Best General Synthesizers for Ambient 2026
Perfect general synthesizers for ambient - easy to play and learn on
Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026
#1
⭐
4.9/5
(14 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Mellotron Micro Black
by
Mellotron
Pop
Film Score
Rock
Key Feature:
• Wide variety of synthesizer sounds
✓ PROS
- • Often includes preset banks
- • Wide variety of synthesizer sounds
✗ CONS
- • Can be overwhelming with too many options
- • May lack specialization in any one area
Mellotron Micro BlackDigital MellotronSample playback engine with 24-bit audio data100 Mellotron and Chamberlain sounds...
⭐
4.9/5
(14 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 604256
$1,209
#2
⭐
5.0/5
(39 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Arturia MicroFreak Thomann Ed. Mic Set
by
Arturia
Pop
Rock
Ambient
Key Feature:
• Versatile for multiple music styles
✓ PROS
- • Wide variety of synthesizer sounds
- • Often includes preset banks
✗ CONS
- • May not excel at specific synthesis methods
- • Jack of all trades, master of none
Arturia MicroFreak Thomann Ed. Mic Set*Bundle offer comprising*, Arturia MicroFreak Thomann Edition*Hybrid...
⭐
5.0/5
(39 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 601088
$384
#3
⭐
4.9/5
(46 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Sequential Prophet 10 Special Edition
by
Sequential
Ambient
Sound Design
Film Score
Key Feature:
• Versatile for multiple music styles
✓ PROS
- • Suitable for both studio and live use
- • Versatile for multiple music styles
✗ CONS
- • Jack of all trades, master of none
- • Sound quality may vary across different types
Sequential Prophet 10 Special Edition10-Voice Polyphonic Analogue SynthesizerLimited special version in lacewood...
⭐
4.9/5
(46 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 601188
$5,489
#4
⭐
4.8/5
(52 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Moog Geddy Lee Minimoog Model D
by
Moog
Film Score
Sound Design
Rock
Key Feature:
• Often includes preset banks
✓ PROS
- • Often includes preset banks
- • Suitable for both studio and live use
✗ CONS
- • Can be overwhelming with too many options
- • Jack of all trades, master of none
Moog Geddy Lee Minimoog Model DAnalogue SynthesizerLimited Geddy Lee (Rush) signature model in special finishModified...
⭐
4.8/5
(52 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 612740
$6,159
#5
⭐
4.9/5
(43 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Arturia AstroLab 88
by
Arturia
Ambient
Rock
Film Score
Key Feature:
• Often includes preset banks
✓ PROS
- • Suitable for both studio and live use
- • Wide variety of synthesizer sounds
✗ CONS
- • Can be overwhelming with too many options
- • Jack of all trades, master of none
Arturia AstroLab 88Stage KeyboardFatar keyboard (TP-40) with hammer action and 88 weightedvelocity-sensitive keys with...
⭐
4.9/5
(43 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 616582
$2,639
#6
⭐
5.0/5
(5 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Mellotron M4000D Mini Black
by
Mellotron
Rock
Electronic
Ambient
Key Feature:
• Wide variety of synthesizer sounds
✓ PROS
- • Versatile for multiple music styles
- • Often includes preset banks
✗ CONS
- • May lack specialization in any one area
- • May not excel at specific synthesis methods
Mellotron M4000D Mini BlackMellotronVelocity sensitive semi-weighted Fatar keyboardLC-Display100 Mellotron and...
⭐
5.0/5
(5 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 604255
$2,419
#7
⭐
4.6/5
(52 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
SOMA Lyra-8 Rust Edition
by
SOMA
Sound Design
Electronic
Pop
Key Feature:
• Suitable for both studio and live use
✓ PROS
- • Often includes preset banks
- • Wide variety of synthesizer sounds
✗ CONS
- • Sound quality may vary across different types
- • Can be overwhelming with too many options
SOMA Lyra-8 Rust EditionAnalogue Drone SynthesizerSpecial edition with oxidised metal housingEight voices /...
⭐
4.6/5
(52 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 618417
$835
#8
⭐
4.8/5
(56 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Behringer DeepMind 6X
by
Behringer
Rock
Film Score
Electronic
Key Feature:
• Often includes preset banks
✓ PROS
- • Often includes preset banks
- • Versatile for multiple music styles
✗ CONS
- • Can be overwhelming with too many options
- • Sound quality may vary across different types
Behringer DeepMind 6X6-Voice Analogue SynthesizerClassic polyphonic synthesizer with six real analogue voices for an...
