Best Polyphonic Synths 2023

As we roll into 2023, there has never been a better time for synthesizer fanatics. Between reissues of classic analog synths, forward-thinking digital synthesizers, and hundreds of options to meet any budget, you have more options than ever for creating and performing with your own unique sounds. And when it comes to maximum playability, nothing beats the expressive potential of a polyphonic synthesizer. Let’s take a look at some of the best polysynths available today.

Note: At Sweetwater, we know there's no such thing as 'best' when it comes to music gear. Every player and artist has unique tastes, which is what makes selecting gear so fun! The items on this list feature some of our favorite products from top manufacturers to help you start your buying journey! Explore these recommendations and dive into Sweetwater's massive collection of gear on our online store. For personalized picks and expert advice, please contact our knowledgeable Sweetwater Sales Engineers at (800) 222-4700!

Sequential Prophet-10Moog OneNord Lead A1Access Virus TI2ASM Hydrasynth DeluxeKorg WavestateNovation SummitWaldorf QuantumElektron DigitoneOberheim OB-X8Dreadbox NymphesRoland Juno-XArturia PolyBrute

Sequential Prophet-10

The return of a polysynth legend

More than 40 years after the release of the original Prophet-10, Dave Smith returns with the synth’s most powerful iteration yet: the Sequential Prophet-10! This 10-voice, all-analog polysynth is clearly inspired by the original, but it manages to pack must-have features from throughout the Prophet-10’s history — with a host of all-new additions. Exceptionally stable voltage-controlled oscillators perfectly capture the fat, vintage-style tones of the original — but with enhanced reliability. What’s more, if you’d rather not have the improved stability, then the vintage knob is a veritable history lesson in the Prophet-10’s sonic development that allows you to switch between revisions, altering the synth’s behavior, tone, and predictability. Lastly, the Prophet-10 is sure to please fans of another legendary Dave Smith–designed synth — flip the Prophet-10 into 5-voice mode, and this synth transforms into a spot-on replication of the Prophet-5 in all its analog glory!

Learn more about the Sequential Prophet-10.

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Moog One

The ultimate Moog dream synth

Many musicians and producers consider Moog synthesizers to be the epitome of analog synthesis, and the Moog One 16-voice polyphonic analog synthesizer (also available in an 8-voice model) is the pinnacle of their sonic prowess. It’s the first polyphonic Moog to be released in over three decades, and it packs everything players love about Moog — a super-punchy sound, the legendary Moog filters, and an intuitive layout that encourages sonic exploration. And, thanks to its tri-timbral operation, the Moog One is three synths in one, each with its own note range, arpeggiator, and sequencer. Factor in fantastic built-in effects and a potent modulation matrix, and the Moog One may be the most capable Moog ever designed.

Learn more about the Moog One.

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Nord Lead A1

Cutting-edge performance synthesis

Nord has long been a leader in analog modeling technology and player-focused instrument creation. The Nord Lead A1 offers tremendous functionality when it comes to sound design. With eight oscillator configurations, a range of traditional analog and digital waveforms, a variety of filter types, and vibrant built-in effects, it’s truly a polyphonic powerhouse. 4-part multitimbral operation allows you to command up to four distinct sounds at once, either layered or split across its premium Fatar keybed. And, with all this packed into a case that weighs less than 11 pounds, the Nord Lead A1 is perfect for gigging synthesists.

Learn more about the Nord Lead A1.

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Access Virus TI2

A prince of polysynths — now with more horsepower

With three main oscillators plus one sub oscillator per voice, two independent filters, independent reverb and delay per patch, and a ton of hands-on control, the Access Virus TI2 keyboard is virtual analog synthesis done right. Not only is it a joy to perform with, but it also stands out as a studio synth. Thanks to its dedicated DAW plug-in, you’re able to:

Control every aspect of your synth from within your DAW sessionCapture audio directly from the Virus TI2 Keyboard at up to 24-bit/96kHz resolutionSave all of your synth settings within your DAW project

In every respect, from sound quality to functionality to inspirational value, the Virus TI2 Keyboard is an exceptional instrument.

