The SB01 is a rechargeable analogue synth that looks like it’s beamed in from the future

Synths at their best can look deeply cool, as a musician lurks behind a slab of knobs, sliders and blinking lights. But Stuff is hard-pressed to think of any synth that’s as gorgeous as the SB01 ($949). Although heavily inspired by Roland’s SH–101 – favoured by the likes of Orbital, The Prodigy and Aphex Twin – this instrument looks like it was designed by Jony Ive on Dark Mode setting. Machined from a single block of aluminium, this synth is thin (about one inch), durable, and portable. It’s rechargeable too, by way of a user-replaceable 16-hour battery. But enough of its looks – how does it sound? Pretty great, judging by the demos. The 3340 VCO and four-pole OTA filter are capable of kicking out some amazing noises, and features like the arpeggiator, 360° bender joystick, versatile step sequencer, USB-C port, and, um, optional keytar grip, make this synth an eye-popping fusion of past and future.

Craig Grannell Contributor

About

I’m a regular contributor to Stuff magazine and Stuff.tv, covering apps, games, Apple kit, Android, Lego, retro gaming and other interesting oddities. I also pen opinion pieces when the editor lets me, getting all serious about accessibility and predicting when sentient AI smart cookware will take over the world, in a terrifying mix of Bake Off and Terminator.

Areas of expertise

Mobile apps and games, Macs, iOS and tvOS devices, Android, retro games, crowdfunding, design, how to fight off an enraged smart saucepan with a massive stick.