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Description
The Studio Electronics SE-1 is a powerful tool for musicians and producers seeking the classic analog sound with modern control. As a monophonic analog synthesizer, the SE-1 delivers a rich and warm sound that harks back to vintage synths, but with the reliability and flexibility expected today. It’s particularly celebrated for its discrete VCO design, which ensures each note you play resonates with authentic analog warmth. The SE-1 also features a robust filter section with low-pass and band-pass options, allowing for extensive sound shaping.
This sound module is a favorite in studios for its ability to produce deep basses, lush leads, and sweeping pads, making it versatile across genres like electronic, hip-hop, and film scoring. With MIDI implementation, the SE-1 easily integrates into any setup, allowing for seamless control and automation.
Whether you're a seasoned professional or an aspiring enthusiast, the Studio Electronics SE-1 provides a tactile and sonic experience that invites creativity and exploration. Its interface is user-friendly, designed to encourage hands-on manipulation of sound parameters, making it both an inspiring and intuitive instrument to work with.
Key Features:
- Monophonic analog synthesizer
- Discrete VCO design for authentic analog sound
- Extensive filter section with low-pass and band-pass options
- Versatile sound production for basses, leads, and pads
- Full MIDI implementation for easy integration
- User-friendly interface for hands-on sound manipulation
Product specs
| Brand | Studio Electronics |
| Model | SE-1 |
| Finish | Black |
| Year | 2000s |
| Categories | Analog Synths, Rackmount Synths |
| Analog / Digital | Analog |
| MIDI I/O | MIDI Input, MIDI Output, MIDI Through |
| Polyphony | 1 Voice |
FAQs
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Is the Studio Electronics SE-1 a monophonic or polyphonic synthesizer?
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The Studio Electronics SE-1 is a monophonic synthesizer, meaning it can play only one note at a time, making it ideal for bass lines and lead sounds.
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What type of synthesis does the Studio Electronics SE-1 use?
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The SE-1 uses analog synthesis, providing warm, rich tones characteristic of classic analog synthesizers.
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Does the Studio Electronics SE-1 have MIDI connectivity?
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Yes, the SE-1 features MIDI Input, Output, and Through, allowing integration with other MIDI-compatible devices and sequencers.
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What kind of sound can I expect from the Studio Electronics SE-1 for bass sounds?
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The SE-1 is renowned for its deep, punchy bass sounds, thanks to its analog circuitry and monophonic design, making it a favorite for electronic and dance music producers.
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Is the Studio Electronics SE-1 suitable for live performances?
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While the SE-1 is primarily a rackmount unit, its robust analog sound and MIDI capabilities make it suitable for live performances when integrated into a larger setup.
Videos
JupiterSynth
Studio Electronics SE1 Demo
Studio Electronics SE1 Demo
JupiterSynth
Random presets from Studio Electronics SE-1 analog synth
DanielSilvestriProd
Playing the Studio Electronics SE-1 analog synth
DanielSilvestriProd
Studio Electronics SE-1| Patch Demo
LogikSlave
Studio Electronics SE-1 | Borrowing a friend's SE-1 while I contemplate getting a Model D
MIDERA
Reviews
4.0 out of 5
Based on 2 Reviews and 3 Ratings
41007
I am head over heels for this black box.
The SE-1 is the evolution of Studio Electronics' famed MIDI Moog. At its heart the SE-1 is very much a rackmounted, Mini Moog with full MIDI implementation, but there are a few useful additions to the Moog package that make this synth way more versatile. It features a ring mod, dedicated LFOs (so you don't have to sacrifice an oscillator to LFO duty like on a real model D) and a multimode filter. The filter of course has the classic Moog 4 pole 24db/oct low pass ladder and its wet and thick as can be, but it also can be set to an oberheim 2 pole 12db/oct low pass or band pass and the oberheim filter coupled with the moog oscillators and snappy envelopes provide a really distinctive sound for pads and leads. Using the ring mod and/or frequency mod features you can get some Xpanderish sounds on the less complex end of the oberheim spectrum.
