I'm looking at putting together a list of synth gear that has built-in rechargeable lithium batteries as the power source. Total portability with no hassles of replacing batteries.

I only know of the Roland Aira compacts and the Novation Circuit Tracks. I'm sure there must be some other gear that is powered by built-in rechargeable lithium batteries.

Please share!!



Roland AIRA Compact T-8
Roland AIRA Compact J-6
Roland AIRA Compact E-4
Roland AIRA Compact S-1
Novation Circuit Tracks
MPC Live
OP1
OP-Z
retro kits calculator sequencer

You want us to name some gear, jags? Alright, let's name some gear.

Ones I've owned with rechargeable batteries are the MPC Live and the OP1 (back when it was merely a bit over-priced and not "take out a bank loan" over-priced). I've found those batteries tend to wear out over time, giving you less and less charge until you are eventually tethered to a power outlet again. It's not too offensive for consumer electronics like a tablet or laptop, but obsolescence time of < 5 years for a musical instrument is a tough pill to swallow.

Thanks! I've added them to the list.

You make a very good point about the internal batteries eventually wearing out. I would hope that they could possibly be replaceable. I just had to replace the battery in my laptop because it wouldn't hold a charge anymore.

I know that the Aira Compacts have been very popular. Any concerns out there about the fact that they may become unusable after a few years?

Instruments are such a standard, popular thing that I think most of not all will be easily replaceable. Comically, I bet the hardest one to replace will be the most expensive, the op1 field.. just because it is built more like a phone then a instrument, and from what I can see doesn't look fun. Even still not too bad really.

Better to point out which are user replaceable or at least can have new one obtained and replaced by a tech readily.
Op-Z is user replaceable.
I believe M8 is also.
And the retro kits calculator sequencer takes a standard phone battery and is user replaceable.

Any other synth gear out there?

Perhaps we should expand this to synth gear that takes and will work with rechargeable batteries. AA, AAA, C, D, 9V, etc. We don't need to list any effect pedals as most of those will run off batteries. Let's keep the list narrowed down to synths, drum machines, and other similar gear.

Thanks!

those aira compact batteries look pretty easy to replace.

@ jags how about ways to install rechargeable batteries in gear? there are a few mods of things like old HR16 and MMT8. i was wondering about fitting batteries into an old Evolution MIDI keyboard, because it probably doesn't use much power - just to have an extra keyboard without having to find a power socket, one less wire etc.

Well, I just purchased a Novation Circuit Tracks and that has a built-in rechargeable battery. I'm looking to find a couple of small synth modules that also run off of internal batteries to work with the Circuit Tracks.

The new Roland S-1 is a good contender along with all the various Volcas. Just trying to see what's out there that can be as self-contained as possible!

SH-101 can run on batteries. Maybe there are rechargeable lithium batteries that will work as a replacement.

With something like a MIDI keyboard you've probably got a couple of options, make your own battery pack or use a premade/RC pack that is roughly the same voltage as the original PSU, 3 lithium-ion cells would give you approximately 11.7V fully charged or if it only actually needs 5V internally then you could simply use a USB power bank bypassing the internal 5V regulator, either mounting it internally with the charging port made accessible or adding a USB power input to the controller.

It's good with a list so you know which products to avoid. I prefer to buy synths that don't have a built-in time bomb set to 2-3 years before they turn into potentially self-combusting e-waste.

If you are willing to diy, the digitakt and Digitone can be easily modded to run off internal lithium. Easy to find on google.

Ez, I have a power bank in the battery compartment of mine.

If you want to listen as well as play, the Yamaha THR30ii stereo guitar amp has a rechargeable battery built in. Plus Bluetooth and a stereo Aux input for full-range listening.

Plug a mic into the mono input and select 'flat' and you've got a mini PA, with FX.

Artiphon Orba, a "handheld synth, looper, and MIDI controller" that also has a builtin speaker.

The Roland SH-4d can run on AA batteries or USB power. I have 4 Eneloops in mine and it works great. Rechargeable and they don’t degrade as fast as lithiums, and when they eventually do, just replace them, easy peasy.

Also, if you’re going to be away from power for a while, you can easily bring extras.

Built-in lithium batteries is handy since you only need a phone charger to charge it, but they seem to degrade over only a few years. Until they improve the lifespan, they should be user replaceable IMHO.

Now someone needs to create a combination MIDI USB host/power bank/controller keyboard. Something Keystep sized, that can power and midi your portable synths through USB. Bonus points if it also includes audio ins and speakers. Then you can take any USB-powered synth out, even ones without batteries.

