AudioFu

Best General Synthesizers Under $300 2025

Affordable general synthesizers under $300 - great value without compromising quality

Last updated: October 29, 2025 • Next update: November 5, 2025

PRICE RANGES: Under $50 Under $100 Under $200 Under $300 Under $500 Under $800 Under $1,000 Under $2,000 Under $5,000
SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced
GENRES & STYLES: For Electronic For Pop For Rock For Ambient For Film Score For Sound Design
BRANDS: Korg Behringer Yamaha Roland Arturia Sequential SOMA Moog Sonicware Stylophone Novation Modal Mellotron Waldorf UDO Audio Teenage Engineering
Sonicware LIVEN 8bit warps - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Sonicware LIVEN 8bit warps

by Sonicware
Film Score Rock Sound Design
Key Feature:
• Versatile for multiple music styles
✓ PROS
  • • Wide variety of synthesizer sounds
  • • Good all-around synthesis capability
✗ CONS
  • • Sound quality may vary across different types
  • • May not excel at specific synthesis methods

Sonicware LIVEN 8bit warpsCompact 27-Key 8-Bit Wave Memory SynthesizerSuitable for mobile use4 x 8-Bit sound engines:...

⭐ 4.8/5 (43 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 512021
$296
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sonicware LIVEN Bass & Beats - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Sonicware LIVEN Bass & Beats

by Sonicware
Film Score Sound Design Pop
Key Feature:
• Often includes preset banks
✓ PROS
  • • Suitable for both studio and live use
  • • Wide variety of synthesizer sounds
✗ CONS
  • • Jack of all trades, master of none
  • • May not excel at specific synthesis methods

Sonicware LIVEN Bass & BeatsWavetable bass synthesizer and groovebox2 Independent oscillators with 64 wavetables1...

⭐ 4.4/5 (11 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 539748
$296
Buy at Thomann View Details
SOMA Quantum Ocean - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

SOMA Quantum Ocean

by SOMA
Pop Ambient Rock
Key Feature:
• Versatile for multiple music styles
✓ PROS
  • • Suitable for both studio and live use
  • • Good all-around synthesis capability
✗ CONS
  • • May not excel at specific synthesis methods
  • • May lack specialization in any one area

SOMA Quantum OceanExperimental Sound Generator For MeditationGenerates a binaural noise signal which can be influenced...

⭐ 4.5/5 (19 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 517906
$295
Buy at Thomann View Details
Behringer MS-1 MKII Red - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Behringer MS-1 MKII Red

by Behringer
Film Score Rock Pop
Key Feature:
• Often includes preset banks
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile for multiple music styles
  • • Often includes preset banks
✗ CONS
  • • Jack of all trades, master of none
  • • May not excel at specific synthesis methods

Behringer MS-1 MKII RedAnalogue SynthesiserKeyboard with 32 semi-weighted keysAnalogue VCO - 3340 based4 Mixable...

⭐ 4.6/5 (2 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 593281
$296
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sonicware LIVEN XFM - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Sonicware LIVEN XFM

by Sonicware
Film Score Rock Ambient
Key Feature:
• Suitable for both studio and live use
✓ PROS
  • • Wide variety of synthesizer sounds
  • • Suitable for both studio and live use
✗ CONS
  • • Sound quality may vary across different types
  • • Jack of all trades, master of none

Sonicware LIVEN XFMCompact FM synthesiser27 Mini-keys (with hold function)Four FM synth engines: X-LABXFORMX-LFO and...

⭐ 4.4/5 (51 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 528899
$296
Buy at Thomann View Details
Moog Mavis - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Moog Mavis

by Moog
Electronic Sound Design Ambient
Key Feature:
• Often includes preset banks
✓ PROS
  • • Often includes preset banks
  • • Versatile for multiple music styles
✗ CONS
  • • Sound quality may vary across different types
  • • Jack of all trades, master of none

Moog MavisDo-it-yourself synthesizer kit1-Voice analogueSet includes all necessary componentsCan be used as standalone...

⭐ 5.0/5 (29 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 544471
$297
Buy at Thomann View Details

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.

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