Synthesizers reviews from Reddit

Summary

We analyzed 261 Reddit reviews across 11 subreddits and 37 posts to rank the best Synthesizers brands recommended by redditors, including communities like r/synthesizers, r/FL_Studio, r/synthesizercirclejerk, r/ipadmusic, r/DungeonSynth. Top-rated brands include Korg (4.3/5), Arturia (4.2/5), Yamaha (4.2/5).

Stats

Reviews261

Subreddits11

Posts37

Brands36

Products87

Top communities

r/synthesizers201 r/FL_Studio28 r/synthesizercirclejerk10 r/ipadmusic8 r/DungeonSynth3

261 reviews from

and

By Brand

By Product

Korg

4.3

(53)

"Those little boxes have not been used at 100%, I have been ignoring them but I was speechless that day."

"Arturia Microfreak/Korg Minilogue are popular choices."

"The Minilogue is a great beginner synth"

"Mini but look into Hydrasynth Explorer too."

"The Minilogue XD has self-tuning, you just have to press the REC button while holding down the SHIFT button to start the self-tuning process."

"Korg ms-20 onelove."

"I would suggest a Minilogue or Deepmind if you can at all afford it."

"Go with the Korg. It's a trusted brand and popular within the genre."

"Last year I grabbed a minilogue xd and an elektron model cycles. I love ‘em both."

"If you want a great analog synth get a Volca Keys."

Arturia

4.2

(30)

"Arturia PolyBrute 12 You'll be all set!"

"Minifreak!! SO! MANY! OPTIONS!! Hell or a learning tool for all the kinds of synthesis, too."

"Microfreak and a ms70 cdr"

"MicroFreak!!"

"I would go for the Microfreak, it's very versatile."

"Polybrute must be a real fun live performance keyboard."

"Arturia Microfreak"

"[Arturia Microbrute ] was the first synth I got. It’s pretty simple and a great introduction to electronic systhesis."

"Look at the Arturia Minifreak"

"Arturia Polybrute and Matrixbrute"

Yamaha

4.2

(24)

"How about a Yamaha GX-1? It's got way more keys than any of these other lame suggestions lol."

"A classic analog synth like the Jupiter-8 or CS-80"

"It’s not only a wonderful but inexpensive synth, it has poly aftertouch for MIDI and CV as well. Punches way above it’s weight."

"CS-80"

"8 voices for $300."

"Yamaha Reface CS portable, battery-operated (get rechargeable batteries!), built-in speakers, knob-per-function, straightforward layout and programming."

"HUUUUGE fan of my Reface CS just for that, it’s mostly what I use it for!"

"Start with a Circuit Tracks, Yamaha Seqtrek or something basic."

"Something like the Roland MC101 or Yamaha Seqtrak - with lots of built-in sounds, multiple parts and (fairly) easy usability."

"If he is okay with unweighted keys, a used MX61 or DS61 will do the trick."

Novation

4.6

(20)

"With multi tracking and effects in a daw i honestly think the bs2 will cover your bases. despite the name it can do great leads, pads, chord stabs, etc along with bass."

"You literally want a novation ultranova..."

"Novation ultranova is possibly the most powerful bus powered synth, microfreak doesn't even come close (though it can do some more unique sounds)"

"Bass station 2"

"Bass station 2. Keyboard, arp, sequencer, overlays… what else do you need"

"Look into the Novation Peak. It uses NCOs, which give stable tuning."

"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."

Elektron

4.9

(16)

"The new Digitone 2!"

"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'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!"

"Elektron Cycles is best sounding unit that is capable of making full tracks and it's super easy to use."

"You can make whole tracks on Elektron Cycles."

Roland

4.3

(18)

"Juno D6. I have one and it's spectacular. The band can't believe the sounds i produce with it."

"Roland Jupiter-8 is a good synthesizer. I recommend it."

"A classic analog synth like the Jupiter-8 or CS-80"

"Juno 106. Classic. Easy to use. Impossible to make it sound bad."

"A Roland JD-08 would seem a great fit."

"For me personally, Roland D-50 or Yamaha TG-33. Both are super versatile and lush AF."

"Something like the Roland MC101 or Yamaha Seqtrak - with lots of built-in sounds, multiple parts and (fairly) easy usability."

"If he is okay with unweighted keys, a used MX61 or DS61 will do the trick."

"If he wants to have a hammer-action, piano-style keybed, consider a Yamaha MX88 or Roland DS88."