She's not terribly attractive, but she's built like a tank (weighs a ton, but its not a synth you move once its plugged into your set-up).
At $400 used this synth is a no brainer as Moog doesn't offer a comparable product in this price range. Also, this synth sounds very different from my Sub Phatty. Setting the 3rd oscillator to sub provides a much different sub bass response and the oscillators in general sound a little more hifi. In Moog mode thefilter is wet ans sloshylike the Phatty, but cleaner even hen the Phatty's drive control is off. The filters on these 2 synths also respond differently when self-oscillating (cranked resonance). All in all this was a great buy. While it covers some of the same ground as Moog's current offerings it does a lot of stuff the Moog gear doesn't and the Moog synths can get textures that the SE-1 can only approximate with external processing (and a few that it will enver do thanks to the Phatty's infinitely variable oscillator shape control versus the fixed shapes the SE-1 inherited from the original Model D).
I highly recommend everyone get an SE-1 or SE-1X. My only wish is that each oscillator had an additional sine mode. I understand there are some limited edition 1Xes that replace the triangle on osc 3 with a sine, but the synth would be a perfect 3 oscillator analog giant if all the oscillators had a sine shape as well as all the other included shapes.
But this is a lot of synth for the money and a joy to program and play. I can't dock it a point anywhere, the MIDI implementation is fabulous, the knobs are inviting and easy to turn without sacrificing precision. Patch storage is a breeze. This is one of the absolute best monosynths on the market. I wish they would make a poly version.
Aye.
26711
$400? Wonderful review, but these have always hovered between $600 and $1000+ if memory serves. You got a hell of a deal... based on your experience, sounds like their worth the $800 or so dollars Reverb sellers are currently asking.
41007
its an old review.... I wrote it 3 years go and I ahd already owned it for awhile before that. But I also got a deal. If I recall I needed to solder something thatw as failing onmine when I got it and it lowered the price but I've been seeing the regular se1, not the 1x or earlier ones with real moog guts for about 500-700 on flea bay, sometimes a bit more asking price but they're not selling for that. Reverb sellers are always inflating the market. Personally I might ditch mine soon. I'll let you know if you want one. Its just I'm ore into modular now and I'm such a die hard ARP guy and in my band my bestfriend is mr minimoog… even solo I use it less and less as my go to bass. I'm kinda 'over it' even though its a righteous synth. I really like the sub phatty a lot again. Kinda Taurus with features. Really wet filter
269
Monster Bass Monosynth
Many people have never heard of Studio Electronics or the SE-1, as they were one of those smaller companies quietly making excellent analog synths before the current revival (and are still around today, by the way). The SE-1 is a 3-oscillator monosynth that can be described as a pseudo-minimoog with modern features (patch memory, MIDI) and some other interesting tweaks. Considering that Moog itself is making synths again, why should you bother with a SE-1? It sounds amazing, especially if you are looking for huge bass sounds, and it has lots of lovely knobs to make sound editing a breeze. And, unlike the Moog Slim Phatty that this replaced in my studio, the sounds fit very well with the other synths and gear that are being used. It's a lovely synth, and for under $500 used, a hell of a deal...if you can find one!
(The newer SE-1 models are called the SE-1X, and feature expanded patch memory, an audio-in port and some other updates.)
Artist usage
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Dr. Dre uses the Studio Electronics SE-1 synthesizer on his album The Chronic (1992), as evidenced by its distinctive sound alongside Moog Minimoog tones.
Equipment for the 1998 world tour included:
In the YouTube video "Game Changers: Fatboy Slim 'Praise You'," at the 4:34 mark, Fatboy Slim's studio setup features the Studio Electronics SE-1 synthesizer.
A Studio Electronics SE-1 can be seen in Nujabes' studio in this picture.
