Category: Synthesizer Models

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Classic Synthesizers Synthesizer Models

Ensoniq Mirage

The Ensoniq Mirage is a digital synthesizer and sampler introduced in 1984 by the Pennsylvania-based company Ensoniq. The Mirage was one of the first affordable digital synthesizers on the market and quickly gained popularity among professional and amateur musicians.

The Mirage featured a unique sound generation system called “DSS” (Digital Sampling Synthesis) which combined the capabilities of both sampling and synthesis. It allowed the user to record and manipulate samples in real-time and then use them as the basis for creating new sounds. The Mirage also featured a built-in 8-track sequencer and a variety of preset and user-editable sounds, making it a versatile and powerful instrument.

One of the most notable features of the Mirage was its low cost. At the time of its release, it was significantly less expensive than other digital synthesizers on the market, such as the Fairlight CMI and the Synclavier. This made it accessible to a broader range of musicians and helped to establish Ensoniq as a major player in the synth market.

The Mirage’s design was also notable for its compact size, making it easy to transport and set up. The synth featured a built-in keyboard with velocity-sensitive keys and could also be played using an external MIDI controller.

The Mirage was also known for its ease of use. The interface was simple and intuitive, with a clear layout that made it easy to navigate and edit sounds. The built-in sequencer also made it simple for users to record and edit their own compositions.

Ensoniq released several updates and upgrades to the Mirage throughout its production run, including the Mirage DSK-1, Mirage DSK-8, and Mirage DSK-16. The DSK-1 and DSK-8 were expansion units that added extra memory and more advanced sequencing capabilities to the Mirage. The Mirage DSK-16 was a rack-mount version of the Mirage that did not include a built-in keyboard.

The Ensoniq Mirage was discontinued in the early 1990s, but it remains a cult classic among synth enthusiasts. Its unique sound generation system and ease of use made it a popular choice for electronic music producers, and it can be heard on many tracks from the 1980s and 1990s.

In conclusion, The Ensoniq Mirage was a revolutionary digital synthesizer that was affordable, easy to use, and powerful. Its combination of sampling and synthesis capabilities, built-in sequencer and its low cost made it a popular choice among musicians of the time. It remains a cult classic and its sound can be heard on many tracks from the 80s and 90s.

Used by

  • Depeche Mode: The band extensively used a Mirage on their album “Black Celebration” and their “Music for the Masses” tour.
  • New Order: The band used a Mirage on their ” Technique ” album and their “World In Motion” single.
  • Pet Shop Boys: The band used a Mirage on their album “Please” and also on their “Actually” album.
  • Jean-Michel Jarre: The French electronic musician used a Mirage on his album “Rendez-Vous”
  • Thomas Dolby: The English musician and producer used a Mirage on his album “The Golden Age of Wireless”
  • A-ha: The Norwegian band used a Mirage on their album “Scoundrel Days”
  • Vince Clarke: The musician and producer used a Mirage on his album “The Clarke Duke Project”
  • Neneh Cherry: The singer-songwriter used a Mirage on her album “Raw Like Sushi”
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Synthesizer Models

Korg Prologue

The Korg Prologue is a polyphonic analog synthesizer that was first released by Korg in 2016. The Prologue was designed as a modern take on classic analog synthesizers, and it features several advanced features that set it apart from other analog synths on the market.

One of the defining features of the Prologue is its use of a multi-engine oscillator system. This system allows various sound generation options, including traditional analog waveforms, wavetables, and even user-created samples. This gives the Prologue a level of versatility not typically found in other analog synths.

The Prologue also features a powerful filter section, which includes a two-pole resonant filter and a four-pole non-resonant filter. This allows for many tonal options, from classic analog sounds to more modern, aggressive sounds. The Prologue also features a comprehensive modulation section, which includes a number of envelopes, LFOs, and other modulation sources, allowing for a wide range of sound shaping options.

In addition to its advanced sound generation and modulation capabilities, the Prologue is also designed to be easy to use. It features a large, easy-to-read OLED display, and a user-friendly interface that allows for quick and easy access to all of its features.

