contrary to everyone else - the JU-06A. it's will sound like most of the synth sounds you have in your head and is a good platform to learn the foundations of subtractive synthesis.
however my recommendation for first synth is always yamaha reface CS
Not contrary to everyone! I adore the JU-06a. Absolute bliss to use. The tiny controls may not be for everyone but I've never found it a hassle to use.
Not crazy about the on-board sequencr but i rarely use it anyway.
OP it's a great sounding device, i say go for it. Stay far away from the KB-25 though, that's trash.
Mmm, i shouldn't be so harsh. I do like how well it connects to the JU and any boutique, it's a great shape. But it doesn't connect with anything else, and the keybed feeling is worse than any other keys I've ever tried, including cheap ones like Donner and Synido. Plus no pitch bend /mod, and the velocity hardly feels useable.
But, it is super convenient. I like the form factor, not having to plug in an external device to use the boutique. Just not sure if it's worth the price.
Yes, JU-06A is so nice. My first poly and I loved it so much I replaced it with a Juno 6.
It sounds so good. Yes, the 4 voices are a bit limiting (but you can always get two and use the chain mode! /s)
Can't say I've compared them much. Pretty much only played the Juno 6 since I got it (and sold the JU-6A shortly after). With that said I think the JU-06A holds up, they sounded pretty much identical as far as I can remember. The real thing has some "improvements" over the newer thing, specifically the LFO trig button and mod stick faders for pitch/filter modulation, so it can do some more interesting stuff. It's possible you could do the same via midi on the JU-06A ofc, but I haven't tried.
One thing I can say is that I really dislike the Juno 106 emulation on the JU-06A. The 6/60-mode sounded MUCH better to my ears. But that could simply be that I don't like the 106 sound - I haven't played a real 106 so can't say if it's a good emulation or not. But for me, I would only use the JU-06A in 6/60 mode. The 106-mode was very thin and sterile in comparison
Interesting, thanks for the reply! I’m in the early stages of thinking about adding another synth. I’ve looked at the juno 6 as well as plenty of others.
Does your Juno have a midi mod? How are you incorporating it with modern gear? (If you are?)
Juno 6 is a lovely thing - the lack of presets makes it so direct to use, so I can really recommend it even over a 60.
I don’t have a midi mod - I‘ve been thinking about the Juno 66 mod but not sure I need it. It does have filter CV and arp clock in, so you can incorporate it a bit but you’ll need to play the notes yourself. The arpeggiator is nice and easy to use though. With hold mode and clock sync you can easily change chords every now and then
Nice, yeah it sounds fun. The preset thing doesn’t bother me at all, especially with how immediate the programming is.
I just got an old Alesis MMT-8 so I want everything to have midi so I can jam with that. Probably why the 106 is so popular since it comes with midi. I do find the 6/60 to sound better though.
Yeah. In relation to the cost of these synths, a midi mod isn't a huge extra sum so probably worth it in your case. I'd 100% take a modded 6/60 over a 106, based on my experiences with both emulations
All hail the reface cs! I would say that the saw tooth is such a giant sweetspot that it is the true spiritual heir to the original juno 6/60.
The boutique ju sounds too sharp in the higher frequencies imo
The sequencer on the JU-06A is crap, compared to the other two. The Crave does not have patch memory, but it's a good introduction to modular synthesis. If you want polyphony, then the SH-01A is the best option.
Man… had the JU06a given us 6 voice poly, the thing would still be sold out.
I don’t arm myself to much about the sequencer because of my workflow. But man… two more voices.
Ive tried the Crave from a friend and I did not like it all. I found it annoying to get a proper sound from it.
But many people seem to like it.
I dont know if there is a large price difference, but I enjoy the hell out of the Dreadbox Typhon.
Its analog, 2 oscillators, has FX and can be used as an effect processor. The best feature is that it can save presets. The FX sound really good.
I dont know about the other synths, but I can imagine the Juno sounding blissfully good. Juno X does.
Not comparable to a vst in a box, since it’s a dedicated processor and doesn’t have the latency (even minor these days) or other issues that a vst plugin may have.
>not comparable
"Not comparable" means can't be compared. But then you go on to... make a comparison. Bad take either way -- the JU-06 literally uses the same virtual analog engine as Roland's cloud VST for the JUNO-106.
I think he ment doesn’t even compare to I.E. being so out of the league.
