Outside of certain electronic music corridors, analog synthesizers were out of fashion throughout much of the 1990s and early 2000s. But with the rise of Eurorack modular and boutique synth makers, and the resurrection of Moog and Sequential (originally under Dave Smith Instruments), analog synths made a comeback. All of this happened amidst high demand for both iconic and lesser known analog synths of the 1980s.
The clear winners of the second age of analog synthesis have been electronic musicians and producers. And those looking for more polyphony now have a wondrous variety of options.
There are polyphonic analog synths not only for those willing and able to drop their coin on high end options, but for the budget-minded musicians and producers. Below are some of the most attractive analog polysynths.
Quick Picks for Analog Polysynths on Reverb
Iconic Analog Polysynths
Iconic analog polysynths at a glance:
- Original analog circuitry
- Warm, fat, and creamy sound
- Classic for a reason: sound great in any genre that needs polyphonic power
By the early 1990s, the domination of digital synthesis meant iconic analog polysynths were criminally cheap. A decade later, this was not the case. The secondhand market for vintage analog polysynths is still going strong. And some of these synths are easier to obtain than the others.
Dave Smith’s company Sequential Circuits was one of the first to create analog polysynths, and the company’s Prophet-5 is for many still the gold standard. Moog also produced an analog polysynth in the early 1980s—the Memorymoog.
Other electronic music instrument makers like Oberheim and the underdog Italian company Crumar also put out some fantastic polyphonic analog synths in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Crumar’s Trilogy, in particular, is a fantastic synth. The Trilogy is both a polyphonic with both string and organ sections. It looks and sounds fantastic.
Oberheim’s OB-12 is remembered both for its iconic sound and looks. If you’re a fan of late 1980s and early 1990s electronic music, especially from the UK, chances are you’ve heard an Oberheim polysynth. Artists from pioneering ambient techno act The KLF to Floating Points are known users, amongst many others across a wide spectrum of genres.
Another great polyphonic analog synth from the 1980s is the Korg Polysix. Korg’s response to the Prophet-5 and Juno-106, the Polysix probably isn’t as legendary. But, if you need an analog polysynth from this period, the Polysix is a really solid option.
Modern Analog Polysynths
Modern analog polysynths at a glance:
- More features than classic polyphonic analog synths
- Digital control for more flexibility
- Budget and high end options
The second wave of analog synthesis has brought a few more entries into the polyphonic analog synth category. Some are incredibly high end, like the Moog One, while others are much easier on the wallet such as the Korg Minilogue. This means there really is an option for everyone.
For those looking for their first analog polysynths, the Korg Minilogue XD and Elektron Analog Four are great options. Each is a four-voice synth with onboard sequencers. While the Minilogue XD is offered as only a keyboard, the Analog Four has both tabletop and keyboard formats.
Behringer, which has busied itself with classic synth clones over the last few years, isn’t exactly known for breaking new ground. But with the Deep Mind 12, the Germany-based electronic instrument maker created an analog polysynth with impressive depth. It won’t wow players with impeccable design and construction of a Moog, but its sounds will more than satisfy.
With the Sequential Prophet Rev 2, Dave Smith reimagines the modern classic Prophet ‘08. The Rev 2 has twice the polyphony of its predecessor, and at a far more affordable price point. It also boasts more modulation and effects possibilities, as well as a polyphonic sequencer that, on its own, might be worth the price of admission.
In recent years, Dave Smith has been collaborating with another synthesizer icon—Tom Oberheim. With the OB-6, Smith and Oberheim bring the classic SEM sound of Oberheim’s synthesizers into a more modern expression. The design, in both its desktop and keyboard versions, calls to mind Oberheim’s SEM voice cards but with the controls and software features for which Dave Smith newer synths are well known.
One of the more unique analog polysynths of recent vintage is the Vermona PERfourMER mkII. A unique piece of kit, the PERfourMER features four analog voices that can be used independently in monophonic mode, or as either two- and four-voice polyphonic synthesizers. On top of that, each voice’s oscillators and LFOs can be synced for deep sound design possibilities.
One of the most beautiful looking and sounding analog polysynths is surely the Moog One. Inspired by the Memorymoog, the Moog One is a powerful 8-voice with the best of analog circuitry and digital control. Yes, it’s the price of a used car, but it might be the last synth you’ll ever need or want. Unless, of course, your GAS (gear acquisition syndrome) knows no bounds.