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115 models

  • Nord Lead

    Virtual analog performance synthesizer family

    Synthesizer · Sweden

    The Nord Lead is a family of virtual analog synthesizers introduced by Clavia in 1995. The original Nord Lead pioneered the 'virtual analog' concept—digitally modeling analog synthesis with knob-per-function control—and its bright red instruments became staples on stage and in the studio.

  • Black technical line drawing of a Yamaha DX7-style digital synthesizer

    Yamaha DX7

    Six-operator FM digital synthesizer

    Synthesizer · Japan

    Yamaha's landmark six-operator FM digital synthesizer, introduced in May 1983.

  • Technical line drawing of Arturia MicroFreak

    Arturia MicroFreak

    Synthesizer model

    Synthesizer · France

    The Arturia MicroFreak, released in 2019, is a hybrid synthesizer pairing a versatile digital oscillator (with many synthesis models) and an analog filter, played from a distinctive touch-plate keyboard. Its modulation matrix, sequencer, and affordable price made it a popular experimental instrument.

  • Sequential Prophet-5

    Programmable polyphonic analog synthesizer

    Synthesizer · United States

    The Sequential Prophet-5, released in 1978, was the first fully programmable polyphonic analog synthesizer, letting players store and recall patches. Its five voices, dual oscillators, and warm sound made it a landmark instrument used across pop, film, and electronic music.

  • Oberheim OB-Xa

    Polyphonic analog synthesizer

    Synthesizer · United States

    The Oberheim OB-Xa, released in 1980, is a polyphonic analog synthesizer with two oscillators per voice and the ability to split and layer sounds. Powerful and aggressive, its sound is famous from records such as Van Halen's 'Jump' and many other 1980s productions.

  • Technical line drawing of Aelita

    Aelita

    Soviet synthesizer

    Synthesizer · Russia

    The Aelita is an analog synthesizer produced in the Soviet Union during the 1980s. It is valued today mainly by collectors of Soviet-era electronic instruments.

  • Technical line drawing of Elka Synthex

    Elka Synthex

    Polyphonic analog synthesizer

    Synthesizer · Italy

    The Elka Synthex, released in 1981, is an eight-voice polyphonic analog synthesizer made by the Italian company Elka. With two oscillators per voice, a multimode filter, and a built-in sequencer, its powerful sound was famously used by Jean-Michel Jarre and others.

  • Synclavier

    Early digital synthesizer

    Synthesizer · United States

    The Synclavier, developed by New England Digital from the late 1970s, was a pioneering and extremely expensive digital synthesizer and sampling system. Combining FM and additive synthesis with later sampling and a computer-based interface, it was a centerpiece of high-end 1980s production.

  • Novation Bass Station II

    Monophonic analog bass synthesizer

    Synthesizer · United Kingdom

    The Novation Bass Station II, released in 2013, is a monophonic analog synthesizer focused on bass and lead sounds. With two oscillators, two filter types, a sub-oscillator, and a built-in sequencer and arpeggiator, it updates Novation's original Bass Station for modern use.

  • Technical line drawing of Alesis Andromeda A6

    Alesis Andromeda A6

    2000 multitimbral analog synthesizer

    Synthesizer · United States

    The Alesis Andromeda A6, released in 2000, is a sixteen-voice analog synthesizer with two oscillators and dual filters per voice plus extensive digital control and effects. A rare large-scale analog polysynth of its era, it is prized for its deep, powerful sound.

  • Yamaha Motif

    Series of music workstations

    Synthesizer · Japan

    The Yamaha Motif is a series of flagship music workstations launched in 2001 that became industry standards for production and live performance. Built on sample-based synthesis with sampling, sequencing, and effects, the Motif line ran through several generations (ES, XS, XF).

  • Technical line drawing of Behringer Poly D

    Behringer Poly D

    Analog synthesizer

    Synthesizer · Germany

    The Behringer Poly D is a four-voice paraphonic analog synthesizer modeled on the classic Minimoog architecture, adding a fourth oscillator, a built-in sequencer, effects, and paraphonic playback at a budget price.

  • Technical line drawing of ARP Odyssey

    ARP Odyssey

    Analog synthesizer from 1972

    Synthesizer · United States

    The ARP Odyssey, introduced in 1972, is a compact duophonic analog synthesizer that became ARP's most popular instrument and a key rival to the Minimoog. With two oscillators, a distinctive resonant filter, and a slider-based panel, its punchy leads and basses appear across rock and electronic music.

