Best synthesizers on Reddit
178 reviews from r/synthesizers, r/FL_Studio, r/ipadmusic and 11 more subreddits
178 reviews from
and
By Brand
/By Product
#1
Korg
4.3
(24)
"Those little boxes have not been used at 100%, I have been ignoring them but I was speechless that day."
"Mini but look into Hydrasynth Explorer too."
"Korg ms-20 onelove."
"Go with the Korg. It's a trusted brand and popular within the genre."
"Korg opsix top 3 in my opinion."
"Korg ms20 :)"
"If you have an iPad get the Korg gadget app."
"Used volcas."
"Opsix! You can even get mkI and use as a 6osc synth if you want, quite cheap and still 32 voice polyphony."
"Wavedrum is a really unique option especially if you're after something you can play like a real drum."
#2
Elektron
4.9
(14)
"The new Digitone 2!"
"The Elektron Analog 4 is a very, very good drum synth."
"Analog Rytm. The synthesis is pretty amazing."
"Another vote for the Syntakt. Just bought one and I’m amazed at the drum sounds you can get from this."
"Syntakt is my favourite and a sound designers dream."
"Analog Rytm MKII has a unique Slide functionality which makes a parameter lock basically slide into the next p-lock."
"I personally feel like Elektron outdid themselves with digitone ii."
"I'm thinking the 2024 answer to this question is digitone 2."
"Definetly syntakt."
"You should either go for the analog rytm or the machinedrum, they are both good for sound design, and have individual outs!"
#3
Moog
5.0
(11)
"+ Model 15"
"Moogs, KQ Dixie, FRMS…. Lots."
"There are a lot. Animoog z is great as are all Moog's."
"The Moog apps are great."
"Moog Model 15, you are welcome!"
"Moog Synthesizer."
"Moog Grandmother is nice."
"The Grandmother seems super good for jumping right into experimentation."
"Grandmother is a dream."
"I’d go with moog grandmother"
#4
Serum
4.7
(10)
"I think what makes Serum so great is the versatility."
"Serum,sylenth1,omnisphere,hybrid 3, keyscape. Have fun"
"Serum (or vital if you want a free alternative)."
"Serum is an industry standard, but check out vital first."
"Spire and serum are great sounding ones!"
"Serum is a zero risk pick."
"Serum 100%."
"Serum is extremely powerful without being debt-inducing."
"I use mix of lotta things.. Diva,Serum,Nexus,Omnisphere,Sytrus,harmor for neuro sound design and much more!"
"I would say it depends what genre you want to get into as to whether or not it's worth picking up over Serum, Pigments, PhasePlant, Diva/Hive2, etc."
#5
Roland
4.3
(9)
"It is widely seen as one of the very best drum machines, I think it has deep sound design as well"
"TR-6S is a great option."
"For me personally, Roland D-50 or Yamaha TG-33. Both are super versatile and lush AF."
"The brain from a Roland V-Kit can be shaped any way you like."
"Roland SC-55 or similar if you want that retro 90s rompler orchestral sounds."
"A bit of a dark horse is the Roland JP-8000."
"The Roland Alpha Juno 2 from 1986 is perhaps best known for the hoover sound made famous in the early 90s, but it is a very good hybrid synth."
"My suggestions: Roland JV-1080/2080 or D-series."
"What you may be looking for is digital vintage / Wavetable - Roland D50."
#6
Arturia
4.4
(8)
"Minifreak!! SO! MANY! OPTIONS!! Hell or a learning tool for all the kinds of synthesis, too."
"Microfreak and a ms70 cdr"
"Arturia Microfreak"
"Microfreak, Opsix, any of the Moog offerings in the mother32, subHarmonicon, dfam and more line."
"The focused nature of the sound design tools on the Drumbrute Impact are a strength rather than a weakness."
"Jon Dwyer uses a Microbrute on stage."
"Digital with some odd oscillators that would open up some sound design options."
"My choice: Arturia Microfreak or Novation Circuit Tracks"
#7
Behringer
4.7
(7)
"I actually prefer the sounds of this thing over my Vermona DRM-1 and it's super affordable."
"Their DeepMind-12 really is a fantastic and affordable poly-analog."
