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The Leipzig-S's eight-step analogue sequencer is great for making filtered patterns, evolving textures, melody lines and clangorous noise fests!

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Analogue Solutions has a fine array of products including the Telemark SEM clone, the Europa MIDI sequencer/drum computer, the Station X portable modular/patchable synth and the Leipzig range (rackmount Leipzig-S and Leipzig-K keyboard).

We were very impressed with the original Leipzig when we reviewed it back in mid 2008 - its good balance of features and 100% analogue sound matched to a sensible price has since gained it many fans.

"The Leipzig-S could happily be your go-to mono synth for bass, leads, percussion and effects."

Build quality is solid and the tough 5U metal case can sit on your desktop or be rackmounted. The panel labelling is printed on a tough Lexan polycarbonate sheet (as with Moog and DSI) and so should stand up to rough handling, while the switchgear/dials are sturdy.

This time, the LEDs are red and orange instead of the bright blue on the original and the Minimoog-style wood has gone. Power is supplied by a Wall Wart.

In terms of basic sound generation/operation, the Leipzig-S is largely the same as the original and sounds vintage yet modern, appealing to both camps. It's a dual discrete VCO synth and each oscillator has two waveforms (Sawtooth or Pulse) though there is still no sine/triangle option for smoother lead/bass sounds.

The VCOs sound rich and punchy, are stable, warm up time is quick and the Leipzig-S's general character lies somewhere between a Mini/Multimoog and a Korg MS20. It excels at snappy percussive tones, effects and basses, as well as the usual detuned and sync'd leads and the signal path distorts when pushed, which adds to the mojo.

Oscillate debate

Oscillator 1 and 2 differ in a number of ways. Oscillator 1 has a manual pulse width control for thinning or thickening the square wave, while Oscillator 2 has a sync dial and can be synced to Osc 1 square, the LFO square wave, or an incoming external signal.

Osc 2 can also be detuned or set free from MIDI note control by switching MIDI pitch off. This is great for atonal and drum/percussion sounds.

There are handy independent glide controls for each oscillator (like the Prophet-08) and pulse-width modulation controls where the square waves of each oscillator can be modulated by the LFO or by envelope 2 for more complex evolving textures. Unfortunately there are no legato or multi-trigger modes.

Mix and filter

The mixer section has been updated to accommodate the new sequencer audio option but otherwise remains mostly the same as the Leipzig. The levels of Osc 1 and 2's saw and square waves can be blended, pushed hard into the VCA/filter for a more saturated sound and a sub oscillator added, while the level of the external two input signal can also be attenuated, the sequencer audio switched into the signal path and white noise added.