The Prologue has been used by various musicians, including electronic, experimental, and pop musicians. Some notable users of the Prologue include The Chemical Brothers, Aphex Twin, and Tycho.

In 2019, Korg released the Prologue 16 and Prologue 8, which are versions of the Prologue with 16 and 8 voices respectively. In 2020, Korg also released the Prologue desktop module and the Prologue Module.

The Korg Prologue is a cutting-edge analog synthesizer that combines classic analog sound with modern features and design. Its versatility and ease of use have made it a favorite among musicians of all types and it continues to be a popular choice for both live performances and studio recording.

Used by

  • The Chemical Brothers
  • Aphex Twin
  • Tycho
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Synthesizer Models Uncategorized

Moog Grandmother

The Moog Grandmother is a semi-modular analog synthesizer first released in 2018 by Moog Music Inc. The Grandmother is part of Moog’s “Mother-32” family of synthesizers, which also includes the Mother-32 and Subharmonicon.

The Grandmother is a compact, 32-key keyboard synthesizer that is perfect for musicians and producers who want to add a vintage analog sound to their productions. It features a classic Moog sound engine with a 2-pole filter, a Moog ladder filter, and a 32-step sequencer.

The Grandmother’s semi-modular design allows for a wide range of sound-design possibilities. It has a total of 31 patch points that allow users to connect various modular synth components such as oscillators, filters, and envelopes. This allows users to create unique and complex sounds that cannot be achieved with traditional synthesizers.

One of the standout features of the Grandmother is its 32-step sequencer. This allows users to create complex patterns and sequences, and also features a “Chain” mode that allows for the creation of longer sequences. The Grandmother also has an arpeggiator, which is perfect for creating intricate and evolving patterns.

The Grandmother also has a built-in spring reverb tank, which adds a vintage and spacious feel to the sound. Additionally, it has a stereo output, which can be used to create wide stereo sounds.

The Grandmother’s compact size and vintage aesthetic make it a great addition to any studio or live setup. Its semi-modular design and wide range of features make it a versatile and powerful instrument for musicians and producers of all skill levels.

Overall, the Moog Grandmother is a powerful and versatile analog synthesizer that offers a wide range of sound-design possibilities. Its semi-modular design, 32-step sequencer, and built-in spring reverb tank make it a great addition to any studio or live setup. Its compact size and vintage aesthetic make it a perfect instrument for musicians and producers who want to add a classic Moog sound to their productions.

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Synthesizer Models

Akai Miniak

The Akai Miniak is a compact, portable synthesizer that was first released in 2007. It is a virtual analog synthesizer that emulates the sound and functionality of classic analog synthesizers. The Miniak is part of Akai’s line of “Mini” synthesizers, including the Miniak-M and the MINI.

The Miniak is notable for its small form factor and portability, making it a popular choice for musicians on the go or those with limited space. It has a compact and lightweight design, measuring only 17 inches wide, making it easy to take with you on the go.

The synth features three oscillators, each with its own waveform, frequency and detune controls. It also has a built-in step sequencer, allowing for easy creation of patterns and loops. The Miniak also has a variety of controls for shaping and modulating sounds, including a modulation matrix and a variety of modulation sources such as LFOs and envelopes. Additionally, it has a built-in arpeggiator, a vocoder and a drum machine/sampler.

The Miniak also has a built-in vocoder, which allows the user to modulate the sound of their voice with the synth’s sound. This feature is great for creating unique and interesting vocal effects. Additionally, the Miniak also has a built-in drum machine/sampler, which allows users to create beats and samples to use in their music.

The Miniak also features a MIDI In and Out/Thru, which allows the user to connect to a computer or other MIDI-enabled devices. This allows the user to control the Miniak using a MIDI controller or to use the Miniak as a MIDI controller for other software or hardware instruments.

Overall, the Akai Miniak is a compact and powerful synthesizer that offers a wide range of sound shaping options in a portable package. Its built-in sequencer, arpeggiator, vocoder and drum machine/sampler make it a great choice for electronic musicians looking for a versatile and portable synth.

