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Table of Contents
Synths and Drum Machines
DIY
I would love to make my own electronic instruments. I barely know how to solder, let along do electronics :(
People
Interesting electronic music related people
- Allieway - Youtube channel
Types
Drum Machine
Effects
Sampler
I think some kinda sampler or sample player is what I want next. I don't mind having to setup the samples on the computer then put them on a card. I don't want to fuck with menus and tiny text. Something to work nice alongside the Roland TR-8, so a similar sequencer built-in would be nice.
- Korg Volca Sample - zOj0Ro6mp-8 Doesn't record, 16 step seq, naff buttons, about $150, a bit annoying to get samples in (There's a Sample 2 where you can just load via USB, but you still need a software, SDK is open source, mixed reports on Linux support).
- Works in Wine, but maybe not with the 2 https://singlecellsoftware.com/cevs
- hisschemoller/volca-freesound | https://hisschemoller.github.io/volca-freesound/
- glindstedt/vsrs - CLI, prepares samples to send.
- matthewh806/Minipops - Mac
- glindstedt/korg-syro-sys - Rust bindings
- glindstedt/korg-syro-rs - Rust API
- Octatrack
- Elektron Model: Samples - _Hr-8jzlpCk Propriety software for sample transfer.
- Korg ES-1 - Lyxr7ZbyLfI More info below. Smart media cards. 16 steps, delay a bit limited.
- Korg ESX - OP18zlohVhI Much pricier, there's a SD card version.
Sequencer
Don't seel like I particularly need one, but down the line it would be fun to have one to act as a brain. I don't care about fancy algorithms.
- Korg’s SQ-64 - BobWThW5IV4 - 64 steps, good for triggering modular setup
- Arturia BeatStep Pro - Also lots of outs. Both are good 'brains'. Both have four channels.
- Polyend SEQ
- Cirklon - Like SEQ, it has lots of outs and features, but is expensive.
- Also the SQ-1 - J0J101qE9J8, which seems nice and simple, and not pricey.
Grid
I really liked playing with the ToneMatrix website, and would like a grid-based sequencer. Lots of room to play and get surprised.
- Monome Grid - https://monome.org/#grid
Bare-bones, just a controller you can hook-up to other things. - Polyend Seq
Maybe perfect, but expensive. No sounds on its own - Deluge
Maybe similar to the Seq, but lacking all those MIDI outs.
Notes
Arp
Omni
I really like the design of the Arp synths (etc.). Really like how easy to understand they seem, and like the sliders.
The Omni has a really lush sound.
Arturia
Drumbrute
Analogue! About $600! D: More like $350 on Gumtree?
More I see/hear it the less I want it though.
Matrixbrute is amazing but never ever affordable (several grand [whoops I bought one secondhand]). Minibrute closer to my budget? (oh god the Minibrute 2/s is like $1000). Micro is unappealingly small.
Minibrute
Smaller keyboard than the Korg MS20 Mini, but the arpeggiator is really appealing.
Erica Synths DB-01
Jomox
All their stuff seems ace.
Alpha Base
Lovely drum machine. Analogue, also some samples and even FM. Would love one of these.
Sunsyn
Synth.
XBase 09
TR-09 clone, but a wonderful one with lots of control.
Korg
ARP Odyssey
Electribe ES-1
Electribe MX
AKA: Korg EMX
There's also an ESX, which's more the ES-1 equiv/upgrade
Minilogue
MS-20 Mini
Mini analogue synth. in and out, would work nice with a drum machine or laptop input too.
MS-2000
About $600 on Gumtree
Opsix
FM synth that sames pretty easy to use (and has lots of presets).
Triton
- KORG TRITON "Ultra Pads" Ambient Synthesizer Music Demo Rik Marston PRO-REC (patch set you can buy)
Beautiful pads!!! Can get a nice kitchy Fashion/J-Pop sound.
About $600?
Wavestate
Looks a lot like the Opsix, with uses wavetable synth.
Polyend
Medusa
Kinda seems like the Matrix Brute's matrix/grid, with maybe an easier interface? Use it as a sequencer, use is as a keyboard of customised sounds. Seems rad. 3 digital wavetable VCOs, 3 analogue.
PreenFM2
FM synth with lots of texture
Roland
I love effect-drenched Roland claps.
TR-8
Not 08 ;)
Dark sounds
TB-03
Boutique D-05
Sequential Pro 3
UDO Super 6
Beautiful rich sound, nice and hands-on.
Waldorf Blofeld
Has different kinds of synthesis: wavetable, FM… and it can all interact.
Can load in samples!
Can use as a MIDI controller
Waldorf Kyra
Powerful FPGA polyphonic synth.
Yamaha
- Summer Vibes on the Yamaha QY70 - fun sounds, might be annoying to progrm stuff with lots of menu work, but might be nice with a sequencer.
- Yamaha MU - The Ultimate DTM Tone Generators! (Sound Profile) - MIDI devices with great features. Would love a 1000 or 2000 model. Try to get one with upgraded filmware (EX version).