YES!!! I was saying to my spouse, "He better mention the DX100!" and you nailed it! I had the bigger version, the 61 key DX27 with breath controller but later realized I wanted the DX100 and really wish Yamaha would reissue it. Absolutely adorable! Thank you!
It's funny how so many of these were intro synths for me. I probably had almost half of the ones on this list. My first proper synth was the SH-101, and my first poly was the CZ-101. Later I got a DX100 as an intro to FM synthesis but just couldn't get into programming it. Granted I wasn't even 20 when I had all three of them, and since the DX7 was practically putting companies (Moog,, SCI, Oberheim) out of business, I was able to get a used Prophet 5 for $600 and the addiction really began. The best thing about all these (with the possible exception of #11) is they are all quite capable synths in their own right. Short of some crazy used prices and some reliability issues (I had an Octave CAT but even after a tech calibrated it multiple times it couldn't hold tuning/scaling,) they can all make usable, if not fantastic sounds and are all worth a listen.
Great video, Jeffrey! A real trip down memory lane. My first 'synth' was a VL-Tone. It was confiscated on a few occasions during my final term at school..."It's a calculator, honest sir!" My first real synth a few months later was the Moog Rogue, and like its Radio Shack cousin, a perfect beginner synth...It even came with synthesiser basics handbook and a map of the world!? One noteworthy 'cute' synth that you missed was the Gleeman Pentaphonic...'MegaCute' IMHO.
Some nice picks. My school had a Wasp and a CZ101 both of which I would borrow and take home for the weekend. They also had a DX100 but wouldn't let me steal it. And I still have my first synth, a Poly800II (reverse keys) which I bought a long audio cable for so I could prance around the room using it as a keytar 🎹 😁 Kept thinking about an Octave Cat, but ended up getting the Odyssey FS Kit new which is sonically better and cheaper.
AW man! okay let's say i forgive you for not mentioning the CS01 because you stated you hate minikeys and dont like mono synths, but it has it's caracteristic sound.... nice vid as usual
If you referb an EDP Wasp with quality caps it becomes highly stable and great for the types of sounds it makes; there is a reason why Doepfer make a wasp filter. Also, the Oscar is a far cry from what you said, it is ultra reliable and strong sounding. I forgot which one you talked about scratchy pots, but it's easy to resolve with a bit of contact lube.
Ah, the VL1 - here's a strange little detail.....because you can input your own sounds (to a limited extent) I used to put people's phone numbers in, and as bizarre as it seems, the sound produced quite often reminded me of the personality of the person who's phone number was inputed.....a dear friend of mine had a WASP, another had a SOURCE, I had a Poly800.....and the real bonus?....because you could run it on batteries, I could bring it in my car. My wife would drive and I'd play a soundtrack.....
I’d like to give honorable mention to another model from the late 90s, the Nord Modular. Part of me will always wonder how come it was only equipped with a two-active keyboard, even realizing that it probably was intended to function as a module. Definitely a cutie keyboard in my book. I’ve got a query for you, Jeffrey. Regarding the Source, which more recent synthesizer model would you consider to be its successor? Most people don’t think it was succeeded until Moog Music came out the year after Dr. Robert Moog himself passed away with the Little Phatty. I beg to differ. I think it wasn’t Moog Music who created the actual successor to the Source. I think it was Studio Electronics who did that when they came out with the third iteration of the Analog Tone Chameleon modules, the ATC-X.
Everyone wants the SK1. Its prices are starting to come down finally again. I can't understand why Casio doesn't make a modern one with 8 channel polyphony, storage, effects, midi, etc. It would probably sell crazy like the Yamahas did.
You forgot the Yamaha CS01 and CS01-II, soundwise a bit like the SH-101, but then again not. For me that is the cutest little classic synth of all time (I'm also biased, as the CS01-II was my first "real" synthesizer, after a Casiotone)
The Casio CZ-3000 was my very first synthesizer even though you clarified it was the 101 that's trippy to me to think that we had the same first synthesizer I had no clue what I was doing with it but once in a while I could make some really cool electronic fireworks sounds with it 🎹🎚️🎧👌
Maybe I was unclear. The Moog MG-1 was my first synthesizer, followed by the Roland SH-101. I had previously said in an episode that I used to own a 3000, but I found some old pictures, and it was actually a CZ1, which is similar. Thanks for the comment.
