How to Understand How Analog Synthesizers Differ From Digital Keyboards

An analog synthesizer (synth for short) produces electronic sounds using analog components. Synths, with their knobs and wires and switches, inspired many musicians in the 1970s and 1960s, including Kraftwrek, Jan Hammer and Jean Michael Jarre. Digital pianos replaced analogs as the keyboard sound of choice in 1980s pop and new wave music. Here's an intro to analog synths and how they differ from digital keyboards.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Listen to an analog synth. It's electronic blips, produced by uninterrupted sound waves, gives notes an expansive warmth. The compositions created with an analog synth can have the woozy, psychedelic sound of acid-rock groups, or the spacey ambiance of science fiction theme music. Common analog synths include sequencers, oscillators, and reverb machines.

2. Play a digital keyboard. The sound gives notes a short, thin clip, and marks the basis for many indie songs dance pop. The lightweight keys aren't controlled by a hammer like on a grand piano, and there's no heavy, tactile sensation of turning knobs and switches like on an analog synth.

3. Take advantage of the extra features on digital keyboards. Digital keyboards have various instrument sounds and even entire songs programmed into them, so they can draw from a bank of different styles with the touch of a button.

4. Try a compact analog synth. Some analog units combine the style of a digital keyboard with the unfiltered sound waves of a larger analog synth. Operating on the same principle of continuous sound waves as modular synths, they sound warmer than their digital cousins.

Tips & Warnings

• Listen to early albums by bands like Genesis, Electric Light Orchestra and Pink Floyd for an intro to analog synth sounds.