Superbooth 2025: Superlative SB01, a super slim battery-powered SH-101 analog Synthesizer clone with dual sequencer and more is now in production/shipping.
If you support a project on Kickstarter, you have to expect you won’t receive a finished product immediately. It always takes time from pledge to completion. Those who backed the Superlative SB01 had to endure a nearly endless wait.
Superlative Instruments showcased the synth at Superbooth 2019, but due to component shortages, the pandemic, etc., delivery was massively delayed—six years to be exact. At Superbooth 2025, the good news came that the SB01 is finally in production and is being delivered to the first early backers.
The developer shared this news right before Superbooth 2025:
Hi everybody, we’re happy to announce that the pilot production of the space bee was successful.
Last week we made a factory visit to kick off assembly after all parts arrived. It was great to meet the production team helping us put everything together and to be able to dial in the build process with the line operators. On another positive note, we reached 100% yield on our first run of PCB assembly which was smoother than expected.
Full production is now underway, and the first few pilot units are now shipping to early and local backers. A survey will be sent out in the coming days to confirm every backer’s latest address to prepare for shipping later this month.
One last thing- we’ll be at Superbooth tomorrow to showcase the production line SB01 models right in their boxes along with several first run Monolabs. If you’re in Berlin, come by and visit!
The delivery seems to be on track. According to an Instagram post by Alessandro Cortini, he received one of the first Superlative Instruments SB01 synths yesterday. It’s nice to see that the wait is finally over.
Article from October 2019
The SH-101 is not a rarity in 2019. One decides either for a vintage device or one of the many replicas. From analog to digital replicas, everything is available. Roland has some emulations at the start (SH-01A, SH-101 Plugout …), Din Sync a DIY version called GILBERT or the super affordable replica MS-1 from Behringer.
Superlative showed on the Superbooth 19, that you can revive this legendary monosynth in a new super slim, sleek design, with features that fit for 2019. It has now taken 5 months, but all the information about the SB01 is finally available, and you can pre-order it on Kickstarter very soon.
According to the developer, the idea was to design an instrument that combines classic sound with a modern package and adds a number of essential upgrades. Plus, it is the world’s thinnest and first rechargeable analog Synthesizer with up to 16 hours of battery life.
A good side note: the developer is an absolute expert in SH-101 repairs in the US and knows all the circuits perfectly.
SB-01, The SH-101 Replica But Thought Further
Behringer is currently showing with his MS-1 (former MS-101) a cheap and good reproduction of the Roland MS-101. However, the simple cloning of known vintage devices is nothing innovative.
The SB-1 is based on the schematics of the Roland SH-101: 1 VCO, 1 VCF, 1 VCA, 1 ENV, and 1 LFO. Unfortunately, the circuit of the SB-01 was not extended with FM. Until now, it has been an SH-101 replica, but it will be different from now on. Started with the sequencer, which has little to do with the original.
It’s a dual sequencer and arpeggiator with up to 256 steps per sequence. One is for the internal engine, one can be used for external devices. It also offers:
- 2 banks x 32 patterns of memory locations
- sequence chaining models (jump/chain/modulo)
- sequencer play directions and live editing
- arpeggiator modes (up/down/u&d/random)
- key transpose latching and hold modes
Spacebee SB01 Is Super Thin & Re-Chargeable
A big difference from its competition is its super-thin, sexy-designed case, which is machined out of a single block of aluminum. Also different is the keyboard, which has no white/black keys layout but is also made of a different material. SB-01 offers a full-size soft and tactile keybed that feels like no other synth keys on the market (in my opinion).
Another innovation is the SB01’s battery operation. It includes a rechargeable battery with up to 16 hours of battery life. Plus, the battery is user-replaceable to ensure an instrument that lasts many years into the future. Good decision.
Long-Lasting & Repairable
According to the developer, each tactile and electronic element was custom-developed for optimal performance using the highest-quality components. From the individual component selection to the overall metal construction, every aspect of the SB01 was designed to be long-lasting and repairable.
360° Bender Joystick, Keytar & Full I/O
Besides the new design, the Superlative SB01 also offers a 360-degree joystick for pitch bend, filter, and vibrato called performance bender. Not to be missed is the well-known Keytar grip known from the Roland SH-101, which has also been revised with a new 3-axis accelerometer control.
It also has all the connections that a musician with hardware gear needs in 2019: MIDI In/Out on minijacks, pedal input, CV inputs for pitch (1v/octave), gate, trigger and mod CV input for the VCO/VCF, CV output for pitch (1v/oct), gate and trigger.
Also to mention is: the SB01 has a USB-C port (very nice) and the firmware will be open-source.
Superlative SB01 Features
- VCO (Replica of the 3340 oscillator) with square & sawtooth, sub-oscillator (1 & 2 octave down), range (16′, 8′, 4′, 2′), PWM (50% ~ 0%), tune (+/- 50 cents)
- VCF (replica 4-pole OTA filter) with cutoff (10hz ~ 20kHz), resonance and key follow (0 ~ 100%)
- VCA (gate and envelope modes)
- ENV (discrete RC analog envelope with attack time (1.5 m ~ 4s), decay time (2ms ~ 10s), sustain level (0~ 100%), and release time (2ms ~ 10s)
- LFO/Modulator with triangle, square, random, or noise (rate o.1 hz ~ 30hz)
- Keyboard: 32 key / 2.5 octave, F-scale, full-size low-profile keyboard action, portamento with automatic mode (0- 5s), octave transposition (L/M/H)
- Sequencer/Controller
- dual sequencer and arpeggiator
- bi-color LED layer indication
- 256 steps per sequence
- 2 banks x 32 pattern memory locations
- sequence chaining models (jump/chain/modulo)
- arpeggiator modes (up/down/u&d/random)
- sequencer play directions and live editing
- key transpose latching and hold modes
Other Features
- TRS MIDI In/Out
- USB MIDI In/Out
- MIDI clock in/out
- charge status indicator
- 360° bender joystick
- 3-axis accelerometer modulation
- external CV modulation
- open-sourced firmware
- accessories
- keytar performance grip
- shoulder carry case
- dimensions: W 491mm /19.3″, L 249mm/9.8″, D 24mm/1.0″
- weight: 2.5 Kg /5.6 LB
First Look Made On Superbooth 2019
Superlative SB01 is available now for pre-order for $899 USD (Super Early Bee) $949 USD (Early Bee) or $999 USD. Shipping starts in June 2020.The pre-order will be limited to 200 “Early Bee” units.
More information here:
Nice. Touch expensive. Now I’ll have to take a look at the Behringer clone.
why another 101?
Bass Station 2 Sounds quite similar and much cheaper.
So it’s not a new product but it’s now shipping. They announced it 2019 so in a time where B release its MS-101. Why another 101? Why not, the market is big and nobody force you to buy it 😉
true. 😃
Just wondering..
want the New Messenger 😃
It’s a really nice looking unit but I agree it’s a tad expensive. Donner is coming out with their L1 too and that is in the same category. Good time to be into hardware.
it is a cool looking shiny box but inside it is just the same Surface mount circuitry, exactly like behringer ms-101, they are selling appearance instead of substance, only DIN-SYNC do the real replica of those Rolands
IF IT AIN’T THROUGH HOLE IT AIN’T WORTH THAT PRICE
If it were through hole it’d be at least double the price.
SMD components can be either cheap or expensive, just like through-hole components. DIN sync doesn’t build anything