Synths are electronic instruments designed for creating and shaping sound, from classic analogue-style tones to modern digital textures. Used for basslines, leads, pads and experimental sound design, they play a central role in many styles of music. If you enjoy hands-on creativity and exploring new sonic ideas, synths offer a powerful and expressive way to make music.
The Important stuff
Desktop — Desktop refers to instruments designed for tabletop or studio use rather than keyboard-based performance. Desktop units are compact, self-contained devices controlled via knobs, buttons, sequencers, or external controllers, making them ideal for studio workflows and modular setups.. Digital — Digital is sound generation and processing based on digital signal processing rather than analogue circuitry. It is used for precise control, stable tuning, patch memory, and complex sound design that would be difficult to achieve with purely analogue systems. For example, a digital instrument might be used to create detailed evolving textures or realistic emulations while storing and recalling complete sound setups instantly.
. Synth — A synth is an electronic instrument that creates sound through electronic signal generation and shaping. It is used to produce basses, leads, pads, textures, and effects by controlling oscillators, filters, envelopes, and modulation. Synths are central to electronic music and modern production, offering flexible sound design for both studio work and live performance.. Synthesizer — A synthesizer is an electronic instrument that generates and shapes sound using oscillators, filters, envelopes, and modulation sources. It allows sounds to be created from scratch, altered in real time, and controlled through keys, sequencers, or external controllers. Synthesizers are used to produce everything from basses and leads to pads, textures, and experimental sound design in both studio production and live performance.. Used — Synth for Sale has over 1000 used synths and gear like that for sale. We bring these products to you via our trusted partners, retailers and direct with independent sellers in the UK. .