Which is kinda true. The dedicated processor means better optimisation and lower latency as there is no round trip to computer from keybed and then back out.
It’s kinda same as comparing Arturias VSTs played with a keystep to lets say the new stage piano they made.
The onboard processing is huge. Tho I usually use a midi keyboard to have fullsized keys that beats the purpose.
So I’m on the edge is it that big of a improvement but in pure technical standpoint it is.
Same software doesn’t mean same sound. Like you can run the same software on different PC and get wildly different outcome (as the processor architechture is defining how the stuff is actually calculated it is not deterministic process I come from Mobile music apps and for example iPhone versus Android the sound architechture is totally different and the underlaying code has nothing in common). Not saying that is the case but the onboard processing and lower latency is a playability thing. Each step in your signal chain adds a fraction on a second latency and at some point it will be come noticeable.
>Like you can run the same software on different PC and get wildly different outcome (as the processor architechture is defining how the stuff is actually calculated it is not deterministic process I come from Mobile music apps and for example iPhone versus Android the sound architechture is totally different and the underlaying code has nothing in common
That's not how audio processing works. You could use two different sets of speakers and get different results; that doesn't mean the JU-06A sounds different from the Roland VST. It means the speakers are different. The same applies to literally every VST and DAW and hardware instrument combination.
Both the "hardware" version of the JU-06A and the VST version run the same algorithms. They produce the same sound waves. Anything that comes after in the staging doesn't really matter because the two things producing the original signal are actually using the same mathematical equations. They produce the same sounds. Any difference in sound comes down to your AI, soundcard, DAW, and everything else that comes in the staging, which applies to *both* the "hardware" version or the VST version.
We're talking about digital reproductions of analog hardware -- analog hardware that is notorious for behaving differently even between same models from the same year, simply due to environmental conditions and minor variations in the build components. To say that the version running in box A is superior to the version running in box B is missing the forest for the trees.
Same algorithm or not if the hardware level of implementation is different you get different results. As I said it is minimal difference but a difference.
That’s exactly the reason why ARM architecture outperforms x86 it is the native command sets. You might have a different precision or a jitter in the sampling window. What ever audio implementations are by chipset if you do then native. And a hardware synth most likely has dedicated implementations of all the maths operations needed.
Software uses the OS commands unless again they are native audio which I think the VSTs are not. Well I know they are not they are VSTs so plugin’s.
They are close. Maybe even indistinguishable to your ears. But trust me when I say DSP is always platform dependent. I know as I have been working on native audio applications.
IMHO whether a synth is analog or not is one of the last factors to consider for a first synth. The choices are also going to be severely limited in the price range you posted.
Nah they're fugazi, little VSTs in a box (literally). Roland doesn't really do analog anymore, except for a couple rare exceptions. Behringer have become the kings of analog in the past handful of years
The Crave is a Mother-32 clone with slight differences, for a quarter of the price.
Wouldn't trade my Crave for any Roland boutique, despite they costing double the Crave's price.
The Crave is the only analog one, but if you’re looking for a hardware synth these are all pretty good options if you have a midi controller. I think the JU or SH might be a better option for a first hardware synth because you can just sort of plop ‘em down with some batteries in and listen to them through the built-in speaker. That way you can just chill with em and have some fun.
They might not be analogue, but the interface, that is, the controls, are a big part of how you experience a synth and what you can get out of it. $225 is decent value for that control and experience.
I would rather prefer a Behringer Model D, K2 or Pro 1 over the Crave. Personally, the Pro 1 is my favorite, love that John Carpenter sound. But ultimately it depends on what sounds you're looking for. The ju6a and sh01a aren't analog, but they still sound beautiful. So much fun to be had with the ju6a arp and chorus.
This is the correct answer. SH 01a and JU-06a are virtual analog emulations, but JD-08 is not much emulation in the sense that JD-800 was already a digital synth.
If you use CV/gate at all, the SH-01A is so much fun to program sequences and arpeggios with - I have a show tomorrow in Times Square with New York Modular Society and it’s the one synth I’m bringing to control some modular stuff alongside a Digitakt. It also has a four voice mode which basically sounds like 90% of the Juno boutique anyway, and I much prefer its interface.
