In his latest loopop video, host Ziv Eliraz shares an in-depth review Donner Essential L1, a modern take on the classic Roland SH-101.
While Roland offers its own digital take on the SH-101 and Behringer a hardware analog copy of the original, Donner has created a new synth design based on the SH-101’s synth voice, with expanded synthesis options, original hardware design, and a unique removable keyboard system.
Eliraz says that the Donner Essential L1 sounds good, and is close to the original, and cites the added features as pros. On the cons side, he notes that Roland’s alternatives offer more features, and the lack of presets.
Check out the video and share your thoughts on the Donner Essential L1 in the comments!
This is kinda impressive, I’m not sure if this video shows whether they’re identical but I don’t care as long as it sounds great.
I thought the Roland boutique version also sounded good and I like it’s also can be a desktop.
It would be nice if it could save presets but I understand that would probably raise the price quite a bit. The menu options seem surprisingly good.
I also love seeing some competition for B unless it’s just them offering an alternative to themselves using Alfa chips 🙂
It’s a shame they didn’t configure the filter with 12dB and 24dB lowpass slopes, similar to the Jupiter 8, as that would have been easy to implement with an IR3109 clone, but the inclusion of an extra ADSR that the original SH-101 didn’t have is still a welcomed addition.
At this point I’d choose the Behringer MS-1 because they now have a gray version. If the Donner L1 included a preset feature I’d easily change my mind. Either way, good to see more synth companies that offer budget prices!
i do not think €450 for a single osci monosynth is a budget price.
The number of oscillators is a poor way to assess an instrument’s price as it doesn’t take into consideration many other factors that can make its price very competitive.
Anyway, you are way off, it sold well below that (at the same price as MS-1 for the full kit)
If you don’t consider that a budget, consider changing the hobby
And bonus: Not Behringer.
And it supports velocity!
Anyway, I hope so. It’s pretty common in German business to offer rival options
The module alone is 300€. And you can still play the thing.
Where’s the keytar handle?
For a company that used to make kebabs, this sounds great!
Great!
For a company that used to make thunder, this sounds pleasant!
Yeah, if you are german. But i really think “Donner” in Mandarin language translates to: “The one, that hopes to kick a small part of Behringers ass”?