"You want realistic pianos/strings/organs? If yes then get something like the Roland Juno D series or Yamaha equivalent."

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."

Moog

5.0

(9)

"+ 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 Grandmother is nice."

"The Grandmother seems super good for jumping right into experimentation."

"Grandmother is a dream."

"I’d go with moog grandmother"

Phase Plant

4.8

(6)

"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."

#10

ASM

4.5

(6)

"I’d say Hydrasynth 49 key (can find like new used for $800-900) or Hydrasynth Explorer paired with a Microfreak."

"Hydrasynth Explorer (battery powered)"

"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."

"ASM Hydrasynth Explorer and Arturia MiniFreak are actually very serious recommendations for an affordable hardware synth"

"I’ve been getting some pretty huge sounds out of the ASM Hydrasynth."

#11

Behringer

4.5

(6)

"Their DeepMind-12 really is a fantastic and affordable poly-analog."

"The deep mind 12 is the best synth under 1000 for modulation and effects."

"Deepmind 12."

"Try to get a combo of the Volca Keys or FM, and a Behringer RD-6."

"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."

#12

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."

#13

IK Multimedia

4.2

(5)

"UNO Synth, blows the Volcas away in sound and features at the same price."

"Uno Synth Pro Desktop"

"UNO, Monologue, Volca, etc etc."

"Best for learning: UNO Synth, a great dual oscillator analogue monosynth. Sounds awesome."

"Yep, this is a good starter synth, too."

#14

Sequential

5.0

(4)

"The P6 brings outstanding onboard effects (that distortion <3), more patch memory (500 vs 200) and a lighter build (20lbs) which makes it a nobrainer for live performance."

"I love my prophet 6 so much, I may have to sell it for the 10."

"Prophet 6 is an amazing option for a live synth!"

"Prophet 5/10 for pads, Subsequent 37 or Analog 4 for leads."

#15

Dreadbox

4.5

(4)

"Great mono synth, small form factor, and the built-in effects sound absolutely massive"

"Love the Typhon so much"

"Dreadbox Typhon"

"The Typhon is such a great synth but I had issues with a blast of white noise coming from the synth."

#17

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."

#18

Perkons

4.0

(3)

"Perkons HD-01 & DFAM."

"Erica Synths Perkons"

"Is pricey but may be worth a look"

#19

Roli

5.0

(2)

"Osmose 100%"

"Osmose, Roli Block"

#20

Make Noise

5.0

(2)

"0-Coast. It gets you out of the 'subtractive zone'."

"Make Noise 0-Coast"

#21

Image-Line

5.0

(2)

"Sytrus Transistor Bass Groove Machine Synth Harmor"

"Sytrus, flex , vital is all you need"

#22

Erica Synths

5.0

(2)

"I ❤️ my Erica Synths x Sonic Potions LXR-02. This thing is a BEAST of creative synthesis potential."

"It's my favorite drum machine."

#23

MiniFreak

5.0

(2)

"I really enjoyed making music with the Minifreak."

"I would go for the MiniFreak."

#24

Access

4.5

(2)

"On top of the versatile synthesis capabilities."

"Virus C. Just a generation older and is almost the same."

#25

Hydrasynth

4.5

(2)

"I’d get a Hydrasynth."

"It seemed like you were interested in this one."

#26

Ensoniq

4.5

(2)

"I really love my Ensoniq ESQ-1 for pads and string sounds."

"Ensoniq ESQ1 / SQ80 have decent keys with good midi implementation. The SQ80 even has after touch."

#28

UDO Audio

4.5

(2)

"Udo Super Gemini sounds outstanding"

"UDO Audio Super Gemini"

#29

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."

#30

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"

#31

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."

#32

Studiologic

4.0

(2)

"Consider a Korg Minilogue XD or a Studiologic Sledge. Very beginner-friendly front panels!"

"Studiologic Sledge - if you want to show off a big one with lots of hands-on control."

#33

KV331

4.0

(2)

"Also Synthmaster One - go get the everything bundle."

"Also synthmaster one has a lot of presets and works on iphone."

#34

Waldorf

4.0

(2)

"I'd recommend starting out with something budget friendly and simple that will help you learn. I'd look into the Waldorf Iridium"

"Waldorf Iridium and Quantum"

#35

Analog Rytm

4.0

(2)

"Rytm and Perkons are good"