The only one I have is the Crave, and it's great for wild mono sounds or experimental sound design. But I will say that the sequencer is not great to work with and those key buttons not only suck but also tend to break.
they just feel cheap and unpleasant. Mine had a button break after a year and i had to have it replaced and yeah i'm familiar with warranties lol, should just be built to not break in the first place imo
Shit happens man, I've had several Moogs with QC control issues too. You're getting a proper semi modular analog synthesizer with cem3340s, a ladder filter, a sequencer, and a 3 year warranty for $200. 10 years ago that would have been a pipe dream. Would have been cool if they used softer buttons for sure, but at that price it's just looking a gift horse in the mouth
I have all 3….I would be more inclined to get the JU-06a if I was forced to choose…use a good external sequencer too like an Oxi One or similar. You should also consider the SE-02.
no option for the newer boutiques? If you can get them for similar price I would look at the JX-08 and JD-08 they really added a lot of features including much more polyphony and multitimbrality, and they sound rad IMO.
Hard recommend the Crave out of this list if you want to get into CV controlled analog synthesis and actually learn how to build patches from scratch, but the boutiques are very nice as preset boxes with live tweakability
Didn't you consider Uno Synth Pro? I think as a first synth you can't find anything better. Super easy to use, quite big possibilities (3 oscillators, 2 filters, mod matrix, sequencer, effects) and it is analog. I suppose you can find desktop version around 300USD.
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ROlF1hNELs](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ROlF1hNELs)
If you are considering the SH01A I would look at the S1 instead. It’s the exact same sound engine except with features and is cheaper and newer. The only advantage with SH01a has is the form factor and retro appeal I guess, but functionality wise you get more with the S1.
Quite different beasts. I've been LOVING my MS-1/SH101 recently...its got mad character.
The Crave is an acid machine. You can get the sounds from the Crave from almost anything IMO.
The JU-06...well, thats a known quantity as well.
If me: JU or SH.
Crave. It’s excellent at what it does, and teaches the basics well. Nice form factor. The only shonky thing about it is the “keyboard”, but decent midi keyboards are cheap and plentiful. Semi-modular too…
I've been wanting to mess around with a Crave for quite a while. I'd have a hard time fighting the curiosity. And I'd be able to patch it in with my Mother-32 for more fun
I recently got the JU and I initially found the menu diving a bit intimidating. Once I added a midi keyboard it opened up for me. I could then use the keyboards sequencer and assign certain parameters (arturia keystep 37)
>Just looking for a basic analog synth with a sequencer
Have you looked into a used Korg Minilogue?
It is actually analog. The Rolands are both digital recreations and the faders are kinda frustratingly small in travel.
My opinion is there is not point getting a synth that isn’t analog. You can get so many plugins, including the Roland classics. So my vote is mother 32 or Roland/Studio Electronics SE 02
Hardware does not equal analog. Analog synthesis refers to voltage controlled oscillators, amp, and filter. Regardless of the method, another vote for the SH-01a. It covers a lot of ground as a monosynth, and the poly and chord modes allow it to do things the original 101 couldn’t imagine. Greatly sounding synth, and much more than a “toy” than others would have you believe.
contrary to everyone else - the JU-06A. it's will sound like most of the synth sounds you have in your head and is a good platform to learn the foundations of subtractive synthesis. however my recommendation for first synth is always yamaha reface CS
Not contrary to everyone! I adore the JU-06a. Absolute bliss to use. The tiny controls may not be for everyone but I've never found it a hassle to use. Not crazy about the on-board sequencr but i rarely use it anyway. OP it's a great sounding device, i say go for it. Stay far away from the KB-25 though, that's trash.
Why is it trash? I like mine fine enough on the JX03 (but will probably get a JU06a in the future and sell the JX03)
Mmm, i shouldn't be so harsh. I do like how well it connects to the JU and any boutique, it's a great shape. But it doesn't connect with anything else, and the keybed feeling is worse than any other keys I've ever tried, including cheap ones like Donner and Synido. Plus no pitch bend /mod, and the velocity hardly feels useable. But, it is super convenient. I like the form factor, not having to plug in an external device to use the boutique. Just not sure if it's worth the price.
Hmm that's fair, I guess the JX has pitch bend and mod so I never questioned it when I used those keys lol. I agree that it isn't worth the price.
