Ugliest Synths?

[tshear23]

I thought it might be fun to take a look at some of the synths that have a look only a mother could love... Part 1 is up now. http://waveformless.blogspot.com/2011/1 ... -part.html

[walkathon]

Hmm, dunno if I particularly agree w/ any of those, except for whatever version of the MoPho that is .. a prototype perhaps, but a fun read nevertheless.

Never quite understood the aesthetic appeal (if any) of the CS-40m and 70m's, but to each their own.
And I'd say the majority of Casio CTK's fill me with a sense of dread, but them's ain't exactly "synths" either.

[Plumpudding]

I think all the synths mentioned, with the exeption of the mopho and key version of the monomachine, looks really good.

[meatballfulton]

That Mopho pic is a Photoshop mockup based on a Mono Evolver keyboard.

I remember first seeing it when people were clamoring for a keyboard version.

Actually that's cuter than a real Mopho keyboard!

[space6oy]

man, SFX-6 is gorgeous in my eyes.

[madtheory]

I think all the synths mentioned, with the exeption of the mopho and key version of the monomachine, looks really good.

Yes, I agree. They all look cool except the Monomachine, and that Mopho keyboard doesn't exist.

[visceralvoids]

The OSCar is another Chris Hugget-designed synth like the Wasp with questionable cosmetics, the ends are just two big rubber blocks, lol. Most of these unattractive designs are pure cost-cutting techniques though. That's why the Wasp's keyboard was just a plastic strip. The FIZMO would not be so ugly if it weren't for those silver space nipple knobs.
Also look at Sequential Circuits stuff in the 80's like the Max, TOM, with that pep-rally design theme. There was also an old EMS Synthi A prototype with the most god-awful keyboard I've ever seen:

[CS_TBL]

Anything yellow.

[tshear23]

Good catch on the Mopho picture... I've since swapped it out...

[Alex E]

Personally I like the way all of them look. I think it's really a matter of taste.

I always thought the CS80 sounded absolutely beautiful but looked like antiquated s**t. I don't really feel that way about any other vintage synth out there and I honestly can't look at it without getting a headache. But then again, I seem to be alone on that one.

[OntarioHydro]

Mcleyvier

[Hugo76]

Korg MicroKorg is pretty ugly

[madtheory]

Mcleyvier

Prototypes and non production synths don't count, I think. Agree about the CS-80, quite ugly, like a home organ, and I don't think tolex was ever a good look. So the grey and the orange ARP2600s should be on the ugly list. And the MiniMoog, that looks like an old gas stove.

The whole CS series does not look good, although they do look good to us techy synth nerds.

[Joshy]

I think the Fizmo looks awesome. Wouldn't mind having one at some point.

[Hugo76]

Actually, none of he synths in the original link would be on my 'ugly synth' list...