Superbooth 2018, the Berlin-based event/show/music venue for synthesizers, their makers and their players, has just closed its doors after three glorious and hectic days.
This year saw Superbooth retain its cool tag but grow enough to compete in its significance with the likes of NAMM (and easily outstrip) Musikmesse for new synthesier and synth module launches. There were some big surprises, some interesting analog clones, and some potentially groundbreaking machines.
Here's our 10 favorite new synths from Superbooth18 (click the links to go to the videos for each one):
1. Behringer TR-808 Clone: RD 808
Behringer just cloned the Roland TR-808 analog drum machine! The RD-808 is currently in pre-production and slated for an August 2018 release. Watch and listen to it in action... Easily the most popular announcement from Superbooth18.
Click Here to Read & Watch Video
2. IK Multimedia UNO Synth
Here's the first video overview of IK Multimedia's surprising 2-oscillator, analog monophonic hardware synthesizer from Superbooth18 that retails for just $199! Designed by Davide from Soundmachines and utilising the knowledge of synth guru, Erik Norlander, this original synth with sequencer, arpeggiator, keyboard and presets is something nobody expected to see from IK Multimedia this year. Simply stunning.
3. Dave Smith Instruments Prophet X
The Prophet X is a 16-voice hybrid synthesizer from DSI that plays samples back through analog filters and so much more. The sampler side utilises the high-quality sounds from 8Dio. Here's the first video demo and overview from Superbooth18.
4. Polyend / Dreadbox Medusa
Medusa is a super new synth, controller and sequencer made in collaboration between Dreadbox and Polyend. It is a powerful 6-oscillator hybrid analog/digital synth and MPE controller and sequencer in one. There is so much potential here that it's hard not to fall in love with this machine at first sight.
5. Behringer ARP Odyssey
The original duophonic analog ARP Odyssey is entering the Behringer synthesizer hall of fame and will be called the Behringer Odyssey. DivKid Ben took this large synth for a sonic spin. Check out the video by clicking the link below. The Behringer Odyssey is in pre-production and there's potentially a lot of changes to come to help improve the sound or make it sound more like the ARP Odyssey.
6. Behringer MS-101 (Roland SH-101 Clone)
Yes, another synth announcement from Behringer at Superbooth 2018. And it's another clone of a classic analog Roland synthesizer, the SH-101. In this video you can see and hear the Behringer MS-101 in action.
7. Dreadbox Erebus 3
Pretty impressive for a small Greek synth maker to appear twice in this top 10 synths from Superbooth? But very well deserved as the Dreadbox Erebus 3 is a powerful, great-sounding 3-oscillator analog synthesizer with a few tricks up its sleeve. This video from from Superbooth18 explains more.
8. Erica Synths Techno Drum System
Instant techno anyone? Erica Synths' new all-in-one drum sequencing and sound tweaking system is a 15-module monster that puts the fun back into making beats. Here's a video of it in action.
9. Black Corporation Kijimi
Inspired by the rare Frech analog synth released in 1979, RSF Polykobol, Black Corporation show off their soon-to-be-released Kijimi 8-voice analog synthesizer at Superbooth...
10. Twisted Electrons uAcid8 & hapiNES
These pocket-sized synths won't break the bank, they're €99 each... and they look super cool. Here's everything you need to know about uAcid8 and hapiNES from Twisted Electrons.
Best of The Rest
There's literally too many to choose from to add to this list... but, here's a couple of modules and synths that caught our eye and almost made it into the top 10 list above...
- Synthstrom Deluge V2
- Behringer Pro One
- Endorphin.es BLCK_NOIR
- Bastl Instruments 1983 & Timber
- Roland System 500 Modules
- Moffenzeef Modular Stargazer Drone
- Intellijel Planar 2
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