Best Synthesizers 2021: Top boutique, reissue, Eurorack and DIY synths of the year!

Which hardware synthesizer modulated your waveforms? A vintage reissue, an up and coming boutique, or a workhorse synth? Here are our top picks!

Twisted Electrons Blast Beats: SoundBlaster inspired groove box

Blast Beats takes its sound from the FM chip found on the classic SoundBlaster cards from the 90s. It has 6 drums sounds, 4 synths parts and a whole bunch of sliders.

Effect Grid plug-in: Split audio into 9 frequency ranges to process independently

Effect Grid is a plug-in for the multi-band crazies, splitting incoming audio into 9 frequency bands with time and amplitude controls.

AudioThing and Hainbach present Gong Amp: historical and experimental plugin

Gong Amp uses a mixture of convolution processing, physical modelling and feedback systems in an experimental amplifier plugin inspired by the early days of electronic music.

Ibanez Yvette Young YY20-OCS: Now in a delicious Orange Cream Sparkle

The new Ibanez Yvette Young YY20-OCS signature model comes in a luscious Orange Cream Sparkle finish and new hardware and pickup configuration.

Harley Benton TE-62CC: Classic vintage styles and modern playability

The new Harley Benton TE-62CC model is available in Shell Pink, Seafoam Green, Lake Placid Blue, and Charcoal Frost

Cop some SRV and John Mayer tones with the new Crazy Tube Circuits Crossfire

Crazy Tube Circuits' new Crossfire crams a Twin Reverb, Super Reverb, and TubeScreamer into a single pedal. Perfect for those SRV tones.

Cosmotronic Messor and Peradam: Stereo Compressor and Side-chained distortion

Explode your Eurorack with this audio squashing combo of the Messor Stereo Compressor and Peradam Side-Chained Distortion - things are going to get huge!

Steinberg LoFi Piano: A free gorgeously clapped out piano VSTi

The LoFi piano is full of vibes, wobble and juiciness and is completely free as an instrument for HALion and the free HALion Sonic SE 3.

Acustica Audio Sienna Sphere plug-in: Mix 3D audio with just headphones

Sienna Sphere is an Acustica Audio plug-in that makes it possible to mix spatial audio on headphones without a specialized setup or hardware.

Milab VIP-60: The VIP-50 condenser microphone gets an update

37 years after the original VIP-50 microphone's introduction, manufacturer Milab shows off its long-awaited successor, the VIP-60.

Behringer RD-9 spotted in the wild

A Facebook photo shows the elusive and almost mythical Behringer RD-9 in the hands of a genuine paying customer.

Gibson Johnny Winter 1964 Firebird V Polaris White: A stylish aged replica

Gibson announces new Johnny Winter 1964 Firebird V, aged by the Murphy Lab and including exclusive prints by late rock photographer Mick Rock.

IK Multimedia adds AmpliTube MESA/Boogie 2 to its AmpliTube collection

IK Multimedia AmpliTube MESA/Boogie 2 brings four new MESA/Boogie amps and five cabinets, with a choice of speakers, to your DAW.

Arturia PolyBrute 2.0: Exponential update to the morphing analog polysynth

Arturia says this update will let you bend analog to your will like never before - this is more exciting than Christmas.

Are You Ready for a new Casio synth?

Casio has posted a mysterious video on YouTube asking "Are You Ready?" Well, are you? Please let it be a new synthesizer.

Hardtail Ts: Harley Benton debuts fixed-bridge humbucking Fusion-T HH HT series

Harley Benton has just released its new twin humbucker Fusion-T HH HT models, with a choice of roasted maple or ebony fretboards.

Behringer Octave Divider: A clone of the classic 1970s Mu-Tron Octave Divider

The new Behringer Octave Divider is a clone of the Mu-Tron pedal of the same name, with sub-octave and ringer effects at a fraction of the price.

Komplete Now: NI launches $10/m subscription package for selected plug-ins

Native Instruments launched KOMPLETE NOW, opening up a growing selection of Komplete 13 effects and instruments for USD 10 a month.

SSL Big SiX: 12-channel analog dream desk for hybrid studios

The rumors were true: The new SSL Big Six is a souped-up version of the SiX with 12 input channels and a 16-channel audio interface. Sounds like a dream come true for hybrid workflows.

Squeeze out vintage ’70s Orange amp tones with the new Joyo JF-22 Oxford

The Joyo JF-22 Oxford is a super affordable pedal that is voiced like a '70s all-tube Orange amp, and looks suspiciously similar to another clone.

Befaco Noise Plethora: 3 voices of noise crafting in a module

You want noise? The Befaco Noise Plethora has noise by the bucket load. Multiple noise algorithms through analogue filters for surprising textures and gritty sweeps.

Nucleus, a charming, capable new analog hybrid synthesizer, is now on Kickstarter

Nucleus is a desktop and Eurorack hybrid synthesizer with analog and digital oscillators and a huge modulation array coming to Kickstarter soon.

Zoom R20: 16-track portable multi-track recorder with touchscreen

Zoom has announced the R20 multi-track recorder. The R20 features 16 tracks, eight inputs with preamps and a touchscreen for DAW-style editing.