MFB's Synth Lite is a rare breed of affordable hybrid synthesizer that proved you don't need a lot of real estate to get serious sound. Released as a compact desktop module in a 5x7 inch plastic enclosure, it became a cult favorite among producers who wanted classic subtractive synthesis without the price tag or footprint of larger gear.
The sound engine combines three digitally controlled oscillators with an analog 24dB per octave lowpass filter and analog voltage controlled amplifier, giving it that sought-after hybrid character where digital precision meets analog warmth. Each oscillator offers selectable waveforms including sawtooth and square, with VCO2 dedicated to detuning or interval control. The filter is the real star here, capable of self-resonance and driven by two ADSR envelope generators, one for the filter and one for the amp. A single LFO with selectable waveforms including sawtooth one-shot mode can modulate across the oscillators and filter, and it runs fast enough to create FM-style timbral shifts in the audible range. The front panel features 15 knobs and 9 buttons controlling everything intuitively, with a segment display for menu navigation. MIDI velocity modulates the filter for dynamic expression, and the mod wheel controls filter cutoff across the full range. A simple 32-step sequencer with real-time MIDI transpose rounds out the feature set, while 83 memory locations store your patches.
The Synth Lite earned respect for delivering surprisingly fat bass tones and soaring leads, particularly when the oscillators are set to square wave. The ring modulation and audio-rate filter FM capabilities opened doors to experimental and sci-fi textures that punched well above its price point. It accepts external audio through a line input for processing other sources, and runs on a small external DC adapter. Community feedback highlighted its portable design and aggressive character as major strengths, though some users noted quirks with oscillator sync behavior. For the money, it represented genuine value in the budget mini-synth category, especially for anyone drawn to hybrid synthesis or SID-like tonal character.
