Best General Synthesizers Under $500 2025

Affordable general synthesizers under $500 - great value without compromising quality

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

Novation Bass Station II Bag Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Novation Bass Station II Bag Bundle

Film Score Rock Ambient
Key Feature:
• Suitable for both studio and live use
✓ PROS
  • • Good all-around synthesis capability
  • • Versatile for multiple music styles
✗ CONS
  • • Can be overwhelming with too many options
  • • Sound quality may vary across different types

Novation Bass Station II Bag Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Novation Bass Station II*Analog Mono Synthesiser*25...

4.7/5 (47 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Novation MiniNova - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Novation MiniNova

Pop Electronic Rock
Key Feature:
• Suitable for both studio and live use
✓ PROS
  • • Good all-around synthesis capability
  • • Suitable for both studio and live use
✗ CONS
  • • Can be overwhelming with too many options
  • • May not excel at specific synthesis methods

Novation MiniNovaSynthesiserWith sound generation from the UltraNova synth37 Velocity sensitive keysUp to 18x...

4.9/5 (30 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Yamaha Reface YC Decksaver Set - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Yamaha Reface YC Decksaver Set

Ambient Film Score Sound Design
Key Feature:
• Often includes preset banks
✓ PROS
  • • Often includes preset banks
  • • Good all-around synthesis capability
✗ CONS
  • • Jack of all trades, master of none
  • • Sound quality may vary across different types

Yamaha Reface YC Decksaver Set*Bundle offer comprising*, Yamaha Reface YC*Compact electric organ*With AWM sound engine...

4.9/5 (18 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Yamaha Reface DX - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Yamaha Reface DX

Ambient Pop Film Score
Key Feature:
• Versatile for multiple music styles
✓ PROS
  • • Often includes preset banks
  • • Good all-around synthesis capability
✗ CONS
  • • Jack of all trades, master of none
  • • Can be overwhelming with too many options

Yamaha Reface DXCompact SynthesizerWith FM Sound Engine (frequency modulation)37 HQ Mini-action keys8 Voice polyphony -...

4.7/5 (27 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Behringer Vocoder VC340 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Behringer Vocoder VC340

Electronic Film Score Ambient
Key Feature:
• Suitable for both studio and live use
✓ PROS
  • • Suitable for both studio and live use
  • • Good all-around synthesis capability
✗ CONS
  • • Jack of all trades, master of none
  • • Can be overwhelming with too many options

Behringer Vocoder VC340VocoderAnalogue vocoder and string ensemble synthesiserKeyboard with 37 semi-weighted and...

4.6/5 (26 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Yamaha Reface CP Decksaver Set - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Yamaha Reface CP Decksaver Set

Electronic Ambient Film Score
Key Feature:
• Suitable for both studio and live use
✓ 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

Yamaha Reface CP Decksaver Set*Bundle offer comprising*, Yamaha Reface CP*Compact electric piano*With SCM (Spectral...

4.8/5 (45 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Yamaha Reface CS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Yamaha Reface CS

Electronic Sound Design Ambient
Key Feature:
• Wide variety of synthesizer sounds
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile for multiple music styles
  • • Wide variety of synthesizer sounds
✗ CONS
  • • Jack of all trades, master of none
  • • Sound quality may vary across different types

Yamaha Reface CSCompact SynthesizerWith AN sound engine (Analog Physical Modeling)37 HQ Mini-action keys8-Voice...

4.5/5 (48 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Sonicware LIVEN Evoke - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Sonicware LIVEN Evoke

Pop Electronic Ambient
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
  • • May lack specialization in any one area

Sonicware LIVEN Evoke27 Key Ambient Synthesizer4-track ambient synthesizer with a focus on cinematic and...

4.9/5 (45 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Moog Theremini - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Moog Theremini

Ambient Electronic Rock
Key Feature:
• Good all-around synthesis capability
✓ PROS
  • • Good all-around synthesis capability
  • • Often includes preset banks
✗ CONS
  • • May lack specialization in any one area
  • • Sound quality may vary across different types

Moog ThereminiThereminAnalogue adjustable quantizationBuilt-in tuner32 memory locations for performance...

4.9/5 (10 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Behringer MS-1 MKII Grey - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Behringer MS-1 MKII Grey

Pop Ambient Film Score
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
  • • Can be overwhelming with too many options

Behringer MS-1 MKII GreyAnalogue synthesizerKeyboard with 32 semi-weighted keysAnalogue VCO - 3340 basedFour mixable...

4.4/5 (6 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Dualo Du-Touch S Black - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Dualo Du-Touch S Black

Rock Pop Film Score
Key Feature:
• Good all-around synthesis capability
✓ PROS
  • • Good all-around synthesis capability
  • • Suitable for both studio and live use
✗ CONS
  • • Can be overwhelming with too many options
  • • May not excel at specific synthesis methods

Dualo Du-Touch S BlackPortable Performance Synthesiser and ControllerInnovative and intuitive interface with hexagonal...

5.0/5 (32 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Korg Monologue BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Korg Monologue BK

Sound Design Film Score Pop
Key Feature:
• Good all-around synthesis capability
✓ PROS
  • • Wide variety of synthesizer sounds
  • • Suitable for both studio and live use
✗ CONS
  • • Sound quality may vary across different types
  • • May not excel at specific synthesis methods

Korg Monologue BKAnalog Synthesizer1 Voice25 Key keyboardMonophonic 16-Step sequencer (notes and up to 4 parameters can...

4.5/5 (25 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Korg Monologue Blue Case Set - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Korg Monologue Blue Case Set

Electronic Pop Sound Design
Key Feature:
• Suitable for both studio and live use
✓ PROS
  • • Wide variety of synthesizer sounds
  • • Versatile for multiple music styles
✗ CONS
  • • Jack of all trades, master of none
  • • May lack specialization in any one area

Korg Monologue Blue Case Set*Bundle offer comprising*, Korg Monologue Blue*Analogue synthesizer*1 Voice25-Key...

4.6/5 (9 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Korg Monologue Silver - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Korg Monologue Silver

Electronic Sound Design Film Score
Key Feature:
• Wide variety of synthesizer sounds
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile for multiple music styles
  • • Good all-around synthesis capability
✗ CONS
  • • Can be overwhelming with too many options
  • • Jack of all trades, master of none

Korg Monologue SilverAnalogue synthesizer1 Voice25-Key keyboardMonophonic 16-step sequencer notes as well as up to 4...

4.5/5 (55 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Behringer MS-5 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Behringer MS-5

Rock Film Score Electronic
Key Feature:
• Suitable for both studio and live use
✓ PROS
  • • Suitable for both studio and live use
  • • Wide variety of synthesizer sounds
✗ CONS
  • • Sound quality may vary across different types
  • • May lack specialization in any one area

Behringer MS-5Monophonic analogue synthesizer37 Velocity-sensitive full-size keysAuthentic reproduction of the original...

4.6/5 (19 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10

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.

We use cookies to improve your experience. Learn more