY synths or FULLY modular foundations/modules. I will probably list all the standalone modular systems that are cropping up soon…
***Note: many prices are based on Euro/Ukp–>USD, not actual cost to American buyers.
ONE LAST THING: I want to invite anyone to offer a short 2-3 sentence overview of any of the items in this list. If you bought it on the second hand market, it would be really helpful if you let everyone know how much you paid. Also, be sure to indicate if you bought the item as a compliment to an Elektron item, how well it fared in that regard, and if you still have it. If you sold it, how much? I’ll insert all the short reviews and second hand market data I gather into the above list and also, eventually, into a .PDF if anyone wants it to stare at on long train rides or something =).
If we keep updating the list each year, we’ll have a ton of wisdom and first hand knowledge most people are desperate for once their catch the hardware bug (I mean, I probably spent more time buying and selling gear and learning how to use the wrong stuff for what I wanted to do than I did making music until a few months ago!).
Used price is simply what was reported to the community on a purchase or sale. Meant only to be a rough estimation of the second hand market for the products
••Elektronauts’ List of All Presently Manufactured Analog Synthesizers••
A.
______Analog Monosynths_____________ Retail: USD*2nd Hand:
3-Osc[u][b]:
[/b][/u]
Korg Volca Bass (keys/sequencer)…$149
Waldorf Pulse 2 (paraphonic)- $700
MFB Kraftwerg II (semi-modular…$800
MFB Dominion X (semi-modular) $900
MFB Dominion X SED (semi-modular)…$1,150
MFB Dominion 1 $1,700
Aroura AR57- (keys)…$1,600
Studio Electronics SE-1x $1,650
Moog Voyager RME (rack) …$2,696
MacBeth Micromac- (semi-modular) $2,600
Moog Voyager (keys)…$3,095
Cwejman s1MkII (semi-modular/rack) $3,600
Moog Voyager XL(keys, semi-modular)…$4,995
GRP A4 (semi-modular/sequencer)- $5,000
2-Osc:
Dave Smith Instruments MoPho… $399
Dubreq Stylophone S2 (touch+stylus) $480
Novation BassStation 2 (keys/sequencer) $499
MFB Microwerg II (semi-modular)- $550
Atomosynth Krakken (keys)- $550
Korg MS-20 Mini (keys)- $599
Dave Smith Evolver…$599…$465
(2 DCO + 2 Digital Oscillators)
Moog Minitaur $599
Vermona Mono Lancet…$620
Moog Slim Phatty $795
Dave Smith Instruments MoPho (keys)…$849
Studio Electronics Boomstar $899
Tom Oberheim SEM- i… $899
Moog Sub Phatty- $999 (keys)
Tom Oberheim SEM Pro (semi-modular
/MIDI-CV converter)…$1199
Future Retro XS…$1,200…$1,000
Analog Solutions Telemark v2
(Semi-Modular)] $1,250
Analog Solutions Leipzig-S (sequencer/
rack mount)… .$1,320
Studio Electronics ATC-Xi $1,500
Analog Solutions Telemark K
(Keys, Semi-Modular)…$1,800
Analog Solutions Leipzig-SK (Keys, Sequencer) $1,800
COMMUNITY NOTES:
@pre55ure reports:
Future Retro XS:
Great synth for snappy basses, really fast envelopes, nice filter (reminds me a little bit of the MS-20 filter but with less grit- not in a bad way-) Lot’s of modulation routings and semi modular. Can be controlled by both Midi and CV so it pairs well with OT and A4. Additionally, A4 can also make use of a lot of it’s modular patch points- individual osc outs, filter and osc mod inputs etc… This is my current “Go to” synth. Super quick to dial in, good range of timbres , and almost always sounds great.
DSI Desktop Evolver:
Very unique synth, great for strange noises, evolving sequences, interesting sounds etc… Has 4 onboard sequencers that can be used to modulate almost anything and that sync to external clock. The sequencers are similar to Elektron’s P-locks in that they can allow almost all parameters of the synth to change on every step. Overall has a very gritty digital biting texture to most of what comes out of it. (Reminds me a lot of early skinny puppy). Not as good at doing “normal” synth sounds. Filters are ok but not great, envelopes are a little slow. Overall, it’s great if you use it towards it strengths- but not the best “all rounder”.