  • Technical line drawing of Casio CZ synthesizers

    Casio CZ synthesizers

    Family of synthesizers

    Synthesizer · Japan

    The Casio CZ synthesizers are a family of affordable digital synthesizers introduced in 1984 using Casio's Phase Distortion synthesis, a technique that produced varied digital tones at low cost. The line, including the CZ-101 and CZ-1000, helped bring digital synthesis to a wide audience.

  • Korg Monologue

    2017 monophonic analog synthesizer

    Synthesizer · Japan

    The Korg Monologue, released in 2017, is a monophonic analog synthesizer derived from the Minilogue, optimized for bass and lead sounds. It offers two oscillators, a drive circuit, a flexible step sequencer with motion recording, and microtuning options.

  • Korg Minilogue

    Polyphonic analog synthesizer

    Synthesizer · Japan

    The Korg Minilogue, released in 2016, is a four-voice polyphonic analog synthesizer with two oscillators per voice, a resonant filter, a step sequencer, and an oscilloscope display. Its affordable price and genuine analog sound made it a breakout success and revived interest in hardware polysynths.

  • Yamaha DX1

    DX Series FM digital synthesizer

    Synthesizer · Japan

    A Yamaha DX Series FM digital synthesizer introduced in 1983 and part of the original DX Series lineup discussed in Yamaha's official synth history.

  • Technical line drawing of a Yamaha CS-80-style vintage polyphonic synthesizer

    Yamaha CS-80

    Flagship CS Series polyphonic analog synthesizer

    Synthesizer · Japan

    The flagship Yamaha CS Series polyphonic analog synthesizer; Yamaha's official history says it debuted in 1977 with eight-note polyphony.

  • Yamaha MOTIF XS7

    Synthesizer model

    Synthesizer · Japan

    The Yamaha Motif XS7 is the 76-key model in the Motif XS generation (2007) of Yamaha's workstation line, offering the XS sound engine, sampling, and sequencing.

  • Technical line drawing of Roland SH-101

    Roland SH-101

    Monophonic analog synthesizer

    Synthesizer · Japan

    The Roland SH-101 is a monophonic analog synthesizer released in 1982. Lightweight and battery-capable, it pairs a single oscillator and resonant filter with a built-in sequencer and arpeggiator, and an optional handgrip let it be worn like a keytar. Its punchy bass and lead sounds made it a fixture of acid, techno, and electro.

  • Roland Jupiter-8

    1981 polyphonic analog synthesizer

    Synthesizer · Japan

    The Roland Jupiter-8, introduced in 1981, is Roland's flagship eight-voice polyphonic analog synthesizer. With two oscillators per voice, versatile splits and layers, and patch memory, it delivered a bold, refined sound used across pop, film, and electronic music, and it remains one of the most coveted vintage polysynths.

  • Technical line drawing of a Roland Juno-106-style programmable analog synthesizer

    Roland Juno-106

    Programmable polyphonic analog synthesizer

    Synthesizer · Japan

    The Roland Juno-106, introduced in 1984, is a six-voice polyphonic analog synthesizer that became one of Roland's most popular instruments. It offers one digitally controlled oscillator per voice, a resonant analog filter, a famous chorus, and full MIDI implementation, and its accessible slider-based panel made it a studio staple.

  • Arturia PolyBrute

    Six-voice morphing analog polyphonic synthesizer

    Synthesizer · France

    The Arturia PolyBrute, released in 2020, is a six-voice morphing analog polyphonic synthesizer. It features two Brute oscillators per voice, both Steiner-Parker and ladder filters, and a Morph control that continuously interpolates between two complete sound states, on a 61-note velocity- and aftertouch-sensitive keyboard with the expressive Morphée 3D controller.

  • Arturia MiniFreak

    Six-voice hybrid synthesizer

    Synthesizer · France

    The Arturia MiniFreak, released in 2022, is a six-voice hybrid synthesizer with two digital sound engines offering 31 oscillator modes, paired with a polyphonic analog state-variable resonant filter. It runs in six-voice polyphonic, twelve-voice paraphonic, unison, or mono modes on a 37-note slim keybed, with onboard effects and a sequencer.

