Analog vs. Digital Synths — Which is Right for You? — Daniel Fisher

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Daniel Fisher, Sweetwater's synth scientist, gives a rundown on the differences between analog and digital synths, the strengths and weaknesses of each, and much more to help you choose your next (or first) synthesizer.

When Sweetwater customers are looking to purchase their first synth, they often ask us whether they should choose analog or digital. And the answer is… it depends on what you would like your synth to do.

The fundamental difference between analog synths and digital synths is that an analog synthesizer uses voltage-controlled components to create sounds, while digital synthesizers are numerically controlled and use digital signal processing to create sounds. In practical terms, analog synthesizers produce free-flowing signals with near-infinite resolution. Digital synthesizers produce signals in steps, so their resolution isn’t as fine, which can lead to audible stepping and aliasing, especially at higher oscillation rates. However, technology is improving rapidly, and digital synths are getting closer and closer to reproducing the one-to-one responsiveness of analog synths.

Both analog and digital synths generally comprise the same basic building blocks — an oscillator, a filter, and an amplifier. In analog synths, those components are voltage controlled, hence the acronyms VCO, VCF, and VCA. In digital synths, the same components are labeled DCO, DCF, and DCA. Additionally, both analog and digital synths will contain several modulators to affect and shape the signal — LFOs, noise generators, sample & hold, ring modulators, etc.

Digital synthesizers do have an advantage in terms of flexibility, offering additional sound generation and modulation techniques, including wavetable synthesis, granular synthesis, physical modeling, and sample-based synthesis. Another advantage of digital synthesizers is the ability to store and recall numerous presets. This is available on some analog synths, but, for the most part, you’re building a sound from scratch every time — which could be considered limiting or inspiring, depending on your perspective.

Another factor to consider is cost. Because analog synthesizers require each component in their signal chain to be physically produced, they tend to be more expensive. For instance, if you’re looking for a polyphonic synthesizer (one that can play multiple notes simultaneously), an analog version will generally have a higher price, due to the cost of manufacturing. On the other hand, digital synthesizers only require additional processing power to expand their polyphony.

So, which should you choose? We recommend both! Digital and analog synths excel in different ways. Using them in tandem gives you unlimited creative possibilities.

0:00 – Intro
0:59 – Analog and Digital Definitions
2:54 – Analog Synths
4:08 – Digital Synths
6:47 – Synth Modulation
11:42 – Things Digital does Better
14:54 – Presets vs. Modular Patching
17:16 – Aliasing on Digital Synths
20:23 – Lack of Aliasing on Analog Synths
20:56 – Benefits of Mixing Analog and Digital Synths
21:27 – Thanks for Watching!
21:40 – Final Analog / Digital Synth Jam

#Sweetwater #AnalogSynths #DigitalSynths

[sweetwater]

Spoiler: analog and digital synths are equally awesome when Daniel Fisher is in the room! Like, Comment, and Subscribe for more sweet content — and thanks for watching!

[SamChaneyProductions]

1:05 "I'm trying to do this as simple as possible"
1:28 "If you get down to quantum levels..."

[danneu]

"Modulation: Where one thing wiggles something else." I don't think I've heard a better definition lol.

[RobFlaxMusic]

17:06 "You could have a different sound every day until the heat death of the universe, you know, I mean, it's... it's really that infinite. Um. So, just something to consider." —Daniel Fisher

[davidalbrec]

I love how clear and objective you are on breaking down issues like this. There is so much dogmatic information about these types of questions on the Internet, that’s it’s nice to see someone, and a retailer at that, simply communicating the strengths and weaknesses of the various options available on the market. No fads, no hype, no manufacturer deals, just here are your options and what they do and don’t do.

[tranquilbrae]

I’ve been a guitarist for over 16 years. But this man, with the excellent presentation of all the important info, has made me want to start becoming a synth player as well. Thank you for this video 🤘

[silas]

This is the best analogue v digital synth breakdown I’ve ever seen. Awesome presentation. My compliments to the Chef.

[TheSmurfboard]

On a scale of 0 to 1 I'm rating digital a 1.

[DoctorNemmo]

Well, the obvious answer is: both.

GAS never ends.

[BobbyDoesMusic]

Both. Both is good.
I've got a Minilogue (my first synth), and now a HydraSynth Desktop. Pretty sure my next one will be a beefy analog like the Matriarch, then I'll probably get a Peak or a Quantum, then another analog, then another digital... just alternate between them and you'll always (never) be satisfied.
Great video, Daniel!

[Komagb]

Great vid! Extremely well explained, good analogies, and that aliasing demonstration was on point!

[Somaiscariot]

This is the best explanation and comparison of analog and digits synths I’ve ever seen. (I also love the subtext that as technology advances, the differences between the two get smaller!)

[kelvin_darwin]

Big analog enthusiasts, knew why I wasn’t a big fan of digital, but now I want a Hydrasynth. I don’t have space for more gear so I guess I am living in a tent outside. Thank you Daniel Fisher you are destroying my liiiife! 🙃⛺️🏠

[Musik_Arbeiter]

Thanks for showing the differences between analog and digital Daniel! I appreciate the fact that this video is very unbiased in its presentation. Its refreshing to hear the viewpoints from someone who owns both analog and digital yet doesn't completely prefer one or the other. Many videos in this subject praise one or the other in some way, but its nice to listen and hear the differences between them both respectively. Overall it's good to appreciate the fact we have both analog and digital synthesizers available to us currently. 🎹🎶

[eugenephillips]

Aliasing... thank you for the explanation and the side by side comparison for this concept. Very helpful!

[FLBocaRaton]

Thank you for making this content, it was very clear and informative.

[michaelszudzik]

Very well spoken, really appreciate that definition of digital!

[pin]

Gotta say, for people on the fence, you did really good with the amount you did and didn't show with the Hydrasynth . It's a really good demonstration of what you were saying about how far digital synths have come in the last 5 years or so . If you really went to town on the Hydra, you'd have some folks swayed to the dark side for sure :) . I went the cheaper route and got a Mircrofreak for now, but I think Hydra or Wavestate are in my post-covid budget plans .

[RetroPlus]

For me personally I go analog for mono synths and digital for polyphonic synths

[tonez]

Very informative video! Thank you for this detailed explanation