AVP Synth shared this video preview of their MBS-100 MIDI Bass Synthesizer, a new synth that they say is “inspired by synthesizers produced in the Soviet era times, while having the flexibility, MIDI control and compact package of the 21st century.”
In the first part of the video demo, the MBS-100 is being controlled by Korg SQ-1 step sequencer. No eq nor effects are added. In the second part you can hear MBS-100 multitracked in a DAW via MIDI. No EQ has been applied, only some reverb and delay.
Specifications:
- Method of synthesis – hybrid analog-digital synthesis;
- Voltage-controlled digital oscillators (VCDO) – two, each with four waveforms: saw, square, pulse 1 (25% rate), pulse 2 (10% rate).Note: Pulse 1 and 2 are similar to PMW but are fixed similar to «Aelita», «Polivoks» synthesizers for e.g.
- Octave ranges – 3 octaves for OSC1 and 5 octaves for OSC2.
- Voltage Controlled Filter (VCF) – one fully analog 12 db/oct low pass filter with cutoff and resonance parameters;
- Envelope Generators (ADSR) – two;
- Voltage Controlled Amplifier (VCA) – one, fully analog distortion effect selection switch;
- Low frequency oscillator (LFO) – one with two waveform options (square and triangle) to control the VCF (can be controlled via CC too).
- MIDI interface – MIDI In, MIDI Thru (16 channels + Omni);
- Audio output – one mix output (mono 6.3 mm jack);
- Controls – 19 knobs, 3 switches, 4 buttons and 11 LED indicators;
- Case: durable steel case with wooden cheeks;
- Weight: 1 kg;
- Dimensions: L30 x W16 x H8 (cm);
- External power supply – 220v adapter 9 VAC (included).
Pricing and Availability
The MBS-100 MIDI Bass Synthesizer is priced at 449 EURO (or its USD equivalent). Trackable shipping to Europe/UK, USA/Canada is included. For more info, contact AVP via their site.
Really? Is this what people sit around contemplating before sinking capital into a build? Does nobody raise their hand and say “I think there’s a few like this on the market already”
Mono synths? Yes, there’s a ton of them. Affordable Polivoks clones? Not so much. Still, you’re right it’s going to be a hard sell unless somebody really wants THAT sound, and I’m not so sure it will get there with the digital oscillators.
but why?
a new 303 clone
Sounds pretty good. Doesn’t sound much like a Polivoks though. Maybe they are referring to something different? Erica Synths has covered the Poli pretty well in Eurorack at a god price point.
But given this companies history, I wonder what is actually in the case to identify what this is a copy of. I could be wrong.
The price is exaggerated 2 times… $200 – fair price for this sound module. For $500 90% of buyers will opt for SE-02 ($500), KARP Module (+$150), AS-1 (+$50), Mother 32 (+$100), Lifeforms SV-1 (+$200), Monologue (-$200) or more powerful and pricey synths with “renome” like Leipzig-S, Murmux, NYX, Dominion-X, MS-20m etc
Sorry, no. Boutique manufacturers cannot afford to sell synths for $200.
In small quantities, the case and parts alone for an instrument like this could easily cost $150. Credit card processing will cost another 4%, leaving the manufacturer with $42 to cover assembly costs, marketing, R&D and administration.
Following your pricing, a (very successful) run of 500 units would bring in only $21,000 before expenses.
You are 100% correct. Sadly the market doesn’t see this side, or doesn’t care.
Not so sure about that. Look for example at the Micromonsta: http://www.audiothingies.com/product/micromonsta/
emmm, this is digital plus plastic …. no way can be compared to costs of analog.
p.s. i really like how it sounds based on the size especially
+1 for the Mother 32. So much more functionality and a creamy, delicious Moog tone for $100 more… I’m about to buy my second one…
Ooh, “creamy deliciousness”.
And you can try to sound like everyone else twice over. Brilliant.
You at least get a jump on the 20,000 people that will sound like everyone else when a certain clone releases.
When I see the layout of this, I think “oh crap…”.
There’s plenty of space but still, pots are really close to each other.
I don’t even care about the aesthetics but hell, give some space between them. Okay, it’s not critical but this so much better when twiddling knobs.
But a cool synth anyway.
Another one that got the “premium fever” by adding some wooden cheeks. (whatever people will pay, lots of folks out there with too much money). At least please mention if it recycled wood. otherwise please leave those trees alone.
sounds really good though.
Soviet-style? Does that mean, in theory, that it belongs to everyone?
I’ll stick with my Meeblip – Triode thanks.
Much cheaper.