Tech
5 of the best foolproof synths
Hate manuals and hidden menus? These intuitive machines are for you
1 Moog Sirin
Moog’s machines are often pricey, but it has an eye on the affordable market, too. Following on from the DFAM, Grandmother and much-loved Minitaur, the Sirin is capable of soaring leads and weighty bass and is intuitive to use. It’s inspired by the classic Moog Taurus; numbers are limited, so be quick.
£619, www.moog-music.com
2 Korg Monologue
Moog’s Minilogue poly synths and Monologue mono synths are flooding out of gear shops. The Monologue is an exceptional synthesizer for beginners and masters alike. Just ask lifelong Korg fan Aphex Twin, who designed some of its presets.
£205, www.korg.com/uk
3 Elektron Model Samples
Samples is a sampler/drum machine that boils down the best bits of Elektron’s famously hard-to-learn kit into one simple-to-use beast. It has everything you need to add crunchy, out-there vibes to your beats without needing a month on YouTube to learn.
£375.99, www.elektron.se
4 Roland SH-01A
The SH101 is famously easy to play and is a favourite among live performers for just that reason. It boasts monstrous bass and has just the right spread of features to cover the basic needs of electronic music composition.
£349, www.roland.com/uk
5 Juno 106
There’s a reason Roland’s legendary 106 has stood the test of time. Its simple lay-out of sliders and deliciously rich sound courtesy of its analogue engine and built-in-chorus have made it the ‘go to’ easy-to-use polysynth for nearly 40 years.Originals sell online for around £1,500 if Roland’s digital remake, the JU-06, doesn’t appeal.
