Brand
Korg, based in Japan, has always been known for mixing the experimental with the practical. From the MS-20 with its gritty filters to the M1 workstation and the more recent Minilogue and Volca series, Korg constantly innovate. They offer quirky pocket synths as well as professional stage keyboards. Their gear often encourages exploration and happy accidents. Korg instruments reward curiosity and have been favourites for decades among adventurous musicians.
Category
Digital synths use digital signal processing to generate and shape sound, offering a wide palette that can range from classic synth tones to complex, modern textures. They are valued for their flexibility, stability and features such as presets, modulation options and integration with studio and live setups. If you enjoy exploring sound design with precision and versatility, digital synths provide powerful tools for creativity across many styles of music.
Keyboards are versatile electronic instruments used for learning, songwriting, production and live performance. They range from simple, portable models with built-in sounds to more advanced instruments designed for studio and stage use. If you want an accessible way to explore music across many styles, keyboards offer flexibility, convenience and creative freedom.
Keyboards and pianos cover a wide range of instruments designed for learning, creativity and performance. From portable keyboards with built-in sounds and rhythms to full digital pianos with weighted keys and authentic feel, they suit beginners and experienced players alike. Whether you are writing music, practising at home or playing live, keyboards and pianos offer flexible ways to explore melody, harmony and expression.
Semi-modular and desktop synths are compact electronic instruments designed for flexible sound creation without the need for a full modular system. Desktop synths are self-contained units that operate without a keyboard, while semi-modular synths include patch points that allow internal routing to be reconfigured or expanded using patch cables.
These instruments are popular with producers and musicians who want hands-on control, creative routing, and powerful sound design in a small footprint. They work well in studio and live setups, either as standalone sound sources or integrated with modular systems, MIDI controllers, and DAWs, making them a versatile choice for electronic, experimental, and modern music production.
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.
Synths and workstations are powerful instruments built for sound creation, composition and performance. Synths focus on shaping and designing sounds, while workstations combine synthesis with sequencing, effects and performance controls in a single unit. If you want an all-in-one instrument for writing, arranging and playing complete pieces of music, synths and workstations offer deep creative control and flexibility.
Tags
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 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.
Drum covers electronic drum machines and rhythm instruments used to create beats, patterns, and percussive sequences. These instruments allow sounds to be programmed, synthesised, sampled, and triggered in real time, often with step sequencers, performance pads, and hands-on controls. They are central to electronic music production and live performance, providing tight timing, repeatable grooves, and creative control over rhythm, dynamics, and texture.
A drum machine is an electronic instrument designed to create and sequence rhythmic patterns and percussion sounds. It is used to program beats, build grooves, and perform rhythms with precise timing and hands-on control. For example, a drum machine might be used to create a repeating rhythm for a live set or to sketch the foundation of a track before adding melodic and harmonic elements.
Modular is a synthesis format made up of separate, interchangeable modules that are patched together to create custom signal paths. It allows complete freedom over sound design, sequencing, and modulation, with each system built to suit the user’s workflow and creative approach.
Semi-modular is an instrument design that combines a pre-wired internal signal path with the option to reroute and expand using patch connections. It is used to provide immediate, playable sound while still allowing deeper experimentation through external modulation and signal routing. For example, a semi-modular instrument can be played straight away as a complete synth, then patched into other modules or controllers to explore more complex sound design.
Synths are electronic instruments used to create and shape sound using oscillators, filters, envelopes, and modulation. They are used to produce basses, leads, pads, and textures that cannot be created easily with traditional instruments. For example, a synth might be used to design a deep bass line that evolves over time or a wide pad sound that fills space and adds atmosphere to a track.