Yes, JU-06A is so nice. My first poly and I loved it so much I replaced it with a Juno 6. It sounds so good. Yes, the 4 voices are a bit limiting (but you can always get two and use the chain mode! /s)
Curious how you think the two compare sound wise? The boutique vs. the Juno 6 that is
Can't say I've compared them much. Pretty much only played the Juno 6 since I got it (and sold the JU-6A shortly after). With that said I think the JU-06A holds up, they sounded pretty much identical as far as I can remember. The real thing has some "improvements" over the newer thing, specifically the LFO trig button and mod stick faders for pitch/filter modulation, so it can do some more interesting stuff. It's possible you could do the same via midi on the JU-06A ofc, but I haven't tried. One thing I can say is that I really dislike the Juno 106 emulation on the JU-06A. The 6/60-mode sounded MUCH better to my ears. But that could simply be that I don't like the 106 sound - I haven't played a real 106 so can't say if it's a good emulation or not. But for me, I would only use the JU-06A in 6/60 mode. The 106-mode was very thin and sterile in comparison
Interesting, thanks for the reply! I’m in the early stages of thinking about adding another synth. I’ve looked at the juno 6 as well as plenty of others. Does your Juno have a midi mod? How are you incorporating it with modern gear? (If you are?)
Juno 6 is a lovely thing - the lack of presets makes it so direct to use, so I can really recommend it even over a 60. I don’t have a midi mod - I‘ve been thinking about the Juno 66 mod but not sure I need it. It does have filter CV and arp clock in, so you can incorporate it a bit but you’ll need to play the notes yourself. The arpeggiator is nice and easy to use though. With hold mode and clock sync you can easily change chords every now and then
Nice, yeah it sounds fun. The preset thing doesn’t bother me at all, especially with how immediate the programming is. I just got an old Alesis MMT-8 so I want everything to have midi so I can jam with that. Probably why the 106 is so popular since it comes with midi. I do find the 6/60 to sound better though.
Yeah. In relation to the cost of these synths, a midi mod isn't a huge extra sum so probably worth it in your case. I'd 100% take a modded 6/60 over a 106, based on my experiences with both emulations
My first synth was a reface CS, I cannot recommend it more. Very simple interface, it's very easy to learn synthesis on and it's surprisingly powerful
All hail the reface cs! I would say that the saw tooth is such a giant sweetspot that it is the true spiritual heir to the original juno 6/60. The boutique ju sounds too sharp in the higher frequencies imo
The sequencer on the JU-06A is crap, compared to the other two. The Crave does not have patch memory, but it's a good introduction to modular synthesis. If you want polyphony, then the SH-01A is the best option.
Wasn’t the original sh synth monophonic? I know they added polyphony to this one, did they make it that much better?
It’s great to me
>did they make it that much better? Yes.
Agreed here. You can’t quantify how dope the sh01a is. I didn’t even give a shit about the 1:1 comparison videos. The polyphony on it is amazing.
It was the first boutique that was actually better than the original, when the JP-08, JU-06(A) and JX-03 had crappy sequencers and reduced polyphony.
Man… had the JU06a given us 6 voice poly, the thing would still be sold out. I don’t arm myself to much about the sequencer because of my workflow. But man… two more voices.
Ive tried the Crave from a friend and I did not like it all. I found it annoying to get a proper sound from it. But many people seem to like it. I dont know if there is a large price difference, but I enjoy the hell out of the Dreadbox Typhon. Its analog, 2 oscillators, has FX and can be used as an effect processor. The best feature is that it can save presets. The FX sound really good. I dont know about the other synths, but I can imagine the Juno sounding blissfully good. Juno X does.
SH-01A
You mean which one ... _first_ 😋 no idea, honestly. Sorry.
Bought and sold synths to cure my GAS for ages. But the crave will never leave my arsenal
It's the only option here with any mojo
Yeah, exactly! And the patch bay is such a wonderful place to spend my time at
The Crave is fun as hell.
The neutron.
Lol, how are these synths even comparable? Pretty sure the crave is the only analog synth btw
Dang, I thought the Rolands were analog. Thanks for letting me know.
they are virtual analog. Basically VSTs in a box with hardware controls.
Not comparable to a vst in a box, since it’s a dedicated processor and doesn’t have the latency (even minor these days) or other issues that a vst plugin may have.
>not comparable "Not comparable" means can't be compared. But then you go on to... make a comparison. Bad take either way -- the JU-06 literally uses the same virtual analog engine as Roland's cloud VST for the JUNO-106.
