Dave Smith Instruments Pro 2

Dave Smith called this his most powerful mono synth ever, blending cutting-edge digital oscillators with analog filters to carve out sounds nothing else can touch.

At its core, four digital oscillators deliver classic waves, 13 unique superwaves, and a sine sub osc, all capable of FM and AM synthesis for everything from harmonically rich leads to fat basses. Dual analog filters inspired by the Prophet-5 and Oberheim SEM offer lowpass, highpass, and multimode options, paired with four envelopes, four LFOs, and a deep mod matrix for endless tweaking. The 44-note semi-weighted keybed is velocity- and poly-aftertouch-sensitive, with pitch/mod wheels, dual ribbon controllers, and a monster 32-step x 16-track sequencer that supports paraphonic polyphony across four voices. Effects include three digital delays, one BBD delay, distortion, and tuned feedback, all housed in a sturdy metal-and-wood chassis measuring 29.2" x 12.8" x 4.15" at 18.7 lbs, with CV/gate, USB/DIN MIDI, audio I/O, and pedal ports for studio or live integration.

Players love its intuitive layout, powerhouse sequencer, and chameleon-like tones that excel in ambient, dubstep, and classic analog styles, though some note paraphonic mode lacks stereo width for fuller chords. Despite hybrid architecture turning off a few purists at launch, it's earned a devoted following for redefining mono fatness.