Top 20 Synths of All Time

[Hazmatic]

Yeah, I watched all the videos, counting down from 1-20 a while back. I pretty much agree with the list for the exception of #8, the JV-1080. It has no place in a top 20 list. And I probably would've ranked the MS20 in the top 5.

[ohmicide]

damn I remember watching this years ago

[verve92]

Hahaha
Your slutziness predates mine.
Really like the Dave Smith and Rodger O'Donnell interviews. Big Cure fan here.
Was the Korg M-1 that big of a deal back then? Not much of a UI.
Made me feel like not much of a moron for not figuring out my DX-7

[Yoozer]

Originally Posted by Hazmatic

I pretty much agree with the list for the exception of #8, the JV-1080. It has no place in a top 20 list.

Sometimes it's not about how sexy the synth is, it's how much it's been used. Unlike Korg and Alesis, Roland had resonant filters and expandability, and the OS is arguably less user-hostile than any of the SY machines (which were also more expensive).

If there's not a JV in there, then a Triton should be in there, for pretty much the same reason.

[NWSooner]

Yep, this series has been out for quite a while. Entertaining stuff, but I also have issues with the order of the list. And just so people don't have to watch every video to see the synths and their order, it's:

1) Minimoog
2) ARP Odyssey
3) Prophet 5
4) DX7
5) M1
6) D50
7) MS-20
8) JV-1080
9) Virus
10) ARP 2600
11) OB-8
12) Juno 60
13) Mellotron
14) CS-80
15) Jupiter 8
16) Proteus 1
17) Nord Lead
18) VCS3
19) SH101
20) Solina

I think some of the older digitals are too high, but maybe that's because they sold so well. I agree that the JV-1080 is WAY too high. Not sure why the Odyssey is 8 spots higher than the 2600. Also not sure why the Juno 60 is above the Jupiter 8. When discussing analogs I wouldn't put the MS-20 above the ARP 2600, CS-80, or Jupiter 8. I guess I could see the MS-20 over the OB-8 and VCS3. Certainly the SH101.

It's clear that sales/ubiquity is a major influence on the list though. Proteus 1 in the top 20? Really?

[flat earth]

Originally Posted by NWSooner

Yep, this series has been out for quite a while. Entertaining stuff, but I also have issues with the order of the list. And just so people don't have to watch every video to see the synths and their order, it's:

1) Minimoog
2) ARP Odyssey
3) Prophet 5
4) DX7
5) M1
6) D50
7) MS-20
8) JV-1080
9) Virus
10) ARP 2600
11) OB-8
12) Juno 60
13) Mellotron
14) CS-80
15) Jupiter 8
16) Proteus 1
17) Nord Lead
18) VCS3
19) SH101
20) Solina

I think some of the older digitals are too high, but maybe that's because they sold so well. I agree that the JV-1080 is WAY too high. Not sure why the Odyssey is 8 spots higher than the 2600. Also not sure why the Juno 60 is above the Jupiter 8. When discussing analogs I wouldn't put the MS-20 above the ARP 2600, CS-80, or Jupiter 8. I guess I could see the MS-20 over the OB-8 and VCS3. Certainly the SH101.

It's clear that sales/ubiquity is a major influence on the list though. Proteus 1 in the top 20? Really?

I would say the top 10 are pretty accurate. (although JV1080 hmmm). The list generally conforms to a wide time scale. ie 10/15 years back the JP8 wasn't the highly sought-after hyped up monster it is now.

[RobJB06]

The JV1080 was groundbreaking in the respect that you had a high quality multi-timbral module that really sounded great, it was really quite something at the time.... load it up with cards and you could do a lot with it. Thats why its high up...
Sonically nothing to shout about now, but still worth having for those nice wide pads and textures

[flat earth]

Originally Posted by RobJB06

The JV1080 was groundbreaking in the respect that you had high quality multi-timbral module that really sounded grear, it was really quite something at the time.... load it up with cards and you could do a lot with it. Thats why its high up...
Sonically nothing to shout about now, but still worth having for those nice wide pads and textures

You have a point. But if you are talking about sales & popularity, then the top 5 would be DX7,D50,M1,Microkorg & Poly800.

[Analog Prophet]

I think all (or at least all) has their personalities as well as humans and can not play out each other. But if I pick 20 "wifes" it will be:

1-18 Minimoog
19 Oberheim Matrix12
20 Fairlight Series III

[verve92]

Originally Posted by Analog Prophet

I think all (or at least all) has their personalities as well as humans and can not play out each other. But if I pick 20 "wifes" it will be:

1-18 Minimoog
19 Oberheim Matrix12
20 Fairlight Series III

C'mon Prophet,
There is more to life than 3 synth
Dig your tunes.