Small synths

[Atrophist]

This one seems interesting:

https://youtu.be/cmUnvvSb_-s?si=-_TcbyW3LsUsg3Y5

Others have gad good things to say about the other devices in the Liven series. Very affordable too. It apparently even has some limited sampling or rompling capabilities.

[tiny_tove]

I have the 8 and the 16 bit machines and they are both very nice. This seems interesting but the sounds makes me think a lot of several VST I already used. I am tempted by other machines of them.

Meanwhile the gentlemen at a place to bury stranger/death by audio opened the preorder if this brilliant idea:

https://deathbyaudio.com/products/synthesizer-diy-build-kit-a-place-to-bury-strangers-album?variant=45964416909526

[Penon]

Wasn't sure as to whether to put it in small synths thread or weird synths thread. This is now on top of the list of my potential future purchases (perhaps after bigger desk because I don't have space for another device on it...)

https://sequential.com/product/evolver/

[Atrophist]

I have the 8 and the 16 bit machines and they are both very nice. This seems interesting but the sounds makes me think a lot of several VST I already used. I am tempted by other machines of them.

....

Yeah that would be the one thing I would be hesitant about as well, whether or not this can go beyond "typical" ambient sounds.

They also have a granular synth/effect unit called the Texture Lab, which is, again, interesting, but I wonder how much actual use I would get out of it.

[Penon]

Dreadbox synths look very interesting. Mostly analog, mostly small, mostly cheap.
https://dreadbox-fx.com/synthesizers/

[Penon]

I ended up getting second-hand Dreadbox Typhon https://dreadbox-fx.com/typhon/
As a DSI Evolver owner, I can't stop appreciating convenience of a patch memory in an analog synth, especially when it comes to live setting - re-patching something like MS-20 in between songs is a real drag (if massive size and awkward shape weren't enough!). Typhon is exactly that - two analog oscillators, interesting modulation capabilities and extensive patch memory, all in a small USB-powered form. Also Typhon is totally different in terms of UI / workflow from anything I own which is in many ways the most important thing to me. If I get two synths that have simialr controls / operation logic then it doesn't matter that they have differently sounding oscilators or filters - I feel like I would end up creating the same music, while unique interface stimulates creative ideas in a differentiated way.

In other news, I came over this interesting kit which certainly sounded unique - it is a modular kit (that you need to assemble yourself) but in self-contained body (so not Eurorack-friendly). 13 modules, super tiny - whole thing is size of a large pedal: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABbWmZOtmig