Synthesizers range from $100 mini synths to $5,000 flagship workstations. The used market is especially rich — analog synths hold value, and last year's flagship workstation sells for half price. Know what type of synthesis and what features you actually need before chasing the hype.
Analog/Subtractive: Oscillators → filter → amp. Classic Moog/Roland sound. Warm, organic, immediate. FM (Frequency Modulation): Yamaha DX7 territory. Bright, metallic, bell-like. Hard to program from scratch, incredible presets. Wavetable: PPG/Waldorf/Serum-style. Morph between waveforms. Modern, evolving textures. Sample-based/Rompler: Workstations (Korg Kronos, Yamaha MODX). Real instrument sounds + synth engines in one keyboard.
Monophonic: One note at a time. Leads, basses, sound effects. Often analog.
Paraphonic: Multiple oscillators sharing one filter/amp. Quirky, characterful.
Polyphonic (4-8 voices): Play chords. 4 voices = triad + melody. 6-8 = full keyboard chords.
Full Polyphony (16-128 voices): Workstations. Layered sounds, complex arrangements without note stealing.
Full-size keys, mini keys (Korg Volca, Yamaha Reface), or no keys at all (desktop module). Velocity sensitivity and aftertouch separate serious instruments from toys. Knob-per-function (one knob for each parameter) vs menu-diving — hands-on control is worth paying for if you actually design sounds.
Test every key for velocity response. Check all knobs and sliders — dirty pots cause crackling. On vintage synths: battery leakage on the PCB is common and destructive. Ask about recent servicing. Digital synths from the 80s/90s: LCD screens die, buttons get unresponsive. Factor repairs into the price.
Entry ($100-400 used): Korg Volca series, Arturia MicroFreak, Yamaha Reface, Roland Boutique. Huge sound in tiny packages.
Mid-Range ($500-1200 used): Korg Minilogue/Pro, ASM Hydrasynth, Roland Juno-DS, Modal. Professional sound design tools.
Premium ($1500+): Sequential Prophet, Moog Subsequent, Nord Stage, Yamaha Montage/MODX. Flagship instruments.
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