8 Best Beginners’ Synthesizers – Explore the World of Unique Sounds!

Korg is a famous brand in the music industry, and the Minilogue XD is close to being the best synthesizer for beginners out there. The product features a keyboard with 37 velocity-sensitive keys. While their slim design is attractive, it might be tricky to play with large hands.

The product uses both analog and digital sound generators. Moreover, it features a four-voice polyphony and 500 programs, including 200 presets. You can choose between four voice modes, including unison, poly, chord, and ARP/latch. The synthesizer allows you to adjust different parameters for each mode.

The 16-step polyphonic sequencer is very easy to use. You can use a motion sequence on four parameters, and the device allows you to customize sounds after making any patch. That ensures you have a wide range of sound options available. The display will ensure to provide feedback or any parameter adjustment, and the included joystick allows you to modify program parameters. The connectivity is also impressive, with MIDI in and out, USB, and other ports available. The synthesizer weighs 6.17 pounds, but the quality of components is impressive.

Overall, the product has a small learning curve, especially if you are a novice musician. The good thing is that you will enjoy exploring a variety of options and discovering new features every day.

What are its best features?

• The product uses both analog and digital sound generators
• An incredible range of sound customization options
• The sequencer is user-friendly and easy to use
• The component quality is exceptional

What could be improved?

• The keys are a bit slim, which might be an issue if you have bigger hands
• It comes with a small learning curve

The Arturia MicroBrute comes with the word “micro” in its name for a reason. This keyboard synthesizer for beginners has a compact footprint and is very lightweight. That will make it easy to move around and practice playing wherever you are.

The synthesizer is monophonic, and the keyboard features 25 keys. Other important features include an integrated oscillator and a step sequencer. The sequencer is a nice addition, especially since it is easy and fun to use. However, the oscillator doesn’t feature a Sine Wave function or white noise, which you might see as minor flaws once you get more experienced in playing.

Once you start playing this synth, you will realize that it delivers an impressive sound quality. It features ample power and high harmonic possibilities.

You shouldn’t expect any learning curve with this product. The panel is easy to understand, you don’t have any complicated controls, and the user manual explains everything properly.

If you take a closer look at the quality of components, you will find that the unit is quite durable. The product delivers excellent value for the money, and the only downside is its base plate. It seems of poorer quality compared to other parts, and it might be prone to rust if not well-maintained.

What makes it special?

• Impressive sound quality
• Almost no learning curve with this synth
• Excellent durability for the money
• An easy and fun to use sequencer

What cons did we find?

• The base plate is not of the same quality as other components
• No Sine Wave or white noise in the oscillator

Novation didn’t hesitate to include a powerful engine in their MiniNova beginners’ synthesizer. Thanks to that, the product features incredible sound customization capabilities. You can use up to 18 voices and effects to come up with a sound that suits your needs. The device comes with 256 integrated sounds, and it has room to accommodate 128 more created by the user.

You can also adjust sounds in real-time, and Animate and Arpeggiator mode feature additional customization options. The product comes with 37 velocity-sensitive mini-sized keys, which make the instrument very compact. The only downside it has is that the lights can blink at a fast rate on the panel, which some users might find annoying.

The LED display is another feature that makes using MiniNova user-friendly. Although it is possible to edit everything by using only the synth, the manufacturer also included editing software. It is an intuitive editor that is easy to use and makes it great for beginners to see what they are doing at each moment.

The component quality is decent, and the product should last for a long time. The company also ensures to provide a two-year warranty on its products.

What are our favorite features?

• Creates sounds with up to 18 voices and effects
• Plenty of room to store custom sounds
• Compact and sturdy construction
• Editing software is intuitive and easy to use

What could be better?

• Lights constantly blink at a fast rate, which might be annoying for some users
• Software is required to create patches

This product is perfect for maximizing the benefits of monophony. Thanks to the analog synthesis sound generation, you will enjoy the sounds created with this instrument. The Korg Monologue supports 100 sound memory programs, and 20 of them are available for saving custom sounds. All others are preset, and each program comes with micro-tuning. That feature allows you to create scales to your preferences, and enjoy designing the exact sound you wanted every time.

The Korg Monologue is a lightweight and compact-sized product, and its keyboard features 25 slim keys. The sequencer is a 16-step monophonic type, and you can also use 23 different panel controls to achieve desired settings. The manufacturer included multiple connectors to ensure that the synth is compatible with your other instruments and devices.

The product is extremely portable since it is light and small. Additionally, you don’t have to worry about electricity because it operates on six AA alkaline batteries. That means you can use it anywhere, but you still have to consider battery power. In case the batteries are drained, you can use the adapter as an alternative power source for the product. Additionally, the manufacturer offers multiple color choices to suit everyone’s preferences. Unfortunately, some musicians reported that the knobs were hard to read because of their black design.

What makes it stand out?

• A 16-step sequencer is a neat addition
• Excellent portability due to compact size and battery power
• Easy to learn
• A high range of customization options available

Which disadvantages must you keep in mind?

