Welcome to the Vintage Synth Explorer

The Vintage Synth Explorer

The Vintage Synth Explorer was established back in 1996 in order to provide a fast and easy way to learn about vintage synthesizers. This has grown to include modern digital and analog emulators, software synths, plug-ins, and other new types of synthesizers and samplers.

Here you will find detailed descriptions and reviews, pictures, audio samples, technical specifications, famous users, patch files, manuals, links and more - for over 650 instruments!

LATEST ADDITIONS

Attack of the Beasts! (Part 1)
The Modular Analog Synthesizer Systems are here! We are adding several modular systems to our database. And these are not just old systems fit for a museum or university sound lab. These are modular synthesizers that are current, state of the art, modern-day analog classics. And we have more on the way.


Serge Modular Systems
We've finally added the amazing Serge Modular Systems to our pages. In the American tradition of East Coast vs. West Coast, the Serge (along with Buchla) represent the West Coast style of modular synthesizer, a radically different type of synth compared to the East Coast style of the Moog and ARP synthesizers. The Serge has been around since 1975 and can still be bought brand new to this day, which is something few of its competitors from the early days can still claim. Click here for the review.


Buchla 200e Series
Another West Coast contender, the Buchla has many similarities to the Serge including the fact that the 200e is also a full-blown modular synthesizer that is current, modern and can be bought brand new today from Buchla. Although the 200e is updated, it's still fairly similar to its classic predecessor from the 70's, the original 200 series, making it truly a surviving modern-day classic. Click here for the review.


MacBeth Studio Systems M5
Ken MacBeth from Scotland has been building synths that bring true analog masterpieces of yesteryear to life today. Built with a design and synthesizer philosophy similar to that of the classic ARP 2600, the M5 is a 'semi-modular' style of synthesizer with entirely analog circuitry, upgraded features and components and incredible sound quality. These hand-crafted electronic instruments display the same quality of sound and workmanship as any fine hand-crafted acoustic instrument. Click here for the review.
We've also added the original MacBeth M3X synthesizer.

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