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Synthesizer Models

Akai Timbre Wolf

The Akai Timbre Wolf is a compact, four-voice analog synthesizer that was first released in 2013. It features a 32-step sequencer, MIDI In and Out/Thru, and a variety of controls for creating and shaping sounds.

The Timbre Wolf is part of Akai’s line of “Wolf” synthesizers, which also includes the Tom Cat and the Max49. The Timbre Wolf is notable for its small form factor and portability, making it a popular choice for musicians on the go or those with limited space.

The synth features four voices, each with its own oscillator, filter, and envelope. It also has a built-in step sequencer, allowing for easy creation of patterns and loops. The Timbre Wolf also has a variety of controls for shaping and modulating sounds, including a modulation matrix and a variety of modulation sources such as LFOs and envelopes.

One of the most unique features of the Timbre Wolf is its “Timbre” control, which allows the user to blend the waveforms of the four voices together to create new and unique sounds. Additionally, the Timbre Wolf also has a built-in distortion effect that can add a gritty, overdriven character to the sound.

Overall, the Akai Timbre Wolf is a compact and powerful synthesizer that offers a wide range of sound shaping options in a portable package. Its built-in sequencer and modulation matrix make it a great choice for electronic musicians looking for a versatile and portable synth.

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Classic Synthesizers Synthesizer Models

Buchla 100

The Buchla 100 is a modular synthesizer developed and designed by electronic instrument pioneer Don Buchla in the 1960s. The Buchla 100 is considered to be one of the first modular synthesizers ever created, and it has since become a legendary instrument in the world of electronic music.

The Buchla 100 was created in 1963, and it was one of the first electronic instruments to use a modular design. This means that the synthesizer is made up of a series of individual modules that can be connected together to create different sound-generating and processing configurations. This approach was in stark contrast to the traditional keyboard-based synthesizers that were popular at the time, which had a fixed architecture and were not as flexible in terms of sound design.

The Buchla 100 featured a unique set of modules, including oscillators, filters, and envelope generators, that were specifically designed for the creation of electronic sounds. One of the most notable features of the Buchla 100 was its use of a touch-sensitive keyboard, known as the “Buchla Touch-Sensitive Keyboard,” which was designed to provide more expressive control over the sound. It also featured a set of Voltage Controlled Amplifiers (VCA), Voltage Controlled Filters (VCF), and Voltage Controlled Oscillators (VCO) that allowed for precise control over the sound.

The Buchla 100 was also notable for its use of a unique control voltage system, which was used to control the various modules in the synthesizer. This system used a series of knobs and switches to control the different parameters of the modules, such as frequency, amplitude, and envelope shape.

The Buchla 100 was used by a number of notable musicians and composers in the 1960s and 1970s, including electronic music pioneer Morton Subotnick, who composed several influential works for the instrument. The Buchla 100 was also used by other notable musicians such as Stevie Wonder, and composer and electronic musician Suzanne Ciani.

Despite its groundbreaking design and features, the Buchla 100 was not as commercially successful as its main rival, the Moog synthesizer. However, it has since gained a cult following among electronic music enthusiasts and has been used on a wide range of recordings, from experimental electronic music to pop and rock.

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Moog Prodigy

The Moog Prodigy is a classic synthesizer first introduced in 1979 by Moog Music. It was designed as a more affordable and compact alternative to Moog’s larger and more expensive synthesizers, such as the Minimoog and the Polymoog. Despite its smaller size and lower price point, the Prodigy still featured many of the same powerful sound-generating capabilities as its larger counterparts.

The Prodigy’s sound-generating capabilities are based on Moog’s classic subtractive synthesis architecture. This architecture uses a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) to generate a basic waveform, such as a sawtooth or square wave. This waveform is then passed through a voltage-controlled filter (VCF) and a voltage-controlled amplifier (VCA) to shape and control the final sound. The Prodigy also features a noise generator, a sample-and-hold module, and a modulation section that includes a low-frequency oscillator (LFO) for creating vibrato and other modulation effects.