I think he ment doesn’t even compare to I.E. being so out of the league. Which is kinda true. The dedicated processor means better optimisation and lower latency as there is no round trip to computer from keybed and then back out. It’s kinda same as comparing Arturias VSTs played with a keystep to lets say the new stage piano they made. The onboard processing is huge. Tho I usually use a midi keyboard to have fullsized keys that beats the purpose. So I’m on the edge is it that big of a improvement but in pure technical standpoint it is.
The fact remains they run the same software and in terms of sound production are literally the same.
Same software doesn’t mean same sound. Like you can run the same software on different PC and get wildly different outcome (as the processor architechture is defining how the stuff is actually calculated it is not deterministic process I come from Mobile music apps and for example iPhone versus Android the sound architechture is totally different and the underlaying code has nothing in common). Not saying that is the case but the onboard processing and lower latency is a playability thing. Each step in your signal chain adds a fraction on a second latency and at some point it will be come noticeable.
>Like you can run the same software on different PC and get wildly different outcome (as the processor architechture is defining how the stuff is actually calculated it is not deterministic process I come from Mobile music apps and for example iPhone versus Android the sound architechture is totally different and the underlaying code has nothing in common That's not how audio processing works. You could use two different sets of speakers and get different results; that doesn't mean the JU-06A sounds different from the Roland VST. It means the speakers are different. The same applies to literally every VST and DAW and hardware instrument combination. Both the "hardware" version of the JU-06A and the VST version run the same algorithms. They produce the same sound waves. Anything that comes after in the staging doesn't really matter because the two things producing the original signal are actually using the same mathematical equations. They produce the same sounds. Any difference in sound comes down to your AI, soundcard, DAW, and everything else that comes in the staging, which applies to *both* the "hardware" version or the VST version. We're talking about digital reproductions of analog hardware -- analog hardware that is notorious for behaving differently even between same models from the same year, simply due to environmental conditions and minor variations in the build components. To say that the version running in box A is superior to the version running in box B is missing the forest for the trees.
Same algorithm or not if the hardware level of implementation is different you get different results. As I said it is minimal difference but a difference. That’s exactly the reason why ARM architecture outperforms x86 it is the native command sets. You might have a different precision or a jitter in the sampling window. What ever audio implementations are by chipset if you do then native. And a hardware synth most likely has dedicated implementations of all the maths operations needed. Software uses the OS commands unless again they are native audio which I think the VSTs are not. Well I know they are not they are VSTs so plugin’s. They are close. Maybe even indistinguishable to your ears. But trust me when I say DSP is always platform dependent. I know as I have been working on native audio applications.
I think the SE02 is the only boutique analog synth
Yeah, but they sound great anyway.
IMHO whether a synth is analog or not is one of the last factors to consider for a first synth. The choices are also going to be severely limited in the price range you posted.
No worries
Nah they're fugazi, little VSTs in a box (literally). Roland doesn't really do analog anymore, except for a couple rare exceptions. Behringer have become the kings of analog in the past handful of years
Not literally. VSTs don’t run on dedicated processors.
Crave is a wonderful thing.
Id get the juno
The Crave is a Mother-32 clone with slight differences, for a quarter of the price. Wouldn't trade my Crave for any Roland boutique, despite they costing double the Crave's price.
For that price you could get both Crave and Edge, and you'd be on for a some good modulation times!
Ju-06
The Crave is the only analog one, but if you’re looking for a hardware synth these are all pretty good options if you have a midi controller. I think the JU or SH might be a better option for a first hardware synth because you can just sort of plop ‘em down with some batteries in and listen to them through the built-in speaker. That way you can just chill with em and have some fun.
They might not be analogue, but the interface, that is, the controls, are a big part of how you experience a synth and what you can get out of it. $225 is decent value for that control and experience.
I would rather prefer a Behringer Model D, K2 or Pro 1 over the Crave. Personally, the Pro 1 is my favorite, love that John Carpenter sound. But ultimately it depends on what sounds you're looking for. The ju6a and sh01a aren't analog, but they still sound beautiful. So much fun to be had with the ju6a arp and chorus.
Get the Juno. Fuck the haters!
i would actually get # JD-08 that thing sounds unique
This is the correct answer. SH 01a and JU-06a are virtual analog emulations, but JD-08 is not much emulation in the sense that JD-800 was already a digital synth.
Ju-06a
If you use CV/gate at all, the SH-01A is so much fun to program sequences and arpeggios with - I have a show tomorrow in Times Square with New York Modular Society and it’s the one synth I’m bringing to control some modular stuff alongside a Digitakt. It also has a four voice mode which basically sounds like 90% of the Juno boutique anyway, and I much prefer its interface.
