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  1. Tech
  2. Synths
  3. Analogue Synths

The best new affordable hardware synths of 2014

News
By Future Music ( Future Music ) published 23 December 2014

Future Music gear of the year: great-sounding electronic instruments that won't break the bank

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Roland Aira TB-3

Roland Aira TB-3

Small synths with small price tags have been all over 2014, but the good news is that many of them deliver a mighty big sound. Whether you want to go analogue or digital (or even a mixture of both), there's been a new affordable synth for you: click through the gallery to discover (in no particular order) the very best of them, starting with Roland's TB-3.

Perhaps not quite the ultimate 303 clone some were expecting, but it’s more flexible than it first appears, and there’s simply nothing else on the market quite like this touchscreen bass synth.

4.5 out of 5

Read Roland Aira TB-3 review

BUY: Roland Aira TB-3 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Future Music's Gear of the Year 2014 is brought to you in association with DV247

Page 1 of 6
Page 1 of 6
Waldorf Streichfett

Waldorf Streichfett

A digital desktop synth that aims to replicate the naff string sounds of ’70s porn soundtracks may not be top of your ‘wish list’, but Streichfett is endless fun and packs great performance features.

4 out of 5

Read Waldorf Streichfett review

BUY: Waldorf Streichfett currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater

Page 2 of 6
Page 2 of 6
Roland Aira System-1

Roland Aira System-1

For us at least, the jury is still out on Roland’s much-hyped ‘Plug Out’ technology but, even without it, the System-1 is a very powerful compact synth for the money.

4.5 out of 5

Read Roland Aira System-1 review

BUY: Roland Aira System-1 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 3 of 6
Page 3 of 6
MeeBlip Anode

MeeBlip Anode

MeeBlip’s schtick may be that it’s open source and hacker-friendly, but this is a great synth for the price even if you don’t want to get your hands dirty. The analogue filter is a beast!

4.5 out of 5

Read MeeBlip Anode review

Page 4 of 6
Page 4 of 6
Soulsby Atmegatron

Soulsby Atmegatron

Bucking the trend for affordable analogue, the Atmegatron is a digital box of 8-bit filth. It’s dirty, noisy and masses of fun. It can be transformed into a different instrument at the click of a mouse too!

4 out of 5

Read Soulsby Atmegatron review

BUY: Soulsby Atmegatron currently available from:
UK: Thomann | DV247

Page 5 of 6
Page 5 of 6
Moog Werkstatt-Ø1

Moog Werkstatt-Ø1

A completely hackable compact synth built around classic Moog circuits, all accompanied by an assortment of excellent online educational resources and how-to videos. What’s not to like?

Read Moog Werkstatt-Ø1 review

BUY: Moog Werkstatt-Ø1 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Gear4Music | DV247

Page 6 of 6
Page 6 of 6
Future Music
Future Music

Future Music is the number one magazine for today's producers. Packed with technique and technology we'll help you make great new music. All-access artist interviews, in-depth gear reviews, essential production tutorials and much more. Every marvellous monthly edition features reliable reviews of the latest and greatest hardware and software technology and techniques, unparalleled advice, in-depth interviews, sensational free samples and so much more to improve the experience and outcome of your music-making.

All-access artist interviews, in-depth gear reviews, essential production tutorials and much more. image
All-access artist interviews, in-depth gear reviews, essential production tutorials and much more.
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