One of the Prodigy’s most notable features is its compact and portable design. The Prodigy’s compact size and lightweight construction made it ideal for musicians on the go, and its relatively low price point made it more accessible to a wider range of musicians than Moog’s larger and more expensive synthesizers. Despite its compact size, the Prodigy still featured a full-sized keyboard and a comprehensive control panel, allowing musicians to easily access and manipulate all of the synth’s various sound-generating capabilities.

The Prodigy was well-received by musicians and critics when it was first released. It was used by many musicians across different genres, from electronic and experimental musicians to pop and rock bands. Some notable musicians that used the Prodigy include Depeche Mode, New Order, and Ultravox.

Despite its popularity, the Moog Prodigy was only produced for a few years and was discontinued in the early 1980s. However, its legacy lives on, and the Prodigy remains a popular and highly sought-after synthesizer among vintage synth enthusiasts and collectors.

Used by

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Moog Polymoog

The Polymoog is a polyphonic analog synthesizer manufactured by Moog Music in the 1970s. It was one of the first polyphonic synthesizers available to musicians and was known for its rich, expressive sound and versatility.

The Polymoog was first introduced in 1975 as a follow-up to the popular Minimoog monophonic synthesizer. The Polymoog featured a 71-note weighted keyboard and was capable of producing up to six voices simultaneously, making it a popular choice for musicians who wanted to add a more complex and dynamic sound to their music.

One of the key features of the Polymoog was its use of filtering, which allowed users to shape the synth’s sound in various ways. The synth featured a 24dB/octave resonant low-pass filter, which could be used to create a wide range of sounds, from subtle to extreme. Additionally, the Polymoog featured a 3-band equalizer, which allowed users to adjust the balance of bass, midrange, and treble frequencies.

The Polymoog also featured a variety of modulation sources, including an LFO, a sample-and-hold generator, and an envelope generator. These tools allowed users to add movement and variation to their sounds, creating a wide range of textures and effects.
The Polymoog’s sound generation was based on subtractive synthesis and featured a voltage-controlled oscillator. The Polymoog also featured a noise generator, which could be used to add percussive or other natural sounds to the synth’s sound palette.

Despite its popularity, the Polymoog was in production for only a few years, and production was halted in 1980. However, the Polymoog has become a cult classic and is still highly sought-after by synth enthusiasts today. Its rich, expressive sound and versatility make it a popular choice for musicians looking to add a unique and dynamic sound to their music.

Used by:

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PPG Wave

The PPG Wave synthesizer, also known as the Wavecomputer, was a digital synthesizer developed by the German company PPG (Palm Products GmbH) in the 1980s. The instrument was distinguished by its distinctive tone, which was produced by combining additive and wavetable synthesis methods.

With the debut of the PPG Wave 2.2 in 1981, the PPG Wave was first made public. This model has a 61-note keyboard and an integrated 8-track sequencer. Many well-known bands, including Tangerine Dream, Pet Shop Boys, and Depeche Mode, utilized the instrument. Musicians in the electronic and experimental music genres soon welcomed it.

The PPG Wave’s wavetable synthesis method, which lets users manipulate many single-cycle waveforms to produce complex and changing sounds, was one of its standout features. The device also has a variety of built-in waveforms, such as sine, square, and sawtooth waves, as well as some more complex waveforms, such as formants and noise.

The PPG Wave’s ability to perform additive synthesis was another noteworthy aspect. This method allows users to combine several sine waves with various frequencies and amplitudes to produce sounds. This made it possible to create sounds that were even more intricate and nuanced than with only wavetable synthesis.

The PPG Wave had a variety of valuable features in addition to its synthesis capabilities, including an arpeggiator, a built-in chorus effect, and numerous modulation possibilities.

Eventually, the PPG Wave was replaced by the PPG Wave 2.3 and PPG Wave 2.3 Turbo, which had better sound and more memory. The PPG Wave was well-liked by electronic and experimental musicians, but as newer and more sophisticated synthesizers became available in the late 1980s, production of the instrument eventually ceased.

Despite this, the PPG Wave is still regarded as a cult favorite among synth lovers, and its features and sounds are still in high demand.