  • Arturia MiniBrute 2

    Monophonic semi-modular analog synthesizer

    Synthesizer · France

    The Arturia MiniBrute 2, released in 2018, is a monophonic semi-modular analog synthesizer with two analog oscillators, a Steiner-Parker multimode filter, a 48-point patchbay, and full Eurorack compatibility. Its 25-note keyboard sits alongside a sequencer holding eight 64-step sequences that can also act as an advanced arpeggiator.

  • Arturia MatrixBrute

    Monophonic/paraphonic analog synthesizer with modulation matrix

    Synthesizer · France

    The Arturia MatrixBrute, released in 2016, is a flagship monophonic, duo-split, and paraphonic analog synthesizer with three Brute oscillators, both Steiner-Parker and ladder filters, five analog effects, and a large hands-on modulation matrix. Its 49-note keyboard with aftertouch sits above a 64-step sequencer with dedicated step, accent, slide, and modulation lanes.

  • Ensoniq TS 10

    Music workstation

    Synthesizer · United States

    The Ensoniq TS-10, released in 1993, is a sample-based synthesizer workstation combining Ensoniq's synthesis and effects with a sequencer for performance and composition.

  • Ensoniq SQ-80

    Eight-voice digital/analog hybrid synthesizer

    Synthesizer · United States

    The Ensoniq SQ-80, produced from 1988 to 1989, is an eight-voice 'cross-wave' digital/analog hybrid synthesizer and successor to the ESQ-1. It edits digital waveforms through analog-style four-pole low-pass filters, adds an expanded waveform set and polyphonic aftertouch on its 61-note keyboard, and includes an onboard sequencer.

  • Ensoniq VFX

    Twenty-one-voice wavetable synthesizer workstation

    Synthesizer · United States

    The Ensoniq VFX, released in 1989, is a 21-voice digital synthesizer workstation using PPG-style wavetable synthesis with 109 selectable waveforms per patch. It features a 61-note polyphonic-aftertouch keyboard, a high-quality onboard effects processor, and (in the VFX-SD) an integrated sequencer and disk storage.

  • Technical line drawing of Ensoniq ESQ-1

    Ensoniq ESQ-1

    61-key, velocity sensitive, eight-note polyphonic and multitimbral synthesizer

    Synthesizer · United States

    The Ensoniq ESQ-1, released in 1986, is an eight-voice multitimbral hybrid synthesizer combining digital waveform oscillators with analog filters and a capable built-in sequencer, offering a lot of power at an affordable price.

  • Oberheim Matrix-12

    Twelve-voice analog synthesizer with matrix modulation

    Synthesizer · United States

    The Oberheim Matrix-12, introduced in 1985, is a twelve-voice analog synthesizer with extensive digital modulation routing. Each voice provides two oscillators, a noise source, a fifteen-mode multimode filter, five envelopes, five LFOs, ramp and tracking generators, and a deep modulation matrix, on a 61-note keyboard. It is widely regarded as one of the most powerful analog polysynths ever built.

  • Moog Sub 37

    Monophonic analog synthesizer

    Synthesizer · United States

    The Moog Sub 37 is a paraphonic analog synthesizer introduced in 2014 in Moog's Phatty line. It offers two oscillators per voice, duo-paraphonic playing, an extensive modulation matrix, and patch memory, delivering classic Moog bass and lead sounds with modern control.

  • Novation Summit

    Sixteen-voice bi-timbral hybrid keyboard polysynth

    Synthesizer · United Kingdom

    The Novation Summit, released in 2019, is a sixteen-voice bi-timbral keyboard synthesizer that effectively combines two Peak engines, allowing two independent patches to be split or layered across its 61-note keyboard. Each voice uses three New Oxford Oscillators and an analog state-variable filter.

  • Moog Sub Phatty

    Synthesizer model

    Synthesizer · United States

    The Moog Sub Phatty, released in 2013, is a compact monophonic analog synthesizer in the Phatty family. Built for fat bass and aggressive leads, it features two oscillators with a sub-oscillator, a multidrive circuit, and a streamlined panel.

  • Moog Little Phatty

    Monophonic analog synthesizer

    Synthesizer · United States

    The Moog Little Phatty, released in 2006, is a monophonic analog synthesizer in the Phatty line and one of the last products Bob Moog helped design. It pairs two oscillators and the Moog ladder filter with patch memory in an affordable, road-ready instrument.

