Desktop Monosynth

[Sir Nose]

I am considering a small desktop synth for when I do not want to take the phatty out of the house. Budget is a plus.

Micromac: out of my league
SEM: a used midi version might be the ticket
Will I miss the patch panel that much? The Pro is in the same range as the elektron A4. I would have a tough time not going for an A4 over a SEM pro.

Dark Energy I & II: not sold on the tone
Vermona Lancet: front runner so far
Minitaur


So many others on the market.

[shaft9000]

Futureretro XS and MFB dominion x are worth a look, too

the SEM eats the A4 alive in raw tone...the A4 sounds very good, sure, but there is a difference between 4 duplicate voices+sequencer+FX vs. just ONE voice for similar money. the SEM is one of the out-and-out CLASSIC monosynth sounds and hasn't really been beaten at what it does in 40 years.
if you get the patch panel be sure to get some attenuator modules. attenuators are passive, so you don't need a PSU or case at all to use them.

[Z]

Don't forget the MFB Kraftzwerg.

I originally had the patch panel version of the new SEM and sent it back to Tom for the Pro upgrade last year. Like Shaft said, the SEM has a classic sound and the multi-mode filter is so versitile. If you don't want to srping the extra $ for the Pro, get the patch panel if you've got a MIDI/CV converter.

Though I haven't heard it yet, the ARP filter Boomstar would be a good choice, too.

[Jabberwalky]

There's also the FR777. The new Waldorf Rocket looks cool and very small too.

[megamanx]

slim phatty

[2manydrummachines]

Futureretro XS and MFB dominion x are worth a look, too

the SEM eats the A4 alive in raw tone...the A4 sounds very good, sure, but there is a difference between 4 duplicate voices+sequencer+FX vs. just ONE voice for similar money. the SEM is one of the out-and-out CLASSIC monosynth sounds and hasn't really been beaten at what it does in 40 years.
if you get the patch panel be sure to get some attenuator modules. attenuators are passive, so you don't need a PSU or case at all to use them.

Who makes the SEM & Micromac?

[Z]

Who makes the SEM & Micromac?

SEM (Synthesizer Expander Module) www.tomoberheim.com

MicroMac - www.macbethstudiosystems.com/

[2manydrummachines]

Hey thank you for the information. Have you seen the smaller monophonic synths? I was looking for one of those. It's a German manufacturer and from what I saw of it, it only has MIDI in and audio out. I will know it when I see it.

[Sir Nose]

Waldorf Rocket or Pulse 2
Doepfer Dark Energy
Vermont Lancet

[adekoyote]

Desktop Evolver!

[meatballfulton]

It's a German manufacturer and from what I saw of it, it only has MIDI in and audio out.

Ploytec P-L squared

[2manydrummachines]

It's a German manufacturer and from what I saw of it, it only has MIDI in and audio out.

Ploytec P-L squared

No these aren't it either.

[skunk3]

Technosaurus Microcon II... very small size, sturdily built, FAT analog sound. (Hard to find though.)

[Weirdofromouterspace]

Arturia Minibrute. Great sounds, well built (except maybe for the keyboard weights, which may need to be glued on back again after they fell off ), and great value for the money.

[ryryoftokyo]

DSI Mopho desktop?