Polyphonic Synth reviews from Reddit

Summary

We analyzed 190 Reddit reviews across 4 subreddits and 30 posts to rank the best Polyphonic Synth brands recommended by redditors, including communities like r/synthesizers, r/guitarpedals, r/basspedals, r/sounddesign. Top-rated brands include Korg (4.3/5), Sequential (4.7/5), Roland (4.1/5).

Stats

Reviews190

Subreddits4

Posts30

Brands43

Products88

Top communities

r/synthesizers176 r/guitarpedals8 r/basspedals5 r/sounddesign1

190 reviews from

and

By Brand

By Product

Korg

4.3

(23)

"Minilogue is an amazing value analog poly synth that punches waaaay above its weight class."

"Prologues are great, I love mine."

"Get a good polyphonic synth like the Prologue or the Rev2."

"A minilogue is a true analog synth if that is what you are looking for in a synth."

"Take a look at a MicroMonsta, Blofeld, DeepMind, or Minilogue on a budget"

"The Minilougue (xd) is the best choice"

"It is hard to beat the Minilogue"

"Never underestimate the minilogue"

"For the sake of a good story: Prologue."

"Check out a used Korg Prologue or Novation Peak."

Sequential

4.7

(19)

"Prophet 10. One helluva synth."

"Yes. I've loads of old analog Moog, Oberheim, Roland, Korg and this covers all of it perfectly."

"Take 5!"

"The Take 5 was my first significant step up and man, does it deliver."

"I also recommend the Rev 2, absolutely love mine."

"Personally I think you should get a Rev2."

"Used Prophet 6. 100%."

"Prophet 6 or OB-6. I have the Prophet but I'm looking at an OB too. No menus at all."

"Sequential OB-6 or P6."

"I own both an OB-6 and Prophet 6, and they're an absolute joy to use; no menu diving."

Roland

4.1

(16)

"I often use the Digitakt along with the roland S-1 and they work great together"

"Roland boutique D-05 or JD-08 - hook up a midi controller and you’re off"

"Roland System-8 is high on my list right now for big bad polys."

"I use either a Nord stage/electro, a Juno (6/60/106), Roland jx3p/8p."

"If you can find a Roland S1 for that price I’d say that’s the best."

"I managed to get a used Roland S-1 for about $110, really happy with it."

"Def a roland s-1 its a bang for buck"

"A used roland S-1 if you‘re lucky. I bought mine for 130€"

"System-8 is poly and you can have mono plug outs."

Novation

4.8

(13)

"The Novation Peak is what I've got in my sights for a fully-capable poly synth."

"Save some money and get a Novation Summit. Man do I love mine!"

"A Novation Summit [£900-£1250 - analog-hybrid]"

"Novation Summit."

"Novation summit. It's two peaks and 61 keys."

"Well I haven't used every synth but I like the Novation Peak a lot."

"The novation peak is versatile, great sounding, deep, and easy to program."

"I think the novation peak sounds absolutely beautiful."

"The Novation Peak. Sure there is a menu, but it is so easy to use, and for all the nitty gritty, it is knob per function. It also sounds fucking awesome."

"Add Novation Peak to your list, it’s an ambient dream machine."

Behringer

4.1

(14)

"The Behringer Deepmind 12 is also a great buy."

"Deepmind 6 or 12, perfect for both and a whole lot more."

"Deepmind, enough said :)"

"I believe you can get a Deepmind 6 used for that price."

"The deepmind sounds pretty beefy."

"If I had that kind of cash I'd get a Polybrute 12."

"The Behringer Pro-800 is a nice, compact analog poly and does pads and leads extremely well."

"Behringer Deepmind 6 or 12."

"Moog Matriarch or Behringer Poly D (both of which are 4 voice paraphonic), which don't even have screens."

"Behringer Deepmind 12 is a great affordable analog polysynth."

Yamaha

4.2

(12)

"Definitely go for cs."

"The Reface CS is a great beginner's synth. 8 voice polyphony and built-in fx. Warm and creamy sound."

