Make Noise Strega: best new mono synth of 2021
As we celebrate the best of 2021 and look forward to 2022, the Make Noise Strega takes the award for best new mono synth.
The Make Noise Strega took us by surprise a little when it was released in March of this year. Described by the North Carolina brand as “an audio alchemical experiment”, the Strega is a collaboration with musician, producer and Nine Inch Nails touring member Alessandro Cortini. Make Noise are already well known for their unique take on musical instruments, and the Strega takes things to even more experimental territory than the cult classic 0-Coast synth and 0-Ctrl sequencer.
At heart, the Strega is a fairly simple proposition: a ‘Strega Tone’ oscillator, a lo-fi delay circuit and a filter section. What makes it unique is the way in which those sections react and interact in wildly unexpected fashion, generating freaky sounds before you even dig into the touch pads, which modulate the circuit through contact with your fingertips. Touch two points and your body connects the circuit, manipulating the sound based one the pressure you apply.
The Strega also proves effective as a processing unit for other synth sounds, as well as something which integrates with other patchable instruments, not least Make Noise’s other products. A total of 20 patch points for CV/gate and audio signals allow you to hook up to a range of modular and semi-modular gear. Even just running an audio signal into the Strega turns out to be a lot of fun, taking advantage of the unorthodox delay and filter circuits.
The Strega isn’t for everyone. It’s not a conventional synth in any sense, choosing to define its own unique character instead. Strega is the Italian word for witch, and that tells you a lot. This is a synth which cast its spell on us, and we’re unashamedly enchanted.
Check out our list of the best mono synths here. The Make Noise Strega is in stock now, priced at £515.