B1 · Gear
Your first synth: what actually matters
Ignore the spec sheets. Look for these three things.
Liner notes by Luca Ferreira · 7 min read
Your first synthesizer doesn't need hundreds of presets or a big price tag. What matters most is whether it makes you want to play every day.
Hands-on beats feature-packed.
Look for plenty of physical knobs (so you can learn by twisting), a sound you genuinely love out of the box, and a size that fits your desk. Buying second-hand is a great way to start, and synths tend to hold their value.
Before you buy
- Try it in a shop or watch sound demos
- Check it has the connections you need (USB/MIDI/audio)
- Prefer knobs over deep menus
- Consider buying used
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