Synthesizer keyboards are an invaluable tool for those who are looking to create music and explore their creativity. From simple and basic to complex and powerful, there is a wide variety of synthesizer keyboards on the market today. Finding the best synth keyboard for your needs can be a daunting task. In this guide, we will explore the different types of synthesizers, synthesizer features, and the best synthesizers on the market. By the end, you will have all the information you need to choose the right synthesizer keyboard for your needs.
Best Synthesizer Keyboards
| Rank | Product Name | Score |
|---|---|---|
|
1
 |
Novation MiniNova Analog
|
9. 7
|
|
2
 |
Moog Grandmother
|
9. 5
|
|
3
 |
Moog Subsequent 37
|
9. 1
|
|
4
 |
Korg Minilogue 4-Voice
|
8. 8
|
|
5
 |
Roland JD-XA 49
|
8. 6
|
|
6
 |
Roland SH-01 Gaia
|
8. 2
|
|
7
 |
Yamaha Montage8 Workstation
|
8. 0
|
|
8
 |
Korg Arp Odyssey
|
7 .7
|
|
9
 |
Arturia MatrixBrute Analog Matrix
|
7. 4
|
|
10
 |
Dave Smith Instruments Prophet Rev2
|
7. 2
|
1. Novation MiniNova Analog
The Novation MiniNova Analog is an excellent analog synth for performing, recording, and playing live. With 37 onboard keys, an extensive array of knobs and sliders for sound design, and a plethora of effects, the MiniNova is an ideal instrument for any type of music maker. The sound quality is top-notch, with a warm and fat analog tone, while the intuitive controls make it easy to dial in just the right sound. Additionally, the MiniNova comes with a vocoder, so you can easily add robotic and vocoded elements to your compositions. The MiniNova is the perfect choice for both producers and performers alike, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a versatile and powerful analog synth.
- 37-key keyboard with velocity sensitivity
- 256 onboard sounds, including an extensive selection of synth and acoustic sounds
- Up to 5 voices of polyphony
- Real-time vocoder with up to 16 bands
- Ethernet-MIDI and USB-MIDI for easy connection to other MIDI devices
- Dedicated front panel controls for easy sound manipulation
- Innovative software editor for creating, editing, and managing patches
- Onboard effects including reverb, chorus, delay, distortion, and more
- USB audio/MIDI interface for recording and playing back audio into your DAW
- Compatible with a variety of software instruments and plug-ins
2. Moog Grandmother
I recently purchased the Moog Grandmother and I’m so glad I did! It’s a fantastic semi-modular analog synthesizer that has a great vintage-inspired sound. It’s easy to use and highly customizable, allowing you to create some truly unique sounds. The sound is rich and full of character, and has a classic warmth that really makes it stand out. The knob and patch bay layout is intuitive and well-thought-out, making it easy to experiment and tweak to your heart’s content. I highly recommend the Moog Grandmother to anyone looking for an affordable, quality analog synthesizer.
- 37-key semi-weighted Fatar keyboard
- Two oscillators with selectable waveforms
- Noise generator
- Mixer section with level and pan controls for each oscillator and noise generator
- Low-pass filter with selectable slopes and resonance control
- Two assignable ADSR envelope generators
- Routeable multi-waveform LFO
- Arpeggiator and sequencer
- Onboard spring reverb
- CV and gate outputs
- MIDI and USB connectivity
3. Moog Subsequent 37
The Moog Subsequent 37 is a great piece of synthesis hardware that offers a range of features and flexibility. It features 37 velocity-sensitive keys and a variety of sliders and knobs that give users a great deal of control over their sound. It can be used both as a standalone instrument or integrated into a larger setup. The sound quality is excellent, with a wide range of tones, from warm and mellow to a range of sharp and aggressive sounds. The multi-mode arpeggiator and the ability to sequence patterns make this a great piece for those looking to explore more complex musical ideas. All in all, the Moog Subsequent 37 is a great choice for any musician looking to add a versatile and powerful instrument to their setup.
- 37-note semi-weighted keyboard with velocity and aftertouch
- 2 modulation busses with assignable sources and destinations
- 4 CV outputs and 2 expression pedal inputs with assignable sources
- Polyphonic step sequencer with 64 steps and up to 6 notes per step
- 4 banks of 5 saveable patches for quick recall of sounds
- Analog synthesizer with 2 voltage-controlled oscillators, 1 noise source, and 1 sub oscillator per voice
- Low-pass filter with resonance and dual outputs
- Flexible arpeggiator with sync, random, and pattern capabilities
- USB and MIDI I/O
4. Korg Minilogue 4-Voice
I recently purchased the Korg Minilogue 4-Voice and I’m so pleased with it! It’s such a great piece of equipment and I’m having so much fun with it. The sounds it produces are fantastic and the build quality is really good. I really appreciate how intuitive the controls are and how easy it is to make adjustments and customize the sound. Overall, this is an amazing piece of equipment that I can wholeheartedly recommend to anyone looking for a great sounding and feature-packed analog synthesizer.
- 4-voice analog synthesizer with 2 VCOs per voice
- Voice Mode switch for selecting between Mono, Poly, Unison, and Chord
- Voice Edit mode for adjusting oscillator, filter, envelope, and other parameters
- Vocoder mode for creating talking-synth sounds
- Onboard effects including delay and reverb
- External audio input for running external audio through the onboard effects
- Built-in arpeggiator and step sequencer
- MIDI and USB connectivity
5. Roland JD-XA 49
The Roland JD-XA 49 is a great synthesizer for the studio and stage. It has a wide range of sounds and options that make it a great choice for creating interesting and unique sounds. The four oscillators, two filters, and two envelopes give the user lots of possibilities for sound design. The filters are great for shaping and creating unique sounds. The sequencer is intuitive and allows for easy sequencing of patterns. The build quality is top notch with all of the knobs and controls feeling very solid. Overall, the Roland JD-XA 49 is an excellent choice for those looking for a powerful synth that is easy to use and has lots of features.