Used by

  • Tangerine Dream: The German electronic music band was one of the first and most prominent users of the PPG Wave. The band used the instrument on several of their albums, including “Exit” and “Hyperborea.”
  • Pet Shop Boys: The British synthpop duo used the PPG Wave on several of their early albums, including “Please” and “Actually.”
  • Depeche Mode: The British electronic band used the PPG Wave on their album “Black Celebration,” which was released in 1986.
  • Gary Numan: The British musician and pioneer of electronic music used the PPG Wave on his album “The Fury,” which was released in 1985.
  • Jean Michel Jarre: The French electronic musician also used PPG Wave on his album “Zoolook” which was released in 1984.
  • Art of Noise: The British band and pioneers of sample-based music used PPG Wave on their album “In Visible Silence” which was released in 1986
  • New Order: The British band used PPG Wave on their album “Power, Corruption & Lies” which was released in 1983
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Classic Synthesizers Drum Machines Synthesizer Models

Akai MPC

The Akai MPC, or MIDI Production Center, is a series of music production workstations introduced by Akai in 1988. The MPC soon rose to prominence as one of the most widely used and significant tools in the field of electronic music creation.

The original MPC was intended to be an all-in-one music production system. It included a sequencer, a sampler, and a drum machine. The sampler allowed users to record and edit samples, whereas the drum machine allowed users to construct and edit their own drum patterns. Users could record and edit their own tunes using the sequencer, and it could sync with other devices through MIDI.

Music producers and artists found the MPC’s user-friendly interface to make recording and editing music simple. Thanks to the front panel’s many knobs, buttons, and sizable LCD screen, it was simple to access the numerous operations and settings. The MPC also included an integrated effects processor that let users give their samples and drum patterns reverb, delay, and other effects.

Hip-hop, electronic, and pop music, among other musical styles, all frequently employed the MPC. A Tribe Called Quest, Public Enemy, Dr. Dre, and The Prodigy were just a few musicians who utilized it. The MPC was renowned for its capacity to produce lifelike sound effects and orchestral simulations, and it was also employed in film and television soundtracks.

The MPC60, MPC3000, MPC2000, MPC2000XL, MPC4000, MPC5000, MPC Renaissance, MPC Studio, and MPC Live are just a few of the new MPC models that Akai has released over the years. With each subsequent release, more features and functionalities were added, such as increased RAM, storage space, and processing power.

The MPC is still a well-liked and highly sought-after instrument among fans and producers of electronic music today. Since it is still employed in many contemporary performances, its legacy endures. The MPC continues to offer a blend of vintage feel and cutting-edge technology in its most recent iterations, the MPC X, MPC Live, and MPC One, making it a flexible instrument for music production.

With its integration of a drum machine, sampler, and sequencer, the Akai MPC is a music production workstation that transformed the music business. It became a necessary tool for many musicians and producers due to its user-friendly interface, potent sound manipulation capabilities, and extensive feature set. It is still frequently employed in various musical genres and the music production industry, preserving its legacy.

Used by

  • Dr. Dre: The hip-hop producer and rapper used the MPC extensively throughout his career. He used it on his groundbreaking album “The Chronic” (1992) and on many of his other albums.
  • A Tribe Called Quest: The hip-hop group used the MPC on their album “The Low End Theory” (1991).
  • Public Enemy: The hip-hop group used the MPC on their album “Apocalypse 91…The Enemy Strikes Black” (1991).
  • The Prodigy: The electronic group used the MPC on their album “Experience” (1992).
  • The Chemical Brothers: The electronic group used the MPC on their album “Exit Planet Dust” (1995)
  • Goldie: The drum and bass artist used the MPC on his album “Timeless” (1995)
  • J Dilla: The hip-hop producer and rapper used the MPC extensively throughout his career. He used it on many of his productions and solo albums.
  • Madlib: The hip-hop producer and rapper used the MPC extensively throughout his career. He used it on many of his productions and solo albums.
  • Timbaland: The hip-hop producer and rapper used the MPC extensively throughout his career. He used it on many of his productions and solo albums.