Dude, where was the Hydrasynth Explorer? Poly aftertouch and can basically do anything. Also I don't need more keys. I have a big keyboard and I can control the synths using midi.
You are absolutely right about the explorer. I recently suggested it on another list, so I didn't add it to this one, but it's definitely worthy. Thanks for the comment.
I don't think more synths need to be 61 keys but I'm not a big fan of mini keys. That being said, I told myself I wasn't going to buy any more mini key synths yet I keep messing around with the Minifreak at my local music shop. It's gotta be one of the most fun synths that I've ever played, so I might make an exception for that one. Great list!
I'm waiting for the Korg Multi-Poly Rack. It is one of the best sounding synths with very versatile capabilities and it doesn't sound like everyone else.
I agree about the keys. I wish the GAIA2 had at least 49 keys. 37 is very crowded for two handed playing. This is mostly oriented for synthesists I guess. Everyone who is actually a keyboard/piano player will feel the limitation immediately. I use the GAIA2 with external controller keyboard quite often.
To your question why to getbthe hardware Minifreak instead of just the VST, it has an analog filter per voice, so it is a hybrid synth, which is probably worth mentioning. Love your videos👍
Thanks. The 25 is liked by a lot of people, but this list is for poly-synths only. I looked at synths with at least 6 voice polyphony, even if paraphonic. I will probably do a Top 11 List of monophonic synths in the future. Thanks for the comment.
Hey, a good video again. I have to say that Wavestate is the most unique sounding synth you could spend your cask on. There’s no synth on the market to my knowledge that can actually do what the Wavestate can do. If you don’t like 37 keys there are great deals just now on the Wavestate SE. I picked up a brand new Wavestate SE for £999 and have recently added it to my live setup.
nice topic and video!. I would lumped all of the korg raspberry pi synths together as ALL of them are awesome (i know as I have them all). That would of made room for the hydrasynth explorer and the roland jdxi.
Even before getting to the end of the list, I have something to say. The pink 707 would be easily part and parcel on many people’s stages with the revived Hello Kitty models coming from Fender and Squier. Those Strats have found an unexpected niche with the metal set.
Most mini keyboards I think are marketed to beginner keyboardists, Non keyboardists ,beat creators who need synth sounds and their success used to dupe professional keyboard players that they need these instruments for portability and instantaneous creative capture. Again wonderful episode. Another use would be the portability for airline travel. A 49 note weighted keyboard controller would be more useful. Add to that small box synthesizer sampler and preset units (about the size of guitar foot pedals) with looper options those would probably sell like hot cakes. We are divergent in thought on wood ends though(lol)
Mini keys or no keys whatsoever are better for me. I don’t need full size keys for playing chords or melodies for electronic music. I’ve got a piano for piano stuff. A room full of full size keyboards is a nightmare to me, been there, done that. Huge unnecessary waste of space!
There are many nice 37 key synths on this list. I have the GAIA2 (amazing instrument). I had wavestate and opsix MkI versions (sold them because of the awful keybed) but still have the VSTs. I've played the Minifreak quite a few times. Multipoly and Microkorg 2 would be on my list for sure (But at the moment this is just G.A.S.)
Great video Jeffrey! Really appreciate your channel, keep it up. Asked Santa for the Akai MPC key 37. Think it will work great with my Korg Karma and my JVC 2080. Checking out the wavestate now :)
Sound is King!! So long as it has MIDI In (FS/DIN, please!!), the keys don’t matter so much … especially not on an intentionally ‘small synth’ … jmo! Just look at the success of the og MicroKorg, and the even crappier-keyed JD-Xi … ! 🙂
I have the Korg Collection of VST's and honestly there is no way you can get the same touch and feel as a real hardware keyboard. I am waiting for the Korg Multi/Poly to come in stock at Sweetwater. I personally don't mind the 37 key versions of these units as most can be played by a larger 61, 73, 88 key master keyboards. The form factor allows me to have more power on my rack than just a couple of keyboards. As Tim Allen would say "More Power, Argh". My Kronos SE can control my VST's and my WaveState MkII so I can't wait to get the Multi/Poly in the rack.
I don’t do mini keys. I’ve disliked those since those reissues started showing up at guitar center. What is this? A toy? I use a lot of vst. I originally used a couple Ensoniq 61 notes for controllers. It wasn’t practical to run between my keyboard rack and the computer desk, back and forth using vst. It wasn’t practical to sit a 61 note keyboard on my desk along with everything else. Too big. I bought a 49 note Korg Taktile and built a sliding plateform which pulls the keyboard out from underneath my desk. When I’m done, I just slide it back underneath. I’m ok with 49 keys. Out of everything on this list, that Korg multipoly is just Nuts. I wouldn’t pay 899 for it but it’s a BEAST synthesizer. Watch a demo. If you are right and they end up lowering the price, I don’t know, I may have to live with 37 keys. I was looking at a deepmind 12 but that multipoly blows it out of the water.
