cheap monosynths.

gmschroeder · Post by **gmschroeder** » Sun Jun 24, 2007 6:59 pm

I'm the proud owner of a Roland mc-505 (cough) and a few "free" and open-source apps.
After months of twiddling and listening, I've decided I need a standalone acid-ish monosynth. Re-arranging a few mediocre waveforms on my 505 is wearing thin - and I'm not finding the sounds I want.
I don't need features, I don't need quality, I don't want/need a 303 clone, I don't need analog (sure wouldn't turn it down), etc.
And I do want hardware.

The smaller, cheaper and simpler the better. Ideal would be a bunch of knobs and no sequencer. I'll just midi it with my computer or mc-505.

Something like the micro modular or the nanobass would be cool - the former is probably way more than I need. Anyone have experience with these, do they fit the bill, and is there something else I should consider, or something that does the job better than those?

JCH · Post by **JCH** » Sun Jun 24, 2007 7:31 pm

DSI Evolver?

http://www.davesmithinstruments.com/evolver/design.html

sauce · Post by **sauce** » Sun Jun 24, 2007 7:34 pm

The monosynths that I know are inexpensive are not actually inexpensive if you know what I mean.. SH101, Pro One, etc.

As far as newer synths go, maybe you would be good with an EMX-1 (five monosynths, plus drums, sequencer and FX for under $500) or the Roland SH-32. I don't know what the SH-32 sounds like, but I know that Roland released it a few years back intending to "bring back" the SH line of monos. I'll see what I can find on Ebay for you..

sauce · Post by **sauce** » Sun Jun 24, 2007 7:36 pm

Alright, Brother, here's your ticket to Mono heaven..

http://cgi.ebay.com/YAMAHA-CS-15-MONOSY ... dZViewItem

I don't know where in the world you are located, but this CS is in Japan. Check out the shipping price. This is a great deal.

sauce · Post by **sauce** » Sun Jun 24, 2007 7:37 pm

Also, I forgot to mention, when buying internationally, don't forget you may need power conversion!

Android · Post by **Android** » Sun Jun 24, 2007 10:12 pm

yeah i love my DSI mono evolver keyboard

much nicer than the moog lil phatty

the evolver has better keys, distortion, feedback, mini sequencer

and you can buy a 4 voice rack mount unit for all your prophet V sounds!

mine was $1200 from Analogue Haven California

nfty · Post by **nfty** » Mon Jun 25, 2007 9:05 am

Fricke MFB Synth Lite II. The cheapest analogue monosynth I know of (with digital oscillators though).

If you want three oscillators, full ADSR envelopes and 100 % analogue get the MFB Synth II (I own one

).

stL · Post by **stL** » Mon Jun 25, 2007 3:41 pm

i second the dsi evolver. cheap little and cute monosynth with a lot of power... (it plays the leading role in one of my latest releases: qrz)