We showcase the quintessential synthesizers of the 80s and contemporary simulators essential for composing Synthwave music.
Discover legendary synthesizers with classic 80s sounds that pair well with Drum Machines and integrate seamlessly into Digital Audio Workstations (and sequencers). Our goal is to create music that echoes the 80s vibe using contemporary techniques.
Synthesizers
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E-MU Emulator II
Year of release: 1984
Sound generation method: analog sampler
Preset memories: 8 bit sample technology
Sound expansion capabilities: CDROM
Arpeggiator: no
Effects: filter lowpass
Users: John Carpenter, Pet Shop Boys, Stevie Wonder, Depeche Mode, New Order, A-ha, Tears for Fears, Genesis, David Bowie, Vangelis, Tangerine Dream, Jean-Michel Jarre, Brad Fiedel (for Terminator 2)
E-MU Emax SE
Year of release: 1986
Sound generation method: analog
Preset memories: 8 voices
Sound expansion capabilities: 512K memory
Arpeggiator: yes
Effects: Sampler, Chorus
Users: Beastie Boys, Depeche Mode, Faith No More , Fear Factory, Orbital, U2, The Whispers
KORG Polysix
Year of release: 1981
Sound generation method: analog
Preset memories: 32 patches
Sound expansion capabilities: CV/Gate Port
Arpeggiator: yes
Effects: Chorus, Phaser, Ensemble
Users: Tears for Fears, Astral Projection, Kitaro, Keith Emerson, Global Communication, Jimi Tenor
MOOG Minimoog Voyager
Year of release: 2002
Sound generation method: analog
Preset memories: over 800 Onboard Presets
Sound expansion capabilities: CV/Gate Port
Arpeggiator: no
Effects: 3 Ultra-Stable Oscillators
Users: Stevie Wonder, Daft Punk, Duran Duran, Air, The Cure, Herbie Hancock, the Neptunes, Madonna, Radiohead, Bjork
NORD LEAD 4
Year of release: 2013
Sound generation method: digital
Preset memories: 49 synth-keys
Sound expansion capabilities: USB
Arpeggiator: yes
Effects: Crush, Drive, Comb filter…
Users: Björk, David Bowie, Jean Michel Jarre, Kraftwerk, Ratatat, The Prodigy, Charlie Winston
OBERHEIM OB-X
Year of release: 1979
Sound generation method: analog
Preset memories: 120
Sound expansion capabilities: 32 patches
Arpeggiator: no
Effects: no
Users: Chromeo, Eurythmics, Jean Michel Jarre, Madonna, Prince, Queen, Supertramp, Tangerine Dream, Ultravox
OBERHEIM Matrix 6
Year of release: 1986
Sound generation method: analog
Preset memories: 99
Sound expansion capabilities: cartridge
Arpeggiator: no
Effects: no
Users: Orbital, Apollo 440, Future Sound of London, Astral Projection, The Shamen, Mouse on Mars, Tangerine Dream
PPG wave 2.2
Year of release: 1982
Sound generation method: analog/digital
Preset memories: 200 patches
Sound expansion capabilities: cassette tape
Arpeggiator: no
Effects: no
Users: David Bowie, Jean Michel Jarre, Depeche Mode, Talk Talk, Ultravox, Pet Shop Boys, Mike and The Mechanics, Stevie Wonder
ROLAND Juno-106
Year of release: 1984
Sound generation method: analog
Preset memories: 2 banks of 128
Sound expansion capabilities: cassette tape
Arpeggiator: no
Effects: chorus (two types)
Users: Daft Punk, The Chemical Brothers, Justice, Pet Shop Boys, Tame Impala, Four Tet, Pivot, Andy Kuncl, Winter Palace
ROLAND JX-8P
Year of release: 1985
Sound generation method: analog
Preset memories: 64 presets and 32 prog
Sound expansion capabilities: cassette tape
Arpeggiator: no
Effects: chorus
Users: A-ha, Kerri Chandler, The Cure, Depeche Mode, Europe, Jean Michel Jarre, Tangerine Dream, Vangelis
ROLAND JP-8000
Year of release: 1997
Sound generation method: analog
Preset memories: last few memory
Sound expansion capabilities: no
Arpeggiator: no
Effects: chorus, flanger, phaser and delay
Users: Tangerine Dream, Depeche Mode, Duran Duran, Jean Michel Jarre, Pet Shop Boys, The Prodigy, Underworld
SEQUENTIAL Prophet-6
Year of release: 2015
Sound generation method: analog
Preset memories: 500
Sound expansion capabilities: USB
Arpeggiator: yes
Effects: Reverb, Delay, Chorus, Distortion
Users: Dave Smith, Jeff Babko, Jason Lindner, Luke Neptune
YAMAHA DX7
Year of release: 1983
Sound generation method: digital
Preset memories: 32
Sound expansion capabilities: cartridge
Arpeggiator: no
Effects: no
Users: David Bowie, Depeche Mode, Kavinsky, Jan Hammer, Jean Michel Jarre, Pet Shop Boys, Tangerine Dream, Vangelis
YAMAHA DX5 FM
Year of release: 1985
Sound generation method: digital
Preset memories: 64 patches ram/rom
Sound expansion capabilities: cartridge
Arpeggiator: no
Effects: no
Users: Kitaro
YAMAHA DX100
Year of release: 1985
Sound generation method: digital
Preset memories: 192 presets + 24 prog
Sound expansion capabilities: cartridge
Arpeggiator: no
Effects: no
Users: Jean-Michel Jarre, Autechre, Laurent Garnier, Orbital, Scanner, Digitalism