11 best synthesizers – from training models to professional monsters

Review of the best according to the editorial board. On the selection criteria. This material is subjective and does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

Previously, only composers were required to create music. The fruits of their labors were used, roughly speaking, only by singers and film studios. Now, even a video blogger may need to create music (non-original compositions block the possibility of monetization). That is why synthesizers are becoming more and more popular, because it is with their help that it is easiest to write music – especially if it is a high-quality model mentioned in this rating.

Rating of the best synthesizers

Nomination	a place	Name of product	price
The best synthesizers for learning	1	CASIO LK-280	18 400 rub.
	2	Yamaha PSR-R300	RUB 18,990
	3	CASIO CTK-6200	RUB 17,900
The best synthesizers for hobbyists	1	CASIO WK-6600	RUB 25,150
	2	KORG Kross 61	RUB 45,990
	3	Yamaha MX61	RUB 45,500
The best synthesizers for professionals	1	Yamaha Motif XF8	RUB 222 076
	2	Kurzweil PC3LE8	RUB 129 100
Best MIDI Keyboards	1	Roland A-800PRO	RUB 27,990
	2	Nektar Impact LX88	RUB 28,990
	3	Novation Launchkey 61	RUB 15 811

The best synthesizers for learning

CASIO LK-280

Rating: 4.9

Despite the relatively low cost, not exceeding 20 thousand rubles, this synthesizer has almost everything you need. Nevertheless, this is exactly the device for the beginning musician, as evidenced by the built-in key illumination. A step-by-step training system has been introduced here, which, in theory, will allow you to start creating melodies without the help of a teacher.

The synthesizer includes 61 piano-type keys. Each key is pressure sensitive. The sound is produced here using a high-quality AHL processor with 48-note polyphony. The product also boasts a sequencer (5 songs by 6 tracks), digital effects, automatic harmonizer, style editor, arpeggiator and many other useful functions. The created tracks are saved to the SD card. Other connectors include USB, audio input, headphone output and microphone input. In a word, it is quite a worthy tool that will definitely serve you after graduation.

Advantages

• Implemented hints in the form of key illumination;
• Detailed tuning of the scale;
• There are a large number of connectors;
• 152 songs with the ability to add custom;
• 600 AHL tones;
• There is a chord guide;
• Fast switching between piano and organ;
• High quality sound processor with 48-note polyphony;
• Sampling function has been implemented.

disadvantages

• The look is far from professional;
• The number of keys is small;
• Not the most convenient choice of tools.

Yamaha PSR-R300

Rating: 4.8

Yamaha also created its own synthesizer for training. Her device can be operated both from a rechargeable battery and from batteries. The instrument has large enough speakers, thanks to which you can appreciate the track you just created. Interestingly, you can even connect pedals to the PSR-R300, making playing even more convenient.

Like the previous version considered, the synthesizer includes 61 keys, each of which is sensitive to pressure. There is also a small display that shows the current settings. In total, the product can please with 482 timbres, 102 built-in compositions (30 of them are Russian) and 106 accompaniment styles. Any other songs can be downloaded from the Internet via the USB-MIDI interface. All this allows you to have fun and learn in the shortest possible time.

Unfortunately, there is no key illumination here. There is also no sensibly implemented sampling function. In this regard, it seems that the synthesizer will not come in handy after you fully learn how to write music. But on the other hand, this instrument sounds great! It even has the ability to produce the world-famous Yamaha grand piano sound – switching to this instrument is done by pressing a single button. Such a device costs 19 thousand rubles.

Advantages

• 102 built-in melodies with the ability to download additional;
• There is a two-track recording function;
• 482 instrument tones
• A wide variety of accompaniment styles;
• Intuitive training system;
• All buttons and switches have Russian-language signatures;
• Two speakers with a power of 2.5 W each;
• The keys are touch sensitive;
• Pedals can be connected.

disadvantages

• Not a very large number of keys;
• Cannot be connected to a computer;
• The icons on the display are only visible from a certain angle.

CASIO CTK-6200

Rating: 4.7

Another synthesizer, the cost of which does not exceed 19 thousand rubles. It includes 61 keys with two sensitivity levels. The electronic part of the device has 700 tones and 210 styles. A significant advantage of the instrument is the backlit segment display – all characters are clearly visible from any angle. Also, the data input wheel can not but rejoice – it is much more convenient to work with it than with ordinary buttons.

This synthesizer allows you to record any ideas on an SD card. There is also a line-in and a USB-connector. Arpeggiator, Auto Harmony, and Registration Memory assist in real time.

