Donner recently sent me their latest foray into the world of analog synthery, the L1 Essential. It is based on the legendary Roland SH101 originally released in 1982 but has something really unique to offer that I have not seen on any other synth.
The keyboard is a standalone midi controller that connects to the synth module via magnetic connection! It can make this connection with no wires or special configuration at all. You simply stick the controller to the front of the synth and it just works!
I don't have confirmation of this, but it would be really cool if Donner kept making more modules to work with this controller, so you would essentially have a hot swap-able synth/keyboard combo.
The synth module itself sounds absolutely awesome. I have played with my fair share of analog synths in my day, and the Donner L1 Essential can hang with the big boys. The price point is really nice at only $259 for the module. Then if you want the KB32M magnetic MIDI controller (I highly recommend it) it is only another $109.
A real SH-101 will run you anywhere from $1100 to $2000! Behringer also makes a SH-101 clone for around the same price, but the Donner gives you one more envelope section and another waveshape to play with, plus the magnetic keyboard!
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