Studiologic Sledge 2 Black Edition

The Sledge is an ideal synth for getting back to basics in sound creation. It is retro in both look and feel, if one doesn't take the key colour into consideration.
The preset sounds are pretty standard, as are the effects section, so it really is a machine for the sound creator.
It does Yamaha CS voices really well. Good fat Moog sounds are there too. It's especially hot on the PPG Wave sounds, not surprising as the engine is a Waldorf design.
The interface is very user-friendly and I was creating sounds from the moment I switched it on. And, last but not least, a really nice Fatar semi weighted keyboard with after touch control.
The volume level was a bit of a problem to start with. A lot of distortion, which required a little editing to tone it down. My Sledge has a peculiar main volume switch problem in that turning it to 0 gives a sudden click off sound. A volume pedal eliminates this. But still...
Pros:
Easy to use and create all those favourite analogue sounds.
Good solid engine with flexible control.
USB connection makes it a good controller for your favourite vst's. and direct to DAW.
And the price is right.

Cons:
Lightweight plastic housing.
The volume levels are peculiar.
The software for memory storage called 'Sledge Spectre' for loading/saving samples, is flawed. Using a midi software storage programme will do the job.

The Sledge takes me back to my very first synth, also an Italian production, the Crumar DS2. It reminds me somewhat of the cheaper Moog synths like Micro and Multi Moog around the late 70's early 80's with its plastic housing, which can make it feel somewhat cheap. Well, it is cheap compared to many virtual analogue synths around, but this should not be a put off. Not great, but very good.