Learn more about the Access Virus TI2.

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ASM Hydrasynth Deluxe

Double the Hydrasynth power

Essentially two 8-voice Hydrasynths crammed into a single box, the ASM Hydrasynth Deluxe offers a whopping 16-voice polyphony and a nearly endless assortment of sound-shaping tools. Each of this synth’s 16 voices features a trio of WaveScan oscillators with an incredible 219 distinct waveforms. But if that’s not enough to achieve the polysynth sounds of your dreams, four Mutators (each packed with seven different waveshape options) unlock in-depth waveshaping to take matters into your hands. While these are all key features for the sound design producer, the ASM Hydrasynth is by no means limited to studio use — a 73-note keybed, ribbon controller, polyphonic aftertouch, and CV/gate functionality make the ASM Hydrasynth Deluxe more than capable of bringing its formidable sound design might onto the stage!

Learn more about the ASM Hydrasynth Deluxe.

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Korg Wavestate

Wave sequencing for the 21st century

The Korg Wavestate synthesizer introduces the unique sonic capabilities of wave-sequencing synthesis to a new generation of music producers. You can read more about wave sequencing at the link below, but, in short, it allows you to create complexly animated soundscapes you can’t achieve with other synthesis methods. Four simultaneous sound layers support up to 64 stereo voices of polyphony, and you can blend between the four layers in real time with the Vector Joystick. Best of all, smooth transitions allow sounds from a previous patch to fade out naturally after you’ve selected a new patch, making for seamless live performance capabilities.

Learn more about the Korg Wavestate.

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Novation Summit

Novation’s flagship keyboard synth

If you like the sound of the Novation Peak module mentioned above, then what could be better than two of them (Twin Peaks?) paired with an expressive five-octave keyboard? That’s what the Novation Summit offers — 16-voice, 2-part multitimbral performance that allows you to command two Peak synth engines simultaneously. Its multitimbral engine allows you to stack two patches simultaneously, split them across the keyboard, or switch between the two voices seamlessly. Just like the Peak, the Summit features Novation’s New Oxford Oscillators with subtractive, wavetable, and FM synthesis capabilities — there’s a lifetime of sonic territory to explore here.

Learn more about the Novation Summit.

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Waldorf Quantum

The epitome of Waldorf innovation

When shopping for a synthesizer of any kind, you’re all but guaranteed to run into the age-old argument of digital versus analog — but why not have both? The eight voices of the Waldorf Quantum offer the best of both sides of the polyphonic synthesizer world, with beautiful 3-per-voice digital oscillators combined with the natural warmth and liveliness of rich analog filters. What’s more, the Waldorf Quantum’s six LFOs, six loopable envelopes, five master effects, and multitimbral functionality provide a simply astounding level of sonic adjustability. Looking to take a more personalized approach? The Quantum marks the most powerful iteration of Waldorf’s proprietary Wavetable technology yet, allowing for Wavetable creation from both audio and sample-based synthesis. If you’re after the best that Waldorf has to offer, then you’ll find it with the Quantum. 

Learn more about the Waldorf Quantum.

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Elektron Digitone

An 8-voice FM synth, served Elektron style

Bringing FM synthesis to a new generation of music producers, the Elektron Digitone packs eight voices of polyphonic playability into a groovebox-style format that’s sure to please fans of the Elektron universe. A built-in polyphonic sequencer offers four synth tracks for sequencing internal sounds and four MIDI tracks for sequencing other synths in your collection. Each synth track supports a 4-operator FM synth engine with eight different FM algorithms. And, thanks to Elektron’s famous parameter-lock sequencing, which allows for entirely different parameter values on each step, the Digitone isn’t just a powerful polyphonic synth — it’s one of the most versatile FM synths you can get your hands on.

Learn more about the Elektron Digitone.