So, it was just the pricing that prevented the Jupiter Xm to make it to the list. Because otherwise, it's better than any and all the others included, except maybe the DeepMind..
Akai mpc key 37 is more of a production machine than synth. Its more for sampling, recording, and has more overall capabilities than the others… but not quite as a synth. Also you can get akai’s vsts and you can sample other synths to make keygroups (sampled presets). Where is the hydrasynth explorer?
Why do synths need to have piano-style keys at all? A very large number of us are NON-PIANO PLAYERS. A synth isn't a piano. Ignoring everything that has no piano keys, is a terrible idea.
A lot of these synths are cut down versions of 61 key synths from the same manufacturer, so you can have your cake and eat it if you wish. See MicroKorg -> KingKorg. MiniNova -> Super Nova. Minilogue -> Korg Prologue, etc. The market for a lot of these under $1000 synths is primarily hobbyist/bedroom producers with limited budgets AND space. I am NOT saying these synths are toys, BTW - many of them sound amazing in a mix or with an effect thrown on. But the small keys are part of the nights and weekends, liveset/gig once a month workflow, IMO. Product/Market fit and all that.
You suggest “playing with a friend’s unit”….and suddenly my middle school brain kicked in.
Dude, where was the Hydrasynth Explorer? Poly aftertouch and can basically do anything. Also I don't need more keys. I have a big keyboard and I can control the synths using midi.
You are absolutely right about the explorer. I recently suggested it on another list, so I didn't add it to this one, but it's definitely worthy. Thanks for the comment.
I don't think more synths need to be 61 keys but I'm not a big fan of mini keys. That being said, I told myself I wasn't going to buy any more mini key synths yet I keep messing around with the Minifreak at my local music shop. It's gotta be one of the most fun synths that I've ever played, so I might make an exception for that one. Great list!
Despite my large hands, I would actually love a compact 61-key synth using good quality mini-keys,
I'm waiting for the Korg Multi-Poly Rack. It is one of the best sounding synths with very versatile capabilities and it doesn't sound like everyone else.
Yes, perhaps that with a larger controller. That thing is crazy.
Not a bad list. I would include the Reface DX to my list.
I agree about the keys. I wish the GAIA2 had at least 49 keys. 37 is very crowded for two handed playing. This is mostly oriented for synthesists I guess. Everyone who is actually a keyboard/piano player will feel the limitation immediately. I use the GAIA2 with external controller keyboard quite often.
To your question why to getbthe hardware Minifreak instead of just the VST, it has an analog filter per voice, so it is a hybrid synth, which is probably worth mentioning. Love your videos👍
Enjoyed this 👍🏻
Nice video Jeffrey!
I was expecting the lovely moog subsequent 25 in this list 😅
Thanks. The 25 is liked by a lot of people, but this list is for poly-synths only. I looked at synths with at least 6 voice polyphony, even if paraphonic. I will probably do a Top 11 List of monophonic synths in the future. Thanks for the comment.
Hey, a good video again. I have to say that Wavestate is the most unique sounding synth you could spend your cask on. There’s no synth on the market to my knowledge that can actually do what the Wavestate can do. If you don’t like 37 keys there are great deals just now on the Wavestate SE. I picked up a brand new Wavestate SE for £999 and have recently added it to my live setup.
Thanks for the comment.
That key37 from akai is incredible. Im gonna have to get one.
nice topic and video!. I would lumped all of the korg raspberry pi synths together as ALL of them are awesome (i know as I have them all). That would of made room for the hydrasynth explorer and the roland jdxi.
It's a crowded market and an excellent list, but I'm sad to not see the Modal Argon8 or Cobalt8 on it.
Yeah, lots of worthy contenders. I think both those synths are an acquired taste. I appreciate your comment.
Even before getting to the end of the list, I have something to say. The pink 707 would be easily part and parcel on many people’s stages with the revived Hello Kitty models coming from Fender and Squier. Those Strats have found an unexpected niche with the metal set.
I keep getting tempted by the WaveState to sit alongside my Minilogue XD, but I already have an original WaveStation so not sure I can justify it :)
Most mini keyboards I think are marketed to beginner keyboardists, Non keyboardists ,beat creators who need synth sounds and their success used to dupe professional keyboard players that they need these instruments for portability and instantaneous creative capture.