"I already mentioned the Behringer Neutron in a previous reply (It really is brilliant)."
"The deep mind 12 is the best synth under 1000 for modulation and effects."
"Deepmind 12."
"Someone mentioned the Behri 2600 and I have to second that if you’re really into the idea of sound design."
"The Behringer 2600 is also well within your price range."
#8
Phase Plant
4.8
(6)
"Phase Plant is the easiest hard recommend in the planet."
"Phase Plant is the easiest hard recommend in the planet."
"Phase Plant."
"Phase Plant and vital."
"Phaseplant does an amazing job with sounds I enjoy creating and experimenting with"
"Phase Plant is incredibly powerful."
#9
Novation
4.7
(6)
"Keep your eyes peeled for a used Novation Peak."
"I just got a Novation Peak on sale for a little over a grand."
"You might be able to find a used Peak for 1k which is great for analog."
"Novation Peak used. I don’t own but want to own and it’s in every producer I respects studio."
"I would look at used but mint excellent Novation Bass Station 2 and pair it with any of these: ASM Hydrasynth Explorer, Modal Argon 8, Modal Cobalt 8, or Arturia Minifreak."
"Novation Mininova 😃"
#10
Yamaha
4.7
(6)
"Any Yamaha toy keyboard from the 80s, but the PSS-380 and 390 specifically rule for DS."
"Hands down Yamaha FS1R. They are expensive now for that reason."
"8 voices for $300."
"HUUUUGE fan of my Reface CS just for that, it’s mostly what I use it for!"
"Get yourself some VST's and play around in your DAW using the Yammy as the MIDI input."
"Get a Reface CS to pair with that DX."
#11
Vital
4.8
(5)
"Serum and Vital are probably by far the most popular."
"Vital is my main workhorse synth."
"If you are new to sound designing, grab Vital first."
"Vital"
"The lord god Vital."
#12
ASM
4.8
(4)
"I’d say Hydrasynth 49 key (can find like new used for $800-900) or Hydrasynth Explorer paired with a Microfreak."
"ASM Explorer has the ability to do what your looking for in spades."
"The ASM Hydrasynth is an amazing synth and is under $1k for the desktop version."
"ASM Hydrasynth Keyboard is 1159 €, so not quite in that category, but something I would very much consider for close that amount of money."
#13
Erica Synths
5.0
(3)
"Perkons, Pulsar 23, DFAM, LXR-02, Modor DR-2, the list goes on, and on, and on..."
"I ❤️ my Erica Synths x Sonic Potions LXR-02. This thing is a BEAST of creative synthesis potential."
"It's my favorite drum machine."
#14
Sylenth1
4.3
(3)
"Serum,sylenth1,omnisphere,hybrid 3, keyscape. Have fun"
"Sylenth1."
"I think sylenth1. Although it's expensive, it's a really good vst."
#15
Perkons
4.0
(3)
"Perkons HD-01 & DFAM."
"Erica Synths Perkons"
"Is pricey but may be worth a look"
#16
KV331
4.0
(3)
"Also Synthmaster One - go get the everything bundle."
"Also synthmaster one has a lot of presets and works on iphone."
"KV331 just released SynthMaster 2 for iPad. Insanely powerful."
#17
Image-Line
5.0
(2)
"Sytrus
Transistor Bass
Groove Machine Synth
Harmor"
"Sytrus, flex , vital is all you need"
#18
Make Noise
5.0
(2)
"0-Coast. It gets you out of the 'subtractive zone'."
"Make Noise 0-Coast"
#19
MiniFreak
5.0
(2)
"I really enjoyed making music with the Minifreak."
"I would go for the MiniFreak."
#20
Dreadbox
5.0
(2)
"Great mono synth, small form factor, and the built-in effects sound absolutely massive"
"Dreadbox Typhon"
#21
Access
4.5
(2)
"On top of the versatile synthesis capabilities."
"Virus C. Just a generation older and is almost the same."
#22
Spire
4.5
(2)
"Spire and serum are great sounding ones!"
"I keep coming back to diva and spire.... but im more trance than house atm"
#23
Modal
4.5
(2)
"For me the Modal Cobalt 8 :)"
"Take a look at the Modal Cobalt 8 or, Korg Wavestate."
