Vintage Synth Explorer

Welcome to the Vintage Synth Explorer

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

Davoli Davolisint

This was Italy's first analog synthesizer. And while it may be a historic instrument in terms of Italy's contribution to synthesizers, the Davolisint is actually kind of awkward and may leave some people scratching their heads. Read the full review...

Syntauri alphaSyntauri

Twenty years before soft synths became commonplace, the Syntauri Corporation had the idea of using a personal computer to handle its processing and functionality. Billed as the first affordable digital synth (around $1,500, Apple IIe not included). Read the full review...

Wersi Bass Synthesizer

Billed as two instruments in one: an Electric Bass Guitar and Synthesizer, this compact light-weight instrument from German organ builders WERSI is a monophonic analog synth with funky controls, decent sounds and a unique character. Read the full review...

Percussa AudioCubes

The AudioCubes are an electronic musical instrument for professional musicians that are smart light-emitting blocks able to detect each other's position, location, and sense distance. Read the full review...

BOSS HC-2 Hand Clapper

The Boss HC-2 is a single-function hand clap synthesizer. It sounds similar to the TR-808/909 clap and is a useful addition to drum machines such as the DR-55 and TR-606, both of which have suitable trigger outputs and lack clap sounds themselves. It is also good fun to play manually. Read the full review...

Control Synthesis Deep Bass Nine

The Deep Bass Nine was commissioned (circa 1994) by a UK-based second-hand retailer as an alternative analog mono-bass-synth to satiate the demand for the Roland TB-303. Yes, this is another TB-303 clone. Read the full review...

Steiner-Parker Minicon

A very rare mono-synth with a single analog oscillator that actually sounded thicker and was incredibly stable too, a very important feature compared with some of its more popular competition. Read the full review...

Yamaha ED10 Drum Synthesizer

A very affordable and accessible way to add some analog flavor to your recordings and live performances. The ED10 consists of a sizable, velocity sensitive rubber pad and a small built-in synthesizer. Read the full review...

BOSS DR-110 Dr. Rhythm Graphic

In 1980, Roland introduced their first simple and affordable drum machine to bear the BOSS Dr. Rhythm brand (the DR-55). It was followed by the Dr. Rhythm Graphic (DR-110) in 1983, which offers a wider selection of sounds, preset patterns and more. Read the full review...

SoundMaster Memory Rhythm SR-88

The SoundMaster Memory Rhythm SR-88 is a programmable drum machine with four analog sounds. It has much in common not only with the BOSS DR-55 Dr. Rhythm but also with a number of other simple drum machines that proliferated around this time. Read the full review...

EKO EKOsynth P15

A very rare Italian made preset-based synthesizer, circa 1979. An analog mono-synth that offers 15 preset sounds with basic synthesizing capabilities housed in a rugged road-worthy case. Read the full review...

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