
Synths
Shop by Brand
Buying Guides
Reverb News
Popular Synthesizers
- Teenage EngineeringKeyboards and SynthsDigital SynthsCompare 47 from $764
- Arturia
MicroFreak 25-Key Algorithmic Synthesizer
Keyboards and SynthsDigital Synths(62)Compare 70 from $263 - Elektron
Digitone 8-Voice Digital Synthesizer
Keyboards and SynthsDigital Synths(50)Compare 47 from $39.99 - Multiple FinishesKorg
Minilogue XD Polyphonic Analogue Synthesizer
Keyboards and SynthsAnalog Synths(33)Compare 72 from $539 - Multiple FinishesMake Noise
Maths Module
Keyboards and SynthsModular Synths(42)Compare 29 from $223 - Moog
Mother-32 Tabletop Semi-Modular Synthesizer
Keyboards and SynthsModular Synths(56)Compare 51 from $455 - Korg
microKORG 37-Key Synthesizer/Vocoder
Keyboards and SynthsDigital Synths(44)Compare 47 from $27.65 - Multiple FinishesMoog
Grandmother 32-Key Semi-Modular Analog Synthesizer
Keyboards and SynthsAnalog Synths(44)Compare 55 from $725 - Moog
DFAM Drummer From Another Mother Analog Percussion Synthesizer
Keyboards and SynthsAnalog Synths(33)Compare 39 from $500 - Multiple FinishesKorg
Monologue Monophonic Analog Synthesizer
Keyboards and SynthsAnalog Synths(82)Compare 117 from $211.98 - Teenage Engineering
OP-1 Field Portable Synthesizer Workstation
Keyboards and SynthsDigital Synths(5)Compare 26 from $1,600 - Multiple FinishesBehringer
TD-3 Analog Bass Line Synthesizer
Keyboards and SynthsAnalog Synths(18)Compare 57 from $88
Used Synths
Synthesizers for Sale on Reverb
While many of us tend to associate synths with ‘80s music, the truth is that synthesizers have never truly gone out of style. Whether you’re looking to recreate your favorite new wave sounds on a digital synth or are ready to dive into the rabbit hole known as modular synths, Reverb has what you need to build out your synthesized soundscapes.
What is a synth? How do synths work?
A synth is a digital or analog instrument that generates and shapes audio signals vis filters, envelops, and low-frequency oscillators (LFOs). Synths were first heard in music as early as 1964 and have been front-and-center with popular genres like new wave, classic rock, prog rock, and even R&B.
A synth works by sending voltage from an oscillator, which creates a pitch, through filters, which shape the sound of that pitch.
What is a synth pad?
A synth pad (not to be confused with a MIDI controller pad) is a softer synthesizer sound that loosely mimics the sound of gentle strings in an orchestra. It takes the root note and fills out (or pads) the notes around it, giving it a sweet, soft sound. This is in contrast to a synth lead sound, which is a single note with no filler or pad around it.
Are synthesizers real instruments?
A synthesizer isn’t a “real instrument” in the way a piano or guitar is, but they are used to create music like any other instrument. Unlike most other instruments, which produce sound via vibrations, synthesizers send controlled voltage through filters to produce sound.
Can a synth be tweaked to sound like a piano?
A synthesizer sound can be tweaked to sound like almost anything, from horns to strings to pianos. A synthesizer would likely rely on sampling to best mimic the sound of an acoustic piano.
What sonic qualities make a synth an '80s synth?
The sonic qualities that give a synth an ‘80s sound will vary based on who you ask. However, the slightly thin-sounding digital synth called the DX7 by Yamaha was the earliest commercially successful digital synth. It was released in the ‘80s and is largely responsible with shaping the synth sound of the decade.
What is the best synthesizer for beginners?
The best synthesizer for beginners is affordable, well-made, and can grow alongside the player. Popular beginner synth options include the Korg Minilogue XD and the Korg Monologue.