#24
Hydrasynth
4.5
(2)
"I’d get a Hydrasynth."
"It seemed like you were interested in this one."
#25
Behringer Neutron
4.5
(2)
"I've been making some crazy good leads with those two lately."
"For your budget I’ve heard others recommend a blofeld or a neutron."
#26
Analog Rytm
4.0
(2)
"Rytm and Perkons are good"
"You should either go for the analog rytm or the machinedrum, they are both good for sound design, and have individual outs!"
#27
Surge
4.0
(2)
"For synths, have a play with Surge or Vital, both very deep synths capable of lovely evolving sounds and also both free."
"Get a decent free DAW and Surge, watch some Loopop videos."
#28
Kilohearts
5.0
(1)
"Kilohearts phase plant is a great option."
#29
Syntakt
5.0
(1)
"Just buy a syntakt. you get everything you want."
#30
SH
5.0
(1)
"Its drum synthesis engine is incredibly deep, and has the most sounds per kit of all the devices I own."
#31
Reason
5.0
(1)
"If you are into sound design, get Reason 11."
#32
Kilohearts Phase Plant
5.0
(1)
"Phase Plant by Kilohearts is really open ended."
#33
NI Reaktor
5.0
(1)
"NI Reaktor."
#34
Make Noise 0-Coast
5.0
(1)
"Make noise 0-coast as well."
#35
Arturia MiniBrute
5.0
(1)
"I'd get him a modular / semi modular like an Arturia MiniBrute."
#36
WASP
5.0
(1)
"WASP… One of the trippiest synths ever made."
#37
Division Department
4.0
(1)
"Definitely check out the Division Department 01/IV."
#38
Kick
4.0
(1)
"Kick 2."
#39
Aalto
4.0
(1)
"Aalto is a good choice."
#40
Pulsar
4.0
(1)
"Pulsar 23"
#41
Modor
4.0
(1)
"It's spendy but has some unique features, lends itself to both live and studio, and sounds amazing."
#42
PureData
4.0
(1)
"Try PureData, like MAX but free."
#43
Clavia
4.0
(1)
"Have a look at the Clavia Nord Drum 3P"
#44
Bazille
4.0
(1)
"I love Bazille for this."
#45
Vermona
4.0
(1)
"I love my Vermona DRM1 mkIV."
#46
Alesis
4.0
(1)
"Alesis v49"
#47
Native Instruments
4.0
(1)
"Look into NI Reaktor, also VCV Rack"
#48
Kawai
4.0
(1)
"Theres a free VST called K1V with a bunch of old dungeon synth sounds, i recommend that even though you asked for an actual synth"
#49
Concertmate
4.0
(1)
"The older soundbank synths are great. I use an old Concertmate synth and it has 100 different sounds on it."
#50
Diva
4.0
(1)
"I keep coming back to diva and spire.... but im more trance than house atm"
#51
Vengeance Avenger
4.0
(1)
"Vengeance Avenger"
#52
MSoundFactory
4.0
(1)
"MSoundFactory. I kind of don’t need much else except for Repro 1/5."
#53
Crave
4.0
(1)
"Of the ones you listed, they’re all probably usable in darkwave. The crave looks like the most fun on its own and most learning potential to me."
#54
Pigments
4.0
(1)
"If you enjoy sound design, I would rather pick Pigments or phaseplant 🙂"
#55
DFAM
4.0
(1)
"Perkons HD-01 & DFAM are great options."
#56
Phonec
4.0
(1)
"Phonec 2 has a very unique sound and is versatile."
#57
Waldorf Blofeld
4.0
(1)
"For your budget I’ve heard others recommend a blofeld or a neutron."
#58
IK
4.0
(1)
"You could buy a decent synth (something like an IK Uno, or maybe a used Behringer synth) for almost the same price as that workshop."
#59
Moog Sub 37
4.0
(1)
"Sub 37 or Mother 32 are a couple of good Moogs for wobbles in my experience."
#60
Jomox
4.0
(1)
"Alphabase jomox mk2. Check it out !"
#61
Korg Monologue
4.0
(1)
"I’d really recommend a one function per knob type synth for beginners such as the mon."
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