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Hello ILFers

A friend of mine is interested in the Lyra-8 but is wondering about other options at a similar (or lower) price point that will be an equally pleasant ~~drone~~ experience. Any suggestions?

A couple of caveats:
- he's not interested at all in deep synthesis/menu diving/modular, anything with an editor app or a USB connection
- something that's tactile, has an intuitive UI, and is 100% knobs/switches/mechanical connections/etc
- he doesn't own a midi keyboard or usb controller
- Lyra-8 would be the price ceiling

Basically, he has a pretty demanding job, he wants something that he can space out to for an hour after he puts his kid to bed, doesn't want to have to read a manual to pull cool sounds out of it. Doesn't need to be useful in a traditional rock music context or anything, just a cool all-in-one drone box.

I imagine some of the folktek stuff would scratch a similar itch but I think that's even pricier than the Lyra-8?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! This is not really my wheelhouse so I'm not of much help.

Neutral Labs Elmyra is a pretty similar, smaller, less expensive version of the lyra.

Nice! I hadn't seen that one before, looks great but sadly sold out everywhere.

There's also the Solar 50: https://www.eltamusic.com/solar-50

And the Strega or No Coast with a No Ctrl, but that would require some patching

JMT synths are somewhat on the same kind of drone synths.

https://www.jmtsynth.com

More expensive, harder to find, less whalesong is the Ciat-Lonbarde Sidrax

Grendel Drone Commander:
Simple and limited but effective and great sounding.

tysm!

https://www.etsy.com/market/drone_synth

Pages 1-4 have some cool options. I own a Grendel, but for [hands-free] evolving background sounds, nothing's going to beat software ($0 - $10, no MIDI controller required).

also check out Nicola Locci's Exaganol Rooms drone machiens and synths:
http://www.exagonal-rooms.com/gears.htm

The Exagonal Reptile looks interesting - the touch element of the Lyra/Sidrax is the most interesting part to me.

Something like the Haken Continuum takes that to a different level... but it's also kind of prog rock. Like you need to have read the complete works of Ayn Rand and JRR Tolkien to appreciate it.

The Lyra 8 is prob the best option for your friend. It takes zero experience or skill to power it up and start making sounds and its a perfect box for zoning out. The delays/drive/lfos are a huge part of what makes it great and Im not seeing those elements in some of the cheaper drone synths.

I'd love a Lyra 8. I'm having tons of fun with a Moffenzeef Stargazer...I also have an MSG II. Still kinda pricey, but cheaper than the Lyra. Also, if you wanna go really budget, check out the Rucci stuff. I have the 8 bit synth and that's a fun little toy.

cosmicevan wrote:check out the Rucci stuff. I have the 8 bit synth and that's a fun little toy.

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Does seem cool.

whoismarykelly wrote:The Lyra 8 is prob the best option for your friend. It takes zero experience or skill to power it up and start making sounds and its a perfect box for zoning out. The delays/drive/lfos are a huge part of what makes it great and Im not seeing those elements in some of the cheaper drone synths.

I feel like this is where he's going to land. Just get the thing you want, spend the money. Buy nice or buy twice as they say.
The Lyra also probably holds value better should he decide it's not for him.