Modern analog beasts for under $1000

ex_action_figure · Post by **ex_action_figure** » Sun Sep 18, 2011 4:31 am

I've been spending a lot of time figuring out my work flow lately and streamlining the way that I write music and as a result am streamlining my gear and I am coming to the conclusion that any outboard synths I have should A: be pure analog and/or B: very hands on because otherwise I always seem to just pull up my current favorite soft synth and start shaping a new sound a lot quicker. I currently have a Waldorf blofeld and DSI mopho and while they both really sound incredible are extraordinarily flexible and happen to complement each other quite nicely the fact of the matter is when I am actually writing tunes I'm much more likely to pull up a soft synth when I'm not working on tunes I do love to sit there are tweak away but ultimately for me it is all about the end result of writing music so since my finances are tight from now to the foreseeable future I'm kicking the idea of selling my two beasts for one very hands on and very analog beast. I am trying to compile a list of current analog synths that are under 1000USD (preferably closer to what I can resale get for these two)

So far all I am seeing is:

Analog solutions leipzig (rack or -s version)
MFB kraftzwerg
Doepefer dark star
Studio electronics Atc-x

Also anyone have any opinions on these...right now I'm leaning towards the Leipzig -s for the sound and the onboard sequencer I hear bad things about MFB otherwise the extra osc and semi modularness of it would put me more toward that one

Sir Nose · Post by **Sir Nose** » Sun Sep 18, 2011 4:40 am

Moog Little Phatty
Oberheim SEM
Vermona Mono Lancet

Post by **Stab Frenzy** » Sun Sep 18, 2011 5:50 am

ex_action_figure wrote:So far all I am seeing is:

Analog solutions leipzig (rack or -s version)
MFB kraftzwerg
Doepefer dark star
Studio electronics Atc-x

Also anyone have any opinions on these...right now I'm leaning towards the Leipzig -s for the sound and the onboard sequencer I hear bad things about MFB otherwise the extra osc and semi modularness of it would put me more toward that one

What bad things are you hearing about MFB? I've played around with them a bit and I have a friend who has a Kraftzwerg, the only complaint I could imagine is that they're cheaply made, but then that's why they're cheap so it's to be expected really.

I've played with the Mono Lancet and it sounds really good but is a little boring 2-osc for my tastes really, doesn't have enough modulation options, but is great for good-sounding basses and leads. A patch-panel SEM would be a really good choice I reckon, sounds great and is hands on and semi-modular.

Another option which should be released soon and should come in under US$1000 is the MFB/Schippmann Dominion X. Was supposed to be out by northern summer but seems to have been delayed and people have forgotten about it.

polardark · Post by **polardark** » Sun Sep 18, 2011 8:12 am

ex_action_figure wrote:I hear bad things about MFB otherwise the extra osc and semi modularness of it would put me more toward that one

I have pretty much all the functionality of the Kraftzwerg in the equivalent MFB eurorack modules i own (with the exception of the VCF). The MFB stuff is rather clever and good value for money.It is made the way it is because it's the most economical way, not to cut corners on quality. For instance, the front panels are made from printed circuit boards which makes them both inexpensive and very durable.

As for the Kraftzwerg, 3 oscillators with a lot of modular modulation possibilities makes a big difference... And you can mount it in a eurorack modular frame if you decide to go down that path (or simply if you get tired of the plastic case it sits in).

I personally haven't had any reliability problems with my eurorack modules or other MFB stuff even though I've bought a lot of it second hand.

OntarioHydro · Post by **OntarioHydro** » Sun Sep 18, 2011 12:18 pm

tekkentool · Post by **tekkentool** » Sun Sep 18, 2011 12:51 pm

/thread.

MitchK1989 · Post by **MitchK1989** » Sun Sep 18, 2011 1:29 pm

I don't get it. Is that a spambot post? Why does it list a ton of non-synth stuff?

My suggestion would be a doepfer dark energy. It's a perfect analog starter kit which is modular, includes midi to cv, and can be expanded with eurorack anytime.