Well, I actually said "...'ONE' of Roland's best ever products." I think that's true. They are incredibly reliable, sound good for what they are, and tend to generally look good after all these years. You don't agree? Thanks for the comment, sir.
Your anti-monosynth prejudice must be awful strong. My list would differ from yours about 70%. To include the Korg Poly 800 and exclude the Yamaha CS01? That’s like putting Tommy Lee Jones on a cutest actors list and leaving Ana De Armas off.
Korg MS-10, Jen Synthetone, Technics SY-1010, Gleeman Pentaphonic clear, Roland SH-1, Korg M500 Micro-Preset. I guess cuteness is in the eye of the beholder.
LOL. Both Jones and De Armas are great actors. I did include the SH-101, which is monophonic, but yes, usually I can't get behind a synth that is monophonic. Thanks for the comment, I do appreciate it.
YES!!! I was saying to my spouse, "He better mention the DX100!" and you nailed it! I had the bigger version, the 61 key DX27 with breath controller but later realized I wanted the DX100 and really wish Yamaha would reissue it. Absolutely adorable! Thank you!
You are welcome. Thanks for the comment.
It's funny how so many of these were intro synths for me. I probably had almost half of the ones on this list.
My first proper synth was the SH-101, and my first poly was the CZ-101. Later I got a DX100 as an intro to FM synthesis but just couldn't get into programming it. Granted I wasn't even 20 when I had all three of them, and since the DX7 was practically putting companies (Moog,, SCI, Oberheim) out of business, I was able to get a used Prophet 5 for $600 and the addiction really began.
The best thing about all these (with the possible exception of #11) is they are all quite capable synths in their own right. Short of some crazy used prices and some reliability issues (I had an Octave CAT but even after a tech calibrated it multiple times it couldn't hold tuning/scaling,) they can all make usable, if not fantastic sounds and are all worth a listen.
I was waiting for DX100, and lo, there it was at #1! The Yamaha CS-01, VSS-30, and PSS-80 are pretty cute, imo.
I love the DX100. I should have purchased one when they were cheaper. Thanks for the comment.
@@JeffreyScottPetropossibly missed the Casio SK-1?
Great video, nostalgia ain’t what it used to be!
Keep doin’ it!
Thanks... Appreciate your comment.
VL-Tone is my only "vintage synth". It's just good fun sending it through some FX.
Indeed. Thanks for the comment.
The CZ-101 is also multitimbral. It was a favorite of Craig Anderton's.
WASP, Oscar, and so many great Novation Synths (especially the Peak and Summit with their Oxford Oscillators) came from the late great Chris Hugget
Great video, Jeffrey! A real trip down memory lane.
My first 'synth' was a VL-Tone. It was confiscated on a few occasions during my final term at school..."It's a calculator, honest sir!"
My first real synth a few months later was the Moog Rogue, and like its Radio Shack cousin, a perfect beginner synth...It even came with synthesiser basics handbook and a map of the world!?
One noteworthy 'cute' synth that you missed was the Gleeman Pentaphonic...'MegaCute' IMHO.
Appreciate the comment.
Some nice picks. My school had a Wasp and a CZ101 both of which I would borrow and take home for the weekend. They also had a DX100 but wouldn't let me steal it. And I still have my first synth, a Poly800II (reverse keys) which I bought a long audio cable for so I could prance around the room using it as a keytar 🎹 😁
Kept thinking about an Octave Cat, but ended up getting the Odyssey FS Kit new which is sonically better and cheaper.
Thanks for sharing and the comment.
Korg 770 is my definition of Cute.
I'm not crazy on the metallic accents, but I can see why people would call it cute. Thanks for the comment.
AW man! okay let's say i forgive you for not mentioning the CS01 because you stated you hate minikeys and dont like mono synths, but it has it's caracteristic sound.... nice vid as usual
Thanks for the comment.
