Our top five hardware synthesisers under R10 000

Our top five hardware synthesisers under R10 000

You probably want all the hardware synthesisers you can get your hands on; however, your budget may not allow for that.

The good news is that there are quite a few decent hardware synthesisers for under R 10k so it’s certainly not entirely out of one’s reach.

Here are our top five…

Korg Minilogue

What is it:

The Korg Minilogue is just about the best value for money polyphonic analog synth on the market, featuring several unique play-modes, allowing you to quickly switch between several different polyphonic, unison, arpeggiator modes and more.

It has an internal delay effect and features USB and MIDI connectivity to easily slot into almost any environment.

Best feature(s):

• Full four-voice polyphony
• Visual waveform display
• Live-input or step-based sequencer
• Motion recording for automation
• 100 factory presets and 100 memory slots

Price:

R 9,683

More info  

Novation Bass Station 2

What is it:

This is my personal favourite on this list.

It doesn’t have the voice-count of the Korg Minilogue; however, it has a far better feeling keyboard and slightly more sound-shaping capabilities.

The latest firmware update added a host of functionality to further extend the Bass Station 2’s abilities, allowing for duophonic mode and more.

Best feature(s):

• Two distinct analog filter designs
• Hard-sync mode and Oscillator FM mode
• LFO Waveform distortion
• Audio input to process incoming signals

Price:

R 7,995

More info 

Arturia MiniBrute 2

What is it:

The Arturia MiniBrute 2 is another great option, however, it lacks a few things that may be daunting for newcomers to the hardware synth world.

 It has no presets, and no screen – everything is done via the hardware controls. Like I said, this makes it a bit daunting for newcomers, but it also makes it a great option for those looking for a more hands-on experience.

Best feature(s):

• compact and rugged build
• knob per function
• semi-modular

Price:

R 9,250

More info 

Behringer Model D

What is it:

The Behringer Model D is a modern remake of the timeless Minimoog classic, featuring several features which make it an inviting option in a more modern studio.

The original comes from a time before USB and MIDI, so those are of course welcomed additions, Behringer has also designed the remake to fit into the ever-popular Eurorack modular format – it also features several patch-points for hooking it up to a modular synth.

Best feature(s):

• Full analog triple VCO design with 5 variable waveshapes
• Authentic reproduction of the original circuitry down to matched components
• Classic 24db Ladder Filter design with overdrive circuit
• Comprehensive MIDI implementation, allowing for chaining of multiple units together in a single Polyphonic patch

Price:

R 8,399

More info

Korg MS-20 Mini

What is it:

This is another classic remake, with a slightly different twist.

The original MS-20 was known to be pretty gargantuan, while the modern remake takes on a more miniature form-factor. It uses mini keys and 3.5mm jacks for its patch-points – to save on space, but it still features the same huge sound that made the original MS-20 so legendary.

Best feature(s):

• Classic MS-20 sound and layout
• Two VCOs and two filters
• Semi-modular design
• USB connectivity

Price:

R 8,995

More info 

Which is the one for you?

If you’re looking for a “swiss-army knife” hardware synthesiser that’s capable of a variety of stuff, the Korg Minilogue is probably the best option.

For those looking for particularly good bass and lead sounds, the Novation Bass Station 2 or Arturia MiniBrute 2 are awesome.

For those looking for classic sounds, of course the Model D and MS-20 are a sure thing.