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Free shipping
for orders over £ 150
UK Team in London
Mega Store in Cologne
Money Back
30 Day Return Policy
For decades, electronic sounds have fascinated musicians and listeners alike. What began in the first half of the last century with laboratory and measurement equipment was set in motion in the 1960s by synthesizer pioneers Robert Moog and Don Buchla—each in their own way: with their modular systems and the products that followed (analog synthesizers), they laid the foundation for what we now understand as a synthesizer. One particularly important instrument is the Moog Minimoog, which became a benchmark and a blueprint for much of what came after. Equipped with a handful of functional sections such as oscillators, mixer, filter, VCA, envelopes, controllers and a keyboard, it offered—pre-wired and in a compact format—everything that would define the new sound of portable hardware synthesizers.
Today, there are electronic musical instruments for sound generation to suit every taste, requirement, and budget—so it’s worth taking some time to research and make the right choice. Alongside big names like Korg, Moog, Roland, and Yamaha, we also carry many smaller manufacturers with exciting instruments. The distinction between devices that are purely digital or purely analog is no longer as clear-cut as it once was. Combined instruments (hybrid synthesizers) are now well established—for example, the tone generator and/or modulations may be entirely digital, while the rest of the signal path (such as mixer, filter, and VCA) remains analog. The same is increasingly true of modular synthesizers: many modules do their job brilliantly; instead of ICs and transistors, they generate sounds with chips and code.
Reissues of real-analog classics from the past—such as Black Corporation Deckard’s Dream (Yamaha CS-80 clone), ARP Odyssey, Korg MS-20 mini, Roland TB-03 (TB-303 clone), TR-808, Behringer MS-1, Behringer DeepMind, or the Behringer Model D— continue to enjoy lasting popularity. Yamaha’s FM synthesis from the DX7 has also not been forgotten and “lives on” again through current devices such as the Reface DX, Yamaha MODX, or the Korg Volca FM.
Whether you’re a beginner, hobby musician, or professional, there’s something suitable for everyone. With or without a keyboard, MIDI controller, step sequencer, rack unit or desktop, analog, digital, versatile or a one-trick pony— the choice is yours. Even “lab tinkerers” get their money’s worth: those who prefer controlling a modular system, the DAW, or a groovebox with tactile sensors can choose from individual solutions. Noise artists can also draw from a broader selection than ever before, thanks to the expanded modular segment. More playful approaches—often with real musical value—can be found, for example, in Teenage Engineering’s Pocket Operator series, a successful line of instruments roughly the size of a calculator.
Synthesizers are certainly among the most versatile electronic musical instruments. Creating and playing sounds with them is huge fun and offers endless possibilities for musical expression, constantly inspiring new ideas. Sound design in electronic music is continually evolving, and synthesizers have developed steadily since the early analog synths of the 1960s and analog synth keyboards of the 1970s and 1980s. The market has never been as lively as it is today. In addition to subtractive synthesis (most analog and many virtual-analog synths), FM and wavetable, physical modelling, “East Coast”, particle, resonator, and more have become established sound-generation methods—each offering its own character and creative options. If you want classic analog bass and lead sounds, a compact analog synthesizer is a great choice, while digital synthesizers can excel at very different tasks.
Software-capable instruments (VST synthesizers, software synthesizers) in the form we know today for PC and Mac only arrived after the Commodore Amiga era. Today, you can also find powerful synthesizers on smartphones running Android or iOS. Companies such as Ableton, Arturia, Toontrack, Steinberg, u-he, Native Instruments, and many others develop VSTs and programs that no longer need to hide behind hardware. Whether it’s a clone of a legendary synthesizer from the past, an original design with new synthesis possibilities, or sophisticated concepts for film composers and hit writers—you’ll find a wide selection in our range.
To make making music with software more enjoyable—and especially more hands-on—there is a wide range of DAW controllers that give you literal control over your programs. Keyboards in all sizes and controller boxes with knobs, faders, and pads are ready to support musicians in composing, tracking, or live performance.
You can find synthesizers in our online shop, divided into the product groups:
Since the selection of modular synthesizers is so extensive, there is a separate category that includes all modules, cases, complete systems, and accessories, allowing you to configure your own modular system or expand an existing one. Detailed information about synthesizers and accessories can be found on the product detail pages.
In our shop you’ll find a large selection of synthesizers from many different manufacturers across various categories. Found something suitable? With a 30-day return policy and the fastest possible delivery, you can order safely and conveniently from home.
Feel free to visit our department in-store and extensively test the sound-generation instruments on display. Our knowledgeable staff will be happy to help with advice and support. Patching and exploring for yourself is explicitly encouraged!
Access, Akai, Analogue Solutions, ARP, Arturia, Behringer, Black Corporation, Clavia, Critter & Guitari, Doepfer, Dreadbox, Elektron, Jomox, MAM, Moog, Korg, Novation, Roland, Sequential, Studiologic, Teenage Engineering, Twisted Electrons, V3 Sound, Vermona, Waldorf, Yamaha
Electronic instruments that generate and shape sounds synthetically.
Describes the number of available voices
This depends on the model you choose. Some synthesizers can be played standalone because they have a built-in speaker. However, most models can be played directly with headphones. To connect to an amplifier, a simple audio cable is usually sufficient.
Synthesizer expanders are synthesizers without an integrated keyboard. To play them, you can either use an external MIDI keyboard to transmit note information directly, or use software (a DAW) where you can program a sequence.
To record a synthesizer, you usually need an audio interface or a mixer where the audio cables can be connected. In your software, the device can be selected as an input so you can record directly into the DAW.
Synthesizers, drum machines, and other USB- or MIDI-capable devices are synchronized via an audio interface using MIDI cables. If you want to use the instruments without software (dawless), you can connect the instruments to each other using MIDI cables. Most synths have MIDI In, Out & Thru.
Oscillator (VCO), Filter (VCF), Envelope, LFO (Low Frequency Oscillator for sound modulation), Amplifier (VCA) – these components can be found in almost every synthesizer and are generally universal.
If no effects are built into the synthesizer, you can use standard guitar pedals or digital effects (VSTs) from a software (DAW).