"I first learned to program on a dx7 which is a nightmare but i learned alot and now i can program quickly."

"They seem to like the effects and variety of prepackaged sound types in the dx."

"The DX is a lot of fun."

"I would personally go for the CS as I’m not big into menu diving."

"For someone just getting into synths Id recommend the cs."

"I would add another vote for the Reface CS."

"Both the SQ-80 and DX7 are excellent machines."

"You may also want to consider some VA options, such as the Yamaha AN-1X or the Alesis Ion."

Moog

4.6

(8)

"Moog Matriarch"

"Moog Matriarch or Behringer Poly D (both of which are 4 voice paraphonic), which don't even have screens."

"Matriarch is hands down the most enjoyable experience I have had with a Synth."

"If you’d like to spend "new car money", Moog One."

"What about the Moog one?"

"Pretty sure matriarch is polyphonic also."

"I have a Moog subsequent 37 and it’s a great paraphonic synth with no menu diving."

"Moog One can do it too."

Waldorf

3.8

(9)

"Waldorf Blofeld is a great choice for ambient."

"Waldorf blofeld regularly £250 used too."

"For a more digital sound the blofeld is really great for the price."

"Waldorf Streichfett sounds kinda like Solina."

"There are a load of great synths in that price range; Korg MS2000, MicroKorg, Novation KS4/5, Yamaha AN1x, Alesis Ion, Waldorf Blofeld, Roland SH201, Korg Z1."

"The Blofeld is not the most friendly interface even though sonically very capable."

"Blofeld or MicroQ. Very particular sounds, but both are without keyboards in that price range."

Dave Smith Instruments

4.7

(7)

"Second OB6. It’s so good"

"Definitely rev 2. It has a tiny bit of menu diving for a few matrix options but even then it takes less than a few seconds."

"Ob-6 will make you cry. No menu diving except a lil screen that shows three digit."

"If you're dead set on analogue only, then yeah, Prophet 8 is just about your one and only option in your price range."

"I own a Tetra and I can recommend it. Increadibly fat analog sound, with many modulation options."

"The mod matrix on the Subsequent is all menu diving. It’s a great synth."

"Prophet 12 is not fully analog but it can do what the prophet 8 does and sooo much more."

#10

Arturia

3.7

(6)

"You can buy Arturia Minifreak or Nord Lead. They both have chord modes."

"I just bought a brand new, factory-sealed Polybrute for the used price."

"Minifreak."

"Microfreak may have a wider range of sounds."

"Just over the $300 you have Arturia Microfreak which is Paraphonic."

"Microfreak. Para not poly but it’s something to think about- crazy potential."

#11

Boss

4.4

(5)

"Tons of tones. Polyphonic and can track bass with the flip of a switch. Minimal footprint. I love mine."

"Boss SY-300 or SY-1000"

"I love my SY-1."

"Boss SY 300. I have a 300 and love it."

"I have the Boss SY-300 and it’s definitely capable of that sound."

#12

Polybrute

4.8

(4)

"Polybrute is a beast."

"I have a Polybrute and a Peak."

"Polybrute is a beast."

"I’d consider the workflow that you’d prefer above all else."

#13

Hydrasynth

4.5

(4)

"I'm always going to say Hydrasynth."

"Hydrasynth explorer?"

"I would do either a used Virus B or a used Hydrasynth."

"The full size Hydrasynth is at the bottom of your price range."

#14

Nymphes

5.0

(3)

"If you like the Typhon you could try the Nymphes. 6 voices, intuitive interface, great sound."

"Nymphes."

"Nymphes. Seriously amazing synth and the form factor makes it best for traveling."

#15

Source Audio

4.3

(3)

"I think the source audio C4 is the best thing on the market for bass synth pedals."

"The C4 has monophonic and polyphonic capabilities, but the mono is where it really shines."

"Source Audio C4. Given the level of customization you can get when you're using the desktop editor, I think it'll have enough knobs for you."

#16

Meris

4.0

(3)

"I use the Meris Enzo and love it."

"Meris enzo fulfilled all my synth needs."

