Mopho X4 Analog Keyboard Synthesizer

Dave Smith Instruments took the raw, single-voice Mopho monosynth and multiplied its analog heart by four, creating a compact powerhouse that delivers true paraphonic polyphony without losing that signature gritty edge.

At its core, it packs four voices with two voltage-controlled oscillators plus beefy subs per voice, routed through switchable 4-pole or 2-pole lowpass filters that sweep from subby depths to sizzling highs. Three snappy envelopes and four LFOs feed a deep mod matrix, while onboard delay, distortion, a 16-step sequencer, and arpeggiator keep things lively—all controllable via a knob-heavy front panel with instant access to key parameters, a crisp black-and-white display, and a 44-key velocity-sensitive keyboard featuring polyphonic aftertouch and fast action spanning over seven octaves with transposition. MIDI in/out/thru over USB and DIN, plus pedal inputs, make it a solid controller too; it's built tough at 25.2 by 11.1 by 3.6 inches and 13.5 pounds, with mono audio in, stereo outs, and headphones.

Players love its thick, aggressive tones for bass, leads, and pads with a modern DSI bite—thicker subs and unison detune modes turn heads, and the sequencer sparks ideas fast. The layout takes a session to master, but once dialed in, it's a hands-on joy that punches above its size in the analog poly world.