Studio Electronics Boomstar
£799
Studio Electronics synths sometimes fly under the radar a little bit. They’re not quite as well-known as some of the other names on this list, particualry in Europe, where distribution hasn’t always been particularly widespread. The California company was founded in 1981 and became best known for its work modifying and then cloning Minimoogs, leading to the creation of rack synths such as the Midimoog and eventually the current range, including the almighty CODE polysynth.
The Boomstar series sees SE make a break from rack units to introduce a range of monophonic desktop modules, all with shared DNA but subtly different flavours of sound. Each Boomstar features discrete circuitry, with two oscillators, two envelope generators and an LFO. The key difference between the options is in the filter circuit: the Boomstar is available in six different flavours: the SE80, with a Yamaha CS-80-derived multi-mode filter; the 700, with a MiniKorg VCF; the 5089, featuring the classic Moog 24dB ladder design; the 4075, with aggressive ARP 2600 VCF; the SEM, with the mellow Oberheim 12dB filter; and the 3003, recreating the TB-303’s classic acid sound.
The Boomstars are also semi-modular, featuring a small number of patch points for interfacing with other gear. While not as flexible as, say, the Pittsburgh Modular System 10 or Murmux Semi-Modular, it’s a worthwhile addition to what’s already a very powerful synth architecture.
06.51 PM
Wow, so you can plug your guitar on ‘audio in’ and what comes out is the synth sound? Can the Moog Sub 37 do this? For midi sync, I would need midi connections right? Which is better Sub 37 or Pro 2?
11.09 PM
What are you talking about?
10.01 PM
Shhhh don’t tell anybody about the Pulse 2, it can be our little secret ok?! 😉
11.27 AM
MFB Dominion Anyone????????
12.30 PM
Pro 2 or Sub 37 ist also the question for me!
04.29 PM
Always wondered what the Elektron Monomachine, looks sick.
04.43 PM
Damn what about the MFB Dominion 1? That’s easily one of the best monosynths on the market today.
10.25 PM
First question Are you up to date with 2025/26 in regards to DJ experience in all formats, hence vinyl records education at events whether it be 100 or 1000 attendance and advice for multi genres in vinyl and digital mixing
They do differ In events
Not only in headphones advice but in the transition for mixes, different levels on a mixer
I feel this should be addressed more often for all ages esp up and coming DJs and in production as this is vital for all, not just digital mixing
Also,Consider countries outside the UK
No matter the economy! There is so much untapped gifted people with very little financially all over this planet
And like myself with 30 years experience DJLUSHNZ in New Zealand Spent 20 years in London until 4 years ago have noticed a growing divide in DJs and producer’s who just can’t and are so stubborn in reaching out to all this talent and their crews and promoter’s won’t budge on opening their hearts and acknowledging there is a heck of a lot to be improved on and not sticking to the same old line Up or safe bet