The 8 Best Synthesizer Keyboards Under $1,000 That Are Amazing
In this article, we’re going to help you determine the eight best synthesizer keyboards under $1,000 that you can buy on the market.
And, in order to better help you, we’ve compiled the list below which features some of the most poplar synths available.
| Photo | Model |
|---|---|
 | Roland JUNO DS61 |
 | Roland JUNO DS88 |
 | Korg Kross 2 |
 | Korg Minilogue |
 | Roland JD-XI |
 | Yamaha MX88 |
 | Behringer Monopoly |
 | Novation Impulse 61 |
1) Arturia KeyLab 49
This Arturia synth comes packed with 16 RGB backlit performance pads, five expression control inputs, nine rotary encoders, nine large faders, four CV outputs, and a software bundle by Analog Lab 3.
Rock star capability in a synthesizer onstage or in a home studio brought has never been so feasible. A design built off of a desire to express you creativity, provides your virtual instruments and DAW software with complete control over a MIDI.
Made of lightweight aluminum for any electric environment. At 15.4 pounds? No arguement here. Superb aftertouch-sensitive keybed is handly for velocity feeling staccato lines, repetitions, and trills. This is the ultimate package for the music creator.
Highlighted Specifications:
- Software (DAW) Integration
- Software Included: Ableton Live Lite, Arturia Analog Lab 3, Piano V 2, Arturia MIDI Control Center
- Ultra-responsive keyboard action with 61 aftertouch-enabled keys
- MIDI and USB connectivity
- Advanced configurable interface
And below, please take a look at some of the best selling digital synthesizers currently on sale online (and see how they compare to the pianos we discuss in this article):
| BEST SELLERS |
|---|
| 1) Yamaha MX88 |
| 2) Korg Minilogue XD |
| 3) Roland JUNO-DS88 |
2) Novation Bass Station II
I believe this piece of gear doesn’t need much of an introduction. This beast of a cannon includes. The more knobs, the more fun. The black and strong aqua blue leaves you mesmerized.
An in-and-output for the midi, 25-keys, a analog synthesizer, a line for sustain, line output, ext in, and headphone jack. This piano seals the deal for the visual acoustics. Sound quality matches up to its appearance. Sounds like a win-win situation.
Highlighted Specifications:
- Intergraded arpeggiator and step sequencer
- Two filter designs for distinct sounds (LPF, HPF, and BPF modes)
- “I need a tight, punchier bass.” Ok, Hard SynceDual oscillators can solve that problem.
- Need a full rich low-end? Solution: Sub-oscillator with square, sine, and narrow pulse-width waveforms
- 64 factory presets, 64 user slots
- Distort the LFO waveforms for more modulation possibilities with the LFO Slew
- AC or USB bus power
3) Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S61 MK2
A powerhouse synthesizer with complete control of developing a sonic sound. Pitch and mod wheels, and more, along with unrivaled integration with your Komplete instrument collection. The Fatar keybed is a pleasure. It’s purpose fulling browser section makes navigation on the preset system easy. DAW control is allowed over real time instruments. A transport section makes that possible.
The full Komplete 11 Select software is included, a premium instrument and effect package worth $1,000 when purchased on its own. The Komplete 11 Select is provided as a download after hardware registration. It comes with 20 legendary vintage synths, classic and electric pianos, and more.
Highlighted Specifications:
- 61-key Controller with Fatar Keybed and Custom Controls
- Four direction push encoder
- 2 HD Full-color displays allow for tweaking
- Ergonomic pitch and modulation wheels
- Dial in the main parameters of any Komplete instrument, which automatically map to the touch-sensitive controller knobs
- Create arpeggiated melodies at the touch of a button, play chords with single keys, or map the whole keyrange to scales
- Intergraded DAW playback
You can check out our Komplete Kontrol S49 review here.
4) Korg ARP Odyssey
Black and orange sported with a few sliders and keys is a boon for buyers, as the Odyssey is versatile across genres. The proportional pitch control transforms you into a sound architect. Sized at 11.2 pounds (¾ of the original size). It’s crispy sound and duophonic features allow simultaneous play, making it a dominate force to be reckoned with.
