People often think synthesizers fall into just two categories: analog and digital. This sparks debates about their reliability, quality, and whether others exist, with each type offering unique advantages based on what you’re looking for.
Keep reading to learn about different types of synthesizers, their pros and cons, and how to pick the right one for your project.
What are Analog Synthesizers?
Early synthesizers were analog and built before modern computers. They use circuits with transistors, resistors, and capacitors to create and change sounds. Any synthesizer from the 1960s or 70s is analog.
Analog synthesizers create sound using changing electrical voltages from the Voltage-Controlled Oscillator (VCO) or noise generator, providing essential tones for mixing or modifying with analog circuits. Voltage-Controlled Filters (VCFs) and Voltage-Controlled Amplifiers (VCAs) allow you to control the tone and volume.
Analog synths usually come as keyboards, unlike many modern digital synthesizers filled with buttons and knobs. This might limit some functions. If you’re after a classic sound or a perfect vinyl fit, analog is the best option.
Some pros of analog synthesizers are:
- Having a warmer, more intimate sound often results in some quirks that make the track unique.
- Infinite resolution since there are no limits based on Sample rate or bit depth.
- Controls also have infinite resolution with an intimate, tactile response without zippering noise.
- They usually have one knob per function control, so they’re more straightforward to use.
Some cons of analog synthesizers are:
- They often have a particular tonal pallet.
- Shooting can sometimes be temperamental, especially for older instruments.
- It can be more expensive than digital synthesizers that have a similar function.
- They can require a larger form function given that the number of components is related to the sound production.
- They may not have preset memory unless there are digital controls.
What are Digital Synthesizers?
Digital synthesizers took off in the 1980s, using digital tech to control analog circuits. This breakthrough opened up new possibilities and expanded what manufacturers could offer. Musicians got access to a wide array of new sounds.
Digital synthesizers are specialized computers that use carefully crafted code to create sounds from user input. The programming defines the range of possible sounds, rather than physical components. This makes virtually any sound possible.
Some pros to a digital sympathizer are:
- Being capable of producing a much more comprehensive range of sounds than analog synthesizers.
- Having more Novelties to the sound production and control.
- Capable of preset memory.
- They’re often more affordable than analog synthesizers but still have similar capabilities.
- Form factors can vary widely and can make even small instruments very powerful.
Some cons to a digital synthesizer are:
- Not having the same sound as an analog synthesizer.
- With limited resolution on the digital controls, most new digital instruments have enough resolution.
- They’re more complicated to repair.
- Usually, a minimal physical design requires more instruction to understand and use.
What are Virtual Analog Synthesizers?
Virtual analog synthesizers are digital instruments that replicate analog synths. Their popularity surged in the early 2000s due to the high cost of analog hardware. These digital synths provided a budget-friendly solution, using a model similar to classic subtractive synthesis.
Virtual analog synthesizers use digital models for oscillators, filters, and amplifiers, producing sounds like classic analog synths. They provide benefits like reset memory and a compact size. These synthesizers have advanced significantly with the growing popularity of digital synths.
Pros of virtual analog synthesizers:
- Condenses the analog synthesizer workflow into a smaller space than an actual analog synthesizer.
- Has a workflow of a modular or semi-modular synthesizer with the footprint or patching.
- Has preset memory
- Often has MIDI implementation, which isn’t always possible with analog synthesizers.
Cons of virtual analog synthesizers:
- They don’t exactly mimic the sound of analog synthesizers.
- They often have a limited set of modulation options determined by the designer, unlike open-ended modular synthesizers.
- It can be challenging to repair.
- Some designs don’t have the one-knob-per-function that actual analog synthesizers have though some designs do.
What are Hybrid Synthesizers?
Hybrid synthesizers, which originated in the 70s and 80s, have gained much popularity over the last decade. The term hybrid means the instrument combines analog and digital components, offering the best of both worlds. These synthesizers can vary widely in functionality.
Owning a synthesizer with a digital oscillator and an analog filter gives you clean performance with the rich Deep tone of analog filters. You can apply digital effects to an analog signal path or use digital control while maintaining an analog audio path.
Some pros of a hybrid synthesizer are:
- Provides aspects of both analog and digital synthesizers.
- They often have a small footprint, capitalizing on the Sonic aspects of analog synthesizers.
- Offers more control options than a true analog synthesizer.
- Provides more effects than a true analog synthesizer.
Cons of a hybrid synthesizer include a cold sound that lacks the warmth and depth some users want.
- Usually more expensive than digital synthesizers, even if they have similar features.
- Doesn’t always have a one-knob-per-function control.
What are Modular Synthesizers?
Many synthesizers generate sound, but a modular synthesizer stands out for its structure. It can mix both digital and analog parts. The term “modular” means users can build it from individual modules to meet their specific requirements.
Synthesizer modules connect with patch cables that carry audio signals and control voltages. These voltages control different aspects of another module’s behavior. Using modules from various designers was difficult, but now, size and connectivity standards let you mix and match modules from many designers.
Some pros of modular synthesizers are:
- Their flexibility allows you to design your own instruments.
- It lets you take advantage of both digital and analog techniques.
- They take a far more adventurous sound design approach than self-contained synthesizers.
- You can easily change instruments over time so that if something doesn’t suit you, you can replace it.
Some cons of modular synthesizers are:
- It takes time to adapt to using it.
- It’s challenging to integrate Daw or MIDI-based setups but not impossible.
- It’s usually more expensive than the average synthesizer.
- Polyphony can be complex to handle.
What are Semi-Modular Synthesizers?
Semi-modular synthesizers have fixed architecture similar to fully modular ones, but you can’t add or remove modules. You can change the signal flow with patch cables. They don’t require patching, allowing easy transition to modular systems. Modular synthesizers need a correct patch setup to produce sound.
Key advantages of semi-modular synthesizers:
- They combined the immediacy of a stand-alone synthesizer, but they have the flexibility of a modular synthesizer.
- They’re a great transition into using a modular system for those who haven’t had experience with it yet.
- They are usually more affordable than a modular synthesizer.
- But usually more compact with their form factor than a modular synthesizer.
- They integrate well with modular synthesizers, so you can still use the semi-modular synthesizer if you decide to get a fully modular system.
Cons of a semi-modular synthesizer include:
- Since they’re a combination of fixed and patchable digital paths, understanding how signals flow can take some time.
- They’re not expandable in the same way that a modular system is.
- They’re usually not as advanced as full synthesizers.
- They’re typically monophonic but not always.