Battle of the Mono Synths: Top 10 Analog Classics

[@jks3rd]

Fantastic collection and knowledge of them. Thank you!

[@AndyWhitmore]

Thanks a bunch for the love! I'm always happy to share my knowledge with awesome viewers like you!

[@iamyourfuture808]

D Train 😎

[@AndyWhitmore]

oh yes - what a sound!!

[@No_Nag]

Important ones that u missed. Pro-One, MS-20 and Mono/Poly. Otherwise, great video! Comparisons is always fun!

[@AndyWhitmore]

Thank you for the feedback! I'll definitely consider including those in future videos.

[@bjh3661]

I have only one thing to say ... OSCar ... and thanks for this great video!

[@AndyWhitmore]

I have 2 words for you! I agree!

[@chrismossy9774]

Great comparison! Mono synthesisers sound very organic in the way the tone moves around and changes with legato and portamento in the manner of a singer or a flute.

[@AndyWhitmore]

I'm glad you enjoyed the comparison! Mono synthesizers really do have a unique way of capturing that organic sound.

[@all-range-mode]

Superb video! Personally, for me, its the Yamaha CS-5 but I haven't tried most of these!

[@AndyWhitmore]

I'd forgotten about the Yamaha CS-5 - another classic mono synth!

[@andrewverran3498]

That's a hard call , I probably would have slipped in the MS20 as a tie with the the SH101, knowing what I know about the MS20 now.

[@AndyWhitmore]

good shout - thanks for watching

[@terrybromwich5157]

Very interesting, cracking video, very informative and well thought out. I love a monosynth, I only have 7 or 8 :) . I’m not sure the SH1000 or SH101 would be on my list, I’ve played one and own the other, I’ve never found the SH101 to be particularly inspiring. I’d also politely suggest that they HAVE improved some things since the old days, and that some modern monos might deserve a place on the list - my current favourite is the Sequential Pro 3, it’s a great mono for live use due to patch memories and it has many advanced features. The Moog Matriarch and Arturia Matrixbrute are cracking synths and worthy of consideration as well. Going back to the old days, the ARP 2500 is iconic too but you couldn’t have all three in the top ten I suppose… Anyway, thank you. Very entertaining.

[@AndyWhitmore]

thanks for watching & thanks for the feedback!the Pro 3 is a great synth & worthy of a place here

[@Station2Station-du2gh]

Great list and I concur - ALTHOUGH - I'd put the ProONE in place of the AKS. It's more playable and musical - even though I'm a huge Roxy fan.

[@AndyWhitmore]

I agree the pro one should be in there - but to replace the synthi aks - give me a break! The synthi aks along with the cs80 are 2 synths that can completely transform the sound of a record - all the rest of the synths here & on my poly synth videos add warmth depth & production - but don't transform a track (as a rule) - thanks for watching

[@bernardmacseoin1113]

Sequential Circuits Pro One, Korg MS2000 & just maybe Roland JP-8000. Nice video, thanks !

[@AndyWhitmore]

Pro One - I agree - its on my shopping list - as for the Korg MS2000 - its 4 note polyphonic - hardly a mono synth & the Roland JP-8000 - OMG! 8 note polyphonic - did you read the title? - Thanks for watching

[@mcshafty1]

I'm looking forward to this vid. I have a Moog Sub Phatty and an Arturia Matrix Brute which are both very cool. I did have a Roland SH1000 in the 80s - and had a lot of fun with it

[@AndyWhitmore]

Sounds great!

[@MikeUIibarri]

Good stuff! Well done.

[@AndyWhitmore]

Thank you so much for your kind words!

[@silvertongues2]

Surprised that you didn’t have a Pro One in there, or an MS20….. your OB1 is nice

[@AndyWhitmore]

I wish I'd bought a Pro One back in the day - when they were going for £100! - I never realised what a great synth it was

[@silvertongues2]

They seem to have come down in price recently and cheaper than a minimoog reissue, which I have too. The pro one is a nice mix of great musicality, big sounding like a moog but with more features.