"I always have an abundance of Virus As and Cs around, three 19-inch [Studio Electronics] SE-1 Moogs, and some Quasimidi stuff…and, of course, my beloved Roland JD-800 and JD-990s, the Spectrasonics plug-ins, plus two Alesis [Andromeda] A6 analog babies, as well."
In this article from Trash Audio, Venetian describes his ideal work station:
"A big perfect room with maybe a Funktion-One system for mains, or something clear and bangin. An old building with loads of empty rooms to use as reverbs. For about a year I had a good setup at an ex girlfriend’s place at her kitchen table. A laptop and a few little synths like an SE-1, a 303, one of those little original Evolvers and a Sid Station. I liked that setup, was mobile."
One of Garnier's Mackie HR824 monitors perches atop a rack containing his Novation Drumstation and Studio Electronics SE1 synth modules.
Harry Gregson-Williams's LA studio complex, Wavecrest Music, commenced operations in Venice Beach in August 2003, and comprises three floors of editing suites, mix rooms and a live room, as well as Harry's own studio on the top level. This houses the following gear:
Sequencing and digital audio
*Steinberg Cubase SX and Ableton Live running on dual 3.6GHz Xeon server with 4GB RAM, two RME HD*SP 9652 soundcards, 75GB mirrored SATA system drives and 400GB mirrored SATA audio/sample storage drives. MIDI is streamed over LAN to Gigastudio PCs, and an Emagic Unitor 8 and AMT8 are used for hardware synths. *Pro Tools HD Accel system running on dual 2GHz Apple G5, with one 192 Analog and seven 192 Digital interfaces.
Samplers
*14x Emu E4X. *24x Roland S760. *7x 3.0GHz Pentium 4 PCs with 80GB SATA system drives, RME HDSP 9652 soundcards and 250GB SATA sound drives with custom and commercial sound libraries, running Tascam Gigastudio 3.
Software synths and plug-ins
*Arturia ARP 2600, Minimoog V and CS80. *Antares Filter and Auto-Tune. *Applied Acoustics Lounge Lizard. *Gmedia Imposcar and Oddity. *GRM Tools. *Korg Legacy Collection. *Native Instruments Absynth 3, Battery 2, FM7, Kontakt 2, Pro 53, Reaktor 4. *Ohm Force Ohm Boyz. *Spectrasonics Stylus RMX, Atmosphere and Trilogy. *Steinberg D'Cota, X-Phraze, Virtual Guitarist, VG Electric Edition, Groove Agent and Halion.
Hardware synths
*Access Virus, Indigo 2 and Redback. *Clavia Nord Rack, Nord 3 KB and Nord Modular. *Korg Trinity Pro X, Wavestation A/D and M1R. *Novation Supernova II Pro. *Roland JP8080, JD990, JV1080 and MKS80. *Studio Electronics SE1, ATC1 and Omega 8. *Waldorf Q, Microwave II, Microwave XT and Pulse.
Recording, mixing & outboard
*Avalon 727 preamp. *Eventide DSP4000 effects. *Lexicon PCM80 and 90 reverbs. *Quested HQ108 speakers in 5.1 setup. *5x Yamaha 02R digital mixers.
Andrew Eldritch uses the Studio Electronics SE-1, noted for its modern take on the Mini Moog, particularly excelling in Moog-type bass and sweeps. This information is detailed in the "Sisters Tech - Samplers & Synthesis" section on The Sisters of Mercy's website.
In this picture of Kondo's sound studio from 2006, the SE-1 sits in the space on the far right of the rack.
In the pictures of Chicane's Modena 1 studio, the Studio Electronics SE-1 is visible in the middle of the right rack on the floor. The Studio Electronics synth can be identified by the prominent waveform selection buttons in the middle of the synth and the arrangement of the knobs. Since no "SE-1X" label is visible on the right rack-ear of the synth, it cannot be the SE-1X.
Album Usage
The Studio Electronics SE-1 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 Studio Electronics SE-1, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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