Best Budget Synths 2024 (November)

Do you want a great synth but don't have the cash for the big ones? Well, here's a selection of my favourite synthesizers for people on a tighter budget of up to 300 dollars. Starting with synths at around 50 dollars, I've got recommendations for every price level covering a range of styles, uses, concepts, and weirdness. There's something for everyone, and it's just coming up to Christmas.

These are not toys, but they are a lot of fun and can absolutely be part of a serious setup and, with some imagination, help you make fantastic electronic music.

This video is not sponsored, but if you fancy buying one of these synths, please consider using my affiliate links. These links support this channel regardless of what you end up buying.

Index:
Intro - 0:00
Under $100
Dubreq Stylophone GEN X-1 - 2:28
Behringer JT-4000M Micro - 5:00
Behringer Pro VS Mini - 8:06
Under $200
Donner B1 - 11:17
Bastl Kastle ARP - 15:34
Korg Volca FM2 - 18:06
Behringer Crave - 21:49
Stylophone Pitch Theremin - 23:12
Under $300
Roland Aira S1 - 25:33
Behringer K-2 MKII - 30:27
Sonicware Liven Texture Lab - 33:10
Cre8Audio East Beast - 35:00
Moog Mavis - 36:30
Behringer MS-1 - 38:25

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[pablowentscobar]

I think your list was spot on, great picks. It's never been a better time to be an electronic musician. There's just so much great inexpensive gear. For $500 you can get a nice little drum machine, a bas synth and a lead synth and just waste hours making funky little beats. Get yourself a cheap little mixer and your off to the races. I have a bunch of Behringer gear and It's great stuff. Great video.

[dave_s_vids]

This video is going to cost me a (very small) fortune! Thank you :D

[pixelpusher]

Great video. So refreshing!! I love that the tools you’ve chosen here put the controls in the users hands, allowing them to create their own unique sounds - not just pre-configured samples.

[NickHowesAstro]

So brilliant in that over half your list I have bought in the past few years. FM2 is now augmented by my Rackzilla, which is a MiniDexed, JV880, MT-32 and OBXD in Zynthian. A very enjoyable walkthrough Robin, thank you

[kgbinfo]

I gotta say that, as someone who has owned multiple iterations of the DX7 and the Volca FM: the Volca FM is really cool. It doesn’t sound exactly like a DX7, but it does sound beautifully lush in a way that the DX does not. I think the built in chorus helps, but beyond that it just has this glossy warmth that the OG does not have. I would also say that it’s harder to program than the original, which is an impressive on Korg’s part. So there’s that too. But for the price and the size, it’s worth it.

[Paradroidx]

great run down there mate. good for those looking to break away from the vst world and into hardware. Well done cheers!

[GaryHayes]

Xmas sorted - I'll have 2 of each please :) Best stocking filler video eva!

[ITATTRACTS]

S-1 all day. Sounds amazing, deep, great sequencer. Very smart little box.

[bLiNdEDM]

Thanks for sharing this! I don't really buy budget synths but I sorta want that Donner 303 now lol. It really has a solid sound for SO cheap

[dinogoldie]

All the Sonicware Livens are great and sub-£300. They released two this year: Mega Synthesis (Sega Genesis groovebox) and Ambient 0 (An Ambient/texture synth).

[tcdrx]

Great list. In also would like to add the pocket operators. Great little beasts and fun to play with.

[greenspand]

A fountaijn of knowledge. Thank you so much for these fantastic presentations.

[riffcrypt]

I mean this in the nicest, most amused way possible...you remind me if Howard Moon from Mighty Boosh was into synths instead of jazz hahaha. Awesome video, I might actually pick up that Behringer Pro VS.

[EdEditz]

I got an MS-1 as soon as I had the money for it and I love it. It's a real Acid machine and you can do like Daft Punk stuff on it too. Great to experiment with.

[InsomniaNoir]

I've been shopping around for synthesis, sort of not getting the kinetic experience using VST's and a DAW. This gave me a good list of things to perpetuate my nerdery.

[rodmorrison]

The S-1 is actually my favourite synth and I'll happily die on that hill. Quite aside from the frankly superb features it just sounds absolutely amazing and it's as cheap as a Behringer. Speaking of which, the MS-1 is awesome and I so want one. I've seen it on sale for around £150 so that may be the next unwise purchase next week...

[FrankPSF]

I'm one of those that has a love/hate relationship with Behringer. But I have to admit to owning a Behringer, Moog filter that sounds amazingly rich. I couldn't not resist buying it for the price. Thanks for all of the research and your opinions on all these wonders. I''m looking forward to finding out more about the Bastl Arp. Thanks again!!!

[roysutton]

My JT-4000M is on order for £49 and love my JT-4000 (£39) and PRO-VS Mini (£77). A small KORG nanoKEY2 (£39) keyboard or a SWING (£55) makes a great kit for around 100.

[blizteredthumbs]

So, the stylaphone. Plug in a 3.5mm jack to l/r composite. Plug l/r into an efx unit, select echo, select a pretty tight response, set the octave to low on the stylaphone, obviously amp your output from the efx, play away. Play with the rear pitch bend.. wooowww, you can make some amazing ruse pads. No squeaky hi pitched synths.. the little box can made amazing. I discovered it many years ago. The sound is amazing.

[goodbyeforeversos]

Think it's now safe to say, that Behringer have well and truly cornered the 'budget synth' market. A genius move from whoever came up with concept.