[@AndyWhitmore]

@@silvertongues2 OMG - I am so trying not to buy any synths this year - & I have already bought 2! I will check out - I'm tempted

[@silvertongues2]

Ha I know that feeling, if you get a pro one dont be put off by one with the keyboard upgrade, its a huge benefit

[@entropybentwhistle]

Only issue I have with the Pro One…Proone…Prune, is it needed to be more robust, especially the body casing. Also a fan of the MS-20, defo had to get the blue full size re-issue when it came out with colour options.

[@RoadhawK66]

Roland SE-01!!!

[@AndyWhitmore]

Thanks for watching - the Roland se-01 is not real analog but Analog Circuit Behavior (ACB) tech (provides the authentic tone and response of the SH-101, an iconic '80s monosynth embraced for its characterful sound and simple, direct-access panel.) a really good copy but not the original.

[@Producer4Realz]

My favourite after the original Minimoog is the Multimoog ❤ Simply unique and super wild and crazy sounding. Btw, nothing wrong with SE1 the original. Pro-One is awesome. SH-101 or MC-202. I've actually owned all the synth you mention from the 1980's on and so I've actually have used them all and still own most of them IMHO

[@AndyWhitmore]

i did actually review the MC202 - but didn't release it as I thought too similar to the sh101 - thanks for watching

[@TheExtremenarcissist]

I would have included the MS-20 and Pro One. Also one of the other classic Roland analogs such as SH-5, System 100 Model 101 or SH-2. Cheers

[@AndyWhitmore]

In fact I agree with you! - thanks for watching

[@g3cd]

You should totally look into the Norand Mono. It has an LFO for every single frickin' knob and does INSANE sounds. Best mono I ever had, I wish Norand would do a poly as well.

[@AndyWhitmore]

thanks for the feedback - will check it out

[@meneerjansen00]

Fascinating that you put the good 'ol AKS above the Minimoog.

[@AndyWhitmore]

AKS is much more inspirational!

[@connor_flanigan]

it's because they're both English. as a yank, I rather fancy the minimoog really. knowhatImean?

[@AndyWhitmore]

@@connor_flanigan you know - that didn't cross my mind!!

[@AndyVonal]

Cool sounds and a great selection.... but an SH1000 over a SCI Pro-One? Really? Thanks for the cool vid!

[@AndyWhitmore]

I do agree!

[@baddriddimworkshop]

i'm after moding my odyssey FS to make it modular (add a box behind it with connections; check the switches and how the 2600 is designed, then you'll get that it's not to much of a complex task if you go to the switches for patch points), the ttsh is the same width as the ody, and imo, for reasons explainerd here, i think you'de go way further with a modular modded ody combined to a 2600 than with two 2600's for some reasons explained here about the ody (sync mainly but the lfo too, and the ody FS has three filter types in it...). I had a voyager at one time, didnt like it for my style of music, it's too sweet and too full, and thus not great to fit in the mix but that's me (i saw Marinelli and the Chromeo guy say not far from the same thing, they still own a minimmog but i'm not a californian superstar...), the older one sounds a bit more agressive though (i think). You presented three synths with a same circuit architecture, so to the contrary you seem to love it . i regret selling the voyager 12 years ago though; when i see how much they are sold in nowadays (but do they go for 4k5? There's this guy i forgot the name and the country, eastern europe, he builds minimoogs for 2k brand new), but a guy playing live to crowds will want the memory though. mine was an electric blue, and when you'd put the lights up it would bring a bunch of noise (if it would of distorted... never mind lol). that was fun to watch. thx a lot.

[@AndyWhitmore]

Well thank you for your insights - yes - i regret every synth i have sold too!!!

[@baddriddimworkshop]

@@AndyWhitmore wow i must of been drunk or tired when i wrote this, i corrected the all the misspelling, sorry about that, you of understood hlf of it lol...

