Over the years I’ve used a lot of gear, some kept, some sold, some missed, some not.
Some of the gear made a huge impression or changed my workflow or just sounded so great or was such a joy to use. (aka sweet zone)
Some gear might have been otherwise amazing but a bit obtuse or flawed, yet still really great. (aka flawed genius)
Some of the gear might have been great to get started, but was outgrown or “superseded”.
(aka teeth cutter)
The main thing being the inspiration and use it gives/gave, need not be “pro” level gear.
I think it would be interesting to read other peoples too, so if you feel like it post yours.
Here are 13 of mine (no particular order) for now, I’ll add some more later.
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Octatrack MKII - obviously, the MKI is flawed genius too, but MKII optimises as best as realistic the button combos of the MKI. Unparalleled sample mangling, and flexibility, amazing for reworking loops, incredible filter, scenes/xfader, brilliant arranger, the list goes on.
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Analog Keys - the A4 is great, and would make the list too, but AK takes it up a notch, the keyboard integration is excellent. Superb CV implementation, tons of mod sources and destinations, per step instant analog sound changes, a dream to me.
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Roland TR-606 - the runt of the analog Roland x0x litter to some, but not to me, operationally the ability to jump in and out of editing without stopping was a trick its more prestigious siblings never had. The sounds whilst fixed (kind of) are just so nice. 2 trigger outs where others had 1.
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Roland SH-01a - Arguably better than the SH-101, which is saying something, the unison, poly mode, better sequencer, full midi CC, compact size, and of course amazing sound mean that I don’t need a SH-101 anymore. The smaller sliders are a slight disappointment but overall are not too much of an issue given the many enhancements over the original.
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Synthstrom Deluge - A bit of a love/hate at times, but I recognise greatness when I see it, and there is so much greatness within its diminutive frame. I’ll say that for me it’s key areas are the sequencer/song mode/arranger and sample playback more so than the synth engine which is a bit lacking in a few areas for me, good but could be better.
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Roland TB-303 - I grew up with it, the sound/sequencer integration is special, famous for acid of course, but capable of nice muted bass/lead duties too, and arguably one of the most or if not the most important synths of all time. I always find it a joy to use, the sequencer is brilliant with its separation of time, pitch and articulation, some hate it
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Teenage Engineering OP-1 - The 4 track tape with its associated editing, bouncing, integration with sequencers and tape tricks (built in and user) make it unique and special. The drum sampler is great for chopping, some of the fx are very interesting, the various synth engines are from great to ok, the workflow is an open ended refreshing alternative to other gear, with enough scope for proper experimentation if desired.
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Radio Shack/Tandy Reverb - First it isn’t a reverb at all, but a BBD based delay, second it has long throw sliders which make it great to play, third it can also be used as a distortion box. Cheap as chips back in the day, today it would be a boutique gem
I bought my first new, I probably had 5 over the years, I was delighted to recognise it on Mr Fingers records a few years after buying my first one. Lately they seem to have gone up a bit, but for £100 or so very much worth it. Bit noisy but made up for with the character it adds. Designed I believe by Paul of Synthtech -
Analog Rytm MKII - The quick efficient sampling and CV inputs are killer features for me, 8 simultaneous samples, each with their own analog filter, and their own output, and start point modulation either sequenced or manually. Sleeper on those points alone IMHO. Add in the brilliant sequencer and analog engines (some excellent, some ok) and probably the greatest drum machine ever. I don’t feel I have scratched the surface yet, but it has sufficient depth for years of exploration.
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Nanoloop Mono - Any nanoloop is great, but Mono is my favourite, somehow it manages to distill or at least evoke aspects of 303, Juno, 101, 808 and Sid type sounds into a small analog card which fits in a Gameboy DMG. Minimal 3 part synth and sequencing yet with enough sophistication to retain interest for the inventive. I have 3 carts of it.
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Roland MV-30 - Possibly the first “Music Production” device that allowed whole tracks to be made, comprehensive sequencer, D-70/U-220 type sound engine, automated mixing. I made 100s of my own sounds for it, and tons of tracks on it.
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Squarp Pyramid - A really great midi sequencer, a fairly unique approach and once learned some joyful instant and fast composing. Midi FX are very handy, definition files for gear, multiple sequencing methods, plenty of I/O including CV/Gate. A competent and complete set of tools for sequencing.
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C&G Organelle M - Pure Data (of which I am very much a newb) made into a portable hardware instrument. The included patches are fun and mostly useful, plus there are lots of great community patches, so no real need to get into PD if you don’t want to. I intend to slowly build up my PD skills but am in no rush to do so yet thanks to the patches already available - everything from samplers, drum machines, sequencing, fx and more.
