10 synthesizers and controllers for beginners and hobbyists
Miscellaneous / / February 16, 2022
They will help you immerse yourself in recording original sounds and creating your own compositions.
1. Synthesizer Korg Minilogue XD M
A polyphonic four-voice synthesizer is suitable for those who are already ready to devote time and money to regular music lessons. This is a fairly serious tool that is popular among professionals. It is useful for recording atmospheric background effects and powerful bass. To start, it already has 200 saved settings, you can add another 500 of your own to them.
The Korg Minilogue XD M uses a combination of analog and digital systems that can create very strange sounds. In addition to this, there is a block of "seasoning": effects like delay, reverb, chorus and phaser.
The synthesizer supports four-voice operation, monophonic with four voices in unison, chord and arpeggiator. Using non-standard notes between the keys of a classical piano will help microtuning. This feature allows you to fine-tune the instrument and select frets outside of the usual modern European tuning. There is also a 16-step sequencer for programming chains of sounds. The desktop module can be connected to a MIDI keyboard or combined with another model from the Minilogue series.
Price: 63,000 rubles.
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2. Synthesizer Casio CT‑X5000
This model is useful for keyboardists who need a compact instrument with a wide range of different sounds and effects. It can be used both for teaching and training, and for small performances. It reproduces the sounds of a classical piano, electronic piano, as well as bass guitars, trumpets, flutes and saxophones. Still, the best use case for the Casio CT‑X5000 is keyboards.
The synthesizer has 61 keys and three levels of pressure sensitivity. Additionally, you can use a large number of effects. There are 100 reverb, chorus and delay settings in total. It will be possible to save another 28 to them in memory. Controlling parameters is easier with the small display.
The synthesizer has a 30 W acoustic system for small rooms. Through the USB‑MIDI connector, you can connect the Casio CT‑X5000 to a computer or mobile device on iOS or Android. The synthesizer has an input for expression pedal to control the duration and brightness of the notes played. The kit comes with a power adapter.
Price: 36,290 rubles.
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3. Synthesizer Behringer Model D
Behringer D is a budget clone of the Minimoog Model D analog monophonic synthesizer. Not everyone can afford the original, and this model is made on the basis of his circuitry. The desktop module does not have a keyboard, it can be connected separately or used to control the keys of another synthesizer with MIDI support.
The tool repeats everything that is in the classical device. The synth engine uses an analog chain of processes and effects that produce sounds recognizable by many popular songs. Minimoog is especially famous for its powerful bass, which is difficult to obtain digitally. The Behringer D differs from the Moog model in having more modern MIDI and USB interfaces.
Price: 28 899 rubles.
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4. Synthesizer Yamaha PSR‑E463
A polyphonic instrument with 61 keys is suitable for teaching beginner musicians. The synthesizer can play hundreds of timbres and accompany in different styles. You can adjust and select sounds right during the game. For settings there is an internal memory - a total of 32 cells are provided.
Yamaha PSR‑E463, of course, can be used as a piano, but there are other modes. For example, you can include dance rhythms, select different sounds for them, apply effects, and then upload the resulting tracks in audio format and transfer them to a computer or USB flash drive.
In addition, players or smartphones can be easily connected to the synthesizer via the AUX connector to sample sounds. The input audio signal of the Yamaha PSR‑E463 is processed and used like any other built-in instrument kit.
The device automatically transposes the recording across the entire keyboard, changing its pitch in accordance with the notes. So it will turn out to play, for example, sounds vote or excerpts from finished music, creating a new composition based on them.
The PSR‑E463 has a small display that guides you through all settings. An integrated speaker system with two 6 W speakers is suitable for playing in an apartment. There is a port for connecting a sustain pedal.
Price: 29 990 rubles.
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5. IK Multimedia iRig Keys 2 Pro MIDI Keyboard
Compact keyboard iRig Keys 2 Pro with 37 keys that determine the force and speed of pressing. The device can work in conjunction with a computer, tablet or smartphone via USB and with analog synthesizers via MIDI. The model is compatible with popular music apps for Windows, Android, macOS and iOS.