• The product doesn’t support polyphony
• The knobs are hard to read

As one of the most prestigious brands out there, Roland created the JD-Xi as their variation of a beginner’s synthesizer. The first thing that you note is the exceptional quality of components. All parts are very durable, and this instrument can serve you for a long time.

The product comes in black or white color combinations and features 37 velocity-sensitive keys. Although the keys are marked as mini, even people with large hands won’t have problems playing the synth.

The unique thing about the instrument is its analog/digital crossover sound engine. Thanks to that, you get the smooth characteristic of analog sound and versatility and clarity of digital engines. The pattern sequencer will help you to build loops with four tracks, including analog, two digital synths, and a single drum part.

The manufacturer also includes a variety of acoustic and electronic drum kits, and you can easily pick them by choosing suitable settings. The synth allows you to modify pitch, filter, pan, and envelope adjustments. You can also adjust sounds with effects like reverb and delay, and the company included a gooseneck mic for vocal effects like auto pitch and vocoder.

The only two downsides are related to the LCD screen. The screen refresh rate is not great, and the navigation could be better, especially since you can lose unsaved work if you press the wrong button.

Why is it special?

• Analog/digital crossover engine maximizes versatility
• A very durable synthesizer that will last for a long time
• Black and white color variations
• The gooseneck mick allows you to add vocal effects

What are the flaws?

• The screen refresh rate is not admirable
• The navigation through the menus could be easier

The Yamaha Reface DX is an FM synthesizer with modern control features. It has a small footprint, and you can easily fit it in a backpack. The instrument is also light, which makes it even more suitable for transportation.

The product features a four-operator sound engine and is a high-quality digital synthesizer for beginners. The continuously variable feedback is a convenient addition, as it increases the sound creation range. The unit comes with an integrated stereo speaker system, which can be convenient if you are away from home. However, if you can connect the headphones or alternative speakers, they will most likely produce a better sound.

The synth comes with 37 keys and two adjustable effect blocks. You can pick up to seven effect types, including the distortion, reverb, delay, and chorus. The unit comes with a sequencer, but it is not as good as in some other synthesizers. The maximum polyphony is set to eight voices, and the synth can remember up to 32 voices.

Apart from the power adapter, you can use the batteries that last up to five hours of non-stop playing. The interface supports multi-touch control, and it comes with a built-in phrase looper. Moreover, you are welcome to join Yamaha’s Soundmondo website, which is a free sound-sharing community where users can brag with what they created using this instrument.

Why are we impressed?

• Light, small, and ideal for carrying around
• Multi-touch control interface
• Continuously variable feedback
• Memory for 32 voices

What negatives must you be aware of?

• The sequencer could be better
• Integrated speakers do not provide great sound quality

The Roland TB-3 is a synthesizer, which is completely different from other products you might have seen on the market. It is interesting to note that it is based on the company’s analog TB-303 model, which was popular over three decades ago.

Unlike that unit, this bass synthesizer is completely digital. Furthermore, the company went a step forward and included a touchpad instead of a keyboard. It can sense the pressure that you apply with your fingers to affect the sounds it produces.

Although it uses a different approach, the synthesizer is easy to use and control. Apart from the touchpad, you have an LED display and control knobs to perform the desired adjustments. The product comes with 134 preset voices, but it lacks a feature of adding more sounds. However, you can choose multiple scatter variations and depths, and the supported adjustment makes this unit a great choice for dance music.

You can also use a sequencer that supports up to 32 steps. The indicator lights will assist during the pattern creation. It is interesting to note that some of the preset sounds include the original TB-303 replicas. The bass synthesizer weighs around a pound, and it is one of the smallest out there. That should make transporting the product easy.

What stands out?

• An excellent choice for dance music
• It contains genuine TB-303 emulations
• The touchpad is an innovative solution
• Easy to use and adjust

What cons did we manage to find?

• Not for lovers of classic keyboards
• You can’t upload more sounds to it

Teenage Engineering created a unique and innovative product, but we won’t beat around the bush. You should know that this is not for those users who are serious about music production. Instead, it is a fun device for beginners and those that you want to attract to the world of playing a synthesizer.

The arcade synth features a keyboard with 16 sounds that produce various chords and notes. The device replicates many sounds that you might find in a vintage arcade. However, it also utilizes a 16-step sequencer that gives you great creating power. You can even compose the entire song using this unit.

The integrated speaker can play the sounds for you, and their quality is impressive for that price. That is especially true because this is primarily a toy for artistic and intelligent children and teens.

The product works on two batteries, and it has long battery life. It can function as a standalone item, but you can also connect speakers. It is also easy to connect the product to your PC or other devices, but there is no MIDI. The manufacturer advertises the product as pocket synth, and that is understandable. The item is easy to fit in your pocket and carry around, which makes it suitable to use on the go. The instructions are a bit unclear, but you should enjoy the process of learning how the unit works.

What makes it stand out?

• The integrated speaker delivers surprisingly good sound quality
• Very fun for beginners
• Easy to connect to other devices
• Pocket-sized instrument

Which disadvantages must you keep in mind?

• The instructions are a bit unclear
• No MIDI inputs or outputs
• Not for serious music creators