Synthesizer manufacturers have given us a lot to fawn over in the last few years, from superpowered creation stations to compact gear that packs a punch—but sometimes, it’s best to stick with the tried-and-true classics we know and love. In this shopping guide, we’ll take a look at some of the best synthesizers that B&H has to offer—whether it’s the hottest new gear or one of the mainstays of the market.
Flagship Models ($3000+)
These synthesizers are the best of the best manufacturers have to offer—and their price point reflects it. If you’re looking to take your sound to the highest level, check out these monstrous machines.
New
Arturia PolyBrute 12
The 12-voice polyphonic analog PolyBrute 12 is Arturia’s new crown jewel. The expression and morphing capabilities featured on the machine are expansive, capable of creating multidimensional soundscapes, soaring leads, fat bass, and warping textures. Its 96-button matrix panel can be used to select presets, work with the sequencer and arpeggiator, and manage the modulation matrix. CV/Gate inputs allow the PolyBrute to seamlessly connect with modular setups, and it can be used as a VST or midi controller with a computer. With three modes of aftertouch, Arturia’s Morphee expression controller, and a classic ribbon controller, it’s suited particularly well for live performance and live tracking. The PolyBrute 12 can be the centerpiece machine for any analog setup.
Udo Audio Super Gemini
The Super Gemini is a 20-voice bi-timbral polyphonic hybrid synthesizer, meaning its philosophy is centered around sonic duality. Dual synth controls can modify two sounds simultaneously, either layered onto each note or split into two sections of the 61-key keyboard. This also means that the Super Gemini can be switched to a 10-voice stereo binaural mode, where the two independent synthesizer voices can be sent to left and right channels separately to create rich and wide stereo imaging, allowing for greater positioning and depth, dynamic stereo movement, and detuning/dephasing twinned voices for expressive and complex tonality. Those looking for a synth with unique workflow and new possibilities should consider the Udo Audio Super Gemini.
Oberheim OB-X8
The OB-X8 is Oberheim’s flagship model, combining the circuitry and filters of the vintage OB-1, OB-X, and OB-Xa synthesizers, thus maintaining the classic analog programming workflow from the original machines. It abides by vintage analog philosophy, using discrete components and authentic Curtis filters to produce the anthemic brass, deep bass, and high-flying leads the originals were lauded for—without having to deal with the headache of finding, purchasing, and maintaining rare and historic forty-plus-year-old hardware. Those looking for a classic sound and workflow in a brand-new machine should give the OB-X8 a shot.
Classic
Sequential Prophet-5 and Prophet-10
This quintessential synthesizer was released way back in 1978 and is as powerful and sought after as it ever was in 2025. The Rev4 reissue, available at B&H, adds modern features to the original design, such as velocity sensitivity and aftertouch on the keyboard, switchable filter designs between vintage and new modes, and modern I/O connectivity for USB inputs and expression pedals. Other than that, it’s the same Prophet-5 you’ve known and loved from the countless records and soundtracks it was used to create.
Heavyweights ($1000-$3000)
While not the very pinnacle of the synth world, these synthesizers are powerful machines that can find a home in any studio environment and easily be the central hub of your ecosystem. If you’ve got a pocket full of spending money but the grails are still out of reach, these options will serve you well.
New
Expressive E Osmose
The Expressive E Osmose is a polyphonic synthesizer that sets itself apart from the competition with its unique tactile expression via its gesture-sensitive keybed. The keyboard registers continuous pressure changes and directional wobbling, allowing for polyphonic aftertouch (where applying more pressure can trigger new sounds or modulation) and pitch control—bending or adding vibrato to a note by wobbling the key itself. It comes with a built-in sound engine that produces physical modeling, FM, subtractive, and additive synthesis with presets specifically integrated with the Osmose’s unique expressivity. It can also be used as a MIDI/MPE controller with external software, making it a hybrid controller and synthesizer in one package.
Teenage Engineering OP-XY
Teenage Engineering continues to flex their design muscles with the OP-XY, a 24-voice polyphonic synthesizer with eight synth engines, sampler, and sequencer. Like Teenage Engineering’s lineup, the OP-XY is quite expensive for such a small and portable machine, but its design lends itself to field recordings and taking on the go to gigs and jam sessions, and it doesn’t skimp on power or features either. Fans of the OP series should check out the newest addition to the lineup.
Classic
Sequential Prophet Rev2
The Rev2 is a polyphonic analog synth available in 8- and 16-voice configurations, as well as the option between a full keyboard or desktop model—and the 8-voice versions can later be upgraded to 16-voice with an expansion kit. It uses genuine Curtis filters found in the flagship Prophet-5, and offers a bevy of features, including a modulation matrix, bi-timbral operations, a sequencer, and an arpeggiator. The Rev2 is fantastic for live performance and live tracking, sporting a 5-octave semi-weighted keyboard with velocity and aftertouch. The Rev2 is a fantastic option for an analog command center—while it’s not cheap, it may be the most fully featured synth at its price point on the market.
Moog Subsequent 37
The Moog Sub 37 is a dual-voice paraphonic synthesizer—it acts much like a monophonic synth but can utilize “Duo Mode” where both of its main oscillators work simultaneously but separately, allowing for two sounds to be played at once either stacked together on the same note, or spread out over two different notes. Those looking for that classic Moog sound and workflow with greater versatility (and greater value) than the original Minimoog should take a look at the Sub 37.