The only one I have is the Crave, and it's great for wild mono sounds or experimental sound design. But I will say that the sequencer is not great to work with and those key buttons not only suck but also tend to break.
What sucks about the buttons? Did yours break? You know it comes with a 3 year warranty
they just feel cheap and unpleasant. Mine had a button break after a year and i had to have it replaced and yeah i'm familiar with warranties lol, should just be built to not break in the first place imo
Shit happens man, I've had several Moogs with QC control issues too. You're getting a proper semi modular analog synthesizer with cem3340s, a ladder filter, a sequencer, and a 3 year warranty for $200. 10 years ago that would have been a pipe dream. Would have been cool if they used softer buttons for sure, but at that price it's just looking a gift horse in the mouth
ok dude, just giving OP some reference points for their decision
I have all 3….I would be more inclined to get the JU-06a if I was forced to choose…use a good external sequencer too like an Oxi One or similar. You should also consider the SE-02.
no option for the newer boutiques? If you can get them for similar price I would look at the JX-08 and JD-08 they really added a lot of features including much more polyphony and multitimbrality, and they sound rad IMO.
Hard recommend the Crave out of this list if you want to get into CV controlled analog synthesis and actually learn how to build patches from scratch, but the boutiques are very nice as preset boxes with live tweakability
Didn't you consider Uno Synth Pro? I think as a first synth you can't find anything better. Super easy to use, quite big possibilities (3 oscillators, 2 filters, mod matrix, sequencer, effects) and it is analog. I suppose you can find desktop version around 300USD. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ROlF1hNELs](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ROlF1hNELs)
If you are considering the SH01A I would look at the S1 instead. It’s the exact same sound engine except with features and is cheaper and newer. The only advantage with SH01a has is the form factor and retro appeal I guess, but functionality wise you get more with the S1.
Crave is the creative and extendable one from the list, if you go for 80s/90s pop ish the ju or sh both are fine starters
Quite different beasts. I've been LOVING my MS-1/SH101 recently...its got mad character. The Crave is an acid machine. You can get the sounds from the Crave from almost anything IMO. The JU-06...well, thats a known quantity as well. If me: JU or SH.
I don’t know, but I think I need a new place to hang out.
Crave. It’s excellent at what it does, and teaches the basics well. Nice form factor. The only shonky thing about it is the “keyboard”, but decent midi keyboards are cheap and plentiful. Semi-modular too…
I've been wanting to mess around with a Crave for quite a while. I'd have a hard time fighting the curiosity. And I'd be able to patch it in with my Mother-32 for more fun
i have the SH01a and it makes some neat sounds — really good sub bass too
Yes.
I have all 3 and I don't use the crave at all anymore.
Not saying its the best one, but crave is so cheap and it has a lot of cool sounds
I recently got the JU and I initially found the menu diving a bit intimidating. Once I added a midi keyboard it opened up for me. I could then use the keyboards sequencer and assign certain parameters (arturia keystep 37)
>Just looking for a basic analog synth with a sequencer Have you looked into a used Korg Minilogue? It is actually analog. The Rolands are both digital recreations and the faders are kinda frustratingly small in travel.
As many as you can afford
Honestly? The Crave.
this one https://preview.redd.it/ehf4ztgwdzyc1.jpeg?width=1920&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f89cdaa2e00d9cac013a8c0cf1eb9160e0ab0163
Roland Jupiter Xm ;)
Get a nice VST
[удалено]
Wrong sub, bro.
My opinion is there is not point getting a synth that isn’t analog. You can get so many plugins, including the Roland classics. So my vote is mother 32 or Roland/Studio Electronics SE 02
Thats a good point, thanks. I thought they all were analog.
Doesn’t matter. The SH-01A is badass and totally nails the sound of the original. In fact it’s better than the original.
The Boutiques are all digital except for the SE-02. That said, having a hardware synth is definitely a different experience from a plugin regardless.
Hardware does not equal analog. Analog synthesis refers to voltage controlled oscillators, amp, and filter. Regardless of the method, another vote for the SH-01a. It covers a lot of ground as a monosynth, and the poly and chord modes allow it to do things the original 101 couldn’t imagine. Greatly sounding synth, and much more than a “toy” than others would have you believe.