With all the advancements in synthesizer software, there’s one aspect the best synthesizer keyboard setups have offered for decades now. It’s the moment-by-moment experience of sound design.
We are now all in an era of plugin-based synthesizers. With every release, there are about a hundred ways to twist a sawtooth wave and a thousand more to route them within the DAW. In many ways, you could argue that plugin synths have everything you need. Right?
However, this comes with a disadvantage. While you could assign MIDI controller knobs to the best synthesizer plugins, nothing replaces the focused workflow and tactility of the best synth keyboard setups. After all, sound synthesis used to be a present-moment experience.
Even in this era of digital music production, hardware synthesizers are still a staple instrument in modern music production. They continue to play big roles in different styles of music, including pop, hip-hop, disco, electronic, rock, and more.
Here we take a closer look at the market’s best synthesizer keyboard units, based on current reviews and ratings data. We’ve written this for the enthusiast seeking to expand their “DAW-less” sonic palette.
Like the previous edition, this guide is divided into two sections – sub $500 and sub $1000, to make it easier for you to pick a suitable high synth that’s within your budget.
Best Synthesizer Keyboard Under $500 | Best Synthesizer Keyboard Under $500 Product Image | Product Title | *GEARANK | **Sources | Check Prices |
 | 92 | 600+ | |||
 | 95 | 750+ |
Best Synthesizer Keyboard Under $1000 | Best Synthesizer Keyboard Under $1000 Product Image | Product Title | *GEARANK | **Sources | Check Prices |
 | 94 | 500+ | |||
 | 97 | 390+ |
*Gearank = Rating score out of 100.
**Sources = Number of gear owner and user opinions analyzed for these product Gearank Ratings.
Research Process: How Gearank Works
Best Keyboard Synthesizer Under 500
Yamaha Reface CP
The Yamaha Reface CP is a portable keyboard synthesizer offering vintage sounds with controls for effects like drive, tremolo, and reverb. It features 128-note polyphony, USB, and audio ports, making it suitable for modern DAW setups, despite its small keys.
Pros:
- Portable design with slim keys
- Easy to get good vintage synth sounds
- Built-in speaker and effects
- Can run on batteries
- Slim keys can feel cramped
- Limited synth controls
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The Yamaha Reface CP is a portable synth that specializes in vintage keyboard sounds, with built-in stompbox style effects.
It lets you choose between 6 vintage keyboard sounds, and lets you further shape the sound via drive, tremolo, auto-wah, delay and reverb effects, with each effect having their own dedicated controls.
Getting it to sound good is easy with its simple interface, but this also means that there aren’t that many parameters to play with.
For a compact 37-key instrument, it comes with 128-note polyphony, built-in stereo speakers with bass reflex, USB, and multiple audio I/O ports. This makes it also a good fit with modern DAW based setups, while retaining a very portable profile.
Speaking of portable, it can even run for up to 5 hours, on 6 x AA batteries, or you can power it up via a 12V DC power supply.
The downside to its small size is its small keys, it can feel cramped for piano players who are used to full size keys.
Sound quality is good, it can reproduce popular synth sounds really well, even when using the built-in speakers.
Given its size, don’t expect the built-in speakers to sound big, but they do have the clarity and punch to get vintage style synth sounds right.
The ability to apply and adjust effects, compliments its synthesizer functions nicely.
If you are looking for a good sounding, portable and easy to use synthesizer, then this should be high on your list.
- Polyphony: 128-note Polyphony
- 37 Mini Synth Keys with Initial Touch
- Oscillator: None
- Filter: None
- Envelope: None
- LFO: None
- Effects: Tremolo, Chorus, Phaser, Delay, Reverb
- Additional Controllers: Sustain jack
- Step Sequencer:
- Audio Input: 1 x 1/8″ TRS (Aux)
- Audio Output: 2 x 1/4″ (Left/Right Out) with 1/4″ Headphones Out
- Other Connectivity: USB (Type B), MIDI In and Out
- 12V DC power supply (sold separately) / 6 x AA batteries
- 2.37″ x 20.87″ x 6.87″
- 4.1875 lbs.
Novation Bass Station II
This monophonic synthesizer keyboard crafts synth bass sounds with an analog tone, featuring new additions like the Acid Filter, sequencer and arpeggiator. It excels in bass synthesis with two oscillators, sub-oscillator, and controls, despite lacking CV gate inputs and outputs.
Pros:
- Great sounding bass synth
- More control options
- Built-in overdrive and distortion filters
- Versatile sub-oscillator for better low-end
- Limited input and output options
- Made of mostly plastic material
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As the name implies this is a monophonic synthesizer meant for crafting your own synth Bass Sounds.
It retains the analog synthesizer tone of its predecessor, the classic Bass Station, which was released over 20 years ago, and introduces some new features.