Advantages

• There is a USB connector and a line in;
• A large number of timbres and styles;
• Built-in 100 DSP effects
• All keys have two sensitivity levels;
• 32-channel mixer and 16-track sequencer are included;
• Convenient LCD display and data entry wheel;
• You can insert a memory card;
• Good sound processor with 48-channel polyphony.

disadvantages

• The keys begin to rattle after six months of use;
• Not the most number of keys.

The best synthesizers for hobbyists

CASIO WK-6600

Rating: 4.9

An excellent musical instrument of the initial class, for which they ask no more than 30 thousand rubles. For this money, the buyer gets a very large synthesizer, on the front panel of which there are 76 keys. The played music can be saved to the SD card. Despite the increased cost, the product also has only 48-channel polyphony. Nevertheless, much more can be squeezed out of it than when using the devices discussed above.

There are a lot of auxiliary functions here that will not interfere with any musician. In particular, you can highlight the metronome, reverb, transpose, auto accompaniment and arpeggiator. Also, it should be noted the possibility of connecting pedals and the presence of a controller for changing the pitch. All keys present here are touch sensitive (two degrees of sensitivity). On the back of the synthesizer you can find line-in, microphone jack and headphone-out. The creators have not forgotten the USB Type B connector.

Advantages

• Built-in speakers with a power of 6 W each;
• 76 standard touch-sensitive keys;
• 210 Styles and 700 Voices
• Good sound processor with 48-channel polyphony;
• LCD display and data entry wheel
• Arpeggiator and many other useful functions are available;
• There is a 32-channel mixer;
• There are microphone and line inputs, as well as a headphone output;
• Can be connected to a computer via USB.

disadvantages

• For some, after six months of use, the keys begin to emit a grinding sound.

KORG Kross 61

Rating: 4.8

A very compact synthesizer weighing less than 4.3 kg. Despite the rather high cost (49 thousand rubles), the device includes only 61 keys. Each of them has touch sensitivity. However, this does not change the fact that to someone this number may seem small. But on the other hand, there is an audio recorder and a microphone input. The musician should appreciate the electric piano, grand piano and drums timbres. Also, the 'Favorites' function should please, where you can add up to 64 favorite voices or even full audio files.

The device includes a step sequencer, which came here from the instruments of the Electribe family. The synthesizer is also capable of boasting an arpeggiator, drum track and MIDI sequencer. The resulting music is proposed to be saved to a computer via a USB connection.

In general, the device stands out from the competition with a richer sound palette. It is also one of the few synthesizers that you can take with you anywhere. It can work both from the mains and from AA batteries.

Advantages

• Compact size and light weight;
• The keys are pressure sensitive;
• There is the ability to connect to a computer;
• There are line and microphone inputs;
• There is a headphone output;
• 80-channel polyphony;
• 700 tones and 134 effects;
• Connection of pedals is possible;
• There is a slot for an SD card.

disadvantages

• Only 61 keys;
• The price may seem overpriced;
• The plastic buttons are too stiff.

Yamaha MX61

Rating: 4.7

Another entry-level professional synthesizer with 61 keys. Unlike cheaper models, the instrument offers USB and MIDI connectors, as well as advanced VST and DAW control. The user can choose from 1106 timbres – such a number in this price segment is extremely rare. The synthesizer also has VCM effects that simulate electronic circuits.

With this tool, you can easily mix Voices and split the keyboard. But most of all, the buyer should be pleased with the polyphony, which is 128-voice. Perhaps, only because of this fact alone it is quite possible to think about whether not to be generous by 50 thousand rubles.

Advantages

• Pedals can be connected;
• All keys are touch sensitive;
• Modulation and pitch bend controller introduced;
• Small size and weight (4.8 kg);
• A very large number of timbres;
• Well-implemented multitimbrality;
• Excellent sound processor with 128-voice polyphony;
• A large number of connectors.

disadvantages

• Only 61 keys;
• No memory card slot;
• Not very convenient control of mixing sounds.

The best synthesizers for professionals

Yamaha Motif XF8

Rating: 5.0

A very expensive musical instrument. In Russia, they ask for 250 thousand rubles for this 28-kilogram device. This price tag suggests that the Yamaha Motif XF8 is used even by professional musicians performing in groups or solo. The product has a color display that shows almost all current settings in an easy-to-understand manner. 88 keys are designed for playing, which are sensitive not only to touch, but also to aftertouch. The large weight of the device is due to the presence of hammer action – in this regard, the instrument is almost no different from a classical grand piano or upright piano.