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Oberheim OB-X8

A long-awaited return to form

After a nearly 40-year hiatus, the OB-X8 marks Oberheim’s triumphant return to polyphonic synthesizer dominance! This 8-voice synth sports a truly all-analog signal path, with a tone and feature set that combine the best bits of legendary Oberheim synthesizers, such as the OB-X, OB-Xa, and OB-8 models (with more than 400 original presets), bringing some iconic synth sounds of the past straight into the 21st century. Plus, the OB-X8 is no mere reissue — enhanced reliability, an OLED screen, and full MIDI/USB compatibility allow this synth to shine in any modern application. Designed by Tom Oberheim himself — with the help of a few fellow synthesizer luminaries, including Dave Smith, Marcus Ryle, and Tony Karavidas — the OB-X8 is a monumental achievement that ushers in a bold new era of analog synthesis.

Learn more about the Oberheim OB-X8.

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Dreadbox Nymphes

Desktop-ready, all-analog polysynth power

Don’t be fooled by this polysynth’s size — inside of the compact form factor of the Dreadbox Nymphes resides an all-analog polysynth with six voices and built-in digital reverb. Inspired by an iconic ’80s single-VCO-per-voice polyphonic synthesizer, the Nymphes is a budget-friendly (and desktop-friendly) way to achieve spacey analog pads, crushing mono basslines, and stinging lead tones. Seven different play modes are available — from poly to unison to duo to chord memory and more. Beyond that, the extensive modulation section boasts a massive range of ways to twist and tweak your patches, with 28 different destinations that can be controlled via LFO, velocity, aftertouch, and a variety of other sources. Round it off with a rich, 4-pole analog resonant VCF, 49 preset slots, and full CC control of all parameters via an outboard keyboard, and the Dreadbox Nymphes is proof that you don’t need a knob-packed space station of a synth to achieve massive analog-style polyphonic synthesizer tones.

Learn more about the Dreadbox Nymphes.

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Roland Juno-X

A Juno polysynth for the 21st century

As one of the key architects of the ’80s synthesizer revolution, the Roland Juno’s lush pads, bubbly bass lines, and cutting leads are among the most sought-after sounds in the history of polyphonic synthesizers. The Roland Juno-X packs two of the Juno series’ most iconic sound engines into a single polysynth, with the addition of the wholly modern Juno-X engine. These sounds are all impeccably replicated using cutting-edge digital modeling, and Roland’s Model Expansions even allow you to capture the sound of a variety of other classic Roland synthesizers, including the Jupiter-8, JD-800, SH-100, and more. Perhaps most impressively, Roland has managed to outfit the time-tested Juno formula with a host of modern features — from velocity parameters to Super Saw waveforms — without giving up an inch of the Juno’s iconic character. Finally, it simply wouldn’t be a Juno without chorus; five different chorus modes are available to impart life and movement to your sound.

Learn more about the Roland Juno-X.

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Arturia PolyBrute

Ushering in a new era of synthesizer innovation

The Arturia PolyBrute represents an entirely new era of analog polyphonic synthesizers, with six voices, two rich analog oscillators, and a powerful dual-filter section that includes both a Steiner Parker filter and a traditional Ladder filter to sculpt your sound. Beyond that, a full-size, 61-note keyboard, Morphée pad, and wooden ribbon controller make this a formidable performance polysynth. And the built-in, 64-step sequencer is a must-have for synthesizer fanatics looking to dive into the world of electronic grooves. Just in case the rock-solid, old-school build quality and charming, classic aesthetics fooled you into thinking that this is a throwback polysynth, one quick glance at the 32-destination routing matrix is a resolute declaration that the Arturia PolyBrute is no polysynth of the past!

Learn more about the Arturia PolyBrute.

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Your Ideal Polyphonic Synthesizer Awaits!

These are some of the best polyphonic synthesizers ever created, and all have earned their acclaim from countless musicians and producers. Whether you’re looking for classic vintage-synth sounds, modern sounds for EDM, or a powerful tool for experimental sound design, at least one of these polyphonic synthesizers is sure to inspire creativity. Are you still trying to decide which one is the best polyphonic synthesizer for your style? Give your Sweetwater Sales Engineer a call at (800) 222-4700, and they’ll help you determine which will best fit your needs!
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