The other night I was explaining to my wife how the Steiner-Parker filter is vastly underrated while watching the love drain from her eyes. That didn’t happen, but it could have. Anyway, I recently acquired a Norand Mono and it got me thinking about gear that I like simply because it is FUN. Like, an OB-6 is fabulous sounding, but is it more fun than a 303? Well, that obviously depends on your taste, intentions, and skill. I’ve had a wide variety of gear over the years and it’s kind of interesting to ponder why certain gear stays on the desk longer than others. If I’m jamming and not necessarily trying to write a song, certain gear is just more of a blast to work with and keeps me in the chair, grooving.
Elektronauts, what gear is this way for you?
These are mine:
Arturia MiniBrute 2S - A well-rounded, capable synth with a balls-out, 4-lane sequencer. It warbles, barks, bounces, and screams.
Behringer TD-3-MO - I feel like I have to whisper that a piece of gear that has become among my all time favorites is from Behringer. But it is undeniably filthy fun.
Elektron Digitakt - How many people have to die before we can finally agree that this is a good drum machine / sampler?
Norand Mono - Brilliant machine with a bland name, modulation for days.
Erica Synths DB-01 - Makes devil music.
Roland SH-01a - Makes me laugh out loud, short bemused snorts, like unexpected sneezes.
Special mention goes to the Cyclone Analogic Bass Bot because it has guitar-style hammer ons.