"Meris Enzo is polyphonic but I owned one for a few weeks and had an extremely hard time programming it."

#17

Akai

4.0

(3)

"Force is NOT as feature rich a sequencer but plenty for my use"

"If you like the Ableton workflow, but are trying to get away from the computer, maybe check out the Akai Force."

"Akai ax60. I also second ensoniq mirage."

#18

Alesis

4.0

(3)

"Let’s not forget about Alesis MMT-8, if you are ok with used/vintage"

"You might be able to find an Alesis Andromeda for that price range."

"There are a load of great synths in that price range; Korg MS2000, MicroKorg, Novation KS4/5, Yamaha AN1x, Alesis Ion, Waldorf Blofeld, Roland SH201, Korg Z1."

#19

Micromonsta

4.0

(3)

"Micromonsta 2 if you don't need a kb"

"The Micromonsta is great, I don't know of anything that can do as much at that price."

"[Micromonsta 2](https://www.audiothingies.com/product/micromonsta2/)"

#20

Access Music

4.0

(3)

"I would do either a used Virus B or a used Hydrasynth."

"I got a Virus Indigo B for $600 on eBay, but the Modules for the A & B series go for as little as $300 to $500."

"Look into the access music virus line. they are stocked and very capable machines on a budget."

#21

Elektron

3.7

(3)

"The sequencer in the Elektron Digitakt is also quite good"

"Second hand elektron analog four could be in that price range, you can get 4 voice polyphony out of it."

"Also take a look at Elektron Model Cycles, maybe this is what Your searching for."

#22

DX

4.0

(2)

"The DX engine won't be too hard to work out. however it's substantially harder to get 'standard' sounds out of it"

"To play, the DX is miles more fun."

#23

CS

4.0

(2)

"The CS is one big sweet spot and every adjustment has a pretty satisfying outcome."

"The CS is much more immediate."

#24

UDO

4.0

(2)

"The Udo Super 6 literally has zero menu diving cuz it doesn't have a screen."

"Not available yet, but check out the UDO Super 6."

#25

Dreadbox

3.5

(2)

"If you can wait, the dreadbox Nymphes should be out later this year, and looks real interesting. 6 voice analogue synth."

"Behringer pro 800 8 voice and the dreadbox nymphes."

#26

Squarp

5.0

(1)

"I’m told the Squarp Pyramid is also awesome"

#27

Deluge

5.0

(1)

"The Deluge does a great job in that role for me."

#28

Prophet

5.0

(1)

"The Prophet 10 and the Memorymoog are some of the fattest sounding synths out there."

#29

Nord

5.0

(1)

"Nord Wave 2 - it takes the Nord 'everything in front of you' approach."

#30

Oberheim

5.0

(1)

"My favorite poly synths that I've ever played are the Oberheim OB-Xa."

#31

Jupiter

5.0

(1)

"Honestly, the Jupiter 8 is the best, if not in the top 3 polysynth."

#33

Toraiz

4.0

(1)

"I had the Toraiz Squid which was quite nice"

#34

Zoom

4.0

(1)

"The Zoom MultiStomp can do a hell of a lot of things like that."

#35

Deepmind

4.0

(1)

"The deepmind is made for 80's analog roland sounds."

#36

Super6

4.0

(1)

"Super6."

#37

Yamaha Reface

4.0

(1)

"Those synths both sound excellent though."

#38

Suzuki

3.0

(1)

"If chords are the priority, have you considered an Omnichord? They have a cult following and a new one has just been released."

#39

Sonicware

3.0

(1)

"Around the $250 there are Sonicware Livens - some of which are polyphonic."

#40

Kawai

3.0

(1)

"Maybe a Kawai K1 (if you are lucky)"

#41

EHX

3.0

(1)

"The EHX HOG and POG can help you get there but won't achieve that tone you're looking for like the Dedalo."

#42

FoxRox Octron

3.0

(1)

"I’m hoping to get the FoxRox Octron as soon as i can…."

#43

Baloran

3.0

(1)

"Get yourself on the waiting list."

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