Vector Synth £812
Rob Redman is wowed by the unique charms of this ‘exploratory’ hardware synth
THE PROS & CONS
+
Uniquely voiced and powerful synth engine
Excellent build quality
Good range of connectivity
-
No keyboard
Not all on screen controls are touch-enabled
I've seen a lot of synths in my time, however few offer anything truly unique, which is why the arrival of the Vector synth has got me amped up. It is truly a unique piece of gear that not only offers a different way of interfacing with sound but the sound itself is new and exciting. So what is this Vector synth then?
The synth itself is a fairly unassuming blue box, made of strong folded metal. A number of good, firm toggle switches and encoders adorn the top surface, with I/O round the back as expected. Here we have power, MIDI in and out (via TRS adapters), ethernet and quarter-inch outputs. The real highlight of this device however is the seven-inch capacitive touch screen. It’s clear and bright. Not OLED bright but certainly enough for a well-lit studio and the design offers enough contrast to make settings easy to absorb. As a tech geek, I love the touch screen but I’m also a fan of tactile tools and instruments, so having the mix of onscreen controls paired with the knobs and sturdy metal toggle switches is really pleasing. The combination is well-thought-out as well and even when a physical button or knob has two functions navigating them is easy.