- 49-key Analog/Digital Crossover Synthesizer
- 4-part Analog Synthesizer Engine: Two analog oscillators, one analog filter, and one analog amplifier
- 4-part Digital Synthesizer Engine: One PCM oscillator, one PCM filter, and one PCM amplifier
- Integrated 16-track Digital Sequencer with 4-track Motion Sequencing
- High-Performance SuperNATURAL-based Tone Modules
- D-Beam, Ribbon Controller, and Pitch Bend/Modulation Lever
- USB Audio/MIDI Interface
- Compatible with Mac, Windows, iOS, and Android
6. Roland SH-01 Gaia
I recently purchased the Roland SH-01 Gaia, and I’m absolutely loving it. This synthesizer offers an immense amount of sound possibilities that I’m still exploring. It has three oscillators, allowing for a wide variety of sounds and textures. The step sequencer and arpeggiator are both very intuitive, making it easy to create complex rhythms and patterns. The overall build quality is quite good, and the sound is rich and full. I’m very impressed with the SH-01 Gaia and highly recommend it to anyone looking for an affordable and high-quality synthesizer.
- 37-key synthesizer featuring a powerful and intuitive synth engine
- Three virtual analog engines for producing classic analog sounds
- 128-voice polyphony for multi-layered sound creation
- Eight-track pattern sequencer and onboard arpeggiator
- More than 500 preset sounds
- Compact, rugged construction with an intuitive layout
7. Yamaha Montage8 Workstation
The Yamaha Montage8 Workstation is an impressive digital music production system with a ton of features and sound options. It offers a great sound engine, a ton of presets and effects, and a wide range of editing capabilities. The Montage8 also has a great user interface that is easy to use and offers up plenty of customizable options. The keyboard action is also great and it’s the perfect choice for live performances. Overall, the Yamaha Montage8 Workstation is a great choice for anyone looking for a powerful and versatile digital music production system.
- 88-key Graded Hammer Action Keyboard
- Motion Control Synthesis Engine
- AWM2 and FM-X sound engines
- Onboard Effects
- 8-Track Sequencer
- 16-Part Multi-Timbral
- USB Audio Interface
- External Control Capability
8. Korg Arp Odyssey
I recently purchased the Korg Arp Odyssey, and I’m absolutely loving it! This classic analog synthesizer has a vast array of features that allow for endless amounts of creativity. The multiple oscillator settings, the modulators, and the filter controls are all incredibly powerful and offer a great range of sound. The interface is user-friendly and intuitive, making it easy to dial in the exact sound you’re looking for. The sequencer is great for creating complex rhythms and melodies, and I especially appreciate the ability to save patches. All in all, this is an incredible synthesizer and has become a staple in my home studio.
- Analog Synthesizer with three-oscillator design
- Two types of voltage-controlled filters: High Pass and Low Pass
- External signal processing, noise generator, and a sample and hold circuit
- 37-key keyboard, with velocity detection and assignable Aftertouch
- Integrated sequencer and arpeggiator
- Mixer/VCA section with dedicated envelopes and an LFO
- MIDI and USB control
- Compatible with the Korg Arp Odyssey Plug-In Editor
9. Arturia MatrixBrute Analog Matrix
I recently bought the Arturia MatrixBrute Analog Matrix and could not be more impressed with its capabilities. It is a powerhouse of an analog synthesizer with a vast array of sound possibilities. It has three oscillators, two LFOs, a 64-step sequencer, a Steiner-Parker filter, and an arpeggiator. The large matrix of controllers on the front panel give you access to a wide range of parameters, and the sound engine is capable of producing some of the most powerful and complex tones I’ve ever heard. With its combination of analog and digital control, the MatrixBrute is a great choice for those seeking an analog synthesizer but with a modern edge. The sound engine is powerful enough to handle complex soundscapes, and the user interface is intuitive and easy to use. The MatrixBrute is a great tool for those looking to expand their sonic palette, and I’m incredibly pleased with my purchase.
- 3 Analog Oscillators with a waveform mixer
- 64-slot Modulation Matrix with 16 Sources & Destinations
- 256 Presets
- Step Sequencer and Arpeggiator
- Multi-Mode Filter with 12dB/24dB slope
- 2 Envelopes, 2 LFOs and Sample & Hold
- MIDI, USB, CV and Gate/Trig I/O
- Integrated Studio Effects
- Comprehensive Connectivity
10. Dave Smith Instruments Prophet Rev2
The Dave Smith Instruments Prophet Rev2 is a powerful and versatile synthesizer. The Rev2 is capable of sounding like a classic analog synth, but also has modern features such as multi-timbrality, MIDI-CC integration, and built-in effects. It has eight voices of polyphony, allowing you to layer and stack sounds. The filter section is especially useful, with its vast array of options and full parameter control. The sequencer is also great, with its intuitive workflow and intuitive interface. Overall, the Dave Smith Instruments Prophet Rev2 is an excellent choice for any musician needing a powerful and versatile synthesizer.
- 8-Voice Analog Poly Synthesizer with Digital Control and Expansion
- 2 analog oscillators and 2 digital wavetable oscillators per voice
- 4-pole low-pass Curtis analog filter per voice
- 2 LFOs, 3 envelope generators, and programmable step sequencer
- Versatile modulation matrix with user-defined routings
- Stereo FX processor with overdrive and distortion
- USB, MIDI, and CV/Gate I/O
- Over 500 presets included
- Compatible with Prophet 08 and Rev1 patches
- Expandable with a 5-slot Eurorack Expansion Module
