Best General Synthesizers for Sound Design 2025
Perfect general synthesizers for sound-design - easy to play and learn on
Last updated: October 29, 2025 • Next update: November 5, 2025
Arturia AstroLab 88
- • Suitable for both studio and live use
- • Wide variety of synthesizer sounds
- • 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...
Future Retro Vectra
- • Good all-around synthesis capability
- • Versatile for multiple music styles
- • 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...
Modal Carbon8
- • Versatile for multiple music styles
- • Often includes preset banks
- • 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...
Sequential Prophet 10 Special Edition
- • Suitable for both studio and live use
- • Versatile for multiple music styles
- • 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...
SOMA Lyra-8 Rust Edition
- • Often includes preset banks
- • Wide variety of synthesizer sounds
- • 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 /...
Moog Muse
- • Wide variety of synthesizer sounds
- • Good all-around synthesis capability
- • 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...
Korg miniKORG 700Sm
- • Often includes preset banks
- • Good all-around synthesis capability
- • Can be overwhelming with too many options
- • Jack of all trades, master of none
Korg miniKORG 700SmMonophonic Analogue SynthesizerReproduction of the first Korg series synthesiser from 197337...
Moog Messenger
- • Versatile for multiple music styles
- • Often includes preset banks
- • 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...
Sonicware ELZ_1 play
- • Good all-around synthesis capability
- • Wide variety of synthesizer sounds
- • Sound quality may vary across different types
- • May not excel at specific synthesis methods
Sonicware ELZ_1 playCompact Synthesiser with Looper17 Synth enginesincluding low-bitgranular and physical modelling33...
Arturia MicroFreak Thomann Ed. Mic Set
- • Wide variety of synthesizer sounds
- • Often includes preset banks
- • 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...
SOMA Lyra-4 White
- • Often includes preset banks
- • Suitable for both studio and live use
- • Sound quality may vary across different types
- • May not excel at specific synthesis methods
SOMA Lyra-4 WhiteAnalogue Drone SynthesizerFour voices / oscillatorsEach voice is freely tunable in a wide...
ESI XSynth
- • Wide variety of synthesizer sounds
- • Versatile for multiple music styles
- • 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...
Roland Juno-D7
- • Often includes preset banks
- • Wide variety of synthesizer sounds
- • Sound quality may vary across different types
- • Can be overwhelming with too many options
Roland Juno-D7Synthesizer76 Velocity-sensitive keys128 Voice polyphony8 PartsZEN-Core sound engine with more than 3800...
SOMA Flux
- • Good all-around synthesis capability
- • Suitable for both studio and live use
- • May lack specialization in any one area
- • May not excel at specific synthesis methods
SOMA FluxDigital Synthesiser with Magnetic KeyboardTouch-free play via two magnetic controllersPositiondistance and...
Sonicware LIVEN Ambient Ø
- • Versatile for multiple music styles
- • Wide variety of synthesizer sounds
- • 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...
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