While I am perfectly happy with my Korg MS-20 Mini's character and usability, and I think there is a lot I haven't extracted from it, I am going down the rabbit hole of reading about and watching reviews of strange synths - meaning strange logic, form factor, or otherwise. If I get to buy a strange synth, I want it to be not only sonically original but also fun to play - that is an important part.
Anyone is using synthesizers that are out of the ordinary?
Some of the ones I have been eyeing
Folktek Resonannt Garden (and its younger sibling Nano Garden): https://folktek.com/collections/for-sale/products/resonant-garden
Most of the stuff from Soma Lab, especially Lyra-8: https://somasynths.com/lyra-organismic-synthesizer
The most fun (but not necessarily practical) would be to get theremin from Moog: https://www.moogmusic.com/products/etherwave-theremins/theremini
That Resonant Garden is over 1100 euros? Maybe the demo is bad, but I really don't see the point. I mean it's a box with a few microphone preamps, multi-FX units plus some pieces of guitar strings. I get that people want to support independent builders and creators, but there's a difference between supporting them and letting them take advantage of you. Get an Electro Lobotomy Sonic Forest and a couple of Zoom multieffect pedals instead :)
The funny thing is, that for the purposes of our particular milieu, standard synths meant for "regular" music are actually the unusual, out of the ordinary ones. Since we have to figure out ways to use them for purposes they weren't intended for. Having said that, I've tried a few drone/noise synths, they typically will sound pretty good (or at least you'll be able to squeeze some good sounds out of them), but they often end being one trick ponies. Nothing wrong with that as such, of course.
Btw, the UK's own Stylophone is bringing out their own, budget theremin soon.
https://stylophone.com/theremin-pre-order/
Dreadbox NYX2 can be very interesting in drone mode. Onboard reverb, midi, semi-modular = pretty flexible.
Got mine used, local and reasonable.
https://www.dreadbox-fx.com/nyx2/
https://youtu.be/WqOLXp0l_Ck
I have a Lyra8 and while it's an amazing device, I've had some trouble incorporating it into my setup. It's just so overwhelming and rich in sound that it doesn't really play well with other sound sources. I would also really like to have a stereo output and routing to choose which output oscillators go to. This would help with separating low and high end somewhat, which is why I've thought of buying two Lyra4's and selling the Lyra8.
Cocoquantus... basically two lofi loopers with an array of oscillators in the middle, but there is so much more to it. Endless fun if you just want to jam with it, but also a very potent noisemaker. Just put anything into it; a mic, a synth, an old radio, contact mics and listen to the chaos that will follow.
https://patch-point.com/products/ciat-lonbarde-cocoquantus2
Quote from: Krigsverk on August 07, 2024, 03:10:01 PMCocoquantus... basically two lofi loopers with an array of oscillators in the middle, but there is so much more to it. Endless fun if you just want to jam with it, but also a very potent noisemaker. Just put anything into it; a mic, a synth, an old radio, contact mics and listen to the chaos that will follow.
https://patch-point.com/products/ciat-lonbarde-cocoquantus2
The fuck, that thing costs like 2000 euros?
Theremin for less than GBP 100 anyone?
https://stylophone.com/product/theremin/
(https://stylophone.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Theremin_front.png)
I'm on this trip too, after messing with FM synths.
Most of the FM boxes are used as preset machines, but if you can access all the parameters you can make horrible digital noise. I'm thinking a cheap midi controller applied to a shitty 80s FM synth could be cool
Prismatic Spray - Here is a modern tindie project type synth that I think is using FM
https://distropolisgoods.com/products/prismatic-spray-bytebeat-adventure-synth
Also there is the Spherical Sound Glitch Storm
Picked up one of these recently. Haven't patched the CV or gate yet but have made some good noise.MELANCHOLIA (https://thfxnoisedevices.com/melancholia/)
Quote from: Commander15 on August 07, 2024, 05:39:58 PMQuote from: Krigsverk on August 07, 2024, 03:10:01 PMCocoquantus... basically two lofi loopers with an array of oscillators in the middle, but there is so much more to it. Endless fun if you just want to jam with it, but also a very potent noisemaker. Just put anything into it; a mic, a synth, an old radio, contact mics and listen to the chaos that will follow.
https://patch-point.com/products/ciat-lonbarde-cocoquantus2
The fuck, that thing costs like 2000 euros?
peter blasser is an actual genius. if you're not familiar already, i highly recommend his old band sejayno.
