Welcome to the Vintage Synth Explorer

The Vintage Synth Explorer

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Since 1996, the Vintage Synth Explorer has been providing a fast and easy way to learn about vintage synthesizers. We have grown to include modern digital synthesizers, analog emulators, soft-synths, plug-ins, and other forms of electronic musical instruments.

Go to the "SYNTHS" menu above to start exploring our library of over 750 synths, samplers and drum machines!

Here you will find detailed descriptions and reviews, pictures, audio and video samples, technical specifications, lists of famous users, links and more!

LATEST ADDITIONS

Roland Gaia SH-01

Apr 15, 2013

If you're in the market for a hands-on synthesizer, the Roland Gaia SH-01 is not to be overlooked. An analog modeling synthesizer that retains the basic traits of previous SH-series synths with user-friendly layout and compact design worthy of stage and studio. Read Full Review...

Korg Monotron

Mar 21, 2013

The Monotron is Korg's first analog synthesizer in nearly thirty years. It's small enough to fit in your pocket and runs on batteries but is a true mono-synth with a voltage-controlled filter straight out of the iconic MS-10 and MS-20. With a retail price around $50, who wouldn't want a few of these? Read Full Review...

JoMoX MBase 11

Feb 19, 2013

The MBase does only one thing, but does it well: it creates 100% analog kick/bass drum sounds. It is the bass drum from the XBase 09, XBASE 999 and the AirBase 99 in a small desktop module that can be triggered via MIDI and external audio/trigger sources. Read Full Review...

Waldorf Blofeld

Feb 9, 2013

The release of the Blofeld synthesizer in 2007 helped resurrect Waldorf Music GmbH from near extinction. This compact wavetable synthesizer boasts one of the most complex digital engines on the market and is well equipped to compete with other powerful digital synthesizers. Read Full Review...

Moog Slim Phatty

Feb 9, 2013

The Slim Phatty has the same engine as the much-loved Little Phatty but in a rack-mountable unit that can also be used as a tabletop unit or chained with other Phatty devices for the ultimate in multi-voiced Moog richness. Read Full Review...

Moog MF-105M MIDI MuRF

Feb 9, 2013

The MIDI MuRF is a filter sequencer, capable of creating animated filter effects across eight frequency bands. These warm and resonant filters can be applied to any sound source: guitars, synthesizers, vocals, etc. All processing is 100% analog and its parameters can be controlled from MIDI, expression pedals or CV-compatible instruments. Read Full Review...

Movement MCS Drum Computer

Jan 28, 2013

The MCS Drum Computer is a very rare British made drum machine circa 1981. It combines analog synthesized drum sounds and digital 8-bit sampled drum sounds with a computer-like interface for graphic editing of the sequencing of drum patterns. Its most prominent user was David Stewart of the Eurythmics on tracks such as "Sweet Dreams". Read Full Review...

Yamaha SY20

Jan 26, 2013

The SY20 was Yamaha's last analog synthesizer model before committing to digital FM synthesis with products like the DX-series. It's an all-analog mono-synth that came out in 1982 but was never commercially sold outside of Japan, making it very rare. Despite a its simple looks, the SY20 is surprisingly refined and expressive. Read Full Review...

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    "A great site which tells you more or less everything you need to know about classic synths... a real techno time traveller's dream come true."