Synthesizers have been an essential tool in the world of electronic music for decades. They have a unique sound and offer endless possibilities for sound creation. In this blog, we dive deeper into the different types of synthesizers, how they work and their interesting history.

When we talk about an analog synthesizer, we mean that all the components needed to produce sound are composed of analog electronic components. Despite the fact that all these components can be digitally simulated today, the analog synthesizer still has a large group of enthusiasts.

Because all components are analog, and therefore highly dependent on the environment in which they operate, each analog synthesizer is unique. Indeed, the sound of an analog synthesizer can vary by the day depending on ambient temperature, humidity, power from the mains, etc. Simply put, analog synthesizers are best summed up as: unstable. And it is precisely this instability that makes the analog synth so charming.

Despite its analog nature, these synthesizers often do have a digital control system that makes it possible to store presets.

Looking for a reliable synthesizer with countless possibilities and an immense amount of different sounds? Then you're looking for a digital synthesizer. Because the complete soundscape of these synths is digital, you can count on the fact that when you call up your personal preset it sounds exactly the same as the last time.

It is also possible to offer many more features in a more compact format. Think multiple oscillators, complex filter packages or built-in effects. What all that entails? We'll get to that later.

Modular synthesizers are the ultimate playground for sound experiments. You may have seen pictures of this type of synthesizer before. They are often recognizable by a huge cabinet with countless lights, knobs, sliders and cables. The name actually says it all. A modular synthesizer is completely self-assembly based on separate modules.

Although there are hundreds of manufacturers of these modules, there are standards that ensure that the modules can work together. The most widely used standard for this is called Eurorack.

A modular synthesizer gives you as a musician (or sound designer) complete freedom to shape a sound the way you want it. However, this requires the necessary knowledge. As long as no cable is connected to the front of the synthesizer, nothing happens. You will have to create the right connections yourself to arrive at the desired sound.

Looking for flexibility but also ease of use? Then the semi-modular synth offers the solution.

With a semi-modular synth, we don't work with interchangeable modules, but all the components can be operated on their own. And, for your convenience, the manufacturer has already made some connections on the back of these modules so that out of the box the synth works immediately.

Still, would you prefer that the LFO is not connected to the filter, but affects the pitch of oscillator 2 via an envelope? You can! Because this type of synthesizer, just like its big brother: the modular synth, does offer the necessary patch points to adjust the sound of the synthesizer to your liking.

Little space, a smaller budget or a broad taste? Then virtual synthesizers offer the solution. You can find virtual versions of all synthesizer types mentioned above on the Internet. Even one-to-one replicas of the most influential synthesizers of the past and present. And usually they are up to 100x cheaper than the original.

So are there any drawbacks? Sure! Want to use the synthesizer live? Then a virtual synthesizer in your laptop is simply not always the best solution. Also, users of hardware synthesizers say that turning physical knobs is more "inspiring" than moving a knob with a mouse. Not to mention the "unstable charm" of the analog synthesizer.

Monophony refers to a synthesizer that can play only one note at a time. This means that when you play a new note, the previous note is cut off or replaced. Monophonic synthesizers were the earliest forms of synthesizers and are still used today because of their specific character and sound. They are often found in bass synthesizers and lead synthesizers.

A polyphonic synthesizer allows multiple tones to be played and manipulated independently. This opens the door to playing melodies with chords, creating layered sounds and producing rich harmonic textures. Polyphony is especially useful when playing chord progressions, creating atmospheric pads or imitating traditional instruments such as pianos and strings.

We now know what different types of synthesizers there are. But fundamentally, we find the same building blocks in every synthesizer. Let's dive deeper into how a synthesizer works and highlight the basic elements.

Oscillators are the source of sound in a synthesizer. They create a waveform that allows us to hear this wave at the end. The shape of this wave basically determines the sound the synthesizer creates.

By the way, in a musical synthesizer you will often find the term VCO. This stands for Voltage Controlled Oscillator and means that the frequency of the oscillator can be controlled with a voltage. This ensures that the oscillator can be tuned and thus produce different pitches.

Filters are an essential part of a synthesizer and play a crucial role in shaping the sound. They are responsible for selectively amplifying or attenuating specific frequency ranges.

A filter can be thought of as a kind of "gate" that lets certain frequencies through and blocks others. Basically, there are three different types of filters.

Filters often have parameters such as cutoff frequency and resonance. The cutoff frequency determines at what point in the frequency spectrum the filter begins to operate, while resonance controls the amount of gain around the cutoff frequency.

By combining different filters and applying modulation effects, complex and evolving sounds can be created.

An envelope is used to affect a parameter of your synthesizer over time in a non-repetitive form. When triggered, the envelope creates a fixed pattern based on its settings which can be used to control a parameter.

Although envelopes come in many shapes and sizes, for a musical synthesizer the AR form is the bare minimum. AR here stands for Attack and Release. In combination with a keyboard, you could say that when the key is pressed the Attack starts and rises to the maximum. When the key is released the release period starts and the signal drops from maximum back to minimum.

Envelopes often work in conjunction with VCAs (or Voltage Controlled Amplifier). The VCA allows the sound you have created to vary in volume. In combination with an envelope you can ensure that the sound, for example, swells slowly (Attack) or dies out slowly (Release).

LFOs (Low-Frequency Oscillators) provide modulation effects and thus movement in your sound. Basically, they are the same as the standard oscillator, however, they operate at a much lower frequency. In most cases even at an inaudible frequency.

You can then use this waveform to control other parameters of your synthesizer and thus modulate the sound. If you couple an LFO to your audio oscillator, for example, it will automatically change in pitch over time. Do you couple it to your filter? Then it will open and close automatically. So you could think of the LFO as an extra hand in operating your synthesizer.

With the rise of integrated circuits (ICs), the 1980s also saw the introduction of more and more digital synthesizers. With digital instead of analog technology, synthesizers became smaller and cheaper, making them accessible to more and more people.

Consequently, the first successful digital synthesizer, the Yamaha DX7, can be heard on countless albums from that era. Apart from its digital nature, the DX7 was also the first synthesizer to use frequency modulation (FM synthesis). In the same period, Roland released the D-50 on the market. With this synthesizer, they were the first to combine samples with synthesis which later evolved into wavetable synthesis.

Since the 1990s, the biggest change in synthesizer technology can be traced back to the development of virtual instruments. In particular, the virtual simulation of analog synthesizers (and the associated charms).

Whereas this required specialized devices in the 1990s, today computers are capable of simulating dozens of synthesizers simultaneously. The big brands of yesteryear (Korg, Moog, Roland) now even produce apps capable of simulating replicas of their synthesizers from the 70s and 80s that are almost indistinguishable from the real thing.

Synthesizers have had an immense influence on the world of music and continue to be a source of innovation and creativity. From analog pioneers to modern technologies, the world of synthesizers offers endless opportunities to create unique sounds and push musical boundaries. Curious about the world of Synthesis? Then quickly check out our selection and dive into the world of synthesizers.