Search for “bumpons”. 3M has a wide variety that may work for you.
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Thanks for the tip! Have already found some nice options 
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Meanwhile, you can use the foam inside the box and sit the Synth on it. They are the same size.
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Also a very nice idea. You are totally right.
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I always thoughts the mellotron mini was an amazing pairing for the Digitakt2, but this little vongon seems perfect.
Anyone got this synth and could give an opinion?
Really want this synth to go with my M8, Octatrack and Oto machines Bebe mixer.
But im also looking at the A4.
I dont use any computers or daws. Just a simple setup for jamming.
Cons against A4….maybe to much for my needs.
Pros for A4….self contained system that easily could program full songs (owned one mk1 before)
Cons against Replay…maybe to simple (could be a pro in my opninion). Also no onboard fx but could use the octa or m8 for that.
Pro…the sound and simplicity….seems lke a wonderful interface.
Would love to hear some opinions…will get one of the machines for my upcoming 40th birthday
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I‘d recommend the Vongobnover an A4 then. These two are really extreme opposites I‘d say. If Vongon is anything like the Juno it’s based on, this is all about a very simple sound engine and interface that‘s designed to always sound good but has a certain character and limits. A4 is a super deep sound engine with no knob per function interface but almost endless modulation possibilities, performance macros and the Elektron sequencer. It‘s not always straightforward to make it sound good though. More like something to sit with and take your time. Poly sounds are also not its biggest strength.
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This is a track I started with the Murmux Adept and the Replay:
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I don’t have the A4, but considered it for a long time - still do a bit.
I have the Replay and really enjoy it. I like how it plays and how it sounds. The interface is simple to use for me. I can basically use it “blind”, without looking at anything or thinking about what which knob does.
It certainly has a more narrow sound palette, so I would check if you generally like the demos that you can find online.
I find myself using it all the time. It just matches what I do right now, ranging from pads, chord progressions, some bassy sounds too (limited there though), nice ARPs. It can go a bit gnarly definitely, but is more on the harmonic, “cozy” side of things I’d say.
I feel it is limited, but Vongon made a lot of good, clear, little decisions about it. What I really like, for example, is the LFO applied to filter cutoff, then modulating the LFO speed manually. Gives some nice plucky sounds.
Generally I’d say its very tweakable and playable and having it sound nice all the time, as the range of options is configured well for that purpose. It won’t go much beyond that “designed space” though.
Other decisions, like the secondary menu and preset saving/loading feel a bit like an afterthought though. But you get used to the secondary functions and the presets are probably more for live performance applications, where you specifically want to load some prepared sounds on the fly. But with its limited options I feel like I get where I want to go sound wise pretty easy and fast forward.
This, btw. never was the case with my Digitone. I do like it, but it feels much more involved and challenging to get it sound pleasant to my ears. I have to make a lot of decisions on the way to nice sounds, where with the Replay somebody made them for me.
So the Digitone sits on the other ends of extremes for me. I guess the A4 would be more straightforward though. But I imagine it to be more like “sit down dedicated to it, explore, find sounds, save them, play them later”, where the Replay for me is more “hey, let’s play some sounds I like”.
This matches my current life and time and what I want from my music practice.
For context about me and my setup: I don’t (and didn’t) own any other poly synth besides the mentioned Digitone. I use the Replay with a TX-6 mixer at the end and apply effects that way. I mainly sequence it via my DTII and also sample it. It also pairs nicely with a OP1-field.
Over the past year I’ve looked for a synth to accompany my other machines. I like the OP1, but I wanted something more advanced and playable for synths. The Replay in the end just charmed me and still does.
I could see it nicely matching with your Octatrack for example, having it for sequencing, sampling and FX. Or sampling it into the M8. The A4 probably is more of a Swiss army knife machine, giving you way more tools, but being less of a straightforward poly synth.
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I wonder if there will be updates for it. The cons and criticisms have merit- and it does really sound remarkably good and has a real charm to it. It’s the only synth I’ve bought in my Eurorack craze. Not saying I’ll keep it forever, but I dig it a lot.
This one’s ready for Christmas!
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cheers!
Perfect for the holiday season.
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I had some doubts when I took my Replay out of the box. The weight/feel was a bit of a letdown for the price. Now I just can’t stop playing it. It sounds super sweet without any fx and it’s so simple. I also like the feel of the keys and don’t find the sound of them distracting or anything.
I plan to use it with the digitone as a portable battery powered setup. Should sound great through the digitone chorus too!
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I totally get the negative criticism on the Replay. Having one, and reading the comments, it feels like one that if you own it you love it. Certainly how I feel about it.
There’s something about having something in that form factor that is so easy to get great sounds out of without even needing to add anything to it.
The keys feel way better than I expected, and though velocity and after touch would be nice, I can’t say I’ve actually missed it for the way I’m using it, which is mostly lush pads.
I code, and use mechanical keyboards, so have some silent switches I’ll probably swap out at some point, but am in no hurry to.
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I was thinking about doing the same but wasn’t sure where to start. What switches would you recommend?
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Believe it or not, that’s another huge rabbit hole, and can also be highly dependent on availability, outside of big brands like Cherry.
You can do a Google search for silent switches and see what comes up.
The most important thing is make sure they are ‘pre-lubbed’ switches. Otherwise they will feel rough.
The decision you have to make is if you want a ‘tactile’ switch, i.e. has a sort of resistance bump where it actuates. Or a ‘linear’ switch that has even resistance all the way down. Linear seems like the best option for a musical keyboard.
Vongon is using Cherry MX Black from the looks of it, they are linear, with a higher spring force.
Cherry makes a Silent Black so that would be the most similar easily available option. They also have a Silent Red with slightly less spring force.
I’m sure that’s more than you wanted to know…
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before long I’ll be getting a special container for all my different silent switches.
Silent Black is aa good enough starting point, and then when I get curious a few weeks later I’ll get some Silent Red ones.
I wonder how long it is before someone goes full r/mechanicalkeyboards on the Replay…
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Seeing the design of the switches. how wobbly are the keys if you press them at the top or bottom?
Just from looking at this picture it seems like it would not trigger the switch due to how much empty space there is above and below the switch.