This week, Ian sits down with Alex Dalliance (aka Vulture Culture) to shine a light on the analog synths that deserve way more love. From the gritty charm of the DW-8000 to the overlooked brilliance of the Alpha Juno 2, we dig into the gear that delivers serious tone without the boutique price tag.

If you're tired of hearing about the same five synths over and over, this episode is your antidote. We cover real-world usability, sonic character, and why limitations can be a creative superpower.

⏱️ Timestamps – Synth Spotlights & Deep Dives 00:00 – Intro: Why underrated synths matter 01:46 – Matrix 12, Andromeda, Monopoly, Juno 6: Big names, mixed feelings 07:01 – DW-8000: Digital oscillators, analog soul 13:25 – DW-8000 vs Modwave: Warmth vs modern emulation 14:20 – Envelope programming tips for DW-8000 16:23 – DW-10,000 fantasy patches & filter resonance 18:05 – DW-8000's built-in delay: A secret weapon 19:44 – Behringer Pro-800: Prophet clone or missed opportunity? 24:18 – Korg Poly-800: Vintage value vs modern clones 27:38 – Dreadbox Typhon: Analog mono with digital FX 29:36 – Polyox: Soviet snarl and unique character 32:08 – Gen SX1000: Simplicity, nostalgia, and raw tone 34:02 – DCO synths: Avoiding redundancy in your rig 36:59 – JX-8P: Warm analog tone on a budget 38:05 – Matrix 6: Deep architecture, great value 40:07 – JX-10: Worth it with mods and programmers 46:00 – Alpha Juno 2: Bright, brassy, and criminally underrated 47:22 – Retroactive programmers: Unlocking hidden potential 49:20 – DW-8000 programming with Full Bucket emulator 50:36 – Poly-6 vs Juno 6: Surprising poll results 53:11 – Poly-6 battery leak warning & buying tips 54:33 – Why vintage synths still matter 56:03 – Synth golden eras: What makes a classic?

🎹 Join the conversation: What's your favorite underrated synth? Drop it in the comments—we might feature it next time!