It can be tough shopping for a new synthesizer when you’re on a budget. However, there are plenty of surprisingly affordable synths out there. And the best news? You don’t have to sacrifice functionality for financial responsibility. Here are our picks for the best affordable synthesizers for every budget.
The Best Affordable SynthesizersKorg NTS-1 MKIIBehringer MS-1 MKIIKorg MinilogueArturia MiniFreakMoog MessengerMore About Synthesizers
Whether you’re looking for something with a tiny footprint or a commanding instrument with full-size keys, whether you hanker for analogue or digital, or just want to get the most for your money, these five thrifty synths are packed with functionality. They’re perfect for you or that synth-lover in your life.
All of the products mentioned in this article are available at Thomann*.
The Best Affordable Synthesizers: Korg NTS-1 MKII
Don’t let the small size fool you. Korg’s diminutive NTS-1 MKII is a single-voice digital synth that packs a whole lot of power.
Korg NTS-1 MkII · Source: Korg
It starts with the same multimode digital oscillator that you can find in the Minilogue XD and Prologue synths. Additionally, it has an eight-step sequencer, three LFOs, an envelope generator, and a multimode digital filter. Plus there’s a very robust (and gorgeous!) effects engine with an audio-in jack for processing external gear. Bonus!
Both the oscillator and effects engines are fully programmable, meaning you can swap them out for third-party-created ones, like plugins in a DAW. Many are even free – and free fits any budget. Sure, you have to put it together yourself, but that’s all part of the fun.
Affiliate Links
Korg Nu:Tekt NTS-1 MKII
Customer rating: (10)
$138.00 / £128.00 / 143.00€ at
Korg NTS-1 MKII product page
The Best Affordable Synthesizers: Behringer MS-1 MKII
If you’re on the hunt for one of the best affordable synthesizers, Behringer really should be on your list. The company has released a ridiculous number of remakes of classic synths over the last five years or so, with most (if not all) within reach of even the skintest of producers. My pick, though, is the MS-1 MKII.
Based on the ever-popular Roland SH-101, the MS-1 MKII is a single-oscillator monosynth that punches way above its weight class. Part of its charm lies in the beautiful filter. Another part is in its ability to do acid basslines with almost as much panache as the 303. Which leads me to the third point: the onboard sequencer.
There’s no shortage of 101 clones on the market, but this one comes up trumps because of the price – and those full-size keys.
Affiliate Links
Behringer MS-1 MKII Grey
Customer rating: (4)
$222.00 / £199.00 / 229.00€ at
Behringer MS-1 MKII Red
Customer rating: (9)
$222.00 / £199.00 / 229.00€ at
Behringer MS-1 MKII product page
The Best Affordable Synthesizers: Korg Minilogue
The silver machine. A modern classic. Korg’s Minilogue helped kick off the modern analogue synthesizer rebirth, and it’s still worth considering now.
Korg Minilogue
It’s hard to find four voices of analogue polyphony at this price point, and that’s the Minilogue’s greatest asset. That’s not all it has, though. Each of the two oscillators has a wave shaper. That’s something you tend to see on West Coast Buchla-type synths and modules, and it can add harmonics to the sound.
There are plenty of other parameters to help shape your sounds, including a dirty tape-style digital delay. With its one-knob-per-function layout, the Minilogue makes a great first synth, too.
Affiliate Links
Korg Minilogue
Customer rating: (142)
$459.00 / £425.00 / 475.00€ at
Korg Minilogue product page
The Best Affordable Synthesizers: Arturia MiniFreak
Well, hello there, MiniFreak. One of the most exciting synths out, Arturia‘s MiniFreak is a six-voice digital powerhouse.
Arturia MiniFreak
It’s got two digital sound engines, each with 22 selectable oscillator modes ranging from virtual analogue to 2-op FM. Layering them together can result in all kinds of incredible tones and textures. As well, you can even use them to process external audio.
The highlights don’t stop there. There’s also an analogue SEM-style multimode filter to smooth out the digital excess—or accentuate it if that’s your thing.
If you already have some analogues and want something digital to add contrast to your productions, this is the one.
Affiliate Links
Arturia MiniFreak
Customer rating: (78)
$499.00 / £468.00 / 520.00€ at
Arturia MiniFreak product page
The Best Affordable Synthesizers: Moog Messenger
And so we reach the high-end of the budget list. Surprised to see a Moog here? And with keys, even? That’s the Messenger for you, a Moog through and through, but with a price point even us peasants can afford.
A monosynth with 32 keys, the Messenger has two oscillators and the famous Moog transistor Ladder filter, but much of the rest of it is decidedly non-traditional, at least in terms of Moogyness. To start with, it’s got Buchla-style wavefolders. The filter also has resonance compensation so you don’t lose your low end when cranking the emphasis. It also sports loopable ASDSR envelopes. Your grandfather’s Moog, this is not.
Affiliate Links
Moog Messenger
Customer rating: (17)
$638.00 / £589.00 / 659.00€ at
Moog Messenger product page
More About Synthesizers
All about synthesizers
Note: This article contains affiliate links that help us fund our site. Don’t worry: the price for you always stays the same! If you buy something through these links, we will receive a small commission. Thank you for your support!
The post 5 of the Best Affordable Synthesizers – For Every Budget appeared first on gearnews.com.
