Donner Essential L1 Review: A Modern Classic with Character?

In a market filled with homages to vintage gear, it's refreshing to see a company take a classic formula and add its own unique spin. That's exactly what Donner has done with the Essential L1. It's an analog synth that aims to deliver the iconic sound of the iconic Roland SH-101, but it's not just a straightforward clone. With an innovative two-part design and some thoughtful modern upgrades, the Essential L1 manages to carve out its own identity.

But does this blend of old and new come together successfully? We took a closer look to see if this synth has what it takes to become a new studio staple.

The Heart of the Matter: The Sound

Let's start with the most important aspect: the sound. Honestly, Donner has done a fantastic job here. The Essential L1 definitely nails the core character of the SH-101. The oscillator has the same raw quality, and the filter delivers everything from rubbery, funky basslines to searing, resonant leads. For anyone chasing that specific, sought-after sound, the L1 gets you there.

If you are looking for a one-to-one copy, then it must be said that you may be disappointed that the noise generator has a slightly different flavor compared to the original. It doesn’t detract majorly from the overall tonal quality of the L1, and we felt it just adds to its own individual charm. Overall, the L1 exudes the character of perhaps one of the most beloved synths of all time.

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Thoughtful Upgrades for a Modern Classic

Donner didn't just stop at capturing the vibe of the original SH-101; they have chosen to make some thoughtful and rather welcome changes to the original design, making it a more versatile package in our opinion. Probably the most significant upgrade is the inclusion of a full second ADSR envelope. This opens up a range of possibilities, allowing you to shape the filter and amplifier independently for far more complex and evolving sounds than the original could ever produce. The original ‘gate’ mode is still available for authenticity, along with a continuous ‘drone’ behavior for the VCA, but the ability to still dial in release for the amplitude whilst maintaining a separate behavior for the filter is much appreciated.

An additional triangle wave has also been added to the original complement of pulse, saw waves, noise source and the sub oscillator. This opens up quite a wide range of new tonal possibilities for the synth, especially when paired with the ability to run the LFO now at audio rates.

The 32-key keyboard also features velocity sensitivity, a simple but crucial addition that brings a level of expressive potential the vintage unit lacks. There is no front panel control for this, but velocity can be enabled for each envelope via the menu system, and you can then play with dynamics in a way that feels natural and musical.

The sequencer included here varies a bit from the original with it's 64 steps. An arpeggiator mode is also included. While not the most complex, the step sequencer is more than adequate and the additional sequencer controls not only assist with editing sequences, but double as note inputs when not using the L1’s keyboard. They’re well lit with clear feedback, making it pretty easy to get around. There isn’t any patch memory for the sounds, but these sequences or ‘songs’ can be saved and accessed via the menu on the OLED display. Another nice touch is the included CV I/O. The sequencer will transmit clock/gate signals as well as pitch, so the L1 can be incorporated into modular setup too if you wish.

Adaptive Design

Perhaps the most talked-about feature is the L1's physical design. It’s a two-part system where the desktop synth module connects magnetically to a keyboard base. This is a genuinely clever idea. Need a compact desktop synth to sequence with your DAW? Just detach the module. Want to sit down and jam? Snap it onto the keyboard. The keyboard even doubles as a standalone USB-MIDI controller for your software instruments, adding real value to a studio setup. It's a flexible approach that acknowledges the varied ways modern producers work.

Practically speaking however, the design is probably not robust enough to want to gig with, although this is probably also outside of the scope of the intended design. The magnetized setup, although relatively sturdy, didn’t inspire enough confidence to really throw down with this instrument. You'll want it on a flat surface mostly and will need to avoid picking it up in the middle where the join between the keyboard and module is. Then again, the small size of the synthesizer component makes it super portable and easy to pair up with a more suitable controller too. We really appreciated the flexibility on offer here though, including the fact that you can purchase the two separately as well if you’d prefer. The keyboard itself feels responsive enough and is relatively enjoyable to play. The visual feedback via the green lighting and additional OLED display is a nice addition to.

In terms of controls on the synth component of the setup, the knobs are almost a little too firm whilst the sliders have a bit of play to them. They’re not premium, but are entirely functional. There isn’t a ton of travel on the sliders either making it a little tricky to dial in precise values, however any bigger and you’d lose the convenience of the units' small size, so the trade off here is understandable.

Quirks and Oddities

The mod wheel on the keyboard is currently unassigned, and we experienced a few minor sync issues, but these felt like areas that could be rectified. Given the digitally controlled nature of the synth, there's clear potential for Donner to refine and expand its capabilities through future firmware updates.

As mentioned, the Essential L1 has no patch memory, which is not inherently an issue, but with the addition of the OLED display and memory for the sequences, it does feel like a minor missed opportunity. On that note, while it is useful for recalling sequences and changing the odd setting, the screen isn’t massively helpful to the operation of the synth otherwise. Having the screen available isn’t something you’d typically complain about either, except when you consider that it does emit digital noise that unfortunately bleeds into the audio circuit. We didn’t find it to be a deal breaker, but it is there and more audible when amplifying the signal dramatically through additional processing, particularly distortion. We’re unclear as to whether this could be fixed, but perhaps adding an option to disable the screen entirely could rectify the issue. In that case, the settings can be accessed via the Donner control app instead… although this in itself is pretty janky in terms of its operation.

Final Verdict: A Worthy Contender

The Donner Essential L1 is a compelling and characterful synthesizer. It successfully captures the sonic spirit of a beloved classic while adding genuinely useful modern features and an innovative physical design. Its strengths—the authentic sound, the added sound-shaping tools, and the flexible form factor—are significant.

It’s not perfect, and yes, it has its quirks, but these aspects contribute to its unique identity and we applaud Donner for taking the initiative to try something new here. It’s also not the cheapest SH-101 clone on the market, but it’s accurate enough in terms of sound to warrant the slightly higher price tag, and with the extra features, the Donner Essential L1 offers great value. If you're looking for an analog classic but appreciate the convenience and smart upgrades of a modern instrument, the L1 is well worth checking out.

Pros

Sounds great.

Convincing recreation of the SH-101 sound.

Some clever additions have been added to the original design.

Surprisingly broad tonal range courtesy of the triangle wave, modified LFO and additional envelope.

Clever two-part design makes it very versatile, both in terms of playability and function.

Cons

Noise from the OLED screen can be audible in some cases.

Companion software and Firmware updater isn't a great experience.

Tech Specs

ESSENTIAL L1 - Compact Monophonic Synthesizer：

Analog Signal Path: 3340 VCO, 3109 LPF, and 662 VCA deliver rich analog tones.

CV/Gate, EXT IN, USB-C, MIDI I/O for expansive routing.

S2C Magnetic Docking: Snap2Connect support for cable-free keyboard integration.

Dual envelopes, syncable LFO, DRONE mode

64-step sequencer, 5-mode arpeggiator, Trigger Edit function.

OLED screen

Ultra-Portable: Weighs under 900g and only 30mm thick

KB-32M - Smart Synth-Action Keyboard:

32-Key Synth-Action

Adjustable Velocity Response: Four velocity curves, three sensitivity levels.

OLED One-Touch Controls:

S2C Docking: Magnetic Snap2Connect integration with ESSENTIAL series.

Versatile MIDI Controller: Works with computers and mobile devices via USB.

Alternatives

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