⭐
4.8/5
(56 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 614900
$747
#9
⭐
4.7/5
(41 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
ESI XSynth
by
ESI
Sound Design
Electronic
Rock
Key Feature:
• Good all-around synthesis capability
✓ PROS
- • Wide variety of synthesizer sounds
- • Versatile for multiple music styles
✗ CONS
- • Can be overwhelming with too many options
- • Sound quality may vary across different types
ESI XSynthVirtual Analogue Subtractive Synthesiser25 velocity-sensitive keys with polyphonic aftertouch10-voice...
⭐
4.7/5
(41 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 618226
$402
#10
⭐
4.7/5
(11 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Polyend Synth
by
Polyend
Pop
Sound Design
Film Score
Key Feature:
• Good all-around synthesis capability
✓ PROS
- • Good all-around synthesis capability
- • Wide variety of synthesizer sounds
✗ CONS
- • Jack of all trades, master of none
- • May lack specialization in any one area
Polyend SynthPolyphonic Multi-Engine SynthesiserThree independent and complete synthesiser voices (synth 1-3) can be...
⭐
4.7/5
(11 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 603957
$527
#11
⭐
4.8/5
(23 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
UDO Audio Super 6 ST49 Blue
by
UDO Audio
Electronic
Film Score
Ambient
Key Feature:
• Wide variety of synthesizer sounds
✓ PROS
- • Suitable for both studio and live use
- • Often includes preset banks
✗ CONS
- • Sound quality may vary across different types
- • May not excel at specific synthesis methods
UDO Audio Super 6 ST49 Blue12-Voice Polyphonic Analogue Hybrid SynthesizerSemi-weighted 49-key keyboard with velocity...
⭐
4.8/5
(23 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 611767
$3,266
#12
⭐
4.9/5
(35 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
UDO Audio Super 8 White
by
UDO Audio
Electronic
Ambient
Pop
Key Feature:
• Wide variety of synthesizer sounds
✓ PROS
- • Good all-around synthesis capability
- • Suitable for both studio and live use
✗ CONS
- • Sound quality may vary across different types
- • May lack specialization in any one area
UDO Audio Super 8 White16-Voice Polyphonic Analogue Hybrid SynthesizerBi-timbral analogue signal pathSemi-weighted...
⭐
4.9/5
(35 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 598712
$3,739
#13
⭐
4.8/5
(19 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Roland Juno-D6
by
Roland
Film Score
Sound Design
Electronic
Key Feature:
• Suitable for both studio and live use
✓ PROS
- • Good all-around synthesis capability
- • Versatile for multiple music styles
✗ CONS
- • Jack of all trades, master of none
- • Sound quality may vary across different types
Roland Juno-D6Synthesizer61 Velocity-sensitive keys128 Voice polyphony8 PartsZEN-Core sound engine with more than 3800...
⭐
4.8/5
(19 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 600079
$1,044
#14
⭐
4.8/5
(43 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Sonicware LIVEN Ambient Ø
by
Sonicware
Rock
Film Score
Ambient
Key Feature:
• Good all-around synthesis capability
✓ PROS
- • Versatile for multiple music styles
- • Wide variety of synthesizer sounds
✗ CONS
- • Jack of all trades, master of none
- • Can be overwhelming with too many options
Sonicware LIVEN Ambient ØSoundscape Synthesiser27 KeysWith blendwave modulation synthesisSuitable for mobile...
⭐
4.8/5
(43 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 595581
$307
#15
⭐
4.5/5
(46 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Sonicware ELZ_1 play Black
by
Sonicware
Pop
Rock
Sound Design
Key Feature:
• Often includes preset banks
✓ PROS
- • Good all-around synthesis capability
- • Versatile for multiple music styles
✗ CONS
- • Jack of all trades, master of none
- • May not excel at specific synthesis methods
Sonicware ELZ_1 play BlackCompact Synthesiser with LooperLimited Edition17 Synth enginesincluding low-bitgranular and...
⭐
4.5/5
(46 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 604370
$802
How to Choose the Best General Synthesizers
Budget Planning
- • Under $200: Entry-level
- • $200-$500: Intermediate
- • $500-$1000: Advanced
- • $1000+: Professional
Quality Check
- • Sound clarity & tone
- • Build materials & finish
- • Hardware durability
- • Overall craftsmanship
Key Features
- • Your musical style
- • Skill level match
- • Intended use case
- • Brand reputation
Frequently Asked Questions
Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.
Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.
Higher-priced general synthesizers typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.
Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.
Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.
