https://synth.market/news/articles/ Detailed articles and reviews of synthesizers, grooveboxes, samplers and other musical equipment en 2026 SYNTH.MARKET noreply@synth.market (Editor) ACE.SHOP 2.0/ ACE.CMS 1.5 1440 https://synth.market/_img/logo_rss.gif https://synth.market/news/articles/ https://synth.market/en/articles/yamaha_sy85_vs_motif_comparison_table/ The Yamaha SY85 and Yamaha Motif are advanced music workstations with robust features for musicians. Both use Yamaha`s Advanced Wave Memory (AWM) technology. The SY85 offers 30-note polyphony and a 6 MB waveform ROM, while the Motif has an 84 MB equivalent waveform ROM and 62-note polyphony. The SY85 features 256 voices and 128 performance combinations, whereas the Motif provides 384 factory voices and 128 user voice memories. Both have programmable digital filters and high-quality effects, with the Motif offering more comprehensive effects processing. The SY85 includes pitch and modulation wheels with eight slide controls, while the Motif adds four assignable sliders and knobs. The SY85 has a 9-track, 10-song sequencer, and the Motif boasts a 16-track linear/pattern-based sequencer with a 110,000-note capacity. Storage methods differ, with the SY85 using floppy disks and the Motif utilizing SmartMedia cards and SCSI drives. Articles Mon, 21 Jul 2025 15:34:24 +0300 https://synth.market/en/articles/yamaha_sy85_vs_motif_comparison_table/ https://synth.market/en/articles/yamaha_motif_comparison_table/ The Yamaha Motif series represents over two decades of evolution in professional workstation synthesizers, spanning from the original Motif`s introduction in 2001 through to the last-in-series XF generation. Each iteration has built upon its predecessor`s foundation while introducing significant technological advances that have kept the Motif line at the forefront of music production. This comparison highlights the key specifications and features across all four generations, with highlighted entries indicating the most significant improvements in each model. Whether you`re considering an upgrade from an older Motif or evaluating the series for the first time, this table provides essential information for understanding each model`s capabilities and evolution. Articles Thu, 22 May 2025 11:38:02 +0300 https://synth.market/en/articles/yamaha_motif_comparison_table/ https://synth.market/en/articles/roland_xv_fantom_comparison_table/ In the ever-evolving landscape of digital music production, Roland has consistently stood out as a pioneer, offering a range of synthesizers and workstations that cater to both amateur and professional musicians. Among their impressive lineup, the XV series and Fantom models have garnered significant attention for their robust features and versatility. Here is a detailed comparison of the Roland XV-Series and early Fantom models, highlighting their key specifications and capabilities. Whether you`re a seasoned producer or an aspiring musician, understanding these features can help you make an informed decision on which model best suits your creative needs. Articles Mon, 19 May 2025 11:38:02 +0300 https://synth.market/en/articles/roland_xv_fantom_comparison_table/ https://synth.market/en/articles/vintage_sampling_for_the_rest_of_us/ Dreaming of an Akai S950, E-mu E4X Hollywood Gold, or an Ensoniq ASR-10? These fantastic devices are full of charm and character, but they`ve become nearly unreachable due to their skyrocketing prices. They still provide that coveted vintage vibe, but they`re increasingly hard to find without being overused to the point of abuse. What about the rest of us? Those with an eager desire to sample the old way but not wanting to sell a kidney or rob a bank just to buy a dream sampler? Well, I`m happy to say we have a path to follow — one that won`t break the bank while still delivering authentic vintage sampling goodness. Let me introduce you to some hidden gems from the golden era of hardware samplers that deliver professional-grade sampling at a fraction of the cost. These  models flew under the radar compared to their more famous siblings, but they pack serious sampling power that deserves your attention today! Articles Wed, 19 Mar 2025 23:09:54 +0300 https://synth.market/en/articles/vintage_sampling_for_the_rest_of_us/ https://synth.market/en/articles/akai_rackmount_samplers/ It all started in 1985 with the Akai S612, which was the first in a series of relatively affordable samplers designed in a 19-inch studio-rack format. It could hold only a single sample at a time, which was loaded into memory via a separate disk drive utilizing 2.8-inch Quick Disks. It featured an analog filter - a farewell goodbye to the analog era, a characteristic which would rocket launch its price 30 years later. Being half-computer itself, the S612 paved the way for dozens of successors that invaded the market so quickly that the rackmount sampler concept became inextricably linked to Akai to this day, even though Akai does not exist anymore as that `80s company and has not created any new rackmount sampler since the Z-series of 2002. Why, would you ask? Well, -because of computers- would be a generic answer. But let`s better dive into the history and see how Akai progressed and which models were produced. Articles Sun, 16 Mar 2025 22:10:51 +0300 https://synth.market/en/articles/akai_rackmount_samplers/ https://synth.market/en/articles/e_mu_last_decade_of_samplers/ E-mu revolutionized music sampling with their legendary Emulator series, from Emulator I to Emax, each model pushing technological boundaries. As competitors caught up, the digital music landscape transformed. Musicians transitioned from 8 and 12-bit samplers to high-fidelity digital workstations, with E-mu`s final Proteuses in the very early 2000s marking a nostalgic endpoint in their innovative journey. Creative Labs ultimately sealed the company`s fate, bringing an end to an iconic era of music technology. Here is the list of all E-mu samplers of the 4th generation, including its sub-generations. Articles Sun, 1 Dec 2024 23:10:51 +0300 https://synth.market/en/articles/e_mu_last_decade_of_samplers/ https://synth.market/en/articles/roland_fa_vs_yamaha_modx/ For a long time the workstations market, if we speak about mid-range instruments, was dominated by two synthesizers: Yamaha MOXF and Roland FA, Korg Krome being cheaper and less powerful solution. Both workstations have similar set of features and capabilities, and the choice between them consisted mainly of the user`s taste preferences. Has anything changed with the release of the Yamaha MODX? Articles Mon, 12 Nov 2018 13:17:01 +0300 https://synth.market/en/articles/roland_fa_vs_yamaha_modx/ https://synth.market/en/articles/lowcost_analogue_setup/ Nowadays, the market of electronic musical instruments is extremely large, so for beginners who have decided to acquire a hardware setup, the choice of instruments becomes a problem, as it is difficult not to drown in the variety of options and find inexpensive devices with a wide range of functions. Last time we offered you a setup of three digital instruments, now it`s time to dig into the analog instruments market and figure out which ones are worth buying for the widest possible range of features and the least amount of money. Articles Sun, 19 Aug 2018 15:39:53 +0300 https://synth.market/en/articles/lowcost_analogue_setup/ https://synth.market/en/articles/lowcost_digital_setup/ The electronic musical instruments market is very large nowadays, so the device selection can become a problem for beginner musicians who decided to give up virtual plugins and get a hardware setup, as it is difficult not to drown in the variety of options and find affordable instruments with wide functionality. We have analyzed the market and are ready to provide you with our view on the ideal inexpensive digital setup, which is suitable both for live performances and for the studio. Articles Sat, 26 May 2018 14:22:22 +0300 https://synth.market/en/articles/lowcost_digital_setup/ https://synth.market/en/articles/korg_volca/ The line of volca devices from KORG, a legendary japanese company, is probably the most balanced and functional in the segment of portable and inexpensive music creation tools. These are truly original products, combining the best ideas of synthesis and sampling of the last century with a convenient, intuitive design and nice sound, for their price. Articles Wed, 25 Apr 2018 11:35:00 +0300 https://synth.market/en/articles/korg_volca/