How did synthesizers transform music?

The invention of the synthesizer has had a huge influence on the evolution of modern music, playing a key role in the writing and recording of many of the most iconic albums of all time. The first synths began to appear in the late 1950s, when it was discovered that analog circuitry could produce amazing sounds from electronic oscillators.

During the 1960s and 1970s, the futuristic feel of synth-based music became increasingly popular, and by the 1980s the majority of pop hits were created using a synthesizer. When MIDI technology was introduced in 1982, this further pushed the popularization of synthesizers, making them easier to play and work within electronic music studios.

The 1980s also saw digital technology become widely used in music, and during the 1990s the first software synths began to emerge, with Native Instruments at the forefront of that innovation. Since the pioneering inventions of Generator and Reaktor, through to the present day of Massive X, Pharlight and Super 8, Native Instruments has been an integral force in shaping the world of cutting-edge sound synthesis.

 

Our range of synthesizers

The Native Instruments catalog features an abundance of synth options, from easy-to-use synthesizer plug ins that are as affordable as they are intuitive, to expansive instruments that can become the creative hub of any studio. Discover the next generation sounds of Massive X or dive deep into the atmospheric synth presets of Ethereal Earth – whatever you sound, Native Instruments offers limitless sound-sculpting opportunities from our breathtaking range of monophonic and polyphonic synthesizers.

Wavetable synths like our iconic Massive X and the genre-defining Massive generate rich tones and timbres, so you can create anything from huge pads to piercing leads. Based around a virtual-analog architecture that’s just as flexible in the studio as it is on the stage, both Massive and Massive X include thousands of ready-to-use synth presets as well as allowing full customization of your unique sound through a comprehensive range of wavetable oscillators, modulation options, filters, and effects.

Modular synths such as Reaktor allow different oscillators, effects and other sound-shaping tools to be connected together in a variety of ways, for infinite tonal control and inspiration. Reaktor gives you unlimited scope to build custom synths, samplers, effects, and sound design tools using rack-style modular components and our fully-patchable Blocks.

Granular synthesis engines like Pharlight and Straylight repurpose and reimagine existing sound sources to make unique textures and spark anything from pop hooks to cinematic swells. Monophonic synthesizers like Monark focus on creating one stunning note at a time, while polyphonic synthesizers like Super 8 allow notes to be played together for a full range of harmonic possibilities that lean on vintage sound synthesis using modern synth technology.

All of these instruments and many more are available in our diverse collection of VST synths, so whether you want sounds for films, festivals, radio, clubs, or anything in between, Native Instruments has you covered.