Synths explained
How the sound engine works, the architecture of the original and of the virtual version, every control explained, sound design tips and famous presets to recreate step by step.
Analog synths
Roland (Jupiter-8) · 1981Jup-8 VAnalog polyphonic, 8 voices (Jup-8 V4: up to 16 voices)Sequential Circuits (Prophet-5 Rev 2) · 1978Prophet-5 VProgrammable analog polyphonic, 5 voices (Prophet-5 V: up to 16 voices)Oberheim (OB-Xa) · 1980OP-Xa VAnalog polyphonic, 4/6/8 voices, bitimbral (OP-Xa V: up to 16 voices)Oberheim (Matrix-12) · 1985Matrix-12 VAnalog polyphonic multitimbral, 12 voices, with modulation matrixRoland (Juno-6) · 1982Jun-6 VDCO analog polyphonic, 6 voices (Jun-6 V: extended polyphony and unison)Yamaha (CS-80) · 1977CS-80 VAnalog polyphonic, 8 voices with two channels (layers) per voiceOberheim (SEM, Synthesizer Expander Module) · 1974SEM VMonophonic analog synth module (SEM V: monophonic or polyphonic up to 32 voices, 8…Moog (Minimoog Model D) · 1970 (Model D in production from 1971)Mini V3-oscillator monophonic analog synth (Mini V: also polyphonic up to 32 voices)Moog (16 Channel Vocoder) · 1979Vocoder V16-band vocoder with 2-oscillator carrier synth, sample player and pitch tracking
Digital synths and samplers
Sequential Circuits (Prophet-VS) · 1986Prophet-VS VDigital/analog hybrid with vector synthesis, 8 voices (Prophet-VS V: up to 16 voices)Yamaha (DX7) · 1983DX7 VDigital polyphonic FM synthesizer, 6 operators, 16 voices (32 in the Arturia version)Casio (CZ-101 e serie CZ) · 1984CZ VDigital polyphonic phase distortion synthesizer, 2 Lines per voice, 8 voices in the…Ensoniq (SQ-80) · 1987SQ80 VDigital/analog hybrid: 3 oscillators with 8-bit sampled waveforms per voice with an…New England Digital (Synclavier II) · 1980Synclavier VDigital additive + FM synth with Timbre Frames, up to 12 partials per timbre (4 in the…Fairlight (CMI Series IIx) · 1982CMI VDigital sampler and additive/wavetable synth with pattern sequencer, 8 voices and 8 bits…E-mu Systems (Emulator II) · 1984Emulator II V8-bit companded digital sampler with analog filters, 8 voices in the original (up to 32…
Modular and semi-modular synths
Korg (MS-20) · 1978Korg MS-20 VMonophonic analog semi-modular synth (MS-20 V: also polyphonic, with sequencer)ARP Instruments (ARP 2600) · 1971ARP 2600 V3-oscillator analog semi-modular synth (ARP 2600 V: also polyphonic up to 32 voices,…Moog (sintetizzatori modulari serie 900, System 55) · 1965Modular VAnalog patch-cable modular synthesizer (emulation), 9 oscillators, 3 filters, up to 64…Buchla & Associates (Music Easel: 208 Programmable Sound Source + 218 tastiera) · 1973Buchla Easel VWest-coast analog semi-modular (emulation): complex oscillator with wavefolding, vactrol…EMS (Synthi AKS) · 1972Synthi VAnalog semi-modular with pin matrix (emulation), 3 oscillators, diode filter, up to 4…
Organs and string machines
Hammond (B-3) con cabinet rotante Leslie (122 / 147) · 1954 (B-3, prodotto fino al 1974–75); Leslie 122 e 147 dagli anni '40–'60B-3 VElectromechanical tonewheel organ, 2 manuals of 61 keys + 25-note pedalboard, full…Farfisa (Combo Compact Deluxe, with elements of the Compact Duo) · 1964–1969 (Compact series; Combo Compact from 1964)Farfisa VTransistorized frequency-divider combo organ (12 oscillators + dividers), one manual…VOX / Jennings Musical Industries (Continental, Super Continental, Continental 300; motore alternativo Jennings) · 1962 (Continental; prodotto fino al 1971 circa)VOX Continental VTransistorized frequency-divider combo organ, 1–2 manuals of 49 keys + virtual…Eminent / ARP (Solina String Ensemble, venduto da ARP come String Ensemble) · 1974 (distribuzione ARP 1974–1981; tecnologia derivata dalla sezione archi dell'Eminent 310 del 1972)Solina VParaphonic divide-down string machine (top-octave divide-down), 49 keys, full polyphony…
Electromechanical keyboards and pianos
Hohner (Clavinet D6) · 1971 (D6; the Clavinet family was made from 1964 to about 1982)Clavinet VAmplified electric clavichord: 60 struck strings (F1–E6), 2 electromagnetic pickups,…Acoustic grand and upright pianos (American, German and Japanese-style models and experimental variants) · c. 1700 (invention of the piano, Bartolomeo Cristofori); current Arturia emulation: Piano V3Piano VPhysically modeled acoustic piano (Phi technology), 12 grand and upright models, 88…Fender Rhodes (Mark I Stage 73 e Suitcase 73; profili anche Mark V) · anni '60–'80 (Suitcase dalla metà degli anni '60; Mark I Stage 73 dal 1970; Mark V 1984)Stage-73 VElectromechanical tine piano (tine + tonebar), 73 keys, electromagnetic pickups, full…Wurlitzer (electronic piano 200 and 200A) · 1968 (model 200); 1974 (200A); Wurlitzer electric pianos were made from 1954 to about 1982Wurli VElectric piano with struck metal reeds, electrostatic pickup, 64 keys, built-in amp and…Streetly Electronics / Mellotronics (Mellotron M400, with Mark I, Mark II and M300 tapes) · 1970 (M400); the first Mellotron (Mark I) dates from 1963Mellotron VKeyboard-driven magnetic tape player: one tape per key (about 8 s), 35 keys, 3 tracks…
Augmented hybrid instruments
Arturia (original hybrid instrument: sampled strings + synthesis engines) · 2022 (introduced with V Collection 9)Augmented StringsHybrid sample + synth instrument: 2 layers with 2 sources each (multisampled strings and…Arturia (original hybrid instrument: sampled voices and choirs + synthesis engines) · 2022 (introduced with V Collection 9)Augmented VoicesHybrid sample + synth instrument: 2 layers with 2 sources each (chamber choir, solo…