Let's add one synthesizer a day challenge:
Kronos 3
Flagship music workstation with nine synthesis engines, TouchView UI, KARMA and 16-track audio/MIDI sequencing—Korg’s next-gen all-in-one synth platform.
Polyphonic Hardware
Osmose
The Osmose is a modern synthesizer featuring an MPE keyboard and the EaganMatrix engine co-developed with Haken Audio. It senses press, tilt, and shake per key for highly expressive control.
Polyphonic Hardware
MiniFreak
The MiniFreak is a six-voice hybrid synthesizer released by Arturia in 2022. It pairs dual digital sound engines (wavetable, FM, granular, virtual analog and more) with an analog multimode filter, an extensive modulation matrix, and a 37-note keybed with polyphonic aftertouch. Bundled with the MiniFreak V plugin, it lets producers move seamlessly between hardware and software versions of the same synth architecture.
Polyphonic Hardware - Plugin
OB-X8
Modern analog polysynth combining the OB-X, OB-Xa, and OB-8 designs, co-created by Tom Oberheim and Sequential.
Polyphonic Hardware
Pigments 4
Pigments 4 blends wavetable, virtual analog, sample/granular, and additive synthesis in a software instrument with deep modulation capabilities and a user-friendly workflow. Get this synth!!
Polyphonic Plugin
Argon8
Wavetable synthesizer with 120 wavetables, morphing, and extensive modulation, available in multiple key sizes.
Polyphonic Hardware
Wavestate
Modern reboot of the Wavestation with advanced wave sequencing 2.0, gigabytes of samples, and deep modulation.
Polyphonic Hardware
Vital
Free wavetable synthesizer with spectral warping, advanced modulation, and visual feedback for sound design. Get this synth!!!
Polyphonic Plugin
Pro 3
Hybrid paraphonic synthesizer with three oscillators (two analog, one wavetable) and three classic filter types.
Paraphonic Hardware
Hydrasynth
Wavemorphing polysynth with poly-aftertouch keybed, mutator modules, deep mod matrix, and effects.
Polyphonic Hardware
Phase Plant
Modular software synth with freely routable oscillators, samplers, and modulators plus snap-in effects. Get this synth!!!
Polyphonic Plugin
Summit
Bi-timbral 16-voice hybrid synthesizer based on Peak architecture with extended controls and keyboard.
Polyphonic Hardware
Moog One
Flagship analog polysynth (8- or 16-voice) with three VCOs per voice, dual filters, deep modulation, and effects.
Polyphonic Hardware
Quantum
{"Hybrid powerhouse"=>"wavetable, VA, granular, and resonator digital oscillators through analog filters."}
Polyphonic Hardware
DeepMind 12
Affordable 12-voice analog polysynth inspired by the Juno-106 with built-in effects and modulation matrix.
Polyphonic Hardware
Minilogue
4-voice analog polysynth with oscilloscope display, versatile voice modes, and classic Korg tone.
Polyphonic Hardware
System-8
Plug-Out synth hosting ACB models of Jupiter-8, Juno-106, and JX-3P alongside its own powerful engine.
Polyphonic Hardware
MicroBrute
Compact monophonic analog synth with Steiner-Parker filter, sequencer, and aggressive Brute Factor.
Monophonic Hardware
Sub 37
Duophonic/mono analog synth; two VCOs plus sub, ladder filter, and hands-on control.
Paraphonic Hardware
Bass Station II
Monophonic analog synth with two oscillators, sub-oscillator, and classic/acid filter types.
Monophonic Hardware
Volca Keys
Compact battery-powered analog polyphonic lead synth with sequencer.
Polyphonic Hardware
OP-1
Portable synth/workstation with multiple engines, tape recorder, sequencers, and built-in mic/speaker.
Polyphonic Hardware
Monotron
Palm-sized analog ribbon synth with MS-20 filter, battery-powered fun. Get one if you never had one.
Monophonic Hardware
SH-01 GAIA
Virtual analog synthesizer with three layers, simple controls, and hands-on editing.
Polyphonic Hardware
Omnisphere 2
Flagship sample-based and synth hybrid plugin with massive library and deep synthesis engines.
Polyphonic Plugin
Massive X
Successor to Massive with advanced wavetable engine, routing, and sound design capabilities. Get this synth!!
Polyphonic Plugin
Serum
Influential wavetable plugin synth known for pristine oscillators and intuitive editor. Get this synth!!!
Polyphonic Plugin
Diva
Diva (Dinosaur Impersonating Virtual Analogue) is a software synthesizer that painstakingly models the oscillators, filters, and envelopes of classic analog instruments—Minimoog, Jupiter-8, Juno-60, MS-20, and more—letting users swap modules to build hybrid “dream synths.” Celebrated for its authentic warmth and punch (at the cost of high CPU), Diva has become a studio staple for producers seeking vintage analog tone in a modern plugin.
Polyphonic Plugin
Prophet '08
Modern 8-voice analog polysynth reviving the Prophet legacy with DCOs and Curtis filters.
Polyphonic Hardware
Sylenth1
Virtual analog VST synth prized for lush sound, low CPU, and EDM staple status.
Polyphonic Plugin
Massive
Influential wavetable soft synth, cornerstone of dubstep and EDM sound design.