Affordable Powerhouses ($500-$1000)
Synths under $1000 sound fantastic and can be a part of any analog ecosystem or performance kit, but there will be some sacrifices—whether its build quality, number of voices, or size of the keyboard, something’s got to give. If you’re looking to add another machine to your setup, or are just beginning your synth journey, these are some great options to consider.
New
Sequential Fourm Compact
The Fourm is a 4-voice analog synthesizer built on the architecture of the Prophet-5, giving it a similar vintage sound character as the flagship in a smaller and more affordable 37-slimkey form factor. The Fourm features polyphonic aftertouch allowing for the intuitive performance of bends, accents, and filter shaping, making it a sleek little machine that feels sort of like an expressive monosynth that can play chords. This synthesizer is perfect for beginners looking for a versatile and more affordable machine, or for those wanting to expand and upgrade their existing setup with the Prophet sound.
Moog Messenger
Before the analog monophonic Moog Messenger was released in June 2025 as the first Moog synth manufactured entirely after its acquisition by inMusic, the synth community anticipated with bated breath to see if this Chinese manufactured synthesizer would abide by Moog’s previous standard of excellence. Well, safe to say, for $900, it’s a real Moog. Housed in a plastic chassis with a metal fascia, its smaller form factor features 32 semi-weighted full-size keys with velocity and aftertouch, pitch and mod wheels where they belong, and a slightly different programming approach than other Moogs. If you want to get the Moog sound without emptying your wallet, try out the Moog Messenger.
Classic
Novation Bass Station II
The Novation Bass Station II is a classic paraphonic analog monosynth—meaning it has two oscillators (and a sub) that share a single filter, VCA, and envelope generator and can only be played on one note (no splitting like the Sub 37). Aptly designed as primarily a bass synthesizer, the 25-key Bass Station is still capable of producing leads, pads, and synth drums using aftertouch, arpeggiators, and LFOs. The Bass Station has been a workhorse for over 30 years and is still one of the most common monosynths you’ll see on stage due to its price and ease of use. If you’re a beginner, a bass player who wants a synth, or want a true analog sound on a budget, the Bass Station could be the right choice for you.
Korg MS-20 Mini
The MS-20 Mini is a recreation of the lauded vintage MS-20 paraphonic synthesizer created in 1978—literally the same form factor and circuitry as the original in a chassis 4/5ths the size. One of the rare times a company actually recreates old hardware as it had existed, the Korg MS-20 Mini offers the same architecture and design as the original with a physical patch bay, two oscillators, envelope generators, and filters. Those looking to get their hands on a classic machine with updated materials and at a cheaper price should look at the Korg MS-20 Mini.
Budget Beasts (=< $500)
We haven’t seen many full keyboard synths under $500 released in the last couple years, so these newer ones are compact machines small enough to put in your pocket or a handbag. Don’t underestimate the compositional power of them though—they’re fully capable of being a key part of your workflow, or even as a standalone creation station. The older machines we discuss are staple monosynths of the budget synth market and are great performance devices, especially for bass and leads.
New
Roland AIRA Compact S-1
The AIRA Compact S-1 is an ultraportable 4-voice micropolysynth based off the Roland SH-101, a synth often used in house music in the 90s. Despite its miniscule size, the AIRA is a powerful machine with a two octave range keyboard, 64-step sequencer, arpeggiator, and accelerometer to control parameters by physically moving the synth. It can connect to other MIDI devices, and makes for a surprisingly powerful machine—a friend of mine used the AIRA to create a fully scored video game soundtrack—leads, bass, pads, arps, and even drums all on this little device. For creators who want an instrument they can take on the go, the AIRA Compact S-1 is a powerful compact machine at an affordable price.
IK Multimedia UNO Synth Pro Desktop
The IK Multimedia UNO Pro is a dual-filter 3-oscillator paraphonic analog synthesizer with 37 capacitance-sensing keys, featuring a full set of FX, sequencing, arpeggiation, and CV/Gate I/O for connecting to a computer or other devices. For the money, this machine is quite powerful, designed to be a platform within a larger analog ecosystem, but can be used by itself to great success. If you’re looking for a true portable analog synth on a budget, check this one out.
Classic
Arturia MiniBrute 2
An update to one of the classics, the Arturia MiniBrute 2 is a monophonic synth that features a semimodular 48-point patchbay, similar to the Korg MS-20, allowing for some funky routing or eurorack compatibility. The MiniBrute is known for its aggressive sound and modular versatility—I used to use one in a prog rock band to great effect with its 25-key aftertouch and velocity sensitive keyboard. The MiniBrute is a great addition to any setup or outfit that needs monophonic power to send bass or leads over the top.
Korg Monologue
The Monolouge is a staple 25-key monosynth that’s been around since 2017. It uses the classic knob-per-function layout making it great for beginners or those who want quick access to powerful analog sound. The Monolouge comes in a rugged aluminum chassis and is fully programmable, featuring a built-in oscilloscope to monitor waveforms in real time, along with a step-sequencer and arpeggiator. You can’t go wrong with the Monolouge as a starter synth or as another weapon to add to your arsenal.
Come take a look at these synths and more at the B&H Superstore or check out what else we have to offer on our online storefront. We’re always adding new products and have an extensive list of brand new synths—and you can read all their manuals on our website, so you can learn about the machine before you make a purchase.
