![]() ![]() ![]() The primary advantage of synthesizers is that they have much more powerful synthesis engines, with the ability to edit the sounds in much more depth. Even the high-end arrangers are much less sturdy with a lot more plastic in the construction. If you purchase a professional workstation synth then you can expect a rugged and well-built instrument that is built for a life on the road. This is a synth that is capable of playing many different sounds at the same time, with built-in effects and with a MIDI and audio sequencer for creating and arranging an entire composition onboard the synth without needing to connect to a computer. What are its advantages?īefore we get into that, we need to define a workstation synth. So the synthesizer is feeling like the underdog here. The very best arrangers allow you to connect a microphone and mix in your voice with effects and even apply autotune and generate harmonies. It’s a huge amount of fun, and no synthesizer offers this level of control. Sure, some synthesizers give you this illusion, by using sophisticated multi-track arpeggiators that adapt to what you are playing, but they fall way short of the functionality offered by arranger keyboards.Īn arranger has a staggering number of buttons allowing you to adjust the backing tracks as you perform, such as switching between different variations for verse and chorus or triggering fills, intros and outros. This means that the keyboard will generate backing tracks for you whilst you play, sounding like a real band or orchestra accompanying your performance. The absolute main difference that you need to understand is that arrangers offer real-time accompaniment. This might seem like a strange oversight, but the assumption is that synthesizers will be connected to a mixing desk and PA system, or to studio monitors. Synthesizers very rarely have speakers, and if they do, they are just a small tinny-sounding gimmick. This is extremely convenient when playing at home or in smaller venues. The most noticeable physical difference is that the arrangers nearly always have a built-in amplifier and speakers, sounding very good on the higher-end models. So, what exactly does an arranger do, that a synth can’t? There’s usually a MIDI sequencer onboard, and often an audio recorder for creating songs and capturing your performances. There will also be a huge variety of acoustic and electronic drum kits onboard.īoth categories of keyboards are multi-timbral meaning they can play lots of different sounds at the same time. Both have a wide variety of electronic sounding synth tones like pads, basses, leads. Most synthesizer workstation, just like arranger keyboards have gigabytes of high-quality multi-sampled instrument sounds onboard, ranging from acoustic instruments like piano, guitar to orchestral and ethnic sounds. There are many similarities in the features too. These days they are usually equipped with a central large LCD, often a touchscreen, dominating the front panel. Both are keyboard instruments, usually with 61 keys and a control panel full of faders, knobs and buttons. Let’s start with the obvious and not-so-obvious similarities. Popular arrangers include the Korg PA-series, Yamaha PSR and their Tyros and Genos. In the synth workstation category we have the Yamaha MODX and Montage, Korg Nautilus and the Roland FA and Fantom. It might be helpful if I mention a few examples. ![]() Someone once said, in jest but it’s usually true, that synths have vertical faders for the volume control, whilst home keyboards and arrangers have round knobs. I get the impression that many viewers do not understand the differences, and similarities between these two instruments so let’s discuss that today. Therefore, there is no easy answer to the question. They are completely different instrument categories! This always puzzles me because this is an “apple to orange” comparison, or more literally a “Synth to Arranger Keyboard” comparison. I get a regular stream of questions from people asking me if they should buy Synth Workstation X or Arranger Keyboard Y. ![]()
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