That's what I like about the SH-01A. Nice to have both options, and not much of a battery drain to begin with compared to others (Volca Drum specifically).

So I have decided to pick up a Roland AIRA S-1 along with a Korg Volca FM2 to go along with my Novation Circuit Tracks. It's a nice little portable package that fits perfectly into a Gator GK-1610 Micro Keyboard Gig Bag. The Circuit Tracks and S-1 have built in lithium batteries that use an USB charger and the Volca uses rechargeable AA batteries. I also picked up an AA battery charger that can use the same USB battery charger that charges the Korg and Roland. Everything is connected with two audio cables and two MIDI cables. It makes for a real clean and simple setup.

I also purchased the Sennheiser IE 200 In-Ear Audiophile Headphones. They sound great and easily fit in the pouch of the Gator case.

This is truly a "backpack" travel synth setup that gives sequencing control of four synths and drums. Synthwave "on the go"!!

So, I decided to try to pack down the entire package into even a smaller size. Discovered that it would all fit into a Gator G-MIXERBAG-0909. It's about half the size of the previous Garor bag I had it in. Also got all the correct short MIDI and audio cables and got the AA battery charger.

Everything ready to go!!

How do you get on with the Novation Circuit workflow? Reading about it and watching tutorials, it looks like a lot of remembering the state of the machine and what the various lighting configurations mean.

I'm going to be tempted by that Polyend Tracker Mini gizmo. Internal battery, mic, decent screen, could be a good time

Great question!! I was already thinking about sharing my thoughts on that.

I was looking to put together a little travel setup since my previous setup grew to be not so portable anymore! Two months ago, I bought the Roland SH-4D with the idea that it would be the perfect all in one travel synth. However I soon discovered that the non-velocity "button" keys just didn't do it for me. The SH-4D is great when playing it with my velocity/aftertouch Keystep 37, but now it's not really that portable anymore. So, I decided to pair it up with my EWI/Typhon combo and that is where it will live now.

So back to the drawing board. I then came across the Circuit Tracks. It does have velocity sensitive keys along with two synths, drums, and two MIDI tracks. I was also a bit apprehensive about the MPC style pad interface. I have never played such an instrument and wasn't sure if it would work for me. But thousands of others out there just love that sort of interface so I decided it would be a relatively inexpensive way to give it a try. Well after working with it for about a week now I can say that I definitely prefer a regular keyboard. However, I'm slowly getting used to working with the pads. At least they are velocity sensitive, and I can play chords on them.

The other aspects of the UI also do take some getting used to, but it's not that bad. At least you have dedicated buttons that place the pads into various different control functions. The different color states are really not that much of an important aspect as you can always easily see what function and state the pads are in by what function button is lit around the perimeter. You mostly use the eight track selectors along the top to select which synth/drum you are playing. Then the "pattern" and "mixer" buttons are used the most to chain patterns together and to turn on/off individual tracks. After a few hours you get the hang of it.

So again, the main direction I was trying to go in with this setup was ultimate portability. Small size and battery operated. But I still wanted to play chords and have velocity sensitivity. I can easily take it with me on trips. Fits in a backback with room to spare. And it gives me enough flexibility to string together four different synth parts along with drums to keep me entertained on the road!!

Another thing to consider and maybe you already have are devices that can run off USB power. The newer slimline battery packs can easily be hidden anywhere. They would also have the advantage of not having to worry about replacing the batteries internally in a few years, if so I'll add the Squarp Pyramid and the NDLR from conductive labs, both would be amazing additions to a portable setup

Yes, my SH-4D, Keystep, EWI/Typhon setup can run off two USB power banks. I purchased two power banks just for that purpose. But like I said, this setup isn't that portable with the length of the Keystep and EWI. Luckily, I do have a single case that it will all fit into so I can take it along with me relatively easily if I want to.

Glad to hear you are enjoying it!

Have the packs gotten more reliable? I remember stories a couple years ago with folks using them and they would lose power unexpectedly or have inconsistent power delivery. If be worried about what that could do to the great on the other end

In my experience they are a lot better. I like this one quite a bit and own several

Anker Portable Charger, USB-C Portable Charger 10000mAh with 20W Power Delivery, 523 Power Bank (PowerCore Slim 10K PD) for iPhone 14/13/12 Series, S10, Pixel 4, and More https://a.co/d/ebZfEGk

It's about the same size as an iPhone. I camp a lot, and I power a NDLR with this and use it along with my laptop, to make generative ambient stuff to relax to. My laptop will go about 4 hours before dying and this is still going strong.