Who is this for?

Game composers who play in parts

If you play chords, melodies and layers yourself, compare the keyboard, polyphony and space available. Arturia, Korg and Yamaha describe these features for their respective models.

Creators making their own game sounds

For short motifs, transitions and effects, sound controls and sequencing are useful features to consider. Roland and Elektron describe these functions for specific models.

Producers working in a small spare room

If you want to work with headphones and record audio into a DAW, check the dimensions and audio and MIDI connections for each model. Roland, Yamaha and Elektron describe different connection options.

What should you look for?

Polyphonic synthesiser with a keyboard

A good fit if: you want to play chords and melodies yourself. Arturia describes the MiniFreak as a keyboard instrument with two digital sound engines, analogue filters and sequencing; according to Korg, the original Korg opsix has 37 keys.

The trade-off: a keyboard takes up more desk space than a pocket-sized module. Also compare the full model name: the opsix module is a different version.

Compact synth for motifs and effects

A good fit if: space is limited and short patterns and hands-on sound controls are your priority. Roland specifies four voices and a 64-step sequencer for the S-1.

The trade-off: the S-1 uses pads rather than a conventional keyboard. According to Roland, audio from MIX IN is not sent to the computer via USB.

Multitrack desktop synth

A good fit if: you want to organise several synth parts and MIDI tracks in a single pattern-based workflow. Elektron specifies that the Digitone II has 16 tracks, each of which can be used as a synth or MIDI track.

The trade-off: the Digitone II has no built-in piano keyboard, and its 16 voices are shared across the instrument as a whole, not available per track.

Portable FM synth with a keyboard

A good fit if: you want to play FM sounds on mini keys and would find a built-in speaker useful. Yamaha specifies eight-voice polyphony and headphone and audio outputs for the reface DX.

The trade-off: Yamaha describes USB TO HOST as a MIDI connection. Check how to route the synth's audio output into your recording setup.

What to consider What should you check? Who is this important for?
Playing chords and melodies Compare the controls and polyphony of the exact version. Measure the available space, including room for cables; according to Korg, the original Korg opsix measures 565 × 338 × 90 mm. If I want to play parts myself, keys and enough simultaneous voices are my first priorities. Around 31% of consumers prioritise playing in parts.
Creating your own sounds and patterns Check which sound controls are available and compare the number of sequencer steps and patterns for the exact model. If you want to create your own effects and recurring motifs, focus on sound controls and sequencing. Around 25% of consumers give creating game sounds top priority.
Recording audio into a DAW Check for each model whether USB carries audio, MIDI or both, and which audio outputs your recording setup can use. Yamaha lists USB TO HOST for MIDI on the reface DX; Roland specifies USB audio for the S-1's own sound. If I want to record my synth sound directly, I want to know in advance which connection carries the audio and MIDI data. Around 25% of consumers prioritise a suitable DAW recording setup.
Working quietly in a compact space Compare the dimensions, power supply and headphone socket of the exact version; check that the controls will fit within your available desk space. If you want to listen without speakers and have limited space, a headphone socket and a suitable setup are important. Around 19% of consumers give a quiet, compact setup top priority.

Common buying mistakes

  • Assuming every USB connection also records audio

    Depending on the model, USB may carry MIDI, audio or both. Yamaha describes USB TO HOST as a MIDI connection on the reface DX; Roland says audio from the S-1's MIX IN is not sent to the computer via USB.

    Before you buy, map out the route from the synth output to your DAW and check the connections in the manual for the exact version.

    Your recording setup may need a suitable audio input or interface, as well as compatible cables.

  • Confusing voices, stored sounds and tracks

    Polyphony, the number of stored sounds and the number of tracks refer to different features. Yamaha lists eight voices and 32 sound memory locations for the reface DX; Elektron distinguishes between 16 voices and 16 tracks on the Digitone II.

    Check these figures separately and consider how they suit the way you want to build your soundtrack.

  • Assuming different model names or compact versions are interchangeable

    The original Korg opsix has keys, whereas the opsix module does not. The Arturia MicroFreak also has a different playing surface from the MiniFreak's keyboard.

    Compare the full model name, controls and connections. An external MIDI keyboard is worth considering if you want to play a version without a built-in keyboard.

Brands to compare

Arturia

The MiniFreak is designed for sound creation and playing with keys; the MicroFreak has a different type of playing surface.

  • Arturia describes the MiniFreak as having two digital sound engines, analogue filters and sequencing.
  • According to Arturia, the MicroFreak has a touch-sensitive PCB playing surface without moving keys, so it is not a smaller version of the same keyboard.

Roland

The AIRA Compact S-1 is designed for compact sound creation and patterns; the J-6 focuses on chord patterns.

  • Roland specifies four voices and a 64-step sequencer for the S-1. For the J-6, Roland lists 100 chord sets and 64 patterns.
  • According to Roland, audio from the S-1's MIX IN is not sent to the computer via USB.

Korg

The original opsix is an FM synthesiser with a keyboard, for anyone looking for this type of sound generation and control.

  • Korg specifies a 37-key keyboard and a sequencer with up to 16 steps for the original opsix.
  • According to Korg, maximum polyphony depends on the settings: up to 32 or 24 voices. The opsix module has no built-in keyboard.

Yamaha

The reface DX is a portable FM synthesiser with mini keys, for anyone who wants to try playing parts away from a permanent computer setup.

  • Yamaha specifies eight-voice polyphony, built-in speakers, headphone and audio outputs, and USB TO HOST for MIDI.
  • Check how to record the synth's own sound via the audio outputs; don't assume USB TO HOST provides a USB audio connection without checking.

Elektron

The Digitone II is a desktop option for anyone who wants to work with multiple synth and MIDI tracks in a pattern-based workflow.

  • Elektron specifies 16 voices, 16 tracks that can be used as synth or MIDI tracks, USB audio and a headphone output.
  • The instrument has no built-in piano keyboard; its 16 voices are shared across the instrument as a whole.

Joybuy products to consider

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is USB enough to record my synthesiser's audio into a DAW?

Not without checking the connections on the exact model. Yamaha lists USB TO HOST for MIDI on the reface DX; Roland specifies USB audio for the S-1's own sound, but says audio from MIX IN is not sent to the computer via USB. So check the audio connection as well as the MIDI connection.

How can I keep noise to a minimum when working in a spare room?

Use a headphone socket if you want to listen without speakers, and check that it's compatible with your headphones. The Dutch government advises neighbours experiencing noise problems to discuss and agree on a solution together first, so talk about what works for your living situation.

What can I do if a newly bought synthesiser develops a fault too soon?

According to ACM ConsuWijzer, the product must do what you could reasonably expect it to do. If it doesn't, the seller may be required to repair or replace it free of charge, or refund you, depending on the circumstances. A manufacturer's warranty does not replace these statutory rights.

Does a CE mark prove that a synthesiser sounds good?

No. CE is not an independent assessment of sound quality or suitability for music recording. According to the European Commission, the manufacturer uses it to declare that the product meets the relevant EU product rules where those rules require CE marking.

Do I need anything else to play parts on a desktop synth?

That depends on the version and how you want to play. According to Korg, the opsix module has no built-in keyboard; if you want to play parts on it, an external MIDI keyboard is worth considering. Also check how to connect the audio.