Polyphonic Plugin
Zebra2
Zebra2 is a versatile modular software synthesizer that blends virtual analog, wavetable, additive, FM, and spectral effects within a cable-free patching interface. Get this synth!!!
Polyphonic Plugin
MicroKorg
Compact VA synth/vocoder with mini keys, battery power, and versatile sound.
Polyphonic Hardware
Minimoog Voyager
Updated Minimoog with patch memory, MIDI, and modern reliability.
Monophonic Hardware
Andromeda A6
16-voice analog polysynth with deep modulation and analog VCO/VCF design.
Polyphonic Hardware
Absynth
Semi-modular soft synth famed for evolving pads and soundscapes.
Polyphonic Plugin
Reason
Virtual rack studio with multiple synths, samplers, and effects.
Polyphonic Plugin
Triton
The Korg Triton is a PCM-based music workstation synthesizer introduced in 1999 as the successor to the Trinity. Its HI synthesis engine, touchscreen interface, dual polyphonic arpeggiators, and optional sampling/MOSS expansion boards made it a go-to production powerhouse for pop, R&B, and film scoring in the 2000s. Get this synth !!!
Polyphonic Hardware - Plugin
Reaktor
Modular DSP environment for building custom synths, samplers, and effects.
Polyphonic Plugin
Virus A
Iconic VA hardware synth series with lush pads and aggressive leads.
Polyphonic Hardware
JP-8000
VA polysynth introducing the Supersaw waveform for trance music.
Polyphonic Hardware
ReBirth RB-338
Software emulation of TB-303, TR-808, and TR-909 for acid and house production.
Monophonic Plugin
Prophecy
Monophonic physical-modeling synthesizer employing Korg’s MOSS engine for expressive, diverse sound creation.
Monophonic Hardware - Plugin
Wavestation
Vector synthesis and wave sequencing for evolving textures.
Polyphonic Hardware
M1
Best-selling workstation with PCM engine, sequencer, and iconic presets. Get this synth!!!
Polyphonic Hardware - Plugin
D-50
LA synthesis combining PCM attacks with synthesized sustain waves.
Polyphonic Hardware
Akai S612
The Akai S612 was Akai’s first digital sampler, featuring 12-bit sampling, a single voice, and real-time control via an optional MD280 Quick Disk drive. Compact and affordable, it marked the beginning of Akai’s dominance in sampling, leading to later legends like the S900 and MPC series.
Monophonic
Quick Disk Storage Hardware
Emulator II
The Emulator II was a professional 8-bit sampler with analog filters, used heavily in the 1980s by artists like Depeche Mode, New Order, and David Byrne. Its unique sound defined countless hits and film scores. It offered floppy-based sample loading, velocity sensitivity, and sequencing.
Analog Filters
Polyphonic Hardware
Ensoniq Mirage
The Ensoniq Mirage was one of the first affordable digital samplers, making sampling accessible to a wider audience. It featured gritty 8-bit sound, analog filters, and a built-in sequencer. Beloved for its lo-fi character and used by Skinny Puppy, Depeche Mode, and early hip-hop producers.
Analog Filters
Monotimbral Hardware
DX7
FM synth that defined the 80s with electric pianos, basses, and bells.
Polyphonic Hardware
PPG Wave 2.2
The PPG Wave series, designed by Wolfgang Palm, pioneered wavetable synthesis. The Wave 2.2 combined digital oscillators with analog filters, offering a cold, digital tone that influenced countless electronic artists. Used by Tangerine Dream, Depeche Mode, and Thomas Dolby.
Analog Filters
Polyphonic Hardware
Jupiter-8
Flagship analog polysynth with lush pads and punchy bass.
Polyphonic Hardware
Fairlight CMI
The Fairlight CMI (Computer Musical Instrument) was a pioneering digital sampling workstation. It introduced the Page R sequencer and was one of the first instruments to allow musicians to sample, manipulate, and sequence audio. Used by Peter Gabriel, Kate Bush, and Herbie Hancock.
Polyphonic
Sampling Workstation Hardware
Prophet-5
First programmable polyphonic synth with analog VCOs and filters.
Polyphonic Hardware
MS-20
Semi-modular mono synth with dual filters and patch bay.
Monophonic Hardware
Synclavier
The Synclavier was one of the first digital synthesizers, samplers, and workstations. Used by artists like Frank Zappa, Stevie Wonder, and Michael Jackson, it combined FM synthesis, additive synthesis, and sampling in one powerful (and expensive) system.
Polyphonic
FM + Additive + Sampling Hardware
CS-80
Expressive polyphonic synth with poly-aftertouch and ribbon control.
Polyphonic Hardware
Two Voice
Dual SEM-based analog synthesizer with a 37-key keyboard, built-in 8-step sequencer, and two-voice polyphony—one of the earliest commercially available polyphonic synths.
Duophonic Hardware
2600
Semi-modular analog synth famous for R2-D2 sounds.
Monophonic Hardware
Minimoog Model D
Portable mono synth that set the standard for subtractive synthesis.
Monophonic Hardware
VCS3
Portable analog synth with pin-matrix patching.
Monophonic Hardware
Moog Modular
First commercial modular synth, used by Wendy Carlos on Switched-On Bach.
Monophonic Hardware
Buchla Series 100
Early modular system commissioned by the San Francisco Tape Music Center.
Monophonic Hardware
Teleharmonium
Early Dynamophone, like an electric organ