Overview
Analog & digital synthesizers are both electronic instruments that create sound, but they differ in how they generate and manipulate that sound. Here’s a list of the key differences.
Analog Synths
- Use electrical circuits to produce sound waves
- These circuits can be influenced by various knobs and sliders, creating a warm, rich sound with subtle imperfections
- Pros
- Warm, organic sound, sought-after for genres like classic electronic music, “hands-on” approach to sound design
- Cons
- Can be expensive, limited in features compared to digital synths, less polyphony
Digital Synths
- Generate sound using digital representations of waveforms.
- They’re essentially tiny computers with software that can create a wider variety of sounds, often including emulations of analog sounds
- Pros
- More affordable, wider variety of sounds and effects, more features like sequencers and on-board arpeggiators, greater polyphony
- Cons
- May not sound as warm as analog
- However as technology has improved over time its now becoming impossible for the human ear to tell the difference, see this video
- May not sound as warm as analog
Additional Considerations
- Playing Style
- If you prefer a more hands-on, immediate sound creation process, analog might be a good fit. For those who like flexibility and experimentation, digital could be better.
- Genre
- Certain genres are typically associated with analog sounds
- classic subtractive synthesis sounds in electronic music
- digital synths can cover a wider range of genres
- Certain genres are typically associated with analog sounds
Verdict
- There’s no single “better” choice. It depends on your needs and preferences;
- Choose Analog
- If you prioritize a warm, classic sound, appreciate a more hands-on approach, and are playing genres that favor analog textures
- Choose Digital
- If you want affordability, a broader sonic palette, features like sequencing and effects, or need high polyphony
- Hybrid Option
- Many modern synths are digital but emulate analog circuitry to capture the classic sound. These “virtual analog” synths can be a good compromise
- Choose Analog