New features include the Acid Filter, which has a diode ladder design that shapes the sound to be smoother and darker. It comes with a 32 pattern Arpeggiator, and a sequencer that lets you create and recall your own patterns.
It has two oscillators, and a sub-oscillator with square, sine, and narrow pulse-width waveforms for better low-end punch.
Like its predecessor, this mono synth excels in providing great sounding bass synth, thanks to its versatile sub-oscillator.
The overdrive and distortion filters blend well with its bass tone, resulting in a gritty sound that works great with modern music styles. These are certainly its standout feature.
It also has quite a lot of controls for its size, and this allows for better control over the resulting sound.
In line with its compact profile, this keyboard is made mostly out of plastic material, but it does feel solidly built. The keys, knobs and faders are also responsive.
Note that it lacks CV Gate inputs and Gate / CV outputs, which is a downside for those who want to connect with other analog equipment they own.
If you are looking for a good bass focused hardware synth that is easy to carry around while having deep control options, then this is for you.
- 25 note synth-action keyboard
- Polyphony: Monophonic
- Oscillator: 1 x Osc 1, 1 x Osc 2, 3 x Sub Osc, 1 x Noise generator
- Filter: 1 x Acid type (diode ladder filter design), 1 x Classic type (derived from original Bass Station)
- Envelope: 1 x Amp Envelope, 1 x Mod Envelope
- LFO: 2 x LFO
- Presets: 64 factory presets
- Effects: Distortion, Oscillator filter mod amount (FM effect created by Oscillator 2 modulating filter freq)
- Additional Controllers: Pitchbend, Mod Wheel
- Step Sequencer: 4 Sequences
- Arpeggitator: 32 Patterns
- Audio Input: 1 x 1/4″ TRS input
- Audio Output: 1 x 1/4″ TRS output, 1 x 1/4″ TRS headphone output
- Other Connectivity: USB MIDI (for connecting & powering Bass Station II via host computer), MIDI IN / MIDI OUT ports on 5 pin din, 1/4″ TS Sustain Pedal input
- USB bus powered, 9V DC 300mA
- 18” x 10.75” x 3”
- 8.5 lbs
Best Keyboard Synthesizer Under 1000
Roland JUNO-DS61
This all-rounder keyboard synthesizer is gig-ready and expandable, featuring 61 synth-action keys, 8 customizable pads, and Roland’s sound engine. It includes a built-in mic input, 8-track sequencer, and downloadable sounds, perfect for learning sound design basics.
Pros:
- Has plethora of sounds
- Simple and easy-to-use parameters
- Capable of recording sounds
- Expandable
- Lacks decay and sustain knobs
- Has limitations for total sound design
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As a keyboardist, I’d describe the Roland Juno-DS61 as an all-rounder keyboard synthesizer. It’s portable, gig-ready, and expandable.
It features 61 synth-action keys that have a maximum polyphony of 128 notes. You also get 8 pads, all of which are customizable via sampling. This is one way to expand your sound library if you’re a musician seeking to experiment.
With Roland’s sound engine, you get the ability to record external audio input and adjust it “in the box.” Turn your voice or any sound into a pad or an arp. Thanks to the 4 knobs (cutoff, resonance, attack, and release), you can tweak the sound you can modify and mangle the sound further.
It comes preloaded with a wide array of sounds, including various organs and pianos. The Roland website gives 1,000 downloadable sounds to further expand its sonic capabilities.
Other features include a built-in mic input with dedicated effects (auto pitch and vocoder) and an 8-track pattern sequencer, and it can record your performances and send them to your computer via USB.
With these features, you can probably figure out that the presets have more emphasis than digital synthesis and sound experimentation. While it does function more as a workstation, this keyboard enables you greatly to make your own sounds.
What it lacks is a dedicated decay and sustain knob or fader. For sound design exclusively, it’s a bit limited in terms of parameters.
However, you will find that this is the best keyboard synthesizer for those who want to learn the barebones of sound design and gig with a lightweight synthesizer.
- Polyphony: 128-note polyphony
- Keys: 61 Velocity Sensitive Keys
- Oscillator: Digital
- Filter: Digital
- Envelope: Digital
- LFO: Digital
- Effects: 3 x Mulit-effects, 3 x Chorus, 5 x Reverbs, 8 x Mic Reverbs and Vocoder
- Additional Controllers: Pitchbend/Modulation Lever
- Step Sequencer: sequences, -steps
- Audio Input: 1 x 1/4″ (mic), 1 x 1/8″ (aux)
- Audio Output: 2 x 1/4″ (L/R), 1 x 1/4″ (Headphones)
- Other Connectivity: 1 x USB Type A (stored trigger samples), 1 x USB Type B (Audio/MIDI)
- Power: DC 9V adapter, 8 x AA batteries
- Dimensions: 3.87″ x 39.68″ x 11.81″
- Weight: 11.75 lbs.
