Synths with ribbon controllers

The Lounge Other Gear
1

Lately I’ve gotten a little fixated on that cool Swarmatron synth that NIN used on the Social Network soundtrack, and how fun a ribbon controlled analog synth could be.

Short of building a modular and adding the Doepfer ribbon controller, what other options are out there? It honestly seems like the Monotron Duo or Monotribe are the only options short of building a modular. Are there any midi-based ribbon or touch-based controllers that let you do that and even better have aftertouch / mod wheel support for pressure?

2

Did I understand “Synth with ribbon controllers” wrong? Do you mean USING synths with STANDALONE ribbon controllers?

Hydrasynth: Version “Keyboard” and “Deluxe” (both 67 cm length).

asm_hydrasynthkeyboard_1
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3

Polybrutes are controllers right? :slight_smile:

4

Look at the UDO RBN-1 ribbon used with any synth with an expression pedal input.

Their extra Eurorack interface for this ribbon adds even more features.

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5

Either controller or synth, ideally analog. The theremin mode on the Hydrasynth looks like what i’m looking for, but it’s a VA which isn’t ideal.

6

Must say the analog sounds from the HS are excellent.

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7

Honorable mention for the microfreak, which has an amazing ribbon keyboard thing. And the 0-CTRL.

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8

U.D.O. sells a Ribbon controller for their Synthesizers. I got one for my Super 6. But you can use them with any synth which has an expression input.

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9

A lot of Kurzweils, including current k2700 and k2088/2061.

10

Rare but amazing (owned in the past):
Knas Ekdahl Polygamist

Noisy, powerful and sometimes beautiful sounding. I miss having one.

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11

Wow this thing looks bonkers, i love it. Seems more noise / drone oriented but right direction for sure.

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12

Old gold:

Micromoog
Multimoog
Polymoog
Yamaha CS-60
Yamaha CS-80
Korg 900 PS (metal bar, not ribbon per se)
Korg Monotribe
The Monotron family

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13

The TWISTfm from Twisted Electrons has a ribbon but might not be exactly what your after. :smiling_face:

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Mfb Dominion 1 got 2 ribbon instead of mod/pitch wheel

15

Wow this thing is really cool. I’ve been burned trying to program FM synths before so i’m scared of it but like the sounds i’ve heard and love that it uses chips from recycled sound blaster sound cards.

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16

I personally love it. I’m not great at programming it (also need to learn to do FM) and it’s something I want to do but it’s very hands on and no need for many diving. Highly recommend if you like the sound :smiling_face: