MBS-100

Inspired by the raw, gritty sound of Soviet-era synths like the Aelita and Polivoks, this compact bass monster blends vintage vibe with modern MIDI control in a tough steel chassis that feels built to last.

At its heart, hybrid analog-digital synthesis drives two voltage-controlled digital oscillators (VCDO), each offering saw, square, and two fixed pulse waves (25% and 10% duty cycle) for that classic Eastern Bloc edge—OSC1 spans 3 octaves, OSC2 reaches 5. A fully analog 12dB/oct lowpass filter shapes the tone with cutoff and resonance knobs, paired with dual ADSR envelopes, a VCA, and a simple LFO (square or triangle) routed to the filter. Hands-on tweaks come via 19 knobs, 3 switches, 4 buttons, and 11 LEDs, all in a lightweight 1kg desktop unit (300x160x80mm) with wooden side cheeks, MIDI In/Thru (16 channels + Omni), mono 6.3mm output, and a 9VAC power supply included.

Synth enthusiasts have praised its punchy bass tones and authentic filter character straight out of the box, though some note the fixed pulses limit PWM flexibility—perfect if you're chasing that elusive '80s Soviet growl without the bulk.