Moog Grandmother
The Moog Grandmother synthesizer keyboard is popular for its essential parameters and expandability, offering versatility for classic and modern music. The semi-modular design features oscillators, filters, and patch points, making it ideal for sound designers despite portability challenges.
Pros:
- High-quality oscillators
- Easy-to-follow synth layout
- Explorative sound design
- Bulky; hard to carry around
- Meant as a desktop synth
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I’d argue that having just the essential parameters leads to more creativity. It gets rid of overthinking and just gives you all the things you need.
This is the reason why the Moog line of synthesizers is so popular. It’s focused, but not limited, and has all the essentials you need but it is also expandable. Most of all, it’s versatile for both classic analog tones and modern music production experimentation.
Such is the Moog Grandmother. It epitomizes the principles I’ve mentioned.
Being one of the best keyboard synthesizer units in the sub $1000 price range, this monophonic synth carries on the signature sounds of classic Moog synthesizers.
This semi-modular monophonic synth features 2 oscillators, a 4-pole ladder filter, and a 1-pole highpass filter. Synth enthusiasts will enjoy its 41 patch points, which is the selling point for analog synths.
You can go either with soft or gnarly sounds and take it to places by running it through its sequencer/arpeggiator. You get up to 3 preset locations, carrying up to 256 notes.
For controls, the Grandmother houses a 32-key Fatar keybed with velocity sensitivity.
Its built-in spring reverb also sounds great and it works on both the internally synthesized sounds and external sounds.
The only disadvantage of the Grandmother synth is that it’s difficult to carry around. There are lots of moving parts and you risk damaging it if you want to carry it around in gigs.
For what it’s worth though you won’t be disappointed with the sound it brings. It will be a treat for sound designers seeking a desktop synth that delivers great sounds.
- Polyphony: Monophonic
- Keys: 32-Key Fatar with Velocity Sensitivity
- Oscillator: 2 x Analog VCO, White Noise Generator
- Filter: 1 x Analog LFO with Audio
- Envelope: 1 x ADSR
- LFO: 1 x Analog LFO with Audio (triangle, sawtooth, square)
- Effects: Spring Reverb
- Additional Controllers: Mod Wheel, Pitchbend Wheel, Variable Glide
- Step Sequencer: 3 sequences, 256-steps
- Audio Input: 1 x 1/4″ (instrument in), 1 x 1/8″ (reverb in)
- Audio Output: 1 x 1/4″ (main/headphones), 1 x 1/8″ (reverb out), 1 x 1/8″ (eurorack out)
- Other Connectivity: USB (Type B), Clock in, Clock out, Reset in, On/Off in, 41 x Patch Points
- Power: 12V DC 2A power supply (included)
- Dimensions: 5.5″ x 23″ x 14.25″
- Weight: 16 lbs.
Things to Consider When Buying a Keyboard Synth
Polyphony / Number of Voices
Polyphony is defined by the number of notes that can be played simultaneously. There are two main types: Monophonic Synth and Polyphonic Synth.
Monophonic synths play one note at a time. A good number of synth players tend to favor monophonic synthesizers due to their rich, full and pronounced sound compared to polyphonic synths. These are often used to create full sounding lead, bass synth parts, and synth pads that easily jump out of the mix.
Polyphonic synths, on the other hand, let you play multiple notes all at once. Keyboard synths with this feature allow for more complex sound design. Although they sometimes sound a bit thinner, they tend to have the essential options and are capable of letting you play leads and chords.
Size and Portability
Choosing the size depends on where you plan to use your synth. A small and compact synthesizer with less than 49 keys is recommended if you have limited space. They’re also easier to carry around for live performance purposes or if you plan to jam with others in a rock band setting. Other items to take into account include portability, and the ability to run on batteries. Bigger and heavier synths are meant for a more permanent setup, such as a worship sanctuary, concert venue, and recording studio – much like a heavy acoustic piano.
Controls and Interface
Synthesizers come with different interfaces and controls yet they all function in similar ways following the basic signal path: oscillator, filter, then an amplifier. Most Synthesizers have the basic waveform shape for built-in LFOs, envelope generator with ADSR sliders, and at least one control for effects used to enhance the sound. Some synthesizers with more than one modulator have a Modulation Matrix or Mod Matrix, which is a grid that’s used to intuitively route modulation sources easily to their destinations (LFO to filter cutoff, band pass filter, analogue filter control, mod envelope to pitch, etc).
It’s highly suggested to get a synthesizer that gives you a straightforward layout of knobs, sliders and buttons without needing to look through menus, or having to do multiple combinations of buttons. EQ control via a State Variable Filter is a given, but more control allows for more sonic possibilities.
