Rating of the best synthesizers of 2021-2022

Continues our review of the best synthesizers for beginners CASIO LK-S250. If the abundance of buttons and controls above the keyboard frightens you in synthesizers, then Casio engineers have not forgotten about it: the LK-S250 is made extremely minimalistic in terms of the “user interface”, which is typical for the entire Casiotone line that has already become legendary, leading back to the 1980s . Here, in the style of the famous “synthesizers with a pen” (yes, it’s worth putting a separate plus for ease of transportation), a training model is made, for the convenience of using training programs, it is equipped with dynamic backlighting of the keys.

The keys, by the way, are semi-weighted, with touch sensitivity, which has two settings or can be completely disabled. The synthesizer has 400 preset timbres with 48-note polyphony, 77 auto accompaniment styles, 60 built-in melodies for learning, which can be carried out even for a single hand, even for both at once. Let’s add a useful ability to receive MIDI from a computer, which will allow you to play in general with any pre-recorded accompaniment, not limited to the built-in one — or, on the contrary, work with a DAW running on a computer as a MIDI keyboard. So this model will not become boring for a long time — and, having completed the training, it will still be possible to find its merits in it.

The downside here is obvious just in the idea itself: the lack of quick access to functions, they cannot be switched on the fly, as in «regular» synthesizers with the same bunch of dedicated buttons. But, since we are talking about a training model, this is not a big minus: many buyers may never need it at all.

The “training synthesizer” YPT-270 is nothing more than the “Russian localization” of the PSR-E273 synthesizer that was released to the public at the NAMM Show 2020. In Russia, both models are now available, and for the same price — but we think that the «localized» one will be more interesting.

The synthesizer was specially created as a fairly budgetary, but interesting and high-quality «training desk». You can start learning from the very basics using Quiz — the «guess the note» feature, and then move on to the built-in lessons for each hand separately or for both hands. Then we master the work with auto accompaniments, playing together … In general, it will not be boring. By the way, what are those strange icons above the keys? This is an enumeration of their functions in the special effects mode: for example, you can make the synthesizer neigh like a horse in a thunderstorm if you need it (although this has not the most direct relation to music).

Polyphony — 32 notes with the priority of the last, that is, when playing more than 32 notes at the same time, the first one that sounded first is cut off. There are 386 built-in «clean» timbres, plus a set of «duets» is also provided — a total of 401 timbres in total. The auto accompaniment program offers 143 styles. Plus, there are 122 educational compositions. Processing effects are minimal, but they are there — 10 reverb presets, as well as several options for flanger and chorus. And it all sounds pretty good, especially not through the built-in acoustics, but when connecting an external one: after all, Yamaha knows a lot about high-quality sound.

Another thing is that there is a risk of quickly growing out of the keyboard: 61 full-sized keys do not have sensitivity to speed or pressure, and this seriously limits the playing technique. But, on the other hand, it also simplifies learning: there will be fewer audible flaws, that is, a novice musician will be able to better focus on rhythm and notes. So, in any case, this model deserves its place in our rating: just as a “training” synthesizer, it turned out to be good — and quite pleasant for the price.

A typical inexpensive synthesizer for beginners — only a basic set of controls (for example, there are definitely not enough real-time controllers), but with a large display and dynamic backlighting of the keys. Even a complete «teapot» who can hardly distinguish the icons on the stave will be able to deal with it. The keys are very light, so this synthesizer is perfect for teaching children, but a more “heavy” instrument is suitable for an adult, especially if there is a sight for a “live” keyboard instrument.

The features of the game are also only basic. Complex compositions for the synthesizer are already unbearable, there are few simultaneously processed keystrokes — but that’s okay, the “target audience” definitely doesn’t know how to play with all ten fingers. But the lack of USB spoils the impression more: you can neither transfer audio to a computer, nor connect the synthesizer as a MIDI device.

But in return, Casio offers a simple chord playing (in Casio Chord mode, pressing one key generates a full major chord, two — a minor one), a convenient learning mode for any hand of your choice or two at once, good «dance music» modes. Built-in 120 timbres (without the ability to add your own samples), 100 songs, 70 types of auto accompaniment.

Acoustics is unpretentious — two two-watt speakers. In good headphones, the synthesizer sounds more interesting, but, of course, in terms of sound quality it is still weaker than more advanced models for beginners.

If you need an inexpensive instrument without high requirements for sound, then there is an option to save money by turning to non-promoted brands. The Chinese synthesizer will offer both 320 built-in timbres, and not the worst tutorial, and the ability to connect to a PC via a USB connector — the synthesizer can also work as a MIDI keyboard.

What will you have to pay for this? To begin with, frankly weak acoustics, and we are talking not only about the speakers, but about the sound path as a whole. The upper octaves are truncated, a resonance is noticeable at the bottom of the midrange. The keyboard is a traditional 61-key, unweighted, touch sensitive, but overly light and doesn’t give adequate feedback.

On the other hand, consider the price. Medelli makes it possible to start learning both the keyboard instrument itself and working with DAW on a computer at an inexpensive price — and high-quality VSTs combined with a decent sound card will allow you to get an order of magnitude better sound than the “built-in” one. This means that the time of «growth» can be stretched.