The device has octave switches, two wheels for controlling pitch and modulation. In addition, you can assign any commands in audio editors to several buttons and knobs. iRig Keys 2 Pro comes with SampleTank 4 SE software with a wide range of sounds for recording songs.
It will be possible to connect wired headphones to the device, which is useful, for example, for night rehearsals at home. There is also a sustain pedal jack for controlling the duration of the notes played.
Price: 17,550 rubles.
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6. Synthesizer Korg Volca Modular
A semi-modular synthesizer consists of several analog blocks and a sequencer. Digital effects (echo, reverb) can be added to the resulting sound. In more expensive and complex systems, modules usually have to be connected manually with pin wires. This gives a lot of freedom of choice and allows you to experiment, but it takes a lot of time.
In this case, the modules are already connected inside the device, so Volca Modular works out of the box, without additional connections. All connections are marked with lines on the panel. But there is still a pin cable in the kit - in case you want to make your own version of connecting the blocks.
How the Volca Modular works is great for learning the basics of modular synthesis. With this tool, you can create unique analog sounds quickly and without much difficulty. There are 16 buttons for playing notes. They allow you to program the automatic game step by step, and also act as a keyboard for real-time recording. This synthesizer has a total of eight modules and 50 connection points.
The Modular can be linked with other models from the Volca series to form a large synchronized system. Batteries are included, but power unit from the network will have to buy separately.
Price: 17,900 rubles.
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7. Roland A-49 MIDI Keyboard
Four octave MIDI keyboard with 49 velocity sensitive keys. The model is compatible with Windows and macOS operating systems. The Roland A-49 is connected to a computer via USB, and communicates with synthesizers via the MIDI output. In addition, you can additionally connect to the device sustain pedal.
The keyboard has octave shift buttons, modulation and pitch wheels, as well as two additional knobs. Roland's innovative D-BEAM infrared interface lets you control sounds with your hand movements.
The Roland A‑49 is powered via the USB port. Offered in white and black body colors.
Price: 12,881 rubles.
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8. M‑Audio Keystation 49 MK3 MIDI Keyboard
Keyboard for controlling virtual synths, sampled instruments, drum machines and software for work with sound. The model has 49 full-sized keys with pressure sensitivity. Connects to a computer via a USB port.
The device is compatible with Windows and macOS operating systems. There are 11 keys on the front panel, which will be useful in setting up music applications. There is a familiar set: two wheels for changing the pitch and modulation intensity, a volume fader and octave switching buttons.
For a realistic effect when playing plug-ins that reproduce the sound of grand pianos or acoustic pianos, a sustain pedal can be connected, which will need to be purchased separately. Keystation 49 is quite a popular model not only among amateurs, but also among professional producers.
Price: 8 629 rubles.
Buy
9. Akai Pro MPD218 MIDI Controller
Entry-level MIDI controller with 16 programmable velocity sensitive pads. In total, 48 sounds can be assigned to the buttons, three for each pad. There are also six knobs giving access to 18 different sounds.
With Akai Pro MPD218, you can automatically play rhythm patterns, program and write down drum parts manually or activate effects. The controller can be used on PC and Mac without the need for special drivers. The device is powered via USB.
Price: 9 400 rubles.
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10. MIDI controller Korg nanoPAD2
Small portable controller with 16 velocity sensitive pads. The Korg nanoPAD2 also has a touchpad that allows you to control the parameters of music applications and synthesizers. The device is best suited for programming drums tools.
The controller is paired with the free Korg Kontrol Editor app. It has four pressure sensitivity settings. This program will also allow you to select keys and create custom scales with notes suitable for songs, as well as assign chords to the keys.
The instrument is compatible with PCs and iPads, to which it can be connected via a USB cable without an external power supply.
Price: 6 300 rubles.
Buy
Please note: prices are valid at the time of publication of the article. Stores can update the cost of goods during the day.
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