Synthesizers are instruments that specialize in the production of new synthetic sounds, but also imitate and modify the color of acoustic instruments. The varied architecture and sound manufacturing methods make synthesizers have a variety of possibilities for generating both types of sounds, and almost every model has its own unique character. These features have determined of their popularity in most of the existing musical genres, and the of emergence of new ones, but the variety of solutions makes the choice of synthesizer seem difficult, but it is quite easy to find a satisfying instrument with having basic information about the different types of synthesizers.
Three main types of synthesis
There are many variations of synthesis, however, because of the use of the synthesizer, the three most important are: digital synthesis, which represents most modern synthesizers, analog synthesis, and virtual analog (the other types are mainly digital synthesis variants). This distinction is so important that modern digital synthesizers can very accurately imitate the sound of any acoustic instrument that analog synthesizers or virtual-analog synthesizers can not.
However this does not mean, that these last two types are worse, they have different tasks. However, they are certainly less universal. It can be said that digital synthesizers are universal music computers, while analog synthesizers are electronic devices for generating synthetic sounds through the flow of current in systems of complexing architecture. In turn, virtual analogs are computer simulators of analog synthesizers - their sound is less convincing, but they can also sound impressive, they are cheaper and have more settings. Korg KingKORG or Roland GAIA SH-01 are excellent examples of this type of synthesizer.
There are also hybrids of the above-mentioned synthesizers, eg digital synthesizers using both PCM and virtual analog synthesizers (eg Nord Lead, Yamaha MOX or Roland FA), or digital-analog synthesizers (eg Roland JD-Xi).
One more special type of digital synthesis is worth mentioning: FM synthesis, which in the 90's was supplanted by PCM samples technology, and now comes back to use in special synthesizers such as Yamaha Reface DX
Different types of keyboards
Most synthesizers have a synth-action keyboard with 61 keys, which allows you to freely move across a wide range of tones. Smaller models can be equipped with reduced keyboards and serve as an additional sound enhancement tool, or easy to set up audio sources for external controllers. Performers with a pianistic way of playing, will also find synthesizers for advanced gameplay with 76 and 88 key weighted and semi-weighted keyboards. This category includes Korg Kronos 88 synthesizers, Korg Kross 88, Kurzweil PC3 K8, and Roland Jupiter-80.
Various applications
Synthesizers can also be divided into three main types: live music synthesizers, workstations, and rack synthesizers. Synthesizers for playing are primarily instruments and sound sources, which can also be equipped with arpeggiators and sequencers, useful for live playing. Some of them are also equipped with recorders for recording performances. These synthesizers have Nord's the Electro and Lead series, the Kurzweil PC series, the Yamaha S70XS, the S90XS and MX, and the already mentioned Reface DX, as well as Korg KingKORG, and Roland's many other , including GAIA, Juno-Di. AX-Synth, V-Combo VR-09, and Roland Jupiter.
The next category is workstations - synthesizers with powerful recording and editing capabilities, and other synthesizer controls that allow you to create multi-layered, complex works without a computer, or integrate with DAW software. A good example of this type of synthesizer is the Yamaha Motif XF and the Korg Kronos, and their smaller and more affordable Yamaha MOX models, as well as the Korg Kross 88 and Korg Kross 61. Short explanations still require a rack term: these are hardware synthesizers without keyboards. This version also includes the Nord Lead synthesizer.
