5 Stunning Analog Synths: The New Generation of Analog
Jaw-droppingly beautiful analog synths from Frap Tools, Black Corporation, GS Music, Dreadbox, and more.
Step aside, classic synthesizer manufacturers, and let the new generation through. These are five incredible analog synths from the new breed of designers – and some are surprisingly affordable!
5 Stunning Analog Synths
We tend to think of analog synths as being the purview of classic manufacturers. Think Moog, Sequential, Oberheim, and KORG. But there’s a new generation of synth companies for whom analog is just as important, a whole clutch of designers pushing the boundaries of what analog can be.
Today, let’s take a look at five synthesizers from this new breed of analog synth aficionados. I won’t say “purists,” because although they all love their analog, they’re also not afraid to augment them with the occasional digital element, or try something radically new.
Stunning Analog Synths: AnalogFX SER-2020
Let’s start with SER-2020, a semi-modular tabletop monophonic synth from AnalogFX. If the look of the SER-202 is making you say, “Haven’t I seen that somewhere before?” it’s because it draws inspiration from the Synton Syrinx, the unique Dutch synth from the early 1980s.
The SER-202 features CEM3340 oscillator and CEM3350 filter chips, the same as the Prophet 5, Rhodes Chroma, and Crumar Spirit. Additionally, the filter section offers not only the 24dB/Octave lowpass filter, but two resonant peak filters for vocal formant effects.
The standout feature on the original Syrinx was its unique touch pad. Fittingly, the SER-202 also has this. Called the Touch’n’Bend pad, it gives you control over the VCO, VCF and VCA. And, with a nod to modern players, it’s MPE-compatible with Strike, Press, Glide, Slide, and Lift expression modes. The SER-2020 is also Eurorack compatible and available in three colors: black, blue and purple.
Best of all, you can get the SER-2020 for not a lot of money. It’s usually €822.31 but is currently on sale for €739.67. Find out more at the link below.
- AnalogFX SER-2020 product page
Stunning Analog Synths: Dreadbox Typhon
Here’s another tabletop analog mono, this time coming from Greece. Dreadbox knows a thing or two about luscious analog. The company has been plowing its own analog field since 2012, and is now very well known for its lovely and warm tone. I could have recommended really any Dreadbox instrument, but I’m going to highlight Typhon today for its affordability and versatility.
First, the price. For less than $400, you get two oscillators with continuous waveshaping, a 24dB/Oct resonant lowpass filter, two envelope generators for the VCA and filter, plus additional modulators and a 32-step sequencer.
Now for versatility. Typhon is Dreadbox’s first collaboration with DSP effects powerhouse Sinevibes, and it really is a match made in heaven. You get three stereo Sinevibes effects with multiple algorithms, including a highpass filter, distortion, reverb, delays, and more. Plus, the unit has an external in so you can press it into hardware effects duties. Bonus.
Analog beauty meets digital beauty.
- Dreadbox Typhon product page
- More about Dreadbox
Stunning Analog Synths: Black Corporation Xerxes MK2
The Black Corporation conversation tends to focus on either Deckard’s Dream or ISE-NIN. They’re both wonderful instruments, but there’s more to the Tokyo-based company than the CS-80 and Jupiter-8. Case in point: Xerxes MK2. Black Corp’s take on the Elka Synthex, Xerxes MK2 brings you everything you expect from a Black Corp instrument (MPE, gorgeous sound, quality build) with an Italian flair.
It starts with two digitally-controlled analog oscillators providing eight voices of triangle, saw, square, and PWM waveforms, with oscillator sync, variable phase control, ring modulation, and the unique cross-oscillator Pulse Amplitude Modulation. The signal then passes through a multimode filter with 24dB/Octave lowpass, 12dB/Octave highpass, and switchable 6dB/Oct-12dB/Oct bandpass modes. In terms of modulation, there are dedicated filter and amp envelopes plus two LFOs, with a gorgeous analog BBD chorus to finish things off.
Xerxes MK2 isn’t cheap, but you get what you pay for with Black Corporation, and it’s certainly a heck of a lot cheaper than buying a vintage Synthex. A lot more reliable too!
- Black Corporation Xerxes MK2 product page
- More about Black Corporation
Stunning Analog Synths: GS Music Bree6
Sometimes you just want to let the sound speak for itself. I’m a big fan of these kinds of synths, and it appears that GS Music is too. The Chile-based manufacturer crafts gorgeous-sounding analog synths that just ooze with character.
Exhibit A is Bree6, a Juno-like tabletop six-voice analog monster. You get a single VCO plus a sub, a 4-pole lowpass Ladder filter, and a voltage-controlled amplifier. While the signal path is analog, control signals are digitally generated, with a single LFO and two ADSR envelope generators. Lastly, there’s an effects section (digital) with chorus and delay. It also supports MPE.
Classic in its layout, gorgeous in its sound. If you’re a fan of ‘80s polys, give this one a try. It’s also not all that expensive considering its boutique origins.
- GS Music Bree6 product page
- More about GS Music
Stunning Analog Synths: Frap Tools Magnolia
My last recommendation is the most recent to be released, an analog synth doing some very unique things with the synthesis. I’m talking, of course, about Frap Tools’ Magnolia, a West Coast-inspired poly with through zero frequency modulation.
Analog FM is pretty unique. Having it in a full-size and normalled poly synth (and not a Eurorack module) even more so. The eight-voice synth has two oscillators per voice, an East Coast oscillator with PWM, and a West Coast one with linear TZFM, wavefolder and flip sync. Get the East Coast oscillator modulating the frequency of the West Coast one for crazy clangorous sounds.
Magnolia is also bi-timbral with a low- and highpass filter, plus a modulation section with three envelopes and LFOs. Throw in global analog distortion, a digital effects section, polyphonic aftertouch, and the Polymove parameter, which introduces randomization into the notes for unusual sound variations, and you have one exciting analog synth.
- Frap Tools Magnolia product page
- More about Frap Tools
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