Best General Synthesizers for Beginner 2026
Perfect general synthesizers for beginner - easy to play and learn on
Last updated: January 21, 2026 • Next update: January 28, 2026
#1
⭐
5.0/5
(2 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Future Retro Vectra
by
Future Retro
Ambient
Film Score
Electronic
Key Feature:
• Often includes preset banks
✓ PROS
- • Good all-around synthesis capability
- • Versatile for multiple music styles
✗ CONS
- • May lack specialization in any one area
- • May not excel at specific synthesis methods
Future Retro VectraSynthesiser with vector synthesis and sequencer29-Key keyboard4 Oscillators with over 500 virtual...
⭐
5.0/5
(2 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 599946
$2,189
#2
⭐
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
#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
⭐
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
#5
⭐
4.8/5
(45 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Modal Carbon8
by
Modal
Film Score
Ambient
Sound Design
Key Feature:
• Good all-around synthesis capability
✓ PROS
- • Versatile for multiple music styles
- • Often includes preset banks
✗ CONS
- • May not excel at specific synthesis methods
- • Jack of all trades, master of none
Modal Carbon8Digital Synthesizer8-Voice polyphonicTouch-sensitive FATAR keyboard with 37 keys and channel aftertouch2...
⭐
4.8/5
(45 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 603352
$1,088
#6
⭐
4.5/5
(2 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Arturia MiniFreak Vocoder
by
Arturia
Sound Design
Pop
Electronic
Key Feature:
• Often includes preset banks
✓ PROS
- • Wide variety of synthesizer sounds
- • Suitable for both studio and live use
✗ CONS
- • May lack specialization in any one area
- • Sound quality may vary across different types
Arturia MiniFreak VocoderAlgorithmic SynthesizerLimited special edition37 velocity-sensitive slim keys with...
⭐
4.5/5
(2 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 619121
$659
#7
⭐
4.6/5
(44 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Moog Muse
by
Moog
Rock
Film Score
Pop
Key Feature:
• Often includes preset banks
✓ PROS
- • Wide variety of synthesizer sounds
- • Good all-around synthesis capability
✗ CONS
- • Sound quality may vary across different types
- • Jack of all trades, master of none
Moog MuseBi-timbral analogue synthesizer8-voice polyphony61-key keyboard with velocity sensitivity and aftertouchPitch...
⭐
4.6/5
(44 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 593534
$3,629
#8
⭐
4.7/5
(7 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Moog Messenger
by
Moog
Pop
Film Score
Ambient
Key Feature:
• Wide variety of synthesizer sounds
✓ PROS
- • Versatile for multiple music styles
- • Often includes preset banks
✗ CONS
- • Can be overwhelming with too many options
- • May not excel at specific synthesis methods
Moog MessengerMonophonic Analogue Synthesizer32 lightweighted keysvelocity sensitive and with AftertouchPitch and...
⭐
4.7/5
(7 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 614034
$879
#9
⭐
5.0/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Roland Juno-D8
by
Roland
Electronic
Film Score
Pop
Key Feature:
• Versatile for multiple music styles
✓ PROS
- • Wide variety of synthesizer sounds
- • Versatile for multiple music styles
✗ CONS
- • May lack specialization in any one area
- • Sound quality may vary across different types
Roland Juno-D8SynthesizerWeighted 88-key keyboard with Ivory Feel (PHA-4 standard)128 Voice polyphony8 PartsZEN-Core...
⭐
5.0/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 600081
$1,429
#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
⭐
4.7/5
(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
#12
⭐
4.5/5
(8 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
SOMA Lyra-4 Black
by
SOMA
Ambient
Sound Design
Electronic
Key Feature:
• Wide variety of synthesizer sounds
✓ PROS
- • Versatile for multiple music styles
- • Good all-around synthesis capability
✗ CONS
- • May not excel at specific synthesis methods
- • Sound quality may vary across different types
SOMA Lyra-4 BlackAnalogue Drone SynthesizerFour voices / oscillatorsEach voice is freely tunable in a wide...
⭐
4.5/5
(8 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 607407
$439
#13
⭐
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
#14
⭐
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
#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.
