These are the modern synth classics that we’ll wax nostalgic over in decades to come. Did your favorite make the list?
When you think about classic synthesizers, what comes to mind? Certainly the Moog Minimoog and ARP Odyssey. Perhaps the Yamaha CS-80, Roland Jupiter-8 or Access Virus T1? Whatever instrument that gets conjured up, it’s probably vintage and no longer available as a new instrument. That’s no surprise, as we’re talking about classics, right?
But why does ‘classic’ have to mean ‘old’?
I don’t think it does. There are plenty of modern synths still in production that qualify for legendary status due to their great sound, ground-breaking feature set and general popularity.
Here then are nine modern synth classics that are available now. As always, if I’ve left off your favorite synth, it’s nothing personal. Feel free to let me know what instrument you think deserves to be considered a modern classic in the comments below.
Arturia PolyBrute-12
Arturia has any number of hardware synths that could qualify as a modern synth classic but the one that continues to impress us is the PolyBrute-12. With its 12-voice polyphony, FullTouch technology and MPE keyboard, it’s a real player’s instrument and something of a CS-80 for the 21st century.
It also has it where it counts in the sound department, with dual Brute oscillators, a twin filter design with both Steiner-Parker and Ladder types, plus the to-be-expected modulation matrix.
Our review called it a musical instrument in every sense of the word – one that we think people will still be praising even in the distant future.
Moog Grandmother
The Moog Minimoog set the standard for monosynths way back in 1971, one that still hasn’t been bested in my mind. In 2018, Moog released the Grandmother, a new monosynth that – while it doesn’t better the original Minimoog – still offers enough new to qualify as a modern classic.
Grandmother is a patchable, semi-modular synth with two oscillators, a lovely Ladder filter and a number of modular-inspired extra parameters that really expand the synthesis possibilities. This makes it a great compromise between playability and programmability. It’s also exceedingly affordable and sounds just gorgeous.
Ashun Sound Machines Hydrasynth
Analog isn’t the only type of synth worthy of modern classic status. The Hydrasynths from ASM are unabashedly digital and yet oh so beautiful, with a depth to the sound that can turn the head of any analog synth purist.
With three oscillators of advanced wavetable synthesis, plenty of Mutants to vary the sound, two powerful filters and lots of modulation, plus performance features like polyphonic aftertouch and a ribbon controller, the Hydrasynths – available in a variety of sizes and price points – are powerful instruments indeed.
Groove Synthesis 3rd Wave
Another digital powerhouse that will surely stand the test of time is 3rd Wave from Groove Synthesis.
Inspired by the PPG Wave but so much more, this modern synth classic combines three oscillators of wavetables and virtual analog synthesis, analog and digital filters and a whole spreadsheet’s worth of modulation sources. Groove Synthesis also continues to update the firmware, having added things like sampling, poly unison and lo-fi wavetable import.
The 3rd Wave also sounds just incredible, handling classic PPG Wave-style wavetables and ultra-modern ones with aplomb.
Expressive E Osmose
Usually, when we talk about a synthesizer, we focus on the sound engine more than the body of the instrument itself. However, Expressive E bucks that trend with the Osmose, a synth whose keyboard is the real star of the show, making this a modern synth classic.
With its Augmented Keyboard Action, the Osmose keybed gives you three dimensions of control. This allows for a degree of expressiveness in play that leaves pretty much every standard synth behind. The built-in sound engine, based on the Haken Audio EaganMatrix, is the icing on the cake.
Sequential Prophet-6
Trying to pick just one modern synth classic from Sequential is a pretty difficult task (and that’s not to mention the original Prophet-5, a bonafide synth classic). But one I must choose and so the honors go to the Prophet-6.
Dave Smith’s attempt to reimagine the Prophet-5 for the modern era (before he full-on recreated it a few years later), the Prophet-6 features two new oscillators, low and highpass filters plus a modern take on the famous Poly Mod section. The signal path is analog all the way to the effects, which are 24-bit digital (but you can bypass them for analog purity).
Beautiful on the inside and outside, the Prophet-6 is a thoroughly lovely instrument and worthy of being called a modern synth classic.
Korg Minilogue Series
The original Korg Minilogue was one of the first new-generation analog synths to really catch fire. Affordable and fun with a brash and modern sound, it has only grown in popularity over the almost 10 years it has been on the market. It also inspired a number of sequels, including the Minilogue XD with its unique and updatable digital oscillator.
All of this ensures that we’ll still be talking about the four-voice Minilogue series for years to come. Truly classics for the masses.
Teenage Engineering OP-1 Field
To be honest, I went back and forth on including this one. Before Teenage Engineering became a meme it made a fun little synth called the OP-1. Charmingly lo-fi in sound and oh so kawaii, it absolutely deserves to be called a classic. But how about the 2023 follow-up, OP-1 Field? Is it still deserving?
I’m going to say yes.
Here’s why: few synths can do as much as the OP-1 Field. It’s a synthesizer, it’s a sampler and it’s a drum machine. It has a vocoder, FM radio, a tape recorder and effects, all in a portable, battery-powered package. And it’s also kawaii.
Ultimately though, like most Teenage Engineering products, you’re either going to 100% declare your undying love for the OP-1 or 100% wonder what the hell all the fuss is about. I’m sure you’ll let us know in the comments which one you are.
Novation Summit
This last entry in our list of modern synth classics is admittedly something of a dark horse. Almost universally lauded and yet rarely talked about, the Novation Summit is the long-running British company’s current flagship and a real corker of a hybrid synth.
With 16 voices, three FPGA-generated Digital New Oxford Oscillators with VA, wavetables and FM, dual analog filters and three stages of analog distortion, it’s a real beast. Given that it’s built around two Peak engines, it can of course do splits and layers. And it has a wavetable editor with drawing tools so you can sketch out your own oscillator shapes.
The Summit, like the Bass Station 2, is only going to grow in reputation as the years pass. In 30 years’ time after the oceans have been depleted of fish and we’re all living underground to avoid the extreme heat, we’ll still be talking about the Summit and how great it sounded.
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