Are you new to the world of synths? Upgrading your existing setup? Looking for a bit of inspiration? Look no further.
In our guide, we’ll explore the ins and outs of the synth world, from beginner desktop synths to all-encompassing professional workstations. Go forth and synthesize!
In the market for a synth? You might be inspired by a particular sound, or you might be looking to broaden your musical horizons. With more variety than ever before, it can be difficult to know where to start when it comes to choosing a synthesizer. We’ll be asking all of the burning questions: analog or digital? Monophonic or polyphonic? How about modular synthesis? Click the buttons below to find the perfect synth for your needs!
This is one of the most commonly asked questions when it comes to buying a synthesizer. It refers to a synth’s waveform and circuitry, and has a big effect on both sound and functionality.
Analog waveforms are smooth, while digital waveforms are jagged because they consist of sequences of finite numbers. Many perceive analog waveforms to sound warmer and more fluid as a result. Digital waveforms/circuitry is also often easier and cheaper to produce; the result is that digital can sometimes be cheaper and more flexible, but some simply prefer the warmth and dynamic nature of analog.
There are plenty of affordable analog options from the likes of Behringer, Arturia, Korg and more. If you’re after premium build-quality and extensive features, brands like Sequential, Moog and Novation make highly sought-after analog hardware.
Some digital synths use their flexible sound engines to imitate analog sounds, while others adopt a sound of their own. If you’re after jagged, metallic sounds, digital might just be the way to go. You also tend to get more effects and functionality with digital.
Monophonic synth can play one note at a time, while polyphonic synths can play multiple notes, often referred to as ‘voices’. So, do you want to play basslines and lead parts, or chords and textures? A synth’s sound is generated by oscillators, not to be confused with ‘voices’. Many synths have multiple oscillators per voice, resulting in a rich sound even if you’re only playing one note.
Not to be confused with electronic drum kits/modules, drum machines are synthesizers that focus on drum and percussive sounds. Again, there are both analog and digital options. Analog drum machines use filters and envelope generators to shape waveforms into punchy tones with plenty of attack. Digital drum machines either do the same with digital waveforms, or simply use samples of existing drum sounds.
A sequencer can be used to send information to your synthesizer. This could be a rhythm, a repeating pattern, a melody, or all of the above. If your synth doesn’t have a keyboard, a sequencer is a great way to control it. Alternatively, if you simply want to step back from playing, and instead experiment with effects and dynamics, a sequencer will take care of the notes so you don’t have to.
If you’re looking for an intuitive desktop sequencer that’ll handle just about anything, Korg and Arturia make great options with easy controls. Brands like Akai and Teenage Engineering take it a step further to allow mind-bending flexibility and comprehensive interfaces.
Imagine disassembling a synthesizer into its components and being able to rebuild and reorder it. That’s essentially the idea behind modular; you choose where the signal path goes. It’s a bit like the old multi-effects vs single pedals debate for guitarists. With modular, you have absolute control over your system.
This is achieved by ‘patching’ – using patch cables to direct voltages, audio signals and other waveforms from one module to the next. The results are often surprising, which is part of the charm – who knows what sound you’ll come up with? The most common form of modular is Eurorack, a uniform size of module for easy setup.
From larger brands like Roland to indie builders like Noise Engineering, the modular synthesis world is colourful and varied to no end. You can pick up modules from around the £80-£90 mark, with the prices eventually reaching £500+ for more premium/niche purposes. Consider cases, power supplies and the amount of flexibility you’ll need before taking the plunge!
If you’re about to take a leap of faith into the synth world for the first time, having a few recommendations might be useful. These affordable options combine flexibility with ease of use and an attractive price tag. Consider the sound you’re after; chances are, one of these will get you pretty close.
Teenage Engineering’s pocket operators are always a fun place to start; pocket-sized synths with drum machines, sequencers and effects all built-in. If you’re looking for something a little more advanced and flexible, Korg’s Volca and Monologue ranges offer big sound for small money, relatively speaking. If you’re keen to explore patching and an even broader tonal palette, Behringer, Modal Electronics and Arturia make stunning entry-level synthesizers that even the professionals dig.
While we’ve covered a lot of the important stuff, you may still have a few questions. Here’s a selection of some of the most commonly-posed questions related to synths…
In short, no – you can control most synths using external keyboards (MIDI), a sequencer, or with MIDI sent from your DAW via USB. It’s ultimately down to preference; some prefer having it all in one box. Many synth varieties simply don’t come with a keyboard option, so you can control or sequence it however you like.
Your call! Our synth selection ranges from 16 to 88 keys. If you just want to experiment with sounds and play basic patterns, fewer keys means less space taken up. If you’re a player, however, having the extra octaves can make a big difference. Rather than having to switch between octaves, you can simply run up and down the keybed.
As mentioned earlier, many synths come without a keyboard – but don’t worry. All you need to do is connect a controller or sequencer via MIDI or CV (controlled voltage). Alternatively, many synths have direct USB connectivity, so you can hook it up to your DAW and send MIDI information that way – very useful if you’re making the transition from software to hardware.
Most synthesizers come with basic connectivity like audio out, headphones and some sort of control like MIDI or CV. As long as you’ve got those three, you’re quite well set-up for any requirement. In some cases you’ll get pedal/expression in, MIDI out/thru (for connecting other synths), stereo output for effects and more.
We mentioned monophonic and paraphonic earlier on, but some synths use alternative terminology. Here’s a quick rundown of the main types of polyphony you might come across:
A synthesizer uses waveforms, filters, envelopes and effects to create its sound. A sampler, as the name suggests, uses pre-recorded samples of synths/other instruments that can then be tweaked to get the sound you’re after.
This is a form of synthesis that involves a sound cycling through multiple waveshapes. The result is a varied sound that moves and changes as your note or notes rings out. Companies like Modal Electronics, Arturia and Waldorf have experimented with wavetable synthesis with spectacular results. If you want a futuristic sound that has an organic element to it, check out wavetable synths!
FM stands for frequency modulation. In the synth world, it involves modulation one waveform frequency with another. For example, you could modulate an oscillator’s frequency (or pitch) with an LFO (low frequency oscillator), then crank the LFO’s frequency until it adopts a totally different tonal character. This method is often used to attain otherworldly sci-fi tones or glassy lead sounds – Elektron, Yamaha and Korg make great synthesizers that utilise FM synthesis.
