Macbeth M5

Macbeth M5 analogue, semi-modular synth for sale.

Ken Macbeth hand-built around 100 of these before production stopped. Beautifully laid out with acres of room to get in and really play the instrument. Had plenty of ARP influence in the looks but it is no 2600 (or anything else) clone. Described as “big and brash” by Ken himself, more than one review says it can take you into classic big bottom Moog territory if that’s where you want to go.

All sockets are normalised – so no need to start plugging in cables if you just want to dive in and make some noise.

A read of the reviews below and a good look at the front panel shots should tell you what you need to know. The pair of excellent filters are worth a mention though: there’s a 24 dB/oct lowpass ladder filter and a 12 dB/oct with Low Pass, Band Pass, High Pass and Notch options.

As the intro says: this is a modern but militantly analogue affair; you won’t find such luxuries as patch memory, MIDI or (heaven forfend!) USB here. But of course there is CV control and the front panel is raised up a few inches ready for you to put a keyboard in front of it.

There’s a good, informative* review of one on Gearsl**z, and also this review on Audiofanzine translated from French has a slightly wonky, poetic quality that somehow seems to capture the instrument very well (it is certainy clear that the reviewer likes it very much!).

*well, it had to happen at least once or twice 😉