Again wonderful episode.
Another use would be the portability for airline travel.
A 49 note weighted keyboard controller would be more useful. Add to that small box synthesizer sampler and preset units (about the size of guitar foot pedals) with looper options those would probably sell like hot cakes.
We are divergent in thought on wood ends though(lol)
Appreciate your support. Thanks for the comment.
Mini keys or no keys whatsoever are better for me. I don’t need full size keys for playing chords or melodies for electronic music. I’ve got a piano for piano stuff.
A room full of full size keyboards is a nightmare to me, been there, done that. Huge unnecessary waste of space!
There are many nice 37 key synths on this list. I have the GAIA2 (amazing instrument). I had wavestate and opsix MkI versions (sold them because of the awful keybed) but still have the VSTs. I've played the Minifreak quite a few times. Multipoly and Microkorg 2 would be on my list for sure (But at the moment this is just G.A.S.)
Great video Jeffrey! Really appreciate your channel, keep it up.
Asked Santa for the Akai MPC key 37. Think it will work great with my Korg Karma and my JVC 2080. Checking out the wavestate now :)
Thanks for your support. Hope Santa Comes through for you.
Sound is King!! So long as it has MIDI In (FS/DIN, please!!), the keys don’t matter so much … especially not on an intentionally ‘small synth’ … jmo!
Just look at the success of the og MicroKorg, and the even crappier-keyed JD-Xi … ! 🙂
Thanks for sharing your view on keys.
I have the Korg Collection of VST's and honestly there is no way you can get the same touch and feel as a real hardware keyboard. I am waiting for the Korg Multi/Poly to come in stock at Sweetwater. I personally don't mind the 37 key versions of these units as most can be played by a larger 61, 73, 88 key master keyboards. The form factor allows me to have more power on my rack than just a couple of keyboards. As Tim Allen would say "More Power, Argh". My Kronos SE can control my VST's and my WaveState MkII so I can't wait to get the Multi/Poly in the rack.
Thanks for sharing; I appreciate your comment.
I don’t do mini keys. I’ve disliked those since those reissues started showing up at guitar center. What is this? A toy?
I use a lot of vst. I originally used a couple Ensoniq 61 notes for controllers. It wasn’t practical to run between my keyboard rack and the computer desk, back and forth using vst. It wasn’t practical to sit a 61 note keyboard on my desk along with everything else. Too big.
I bought a 49 note Korg Taktile and built a sliding plateform which pulls the keyboard out from underneath my desk. When I’m done, I just slide it back underneath. I’m ok with 49 keys.
Out of everything on this list, that Korg multipoly is just Nuts. I wouldn’t pay 899 for it but it’s a BEAST synthesizer. Watch a demo.
If you are right and they end up lowering the price, I don’t know, I may have to live with 37 keys. I was looking at a deepmind 12 but that multipoly blows it out of the water.
So, it was just the pricing that prevented the Jupiter Xm to make it to the list. Because otherwise, it's better than any and all the others included, except maybe the DeepMind..
Chapters please for rewatching?! 🙏🏼
Akai mpc key 37 is more of a production machine than synth. Its more for sampling, recording, and has more overall capabilities than the others… but not quite as a synth. Also you can get akai’s vsts and you can sample other synths to make keygroups (sampled presets).
Where is the hydrasynth explorer?
It is a workstation synth, sampler, and sequencer. What one feels doesn't matter.
I don’t know, Yamaha’s early 80s CS analogue synths were killer machines?
Why do synths need to have piano-style keys at all? A very large number of us are NON-PIANO PLAYERS. A synth isn't a piano. Ignoring everything that has no piano keys, is a terrible idea.
I think your preference for plain black and white, and your aversion to wooden cheeks, colours etc, put you in the minority?! 🤷🏻♂️☺️
It probably does. Thanks for the comment.
I chose and bought the Minilogue xd and Wavestate for the Black paint job but it's user friendly control's!
A lot of these synths are cut down versions of 61 key synths from the same manufacturer, so you can have your cake and eat it if you wish. See MicroKorg -> KingKorg. MiniNova -> Super Nova. Minilogue -> Korg Prologue, etc. The market for a lot of these under $1000 synths is primarily hobbyist/bedroom producers with limited budgets AND space. I am NOT saying these synths are toys, BTW - many of them sound amazing in a mix or with an effect thrown on. But the small keys are part of the nights and weekends, liveset/gig once a month workflow, IMO. Product/Market fit and all that.