Tech
5 of the best new bass synths and modules
Where would we be without bass? Five new bass synths are here to ensure we never find out
1 Roland SE-02
If, like us, you’ve spent recent years moaning about every new Roland’s digital engine, get ready to eat your words. A collab with Studio Electronics, the SE02 is a three-oscillator analogue mono synth with a 16-step sequencer and lots of presets to ensure it beats its closest rival, the Behringer D.
£529, buy here.
2 Novation Circuit Mono Station
The Bass Station is one of our favourite bassline monsters mostly because it’s cheap and sounds anything but. The Circuit is a hybrid of the best bits of the engine from the Bass Station II with the pad sequencer from the Novation Circuit. It’s paraphonic and all the top deck controls can record automation.
£419, buy here.
3 Roland Boutique SH01A
The Roland SH-101 is another titan of 90s basslines. One of the simplest synths to program, its sound was punchy, though it had limitations. The SH01A brings it up to speed with a digital engine modelling analogue circuitry. Its ribbon touchpads, sequencer and arpeggiator are set in a sturdy metal chassis.
£349, buy here.
4 Behringer D
Moog recently released a new version of the Minimoog Model D, the machine that started it all for home synthesis and the keyboard used for the bassline in ‘Thriller’. The snag? It’s £3,500. Behringer’s stepped in with a cheaper alternative that clones the original’s chips but houses its analogue circuits in a Eurorack-friendly model.
£225, buy here.
5 Moog Subsequent 37
Moog’s Subsequent 37 replaces the Sub 37 and is a two-oscillator analogue synth with enhanced circuitry to broaden its sound. The keyboard’s been updated; it has a sequencer and arpeggiator but no CV interconnectivity. With monophonic and paraphonic modes, you can play two notes at once as the oscillators are separately controlled.
£1,299, buy here.
This feature is from the December issue of Mixmag