1-Osc:
Korg MONOTRIBE (sequencer)- $175
Arturia Microbrute- $299 (*November)
AtomoSynth Mochika XL (sequencer)- $350
MFB Nanowerg- $350
eowave DOMINO- $370
Artuira Minibrute- (keys) $499
Doepfer Dark Energy II (semi-modular)- $600
eowave MAGMA (sequencer)- $725
B.
Analog Polysynth_
[ul]
[li]Korg Volca Keys (paraphonic/touch keys/sequencer)- $149[/li]
[li]Dave Smith Instruments Tetra (4 voice)- $849[/li]
[li]Dave Smith Instruments Mopho x4 (Keys)- $1,200[/li]
[li]Vermona Perfourmer v2- (4 voice)- $1,800[/li]
[li]Dave Smith Instruments Tempest- (6-voice, 2 dig. 2 analog oscillator polysynth +drumsynthª; see below)- $2,000[/li]
[li]MFB Dominion 5 (Keys) (coming 2014)- ???[/li]
[li]Dave Smith Instruments Prophet '08 Module- $1,550[/li]
[li]Dave Smith Instruments Prophet '08 Keys- $2,100[/li]
[li]Studio Electronics Omega 2/4/6/8- $2,600/3,650/4,000/5,000[/li]
[li]Dave Smith Instruments Poly Evolver PE (Keys/sequencer)- $2,750[/li]
[li]Studio Electronics Code 2/4/8- $2,900/3,850/5,500[/li]
[li]Tom Oberheim 2-Voice (Keys) $3,400[/li]
[li]Tom Oberheim Son of a 4-Voice $4,000[/li]
[li]Schmidt 8-Voice Poly Analog (Keys)- $20,000[/li]
[/ul]
C.
Misfits/Misc.____
[ul]
[li]Elektron Analog 4 (4 mono voices, sequencer)- $1,400[/li]
[li]Buchla Music Easel (touch keys, “advanced oscillator and modulation oscillator”, semi-modular)- $3,700[/li]
[li]Grendel Drone Commander (2 osc. analog drone synth)- $360[/li]
[li]Ekdahl Polygamist (2 oscillator/duophonic/ribbon controller/noise/glitch/drone synth)- $1450 warning: the demos will make you deaf- take off your headphones![/li]
[/ul]
[ul]
[li]Metasonix S-2000 (tube synth w/ 2 analog oscillators/ribbion controller)- $1,500[/li]
[/ul]
D.
______________________Analog Percussion:___________________________
Drum Machines*
[ul]
[li]Korg Volca Beats- $149[/li]
[li]Korg Monotribe (see above)[/li]
[li]Delptronics LDB-1- $240[/li]
[li]MFB 522- $425[/li]
[li]Vermona DRM-1 MKIII- $825-$1120[/li]
[li]MFB Tanzbar- $1,100-$1,300[/li]
[li]Acidlab Miami- $1,400[/li]
[li]Metasonix D-1000 (4 instrument/vaccum-tube)- $1,500[/li]
[li]Jomox XBase 888- $1,500 DISCONTINUED. Still in stock some places so now is your last chance for the Jomox version of the 808(ish)![/li]
[li]Confirmed by @monoman via the person in charge at Jomox- Jürgen Michaelis! Who, I just now realized probably just took his initials and dropped them into the first two x on “x0x0x” and Jomox was born![/li]
[li]Jomox XBase 999- $1,850 [/li]
[li]Dave Smith Instruments Tempestª [/li]
[/ul]
*all analog drum machines available have internal sequencers except for the DRM-1 and the D-1000.
Drum Modules
[ul]
[li]Jomox Mbase 11 (Kick)- $329[/li]
[li]Jomox Mbrane 11 (Snare)- $349[/li]
[li]Vermona Kick Lancet- $359[/li]
[li]VG line BD 9Q9- ???[/li]
[/ul]
