Pricing and availability
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Price
Average Price: $878
Standard/Professional
$500
$1501+
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Budget
Standard
High-end
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Description
Unleash your creativity with the Studiologic Sledge, a synthesizer that combines classic analog sound with modern performance tools. This versatile instrument features a stunning 24-voice polyphony, allowing you to craft lush, complex soundscapes and intricate musical compositions. Whether you're performing live or composing in the studio, the Sledge offers a dynamic range of sounds to suit any genre.
At the heart of the Sledge lies its easy-to-navigate interface, designed for intuitive control over every aspect of your sound. The large knobs and clear layout make it straightforward to tweak parameters on the fly, giving musicians the freedom to explore and experiment. With an extensive library of sounds, including basses, leads, pads, and effects, plus the inclusion of both virtual analog and wavetable synthesis, the Sledge is equipped to handle any musical challenge.
The Sledge also includes a 61-note keyboard with velocity sensitivity, providing a responsive and expressive playing experience. Its robust build ensures durability, making it a reliable companion for touring musicians and producers alike. Additionally, onboard effects such as reverb, delay, and modulation give you the tools to add depth and dimension to your sound.
Key Features:
- 24-voice polyphony for rich, layered sounds
- Virtual analog and wavetable synthesis options
- 61-note keyboard with velocity sensitivity
- Intuitive control panel with large, easy-to-use knobs
- Onboard effects including reverb, delay, and modulation
- Extensive library of sounds: basses, leads, pads, and more
- Robust build suitable for studio and live performance
Videos
Full Compass
Studiologic Sledge 2.0 Synthesizer Demo | Full Compass
Reviews
PROS
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Versatile & creative synthesis options
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Warm digital and analog sound capabilities
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Quality Fatar keybed feels great
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Waldorf Wavetable engine offers extensive presets
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Powerful filters and built-in effects
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User-friendly layout with large, easy-to-manipulate knobs
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Ability to load your own samples
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Comes with a license for sampling engine (V2)
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Increased polyphony and keyboard splitting (after firmware update)
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Distinctive, cheerful yellow color
CONS
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Primarily plastic construction may feel less durable
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Initial release bugs and bad PR affected reputation
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Power cord feels cheap and ungrounded
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Some knobs and buttons feel cheap
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Large size despite being digital
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Reports of software errors, though not workflow-disrupting
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Headphone jack issues, including mono output and loud noise upon turning off
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Studiologic Sledge.
Features and functionality
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The Sledge allows playing samples as OSC 1, enabling D50 style synthesis when combined with OSC 2 and 3.
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Build quality
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Despite its plastic construction, the Sledge feels well-built and the keyboard provides a satisfying tactile response.
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Some users report the Sledge may become non-functional due to motherboard issues, which can be costly to replace, around $350.
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Some perceive the Sledge's construction as subpar, but it's noted that the synth remains sturdy unless subjected to rough handling.
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Setup and maintenance
Software and compatibility
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Some undocumented Blofeld CC features, such as enabling the PPG filter algorithm, are received by the Sledge.
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Comparisons
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The Sledge is seen as a simplified Blofeld with a more intuitive UI focused on subtractive synthesis, but lacks some Blofeld features.
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Owners suggest pairing the Sledge with a Blofeld desktop module for expanded wavetable synthesis capabilities, achieving a more comprehensive Waldorf sound.
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The Modal Argon8X is recommended as an alternative for its robust build and versatile wavetable synthesis, while maintaining a budget-friendly price when combined with a Blofeld module.
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Korg Opsix is highlighted for those interested in exploring FM synthesis, noted for its versatility over the Sledge.
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User experience
Value and pricing
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The Sledge may not hold its value well, with some users expressing a love/hate relationship regarding its performance and reliability.
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The Sledge can be found used for under $600, offering features like the Waldorf filter and a knob-rich interface, which some users find valuable compared to older synths like the Poly-800.
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Critic Reviews
4.5 out of 5
Based on 3 Reviews and 13 Ratings
268
It's yellow
I actually love the colour. It's often mentioned in reviews as a bad thing but it's a lovely cheerful yellow. I have heard people call this cheap feeling too but it doesn't feel cheap to me. It's really heavy for a start, and the plastic it's made out of is pretty rugged. The one worrying thing for me is the headphone jack: sometimes when I put the headphones in it comes out mono. It also makes a nasty loud noise when you turn it off, even with the volume on zero. // I haven't described the sound much because that's something you can preview on youtube and decide for yourself. The synth is not as versatile as a lot of modern VSTs but the hands-on nature of all the knobs make it a lot of fun. If you buy one, make sure you get the "V2" of it as it comes with a licence for the sampling engine, which lets you use a program on pc to import your samples to the machine. If you own a V1 of the sledge you have to pay to get this facility after upgrading the firmware. It's a really good firmware update too, giving you more polyphony, the ability to split the keyboard to play 2 sounds etc.
257
Great synth
Got rid of this and bought a classic Oberheim, so i dont regret getting the Oberheim, but i do regret letting this incredible synth go.. like someone has said.. massive sounds in no time thanks to those great Waldorf algorithms, best virtual analog made in my opinion.. Lovely BBd delay and reverb section too. Someone got some really nice sounds from mine when i sold it.
Artist usage
Add artist
"below that is a new keyboard of mine, a very striking keyboard you can see by its unique color it's a little bit different, it's new but it's made to kind of be very Mini Moog like if you will. It's got the knobs, big knobs so you can really get your hand on it and do some tweaking." - Jordan Rudess at 5:40.
In a video titled "ARW Keyboard Rig" by RWCC on YouTube, Rick Wakeman is shown using the Studiologic Sledge as a replacement for the JD 800 in his setup.
On his twitter account, he posted this photo of the keyboard along with other keyboards.
Geoff Downes use the Studiologic Sledge in his keyboard rig. In the video he tells us why Studiologic Sledge is an essential part of his rig.
Here is what he says about Studiologic Sledge on Studiologics website:
"Having just completed another major USA TOUR with the band, YES, I can’t begin to say how great it’s been having the addition of the mighty Sledge as part of my keyboard rig. I first saw this baby at the NAMM Show earlier in the year, and was hugely impressed by it, and I consider it to be one of the finest additions to the keyboard world for some time. Words to express: deep, powerful, reliable, sweet-sounding, intuitive – the Sledge has got it all. If you haven’t got one by now, wise up – you won’t regret it, I promise you! The addition of the Sledge to the keyboard rig has been a real innovation. It's a very intuitive device. The Sledge really blew me away. It's great for lead lines. In addition to great analog mono sounds you get really fat, rich, polysynth stuff as well. It's been very useful having something as comprehensive as this. The Sledge has a lot of multi-purpose operational things that as a programmer I find to be very intuitive. You have a very detailed, instant way of editing parameters with a control panel; rather than scrolling through countless windows. It means it's an all encompassing synth with sufficient knobs to be able to create new sounds very quickly. It's a great machine!"
In an interview with AMAZONA.de, a photograph of Thomas P. Heckmann's studio features the Studiologic Sledge synthesizer, highlighting its role in his setup.
"I love my Sledge. Because of the wavetables, the Sledge does something nothing else in my studio keyboard rig does. I also really love the interface… it reminds me that music is supposed to be FUN."
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 Studiologic Sledge, it is most commonly used with the following gear.