I'm looking for a small form (25-37 keys?) desktop analog synth on the cheap that can double as a midi controller. I just need something that I can fit on the desk and quickly plonk out ideas. Let me reemphasize the main criteria here, analog and cheap as possible

Any suggestions?

 

Korg Monologue is probably the cheapest you can find. As the name says, it's monophonic, so it won't do any fancy polyphonic stuff. Korg Minilogue is probably the cheapest analog polysynth.

However, I would suggest to look at a hybrid analog/digital synth, or just digital, if you need more features than the Monologue and Minilogue synths have. Arturia Minifreak is a brand new one that has received pretty good critique. ASM Hydrasynth Explorer is a very popular one, and you can often find them second-hand for pretty cheap.

 

Last edited: Mar 1, 2023

I recommend this one - but don't know if it's beyond your budget yet:

Korg - Micro Korg (Analog Modelling Synthesizer) 399 EUR
- 4 voices
- 37 velocity sensitive mini keys

www.thomann.de/de/korg_micro_korg.htm
www.korg.com/de/products/synthesizers/microkorg/

 

keep in mind that a mono analog synth can often still play chords as a midi controller. Only the synths analog synthesis "engine" is mono. Also keep in mind, most of the knobs and sliders on an analog synth will not send CC data like a normal controller will; but the pitch and mod wheels will.

 

Last edited: Mar 1, 2023

Good point! It's maybe not so obvious to some people.

If you only have one hardware synth, and want to be able to do as much as possible with it, I would still suggest to buy one that's polyphonic (even if it might cost you a bit extra). It's also quite a huge advantage to have more than 25 keys, especially if you want to be able to play large chords. Most small polysynths have at least 37 keys, so that shouldn't be a problem. It's more common with 25 keys on small monosynths.

 

Thank you for all of the suggestions, I am checking these out now.

Analog + digital hybrid would be cool, but not entirely necessary. Midi, analog, small, cheap, desktop are my main concerns. I am not bothered if the knobs and sliders don't control anything, more important to me are just the keys function for basic chords (3 or 4 note is fine), basses, leads etc., the rest I can do with a mouse or one of my full sized keyboards (which are all vintage and not ideal for using as a desktop midi controller).

 

Modal Cobalt8 also matches all your criteria.
And Modal Argon8 also if you want still better.

 

You can get the little Roland mini synths with 37keys like the GAIA SH-01 for around $500 new. They also CC.

 

in the same price range then, is the Novation Bass Station 2. It is the right size, has ton of controls, usb and midi. Hard to beat on bang for the buck.

 

Except both are digital (Cobalt is virtual analogue and Argon is a wavetable synth). Great synths tho!