Quote from: jmsdgls on September 04, 2024, 05:52:00 AMQuote from: Commander15 on August 07, 2024, 05:39:58 PMQuote from: Krigsverk on August 07, 2024, 03:10:01 PMCocoquantus... basically two lofi loopers with an array of oscillators in the middle, but there is so much more to it. Endless fun if you just want to jam with it, but also a very potent noisemaker. Just put anything into it; a mic, a synth, an old radio, contact mics and listen to the chaos that will follow.
https://patch-point.com/products/ciat-lonbarde-cocoquantus2
The fuck, that thing costs like 2000 euros?
peter blasser is an actual genius. if you're not familiar already, i highly recommend his old band sejayno.
Well genious or not but i find 2000 euros a bit steep for few oscillators between lo-fi loopers that looks like someone has forgotten childrens beads on a Ikea cuttingboard.
Quote from: Commander15 on September 04, 2024, 12:39:38 PMQuote from: jmsdgls on September 04, 2024, 05:52:00 AMQuote from: Commander15 on August 07, 2024, 05:39:58 PMQuote from: Krigsverk on August 07, 2024, 03:10:01 PMCocoquantus... basically two lofi loopers with an array of oscillators in the middle, but there is so much more to it. Endless fun if you just want to jam with it, but also a very potent noisemaker. Just put anything into it; a mic, a synth, an old radio, contact mics and listen to the chaos that will follow.
https://patch-point.com/products/ciat-lonbarde-cocoquantus2
The fuck, that thing costs like 2000 euros?
peter blasser is an actual genius. if you're not familiar already, i highly recommend his old band sejayno.
Well genious or not but i find 2000 euros a bit steep for few oscillators between lo-fi loopers that looks like someone has forgotten childrens beads on a Ikea cuttingboard.
Agree.
2000 euros is really out of hand
GLITCH STORM
Here is a cool tiny synth 8-bit sound generator with an amazing amount of functionality for something so small and cheap:
https://www.tindie.com/stores/jc2046/
This would fit perfectly in this category. I have had a few friends send me this video and it seems actually usable. Anyone have any experience on this? Form-factor for this is definitely nice
Any experiences of Error Instruments out of Amsterdam, Netherlands?
They now have a line small desktop instruments and effects units that seem interesting. On the other hand, they seem a bit pricey and possibly not the most versatile gear out there.
I recommend paying attention to these producers from Russia. There are some rather "strange", but also interesting synthesizers that look and sound great
Звуковые Объекты (Sound Objects) (https://www.instagram.com/sound_objects)
SynthCone (https://t.me/synthcone)
ELTA MUSIC (https://www.eltamusic.com/)
Quote from: I. Rex on November 21, 2024, 07:42:20 PMI recommend paying attention to these producers from Russia. There are some rather "strange", but also interesting synthesizers that look and sound great
Звуковые Объекты (Sound Objects) (https://www.instagram.com/sound_objects)
SynthCone (https://t.me/synthcone)
ELTA MUSIC (https://www.eltamusic.com/)
I ve got a synthcone and some elta pedals.
Totally worth the money.
High-quality stuff
Quote from: Stipsi on November 21, 2024, 08:00:06 PMHigh-quality stuff
I would like to purchase the wonderful Polyvox PF3 stereo filter by ELTA in the future. I think it is just amazing to be able to process any stereo signal with an analog filter
Quote from: I. Rex on November 22, 2024, 03:10:09 PMQuote from: Stipsi on November 21, 2024, 08:00:06 PMHigh-quality stuff
I would like to purchase the wonderful Polyvox PF3 stereo filter by ELTA in the future. I think it is just amazing to be able to process any stereo signal with an analog filter
I've got it.
You aren't wrong to buy it
It's phenomenal!