Hardware Synths vs. Software Synths

Hardware and software synths can both give you everything from classic analogue basses to huge cinematic pads and experimental sound design. But while they can achieve similar results, the way you interact with them can be very different.

Hardware synths give you a physical instrument to play, tweak and perform with, while software synths bring an enormous range of sounds directly into your computer. Modern software can convincingly recreate classic hardware, while modern hardware can offer incredibly deