UNDERRATED SYNTHS
Some electronic instruments are celebrated, while others rarely get a mention. Let’s look closer at some of the world’s less-lauded synths…
Under-the-radar instruments in virtual form
Take a look at your plugins folder. How many Minimoog, TB-303 and DX7 emulations are in there? If you’re anything like us, you’ve amassed a collection of classic clones, and you can count yourself among those fortunate enough to have access to the sounds of such legendary instruments.
Aping the big names is big business, and for good reason. Secondhand prices of famous instruments have skyrocketed thanks to their scarcity and collectibility. If you’re lucky enough to be able to own the real deal, you’ll no doubt have learned that maintenance costs are equally offputting. As most cm readers will be aware, software simulations represent sound alternatives, allowing us to relive the past without the hassles. And yet, how many of us actually owned an original Prophet-5 or Jupiter-8? Those instruments cost a king’s ransom in their day. The average gigging muso was forced to settle on a cut-down, cut-price compromise, or scour the pawnshops and classified ads in search of a bargain, most of which were sold off the moment something better became available.
Still, some of those bargain-basement machines made their way onto hit records. It’s no coincidence that the post-punk ‘New Wave’ took off just as manufacturers were scrambling to provide cheaper alternatives to the lofty and luxurious models that had found favour with chart-topping MTV stars. Artists such as Thomas Dolby, the Eurythmics and Prefab Sprout cut their teeth – and their early hits – with affordable synths, all of which can still be had today for reasonable secondhand prices.
Over the next few pages, we’re going to take a look at some of these instruments. We’ll cover the best analogue also-rans and digital underdogs in an attempt to uncover the qualities that might have made them stand out – if only anyone had paid attention. We’ll look at cut-price nearclassics from big name manufacturers, as well as cottage industry curiosities.
More importantly, we’ll clue you in to software that will allow you to recapture the special qualities of these cutout bin classics.