Well, let’s finish the review of the best synthesizers for beginners with a tool where the emphasis is on affordability: in this case, you have to choose between frankly «childish» models from brands with a name, or give up to the ubiquitous Chinese in order to get something full-sized. Naturally, with a cheap unweighted keyboard (which, by the way, is already made of several standard full-size ones) and extremely truncated polyphony — only 8 notes, that is, there is only one way to play complex compositions on the Tesler: putting it on the shelf and buying superior synthesizer. For, without a USB connector, it cannot be used later even as a simple MIDI keyboard.

Of course, the author personally, with a limited budget, advised looking towards the secondary market — so, to some extent, Tesler got into our rating as the personification of what could be an alternative to the “used” Casio or Yamaha purchased in a store at current prices.

The increased width of the synthesizer made it possible to place on it not only all 76 keys, but also very good component acoustics: a home game will not strain your hearing with a flat or plastic sound, and at a rehearsal or at a concert, whatever one may say, you will need an amplifier. The tool offers the user a built-in library of 700 tones and 100 effects, plus the same number of effects, he can download himself. The sound can also be colored «manually» with the Pitch Bend wheel, which allows you to vary the sound in a range of 12 semitones. Plus, we connect the microphone to the appropriate connector, and you can safely go “work out the tavern” with songs about Magadan … wait, it was already somewhere.

The ability to quickly call up rhythmic patterns and quickly scroll through them with an encoder will also come in handy during performances in a “truncated” line-up, and for a musician playing in a group they will be useful during home rehearsals. The keyboard can be virtually «split» for two different instruments, with the possibility of mixing their sound into a common output.

Of the minuses, we note that for the sake of the price, the quality of the keyboard had to be sacrificed: the “tasty” sound and easy-to-set instrument is not as pleasant to the touch as it might be expected from first impressions. On the other hand… Still, let’s remember the price and the fact that with this budget we can already safely speak.

Next in our ranking of the best synthesizers is the KORG MS-20 Mini. At the sight of this keyboard hybrid with an old telephone exchange, someone will drop their jaws in shock, and personally, the author of these lines played a record of the old Latvian band Zodiac in his memory. Presets? Sound banks? Here, take a bite! The sound of this instrument is created literally by hand — with 36 (!) analogue «twists» and switching a set of generators and filters with cords (add the same number of jacks to the «twists»).

A person accustomed to the «remnants» of modern digital synthesizers will freeze and go into reboot even at the stage of mastering the synthesizer. On the other hand, a lover of electronic music with “exposure” for more than 25 years will have a stupidly satisfied smile in the process of tuning, and strives to spread to the ears. Yes, this is really an analog synthesizer, not a digital imitation, and the character of its sound cannot be confused with anything — its circuitry is based on the legendary Korg MS-20 from 1978. The fact that it was supplemented with a digital signal processor, which allows you to connect the synthesizer to a PC (and even, God forbid, an iPad) and play MIDI from an external source, looks close to blasphemy.

Alas, this instrument is still specific, many fans of modern electronics will be scared off by the very idea of ​​​​tuning the sound by switching the plugs on the panel according to the block diagram. So for the blatant (and wonderful) non-universality, we still lower his rating score.

Synthesizer (as well as other analog ones) «for an amateur», but what a! At one time, it was precisely with a compact “analogue”, as opposed to overall devices with switching by bundles of wires, that a little-known English company surprised the world at that time. Of course, in the 2000s, the company focused mainly on controllers and audio interfaces — but the more interesting is its «return to the roots», marked by the Best Value Award from Audiofanzine, Editor’s Choice Award from Electronic Musician, third place in the Music Radar rating and many other awards.

Only two octaves on the keyboard? But 24 knobs, 11 selectors and 13 buttons are at your disposal. This is an «analogue» — here the sound is created as in an alchemist’s laboratory. And, of course, there is an “iron” MIDI input and output, supplemented by the implementation of MIDI via USB (and with a USB connection, the synthesizer can also be powered from a computer).

The synthesizer has a lot of possibilities, although the implementation of the regulators spoils the impression a little (control is not the most convenient compared to other models of this type). Bass Station II can produce both aggressive sound for modern styles of music and nostalgic sound of the eighties. Just turn the controls — if, of course, you understand all these LFOs, DCOs and others like them. And all this is relatively inexpensive. So, if you have already played enough with analog synthesizer emulation in various VSTs and decided to “feel” it with your hands, Bass Station II can be a good choice.

Excellent 49-key keyboard with the ability to connect pedals. The keys, with decent feedback and aftertouch, are tactilely pleasing and don’t make any noise on their own. And the D-BEAM controller makes you feel like a theremin player – it uses an infrared sensor that reacts to hand movements above you.

Another traditional Roland control is the joystick, which simultaneously allows you to change the modulation and pitch. This makes it possible to create the craziest sounds for which traditional separate controls would be excessively inconvenient.

An important plus of the keyboard is its mobility: it is light and not very bulky, while not suffering from a lack of strength. The only pity is that it was for the sake of compactness that she lost the pads — on a MIDI keyboard, whatever one may say, they are very useful.