[@AndyWhitmore]

@@baddriddimworkshop all good thanks

[@kierenmoore3236]

I was beginning to question your sanity, with inclusions like the SH-1000 and CS-40M … but you redeemed yourself somewhat with the top 4 … Some wasted spaces on that list, but this is really the Top 10 Analog Monosynths That You Own, so fair enough.

[@AndyWhitmore]

Spot on - thanks for watching!!

[@boblove2912]

Come on Behringer, launch the VCS3 !!

[@AndyWhitmore]

i'll do a comparison video if they do

[@fuccasound3897]

i would have gone for the CS30 rather than the CS40M. i know the CS30 is generally not rated highly because of the strange patch routing and some people accuse it of having a 'thin' sound but that's just not the case. i have owned one since the early 80's (cost me £50 with an amp and lead thrown in because it's owner couldn't get to grips with it). examples of it's 'stangeness' is that LFO provides the rate only, the wave shape for modulation is chosen at the destination consequently with one LFO it is possible to have different modulation shapes on any block, oscillator, filter or VCA. Modulation of the LFO from one of the (effectively) 5 envelope generators is possible. there is provision to create Notch (band reject) filtering. Also you get an 8 step sequencer. There is an unusual envelope generator which replaces the release level with an initial level and attack level there are 3 EG's which become 5 because two can be inverted. EG's are also chosen at the destination. VCO1 can be modulated with VCO2. Ring modulation for VCA2. . And the HP, BP, LP are chosen at VCA not on the filter block. It of course has limitations such as no synch. No dedicted triangle wave from the oscillators and you can only toggle between wave shapes at the oscillator, it would be nice to glide between the shapes but not every synth has every feature you may like, does it? It is also very reliable in terms of holding it's pitch and filter settings once it's warmed up unlike some other synths i won't mention. Also the sequencer can take a CV from the keyboard to change the key it's playing in but if you want to hold the key its playing there' s a switch to prevent the keyboard CV getting to the sequencer. Or it can run independently. And this is just the beginning of it's strangeness. Oh and a sine wave fundamental is provided at VCA1 where you can mix it with signals from filter 1 or 2. Sorry this is such a long comment but it is hard to explain it's uniqueness without going into a bit of detail. It has kept me amused for 40 years which can't be bad.

[@AndyWhitmore]

thanks for your in depth review - i will consider the cs30 moving on

[@fuccasound3897]

@@AndyWhitmore another point is that the filters have only 12dB per octave cut so don't sound as spectacular as the 24dB/octave machines also not self resonating, it is a sort of 'well mannered' machine. Thanks for your reply.

[@AndyWhitmore]

@@fuccasound3897 thanks - yes the yamaha cs range filters are well mannered

[@markgriffiths5122]

Re the SH101 I was given one for free in the 80s. I preferred the SH2 myself and in the top 10 I'd probably expect to see a SH5 or maybe SH7 (and maybe stretching the monosynth definition to System 100). I'd played an Sequential Pro 1 back in the day but didn't really like it, I preferred my own Roland SH2 or my friends VCS3. I didn't really get along with the OB-1 either but maybe I'd only had a brief go on that. Not really a Korg MS fan either. Of things I haven't played but I'd expect in a top 10, Synton Syrinx and OSCar.

[@AndyWhitmore]

If I was to be honest - this is my Top 10!!! - Thanks for watching!

[@Shred_The_Weapon]

That Odyssey III has one deterrent in its design, the protruding keybed. I bought an Axxe Mk II in August 2000, and the uppermost A key came damaged. It never works right. It did not take long for me to ascertain that it was a product of that protruding keypad which is also present on this Odyssey. Later on when I had to have the Axxe itself repaired, the repair staff forgot to connect the control voltage circuits to that key. When I got it back, it would only play the voltage of the previous note, and I wasn’t ambitious enough to go back and have them do it right as I should have. That all took place the year after I took delivery of that synth. Subsequently, I bought two other monosynths, a Minimoog Voyager Electric Blue and a Korg Odyssey clone. I don’t plan on letting either of them go if I don’t need to. In between, a private retailer I briefly acquainted with got hold of the Axxe and sent it to a customer in Germany.

