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Average Price: $1,700
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$1501+
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Description
Explore the depths of sound with the Korg SB-100 SynthE Bass, a powerful synthesizer designed for musicians who crave versatility and precision. This synth offers a dynamic range of sounds, making it an essential tool for both studio sessions and live performances. Built for ease of use, the Korg SB-100 features 37 velocity-sensitive keys, allowing you to express every nuance of your sound with accuracy. Its intuitive interface is perfect for musicians at any stage, from beginners to seasoned professionals.
At the heart of the SB-100 is a cutting-edge sound engine, providing a vast palette of tones, from deep, resonant basses to crisp, high-pitched leads. The synth is equipped with extensive modulation capabilities, allowing you to craft your own unique soundscapes. With its robust connectivity options, including MIDI and USB ports, integrating the SB-100 into your existing setup is a breeze. The onboard arpeggiator and step sequencer add rhythmic complexity and evolving patterns to your compositions.
Key Features:
- 37 velocity-sensitive keys for expressive playability
- Advanced sound engine with a wide range of tonal options
- Extensive modulation capabilities for sound customization
- MIDI and USB connectivity for seamless integration
- Onboard arpeggiator and step sequencer for dynamic rhythm creation
- Ideal for both live performances and studio production
Discover the Korg SB-100 SynthE Bass and elevate your musical creations with its innovative features and versatile sound options.
Product specs
| Brand | Korg |
| Model | SB-100 |
| Finish | Black |
| Year | 1970s |
| Made In | Japan |
| Categories | Analog Synths, Keyboard Synths |
| Analog / Digital | Analog |
| Key Size | Full Size |
| Keyboard Action | Synth Action |
| Number of Keys | 25 Keys |
| Polyphony | 1 Voice |
FAQs
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Is the Korg SB-100 SynthE Bass monophonic or polyphonic?
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The Korg SB-100 SynthE Bass is monophonic, meaning it can only play one note at a time, which is ideal for bass lines and leads.
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What type of keys does the Korg SB-100 have?
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The Korg SB-100 features full-size keys with a synth action, providing a smooth and responsive playing experience.
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What is the primary use of the Korg SB-100 SynthE Bass?
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The Korg SB-100 is designed for creating rich, analog bass sounds, making it perfect for musicians looking to add vintage bass tones to their music.
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Does the Korg SB-100 offer any modulation options?
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As a vintage analog synth, the Korg SB-100 includes basic modulation controls typical of its era, allowing for some sound shaping capabilities.
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How portable is the Korg SB-100 SynthE Bass?
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With its compact design and 25 keys, the Korg SB-100 is relatively portable, making it suitable for live performances and small studio setups.
Videos
Alex Ball
The super cool Korg Synthe-Bass from 1975!
The super cool Korg Synthe-Bass from 1975!
Alex Ball
Korg SB-100 Synthi Bass - Demo
djessay101
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Korg SB-100 SynthE Bass.
Features and functionality
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The Korg SB-100 predominantly uses sine waves; even its sawtooth and phaser settings manipulate sine waves for unique sound profiles.
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Some versions of the Korg SB-100 include a mysterious jack thought to be an interface for organ pedals, though it lacks documentation in the manual or schematics.
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The SB-100 has pitch bend buttons, a unique performance control feature not found in other synths from its era.
Source
Use cases and applications
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Known for its thick synth wave sound, it was a key instrument for the B-52s, especially when they lacked a bass player.
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The SB-100 might have been engineered to interface with Korg's organ systems, though the exact purpose of the connector remains unclear among users.
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Known for producing rich bass sounds, it's been used by synthpop groups like B! Machine.
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User experience
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Owners consider it a go-to synth for recording, despite its limited features, due to its distinctive sound.
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Build quality
Mods and upgrades
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It's speculated that a unique connector on certain SB-100 units might be a custom mod for external control or connectivity, as it's absent from most models.
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Other
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There is an anomaly regarding a 3-pin "pedal" jack seen in the schematic but not on any photographed units, adding to the mystery of its design variations.
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Setup and maintenance
5.0 out of 5
Based on 0 Reviews and 2 Ratings
Artist usage
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Lou Barlow mentions his extensive use of the Korg SB-100 SynthE Bass in an Instagram post, highlighting its presence in almost every album he's made over the last 25 years, including recordings with Dinosaur Jr., Folk Implosion, and his solo work.
It appears on Röyksopp's Junior album cover. Has a very recognizable sound, can be heard on multiple Röyksopp tracks.
Sean Lennon mentioned on Instagram that his Korg SB-100 SynthE Bass, which he used on his first album, has stopped working after many years of reliable use.
"My first synth was a Mini Korg 800DV, followed by a Korg Synthe-Bass SB-100 and I had Rhythm Master drum machine that played presets like Bossa Nova, then I got a Boss Dr Rhythm which was programmable."
Kate Pierson's Korg Synthe-Bass was one of the keyboards that shaped the sound of the B-52's' early work. Kate's Synthe-Bass would sit on top of one of her combo organs, and she would use it to play basslines. Kate used the Synthe-Bass from 1978-1980, and it was played on the albums "The B-52's" and "Wild Planet". It can be seen throughout the linked video on top of Kate's Yamaha YC-30.
Sometime during the recording sessions for their 1982 EP "Mesopotamia", the B-52's acquired a Roland Jupiter-8 synthesizer. The Jupiter-8 became Kate's main keyboard, and thus the duties of the Synthe-Bass and organ were passed down to it. However, the B-52's did not stop using the Synthe-Bass.
During live performances from 1982-1985, the Synthe-Bass was moved to stage right and only used whenever bass parts needed to be doubled for whatever reason; it was used in this manner by Cindy Wilson on "Private Idaho" and Fred Schneider on "Give Me Back My Man".
The Synthe-Bass also appeared the music video for "Legal Tender" in 1983.
Album Usage
The Korg SB-100 SynthE Bass has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Korg SB-100 SynthE Bass, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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