I’ve started a collection of mini synths over the years, just wondering if anyone else has also. My first was the Kaossilator and last was the Op1 which lead me here(excluding the PO’s which most of us don’t have yet). Here’s a list of what I’m holding onto. I’ve learned in the past 7 or so years that small toys can make some HUGE sounds:
-Critter and guitari Pocket piano
-Korg Kaossilator
-Korg Monotron
-Korg Volca bass
-Casio Vl1 custom upright circuit bent
-Neon indian (bleep labs) pal198x
-Speak n spell circuit bent
-Op1
-All 3 pocket operators(coming soon)
- Critter & Guitari Pocket Piano MIDI !! -> A bit noisy, but I love the sound and the arps. Missing a sequencer...
- Volca Beat
- Volca Bass
- Volca Keys
- OP-1 -> I bring it everywhere, it's really my favorite
- C3POscoming one day or another
I use to have a SP404 that I brought with me everywhere : I loved the sound, but it was too gourmand with batteries and I had trouble with in/outs... I sold it for the Pocket Piano and I don't regret it cause it opened me a way to electronic music ^^
@Calucaux, I often thought about getting a circuit bent speak’n’spell. I probably wouldn’t use it all the time, but would be cool to have when you need it. Is it any good? Does the circuit bending just add an audio out, or other stuff too?
I’m a geek for them. 2xMonotribes, GakkenSX150, Monotron trio, Volca quad, miniKP v1 and v2, KO-1 and 2, Sp404sx, 3xMPC500*, MicroKorgXL+, OG MicroKorg*, MicroSampler*, XR20*, SR18*, QY70, QY10 and of course OP-1. Gonna get a battery pack for the KP3+. Plethora of NiMH batts.
MASF Osc03 - a eurorack module, but usable outside of eurorack with boss style 9v power which is how I’m using it at present so it kindof counts.
Future:
PO 12 and 16 on order.
I want more Bastl Trinity blocks.
Don’t have an Op-1 yet but should be ordering it next week.
@darenager how do you like the patchblocks? I’ve gone back and forth on getting those. I used to use music programming languages like SuperCollider 2 a long time ago and I’ve owned Reaktor for years. However, SuperCollider got boring for me a long time ago and Reaktor / Max / Pd have never been that appealing to me. I think the canvas is just too big and blank and I just don’t know what I want to make; but give me some knobs and cables and instant gratification and I’m good to go! Patchblocks look to be an in-betweener here.
@yoof don’t play with the speak n spell much but here’s a small sample video of my actual unit. Yes it only adds a audio out and there are a ton of bends on it. http://youtu.be/JRuXh95l6ps
My collection: Korg Monotron Korg Monotron Duo Korg Monotron Delay SX150 Casio SK1 Casio MT100 Casio HT700 Yamaha PSS680 Yamaha PSS790 Littlebits-Korg Synth Kit TE OP1 Korg KaosPad Korg Kaosillator ThinkGeek Bliptronic5000 Nintendo 3DS with Korg DS10, DSN-12, and M01 synths, plus all the Rytmik sequencers and Electroplankton series instruments too. Korg MicroSampler
Listing all these instruments is a bit humbling. I really hadn’t realized I actually own all these keyboards since most of them sit unused in my basement, What I really need is a place to set all this stuff up so that it can be played. I currently don’t have any room to adequately display or use them. A synth-filled man-cave would be awesome!
^ Yes I was surprised at my list too when I wrote it out, and I forgot my Nintendo DSi + softs, littlebits, iOs devices,homemade stuff and probably some other bits lurking in boxes too, not to mention all my non portable gear. But like you it is never set up all together - would need some serious mixing! But I kind of like to just grab a few bits from the cupboard and have a little jam, different combinations of course lead to different working methods.
But having said this I really do need to knuckle down and sell a load of my gear, I have cut down a lot, it is such a hassle though, I don’t like owning too much gear believe it or not.
@jshell PB are fun and cool, the software is not quite there yet though - both the desktop and internal, it could do with a bit of tidying up, refining and fleshing out, but even in its current state still quite a capable system, especially for the modest investment. The sound can be a little lo-fi and noisy at times but it does not bother me, but if you are bugged by such things might be better off going another route. It is quite cool making up your own little standalone fx boxes or sequencer equipped synth/drum generators things.
@yoof yah no worries. That guy does some amazing shit. He’s a pro circuit bender. Sounds funny but he makes a living doing it. Here’s the vl tone he built for me. The only upright casio vl tone in existence prolly.