[@AndyWhitmore]

good feedback - how is the Korg Odyssey? - Thanks for watching!

[@Shred_The_Weapon]

Thank you also for the response,@@AndyWhitmore. This edition of the Odyssey definitely does what it should. It’s on one track or another from all but one of the album sets accessible from this link, my self-titled album, but that one only happens to feature the Axxe. kzbin.info/door/4dDN-v5onkhl3hQ46BMSCQ?si=dqYtKtVaGgsiJgfn

[@AndyWhitmore]

@@Shred_The_Weapon nice use of the odyssey & Korg microKorg XL on both your "Permit your Light to Shine On" & "price" album! = subbed both!

[@Shred_The_Weapon]

Much obliged, @@AndyWhitmore!

[@AndyWhitmore]

@@Shred_The_Weapon thanks for the feedback in general!

[@splintercast8092]

The filter on the OB-1 is glorious.

[@AndyWhitmore]

love it!

[@rsherid]

Minimoog demos 👏🏻

[@AndyWhitmore]

Thank you!!!!

[@studio48nl]

On the run

[@AndyWhitmore]

Thanks for watching!

[@MarkIreland_carrierband]

Pro One?

[@AndyWhitmore]

yes - it should be up there!

[@fischergreen4134]

The TB 303 should be in there if only because of the way it has shaped a musical genre

[@AndyWhitmore]

Correct!👍

[@NicolasMelis]

the OB1 sounds amazing 👌

[@AndyWhitmore]

Thanks - I agree!!

[@lindsaywebb1904]

Always fun to look behind peoples collections. A few classics missing of course 🙂 and an SE1 wouldn't make my list - has a deep solid bottom but not quick to program and pretty generic in a lot of ways (A moog voyager sounds about the same but more sound design capable and a nice keyboard/interface.) As other mention, a Pro One has to be on any top 10 and an one of the Korg MS range. The SH2 is demonstrably better than an SH101 but i guess through influence you could say the 101 has had more influence. There are a couple of modern synths that could be up there and the one i would place at No 1 is the Cwejman S1 Mk2 - absolute pleasure. Anyway 10 is too few

[@AndyWhitmore]

Great feedback - thanks for watching!!

[@Sound_ology]

Synthi wins in my book!

[@AndyWhitmore]

me too - different league

[@arakaneuman]

Throw out the oberheim and the Yamaha and add the mighty Prophet one and amazing OSC Oscar .

[@AndyWhitmore]

I could do a top 12 but I am not throwing out my OB-1 - its a favourite of mine!! The CS40m has some unique sounds too! - Nvertheless - you make a good point with the oscar & pro one

[@arakaneuman]

@@AndyWhitmore back in the 80s I had a go at a couple of Yamaha monosynths, I think it was a cs15 an a cs20m and a poly, CS50 and and as I remember they werent very impressive, no punch and thin sounds. A little later we had a Prophet 1 in our studio and I was blown away, sheer class. I think I sold the cs15 for about 50£ and the CS50 for 100£, something I really regret today because of the extremely overblown prices for vintage gear.

[@AndyWhitmore]

@@arakaneuman £100 for cs50 - oh dear - the synths have different strengths and punch is not the cs range forte - love the pro one

[@FakeGlasses]

No Voyager? No MS-20?

[@AndyWhitmore]

This is chosen from my personal collection so sorry or the lack of your personal choices!!

[@Goettel]

Moog is pronounced like "rogue", couldn't help myself.

[@GizzyDillespee]

Moog is pronounced like "book". Whereas Buchla is pronounced like a Scotsman says "loch".

