When i opened this thread, i tried to get a clearer idea of what “minisynth” means exactly. That was what Synthtopia was suggesting about the Hydrasynth Explorer — “the most powerful minisynth ever”.
Collectively here we’ve worked at what “minisynth” and “powerful” means and what that means with the two together. Reading through everyones thoughtful posts i have a better sense what that all means, and certainly what it doesn’t.
There is a difficult balance to strike between power and mini-ness.
I’ll try to summarize, but if this steps on a toe, speak up.
It doesn’t have to be the smallest ( see this thread for that ), in fact smallest works against being most powerful.
It does need to be easily transportable to be a “minisynth”. Batteries not essential but quite important.
Why the Take 5 is NOT a minisynth:
Though it is too soon to completely evaluate the Take 5, it is only a few inches larger in length and width, and has more full sized keys than the Explorer. But it is AC powered only and weighs 17 pounds, stretching even the idea of portable let alone minisynth.
As to powerful, we seem to think the user interface is very important, and synthesis horsepower in the form of polyphony — that also can work mono — and complex voices seems essential. Also it must have a very wide range of voices. A keyboard goes a long way, as a part of user interface, important enough to knock out a synth otherwise qualified unless it has some other very strong features.
More modulation sources and options, filter alternatives, on board effects, multiple oscillators with more advanced waveform generation are all important.
An advanced arpeggiator just seems de riguer for any synth now days.
Powerful and transportable probably also means can work standalone. ( External battery detracts from standalone, marginal but is still OK. )
Other considerations, important but NOT essential. Multitimbrality. A built in sequencer, or as substitute having patterned complexity in held notes. ( No sequencer plus no keyboard and you’re out, i’d say. ) Being able to sound design and create your own patches seems very important.
Not mattering for this discussion, analog/digital, in production/historic.
My thoughts, hope this sharpens the discussion.