Donner Sample Boy is a new Synthesizer that popped up on Amazon that could be a Teenage Engineering OP-1-inspired synthesizer and sampler.
The Chinese company Donner entered the Synthesizer and electronic music sector a few years ago with a range of affordable analog and digital products, including the B1 (TB-303 clone), Essential L1 (SH-101 clone), and others.
Since the L1 release, things have been quiet regarding new products. However, something has emerged this summer. The Donner Sample Boy is described as a new Synthesizer and may be inspired by the loved-and-hated Teenage Engineering OP-1.
Donner Sample Boy
One thing to note right away: Details about Sample Boy are not yet available at the time of writing.
The Donner Sample Boy has popped up on the official company’s store on Amazon.com this summer, listed with just one image and the name: “Portal: Sample Boy Synthesizer”.
No detailed information is available, but two words might hint at where this is headed: sample and Synthesizer. So, it’s likely a Synthesizer that can play samples and even sample live. That would be exciting!
A glance at the photo reveals a handy instrument that appears to be made of aluminum. It also features a four-way round gray button and flat knobs similar to a joywheel. A fader sits between them, possibly for fading between one track and another.
Below that are more buttons and two controls that look like miniature dials. The layout of the 16 buttons in the last third of the Sample Boy is striking, suggesting a sequencer you can program hands-on.
TE OP-1 Display Visualization?
Then you have four small color encoders, probably for tweaking the engine. Above it has a large OLED display. That wouldn’t be a thing in itself, but what it shows fuels further speculation.
It shows a “Porta 4-Track” visualization that was copied 1:1 from the Teenage Engineering OP-1 Field tape user menu. It’s unclear whether this is simply a placeholder UI that isn’t finished yet or whether it’s intended to look like this.
Sure is; it fuels speculation that the Donner Sample Boy could be a kind of OP-1 for the masses—without the big price tag. Time will tell. There’s also a built-in speaker on the right side.
On the side, there’s also an orange dial that looks like a volume control, as well as a possible microSD card slot.
Early Impression
From a design perspective, it could be a Synthesizer similar to the OP-1, with similar features and concept, but developed for the mass market. A user on the Gearspace forum mentioned it appeared for 194€, but that listing has since disappeared.
It’s exciting to see what Donner is cooking. I’ll definitely keep an eye on this topic.
Donner Sample Boy availability and price are TBA.
Source: Amazon.com
Colour me intrigued……