  • Yamaha DX11

    Synthesizer model

    Synthesizer · Japan

    The Yamaha DX11, released in 1988, is a four-operator FM synthesizer that expanded on the DX21/27/100 with more waveforms and multitimbral operation, offering versatile FM sounds in an affordable keyboard.

  • Yamaha Reface DX

    Synthesizer model

    Synthesizer · Japan

    The Yamaha Reface DX, released in 2015, is a compact synthesizer in Yamaha's Reface line that revisits FM synthesis with a four-operator engine, touch-slider control, and built-in effects in a highly portable mini-key instrument.

  • Yamaha DX100

    FM synthesizer

    Synthesizer · Japan

    The Yamaha DX100, released in 1985, is a compact, battery-capable four-operator FM synthesizer with mini keys. Affordable and portable, its punchy FM bass sounds became popular in electronic and dance music.

  • Roland JD-800

    Synthesizer model

    Synthesizer · Japan

    The Roland JD-800, released in 1991, is a digital synthesizer that bucked the menu-driven trend of its era with a panel full of sliders for hands-on, real-time sound design. Its bright, detailed sample-based engine and expressive control made it a favorite for pads and evolving textures.

  • Yamaha SY77

    Synthesizer model

    Synthesizer · Japan

    The Yamaha SY77, released in 1989, is a digital synthesizer that combined six-operator FM synthesis with sample-based (AWM) synthesis—Yamaha's 'RCM' system—plus filters and effects, offering richer, more playable sounds than the earlier DX line.

  • Roland JD-XA

    Hybrid analog and digital synthesizer

    Synthesizer · Japan

    The Roland JD-XA, released in 2015, is a crossover synthesizer that combines a true analog voice section with a digital synthesis section, allowing the two to be layered or used independently. It targets producers who want both analog warmth and digital versatility in one keyboard.

  • Waldorf Quantum

    Multi-engine digital keyboard synthesizer

    Synthesizer · Germany

    The Waldorf Quantum, introduced in 2018, is a flagship digital synthesizer offering five oscillator modes per voice - wavetable, waveform, granular and sampling, resonator, and kernels FM - feeding three stereo filters, with both digital and analog filter paths. The current Quantum MK2 provides up to sixteen voices of hybrid polyphony on a 61-note polyphonic-aftertouch keyboard.

  • Roland JX-305

    Synthesizer model

    Synthesizer · Japan

    The Roland JX-305 Groovebox is a 1998 keyboard instrument built on Roland's groovebox concept, combining a sample-based synth engine with a pattern sequencer and dance-oriented sounds and effects in a 61-key format.

  • Yamaha DX27

    Synthesizer model

    Synthesizer · Japan

    The Yamaha DX27 is a four-operator FM synthesizer from 1985, providing affordable FM synthesis with preset and programmable voices in a full-size keyboard.

  • Roland D-70

    1990 synthesizer

    Synthesizer · Japan

    The Roland D-70, released in 1990, is a digital synthesizer that built on the D-50's LA synthesis with expanded sample-based tone generation, a 76-key keyboard, and a more advanced interface for layered, multitimbral sounds.

  • Yamaha SY85

    Digital music workstation

    Synthesizer · Japan

    The Yamaha SY85, released in 1992, is a sample-based (AWM2) digital synthesizer workstation with sampling-style sound editing, a sequencer, and effects, aimed at producing realistic and layered sounds.

  • Roland D-50

    Polyphonic 61-key synthesiser produced by Roland

    Synthesizer · Japan

    The Roland D-50, released in 1987, is a digital synthesizer that introduced Roland's Linear Arithmetic (LA) synthesis, layering short sampled attack transients with synthesized sustains. Its lush, evocative factory patches and built-in effects made it one of the defining sounds of late-1980s pop.

  • Yamaha DX21

    1985 digital FM synthesizer

    Synthesizer · Japan

    The Yamaha DX21, released in 1985, is a four-operator FM synthesizer offering two-voice multitimbral operation and a built-in chorus, bringing programmable FM synthesis to a budget-friendly keyboard.

  • Yamaha CS-15

    Monophonic analogue synthesizer

    Synthesizer · Japan

    The Yamaha CS-15 is a monophonic analog synthesizer in Yamaha's CS series from the late 1970s, offering two independent synthesizer channels and hands-on control for leads and effects.

  • Yamaha GS-1

    Digital keyboard with FM tone generation

    Synthesizer · Japan

    A Yamaha digital keyboard released in 1981 with FM tone generation and touch-sensitive control.