Yamaha CS01 - always wanted one of those, just to hang on the wall 🙂
If you referb an EDP Wasp with quality caps it becomes highly stable and great for the types of sounds it makes; there is a reason why Doepfer make a wasp filter. Also, the Oscar is a far cry from what you said, it is ultra reliable and strong sounding. I forgot which one you talked about scratchy pots, but it's easy to resolve with a bit of contact lube.
Noted. Thanks for the comment.
Ah, the VL1 - here's a strange little detail.....because you can input your own sounds (to a limited extent) I used to put people's phone numbers in, and as bizarre as it seems, the sound produced quite often reminded me of the personality of the person who's phone number was inputed.....a dear friend of mine had a WASP, another had a SOURCE, I had a Poly800.....and the real bonus?....because you could run it on batteries, I could bring it in my car. My wife would drive and I'd play a soundtrack.....
That's some fun stuff, thanks for sharing.
My adoration goes for the Korg Poly800 still one in use here.
Awesome. I like mine. Thanks for the comment.
I’d like to give honorable mention to another model from the late 90s, the Nord Modular. Part of me will always wonder how come it was only equipped with a two-active keyboard, even realizing that it probably was intended to function as a module. Definitely a cutie keyboard in my book.
I’ve got a query for you, Jeffrey. Regarding the Source, which more recent synthesizer model would you consider to be its successor? Most people don’t think it was succeeded until Moog Music came out the year after Dr. Robert Moog himself passed away with the Little Phatty. I beg to differ. I think it wasn’t Moog Music who created the actual successor to the Source. I think it was Studio Electronics who did that when they came out with the third iteration of the Analog Tone Chameleon modules, the ATC-X.
Regarding a Source successor, not a clue. Sorry, but I appreciate your comment.
There are plenty of cute ones, though many fall into the same toy-like category as the VL-1. For example I would go with Casio SK-1.
Everyone wants the SK1. Its prices are starting to come down finally again. I can't understand why Casio doesn't make a modern one with 8 channel polyphony, storage, effects, midi, etc. It would probably sell crazy like the Yamahas did.
The Jx3p is cute. 61 keys but still a tight little synthesizer
Don't take me wrong, I value your comments, but I wouldn't buy any of these keyboards in a 5 dollars garage sale.
I enjoyed your video 😅
No worries. I appreciate your opinion. Thanks for the comment.
You forgot the Yamaha CS01 and CS01-II, soundwise a bit like the SH-101, but then again not. For me that is the cutest little classic synth of all time (I'm also biased, as the CS01-II was my first "real" synthesizer, after a Casiotone)
The Casio CZ-3000 was my very first synthesizer even though you clarified it was the 101 that's trippy to me to think that we had the same first synthesizer I had no clue what I was doing with it but once in a while I could make some really cool electronic fireworks sounds with it 🎹🎚️🎧👌
Maybe I was unclear. The Moog MG-1 was my first synthesizer, followed by the Roland SH-101. I had previously said in an episode that I used to own a 3000, but I found some old pictures, and it was actually a CZ1, which is similar. Thanks for the comment.
I have paid my OSCar 2k$ a few years ago. Never pay 9k$ for a OSCar!
You got a really great deal. They are true collector items now. Thanks for the comment.
SH-101 best ever product?? Wow well..
Well, I actually said "...'ONE' of Roland's best ever products." I think that's true. They are incredibly reliable, sound good for what they are, and tend to generally look good after all these years. You don't agree? Thanks for the comment, sir.
@JeffreyScottPetro Ok got it.
Your anti-monosynth prejudice must be awful strong. My list would differ from yours about 70%. To include the Korg Poly 800 and exclude the Yamaha CS01? That’s like putting Tommy Lee Jones on a cutest actors list and leaving Ana De Armas off.
Korg MS-10, Jen Synthetone, Technics SY-1010, Gleeman Pentaphonic clear, Roland SH-1, Korg M500 Micro-Preset. I guess cuteness is in the eye of the beholder.
LOL. Both Jones and De Armas are great actors. I did include the SH-101, which is monophonic, but yes, usually I can't get behind a synth that is monophonic. Thanks for the comment, I do appreciate it.
@@JeffreyScottPetro Thanks for making the video. It was a fun watch. 👍