Hair · Post by **Hair** » Sun Sep 18, 2011 2:47 pm

used Futureretro XS?

or you could definitely start a cool Eurorack modular for $1000 with a TTA Happy Ending Kit or whatever (if not going to Dark Energy route - or grabbing the A-111-5 version)

OntarioHydro · Post by **OntarioHydro** » Sun Sep 18, 2011 3:10 pm

I copy/pasted that from a thread on muffwiggler called 2011 analog stuff for under $1000 or something.

ex_action_figure · Post by **ex_action_figure** » Sun Sep 18, 2011 4:16 pm

Wow..mind=blown!

With all these viable analog options why is there a market for knobless VA synths?
I really do love my blofelds sounds but I'm pretty sure I can get most of the same textures from massive or if I wanted to I could get the software version.

As far as the MFB stuff I remember someone telling me a while ago that it wasn't actual analog and was poorly built.
I'm leaning heavily towards the MFB or AS
I really like the dark star but the 1 (and a sub?) osc and lack of glide with out modding are kind of a deal breaker.

Anything thing else out there?

Z · Post by Z » Sun Sep 18, 2011 4:30 pm

I recommend the MFB Kraftzwerg or Tom Oberheim SEM.

My Kraftzwerg (and Schlagzwerg) seems to be better built than my Kult and other earlier MFB gear I've tested.

Post by **Stab Frenzy** » Sun Sep 18, 2011 5:11 pm

OntarioHydro wrote:I copy/pasted that from a thread on muffwiggler called 2011 analog stuff for under $1000 or something.

Maybe you should have read the original post as well?

ex_action_figure · Post by **ex_action_figure** » Sun Sep 18, 2011 6:04 pm

Now now No need to get testy gentlemen, I appreciate the resources posted for future G.A.S explosions

I'm leaning heavily to the kraftzwerg...the asr env in the Leipzig weirds me out.

I'd like to rename this thread to: Modern semi-Analog synths for around $800

polardark · Post by **polardark** » Sun Sep 18, 2011 7:10 pm

ex_action_figure wrote:As far as the MFB stuff I remember someone telling me a while ago that it wasn't actual analog and was poorly built.

The early oscillator designs from MFB were indeed sort of digital (DCO?). I never actually used them but for whatever reason they seem to almost be universally hated. The current oscillators in the kraftzwerg are based on the MFB OSC-02 module which is all analogue (the OSC-01 was digital and it's not even being made anymore). I haven't noticed any digital oddities from the Dual LFO or the Dual ADSR modules... so they're probably analogue or at least a very convincing imitation

I never liked the AS Leipzig much. I tried the first generation Leipzig-K in the music store a couple of times. It felt too limited (even though I like A(S)R envelopes) and kind of poor quality. Ever since i got the CV/Gate output mod for my Moog Little Phatty I've stopped lusting after it as a master keyboard for my modular rig.

Post by **phesago** » Sun Sep 18, 2011 9:28 pm

I know this isn't a true analog, but I love it, but the access virus b is totally awesome. You can easily get one for roughly 500ish. I would probably get that first if I were in your position, but thats me. Another great option is a Nord Lead rack. Cheap, knobby and sounds great.

As for the SEM, now that I actually have one, I would sooner part with my left nut before I would give this thing up. It is unbelievably great. It's also very useful with CP-251's and the rest of the moogertron.

A Future Retro Xs is a good option as well. I sold mine because I felt as if I couldnt get the tones I wanted out of it. Maybe I suck at engineering sound, but I felt like I could really only get good higher pitched sounds, and even then the filter wasn't too great(generally where the magic happens). However, it did make some great aggressive sounds due to the overdrive.

Anyway, just my two cents.

Modern analog beasts for under $1000

Modern analog beasts for under $1000

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Re: Modern analog beasts for under $1000

Re: Modern analog beasts for under $1000

Re: Modern analog beasts for under $1000

Re: Modern analog beasts for under $1000

Re: Modern analog beasts for under $1000

Re: Modern analog beasts for under $1000

Re: Modern analog beasts for under $1000

Re: Modern analog beasts for under $1000

Re: Modern analog beasts for under $1000

Re: Modern analog beasts for under $1000

Re: Modern analog beasts for under $1000

Re: Modern analog beasts for under $1000

Re: Modern analog beasts for under $1000