There is no speaker system here, the sound must be output to external speakers. As for the processor, it can boast of 128-voice polyphony. The number of tones here reaches 1353. Also, the user is provided with 93 effects. And how many auxiliary functions are present here … There is no point in listing them all. Instead, we declare that this synthesizer is recommended for anyone who is going to make music professionally for many years.

Advantages

• Many different connectors;
• 93 effects and 1353 tones;
• Nearly perfect sound processor;
• Good LCD display
• 88 keys, touch and aftertouch;
• Playing an instrument is no different from playing a grand piano or piano;
• Pedal connection available;
• Metronome, transposition, arpeggiator and other functions are included.

disadvantages

• Very heavy weight;
• Astronomical price tag.

Kurzweil PC3LE8

Rating: 4.9

This device offers the musician 88 weighted keys. Here, too, hammer action is used, but the cost of the instrument does not fly to heaven – it does not exceed 130 thousand rubles. It might seem that a lower price tag is associated with less brand promotion. But in fact, such a device cannot be expensive, because the sounds are produced here using 64-voice polyphony. There are also fewer built-in features to make writing music easier.

However, it is a true professional tool. When you play it, at certain moments it starts to seem that you are pressing the keys of a real piano. Also, multitimbrality is well implemented here – you can simultaneously use up to 16 timbres. A large number of connectors should also be noted – even a digital coaxial output is present here! The instrument only lacks an SD card slot. However, a professional synthesizer does not need it.

Advantages

• Multitimbrality is great;
• Built-in 520 effects;
• There are 88 keys;
• Hammer action makes the keyboard sensitive to after pressing;
• There are pitch bend and modulation controllers;
• A large number of different connectors;
• Pedals can be connected.

disadvantages

• Weight reaches 24.5 kg;
• Not the most polyphonic.

Best MIDI Keyboards

Roland A-800PRO

Rating: 4.9

A fairly simple MIDI keyboard to master, the cost of which in Russia does not exceed 28 thousand rubles. It has no speakers, and the number of all kinds of buttons is very small. However, this is easily explained – such a tool is usually used only in tandem with a computer, on which different settings are set. Rear panel connectors include USB Type B and MIDI in and out.

The game here is carried out using 61 keys. They are both touch sensitive and aftertouch sensitive. This is realized without the use of hammer action, so the device weighs only 4.5 kg. The dimensions of the tool are also small, for some people it will even fit on a computer desk.

Advantages

• Compact size and light weight;
• The keys are sensitive even to aftertouch;
• There is an LCD display showing the current mode;
• Pedal connection available;
• There is a modulation controller.

disadvantages

• Few built-in functions;
• Inconvenient proprietary software;
• The size of the pads is very small.

Nektar Impact LX88

Rating: 4.8

This MIDI keyboard contains 61 semi-weighted keys. They are all full size and touch sensitive. At any time, the user can split the keyboard, as well as connect the pedals (of course, they are not included in the kit). There are no speakers on the body of the device, but the display has not been forgotten by the creators.

From the photographs, the Nektar Impact LX88 may seem like a very small and lightweight tool. But in fact, the weight of this device reaches an impressive 8.1 kg, which indicates the high quality of the components used. In total, the product offers 9 reassignable control buttons, the same number of sliders, 8 knobs and the same number of velocity-sensitive pads. Not a bad set. Only the absence of a MIDI input here can upset – only the output is available.

Advantages

• Not the smallest number of buttons and switches;
• Smartly implemented modulation controller;
• There is a display on the case;
• Connection of pedals is possible;
• Full-size keys are touch sensitive;
• Reliable construction.

disadvantages

• There are not as many keys as we would like;
• Not the largest number of connectors;
• The pads may seem too small.

Novation Launchkey 61

Rating: 4.7

The lightest tool in our collection. At 3.5kg, the device offers 61 keys, each of which is touch sensitive. In addition, pedals can be connected to this MIDI keyboard. Otherwise, this is a typical tool for helping to write music for a video or even an amateur film. The product is connected to a computer via the USB Type B connector. 16 multi-color pads with velocity sensitivity speed up the song creation process. There are also 8 rotary controls on the case.

Advantages

• The cost does not exceed 22 thousand rubles;
• Small size and minimum weight;
• There are a large number of multicolor pads;
• There are modulation and pitch controllers;
• Relatively low cost (15 thousand rubles).

disadvantages

• Few useful connectors;
• The tool cannot be called durable.

Conclusion

Now you know which synths are the best in their class. Note that this collection was exclusively about models that are on sale in Russia. No one will argue with the fact that there are also more high-class synthesizers made almost to order – they are usually used by world-famous musicians.

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Attention! This rating is subjective and does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.