[@Goettel]

@@GizzyDillespee You're wrong.

[@GizzyDillespee]

@@GoettelWell, I also put a "r" sound between the a and the s in Washington... and at the end of Canada... and I move the r from the middle of California to the end... So, you might be right about that. But remember... there is no i in Moog. And no more Moog in Ashville, unfortunately.

[@AndyWhitmore]

@Goettel - I am completely aware of how Moog should be pronounced - rhyme with Rogue! - & I pronounced it correctly on the mini moog vintage - number 2 - but unfortunately I have been saying it wrong for so long - it's taking a while to retrain my brain - I also knew i would get a lot of stick for that one!! lol!

[@AndyWhitmore]

@GizzyDillespee - absolutely wrong!! Thanks for watching

[@ProckGnosis]

WTF?? No Dreadbox?? JK. It wasn't around back then to be considered a classic monosynth, but as an owner of the Murmux v2, had it been, it would definitely be in the semi-Unicorn category, as they only made 50.

[@AndyWhitmore]

Sounds awesome - I will check it out!!

[@RoyChartier]

Having owned a CS-40M, I can assure you, it shouldn't be on any top 10 list, other than biggest synthesizers ever.

[@AndyWhitmore]

You've given me an idea for a new video - I won't reveal here but will credit you - thanks for watching & sorry the cs40m was such a let down for you!

[@sergeyermolenko6034]

Ваш вкус имеет право на жизнь, вернее - место в третьем ряду зрительского зала. Истина в том, что не синтезаторы определяли лучшую музыку и лучших музыкантов, а совсем наоборот - самые интересные музыканты выбирали наиболее подходящие инструменты для реализации своих лучших идей. Иногда среди таких инструментов были и одноголосные синтезаторы. И чаще всего это Minimoog's и ARP 2600. Причём, задолго до 1978 и вплоть до сегодняшних дней. Так что, не надо продвигать и навязывать свои понятия. А группе Pink Floyd не мешало бы научиться играть на обычных фортепиано, гитарах и барабанах без спасительной шумовой завесы😅

[@AndyWhitmore]

Пока вы говорите, что такие музыканты, как Чик Кориа и Херби Хэнкок, в начале использовали лучшие доступные синтезаторы, но позже стали использовать только фортепиано, так как это действительно выразительный акустический инструмент. Но Кит Эмерсон и Стиви Уондер использовали синтезаторы, такие как Yamaha GX1, которые даже я не могу себе позволить. Эти видео выражают мое мнение, и все, особенно вы, имеют право не соглашаться со мной, но я ценю, что вы смотрите и высказываете свои отзывы, надеюсь, вы продолжите смотреть!!!! Спасибо

[@sergeyermolenko6034]

@@AndyWhitmore Хорошо) Вы делаете интересную и полезную работу, мне остаётся пожелать вам достижения своей цели и творческих успехов. При сём при том напоминаю, что первое место делят Minimoog & ARP 2600, а все остальные в вашей власти ;-)

[@AndyWhitmore]

@@sergeyermolenko6034 спасибо за вашу поддержку и комментарии относительно 2600 и minimoog, оба лучшие игровые синтезаторы!!

[@FrancoisxavierFlandin]

Rsf kobol

[@AndyWhitmore]

Thanks for watching

[@Kkidzz]

Fail. MFB Dominion-1 should absolutely be in there… Three VCO Monster with more filter types than any other mono.

[@AndyWhitmore]

Hi - I have checked this out & its a cool synth!!

[@geevee7823]

The SE1 is highly disappointing. Too much menu diving for a synth with loads of dials. Envelopes not that snappy either. The box doesn't weigh anything either, so probably SMD design.

[@AndyWhitmore]

I never use the SE-1X - I was surprised it worked when I blew the dust off it to do this review!!

[@Thusila234]

At least im much cooler

[@AndyWhitmore]

I have no idea what you are talking about - although you probably are quite cool! lol