Of course, it’s not a synthesizer without filter designs (3 classic modes).. The S/H section also includes the Output Lag slider, which generates a glide effect between voltage steps, effectively rounding off the edges of the LFO waveform. When you set the LFO to be triggered via the keyboard, this gives you an outrageously cool auto-wah effect on each note you play.
And using Ring Modulation in conjunction with oscillator sync or the wealth of pitch modulation available, you can create all manner of clangorous, thunderous – and completely magical musical mayhem. A semi-hard case is included. The Odssey is never going out of style.
Highlighted Specifications:
- Drive switch
- 37-note Slimkey keybed (no velocity sensitivity, no aftertouch – just like the original)
- Proportional Pitch Control pads
- White/pink noise generator
- Portamento speed control
- Two VCOs with Sawtooth, Square, and Dynamic Pulse waveforms (with PWM)
- Lowpass filter (resonant): 12 and 24dB/octave; frequency range: 16Hz-16kHz
- Voltage Controlled Amplifier (VCA), dynamic range: 80dB
- Check out our Korg Arp Odyssey review here!
5) The Studiologic Sledge 2.0
This is the synthesizer that gives you the most analog feeling from a digital board I’ve perhaps ever seen. Its Moog-like display makes you feel at ease. You can either select to play a true producer and play from panel mode or you can choose from the thousand patches like a regular player.
Studiologic is a realiable brands with quality behind their name. Aftertouch with 61 full-size keys and 5-octave range at 18.3 pounds.
Highlighted Specifications:
- 35 pots, 3 “chicken head” rotary switches, 1 rotary encoder with push function, master volume control
- Up to 999 sounds, easy selection with 2×16 digits LCDs
- 66 digital wavetables from the Waldorf PPG Synth Engine
- Sledge 2.0 introduces sampling
- High-quality Fatar TP-9 keybed
6) Behringer DeepMind 12
A 49-key polyphonic synthesizer with 12 voices, the Behringer DeepMind 12 is a semi-weighted, aftertouch and velocity sensitive synth for all the pitch/mod lovers out there. It features a 32-step sequencer and arpeggiator for the shortcut lovers too.
Two oscillators per voice, a noise generator, an oscillator sync function, and a unison mode, just like the rest. Expect is comes with detune options! VCA/VCF envelope, and an assignable mod envelope. A LFO for each voice makes excellent textures.
Highlighted Specifications:
- Three ADSR generators per voice, and there’s also an 8-channel modulation matrix.
- Four simultaneous effects engines with TC Electronic, Midas, and Klark Teknik algorithms
- Chorus, flanger, phaser, delay, multiband distortion, and more effects included.
- Lexicon 480L and vintage EMT250 plate reverb.
- 1,024 patch memory locations,(8 banks of 128)
- LCD display
- Can also be controlled using the DeepMind iOS app.
7) Korg Minilogue
So Sophisticated Sound Shaping: The Korg Minilogue analog polyphonic synthesizer delivers to the table. Up to 200 setting capacity, along with 100 presets installed. I’ve never seen a OLED oscilloscope display, but there’s a first time for everything.
Not sure what’s better, the Polysynth or the 100 baller presets. A polished white exterior with a wooden backpannel. The knobs and switchers are vertically pleasing to the eye.
Highlighted Specifications:
- Chassis-mounted pots and rubber-coated knobs
- Eight unique Voice modes (Poly, unison, duo, delay, mono, arp, chord, sidechain)
- Modulate many parameters with an ADSR envelope and an LFO
- Tape delay effect with highpass filter
- Cross modulation and oscillator sync onboard
- Check out our Korg Monologue vs Korg Minilogue comparison review here!
Conclusion
These are all amazing synths, but I think the Studiologic Sledge 2.0 is the one that stands above the others. I’m in love with the yellow exterior colorway, and it brings joy to my eyes to see something so bright with funky sound expressions.
For under $1000.00, it’s a great choice for those wanting a new experience with sound design and selection. A large bank and pleasurable sounds can make anybody fall to their knees.
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