Don’t expect advanced features in the lower price ranges. Prepare to expand your budget if you want polyphonic aftertouch, multiple oscillator modes, high-end FM synth, per voice control, and more.
Other Features
A common feature found in synthesizers is a built-in sequencer. This is useful if you want to write and save melodies or bass lines in the synthesizer’s memory bank, and loop them while tweaking other parameters. Some synthesizers also have stored percussion and drum sequencers for creating beats. Digital synths have the luxury of multiple sound engines, but purists still prefer the warmth of analog.
Value
A lot of synthesizers on the market have numerous functions that may factor in your sound preference and productivity. If you need a full polyphonic synth without breaking the bank, digital synths are the best option. Digital synthesizers are also the best choice if you’re unable to choose between Synthesizer vs Keyboard. This is the reason why most keyboard players are content with digital synths. Monophonic analog synthesizers are also great entry level and budget options if you are new to synthesis.
Best Keyboard Synthesizers Selection Methodology
The first edition was published in 2017. The current edition was published on August 12, 2024
We first looked at all the best synths available from major online American music gear retailers that have a street price of up to $1000. For this edition, we ended up with even more synths on our shortlist for closer examination, which summed up to 25. This includes other highly rated synth keyboards like the Roland JD Xi, Korg Krome, and Behringer Deepmind – you can see the list in the Music Gear Database.
Because of our price range limitation, expensive flagship synthesizer models are filtered out, along with some popular synthesizers like the ASM Hydrasynth, Sequential Prophet 5, OB 6, Roland FA 06, and others.
Next, we collected and analyzed over 9,900 rating and review sources. This data includes feedback from review websites, retailers, discussion forums and major music gear publications, including the most recent reviews. All these data were then processed via the Gearank Algorithm to produce our rating scores out of 100 for each synth. We used the resulting ratings to rank the synths in a way that closely reflects market sentiment. Finally, we divided the list into 2 price ranges, sub $500 and sub $1000. For more information about our methods see How Gearank Works.
About the Author and Contributors
Here are the key people and sources involved in this guide’s production – click on linked names for information about their music industry backgrounds.
Lead Author & Researcher
Contributors
Allen Articulo: Co-Writer and Research
Denise Azucena: Supplemental Writing
Jason Horton: Editing and Illustrating.
Media / Image Credit
Main/Top Image: Compiled using photographs of the Yamaha Reface CP, Novation Bass Station II, Roland JUNO-DS61, and Moog Grandmother.
The videos have been embedded in accordance with YouTube’s Terms of Service.
The individual product images were sourced from websites, promotional materials, or supporting documentation provided by their respective manufacturers, with the exception of the additional Orange Micro Dark photographs, which were taken by Raphael Pulgar.
More Best Synthesizer Keyboards Hands Down 2024 – Two Budgets Related Posts
Comments:
8 responses
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The following synths came off the recommended list above when we published the December 2022 Edition:
- Arturia MicroFreak Keyboard Synthesizer
- Arturia MiniBrute 2 Keyboard Synthesizer
- Korg monologue
- Moog Grandmother
- Roland JUNO-DS61
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We have removed the Moog Subsequent 25 due to a price increase above $1000 that made it ineligible for this guide.
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We have removed the Korg minilogue from the recommended list above due to a price increase that put it above the $500 limit for the section it qualified for.
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The publication of our April 2021 edition resulted in the following synths coming off the recommended list above, but you can still see our analysis of them:
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We have removed the following keyboard from the recommended list above due to a price increase, but you can still read our analysis of it: Roland JUNO-DS88.
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As a result of our March 2020 update, the following synths came off our recommended list above but you can still see our analysis of them:
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We removed the Teenage Engineering OP-1 because its price went above the $1000 price limit for this guide.
Disclosure
About the Author and Contributors
Here are the key people and sources involved in this guide's production - click on linked names for information about their music industry backgrounds.
Lead Author & Researcher
Alexander Briones
I have been writing about and researching music gear for many years, all while serving as a music director at my local church. I engage in guitar playing and singer-songwriter stints, in addition to mentoring young musicians and teaching guitar and bass.
The Yamaha MX61 is my favorite among those featured in this guide, mostly because it is a practical choice for those who regularly gig. Still, I wouldn’t say no to playing on an analog synth like the Bass Station II, if its available at the studio or venue.
Contributors
Jason Horton: Editing and Illustrating.
Media
Main/Top Image: Compiled using photographs of the Behringer Odyssey 37, Yamaha Reface CP and Yamaha MX61 V2.
The videos have been embedded in accordance with YouTube's Terms of Service.
The individual product images were sourced from websites, promotional materials or supporting documentation provided by their respective manufacturers with the exception of the additional Orange Micro Dark photographs which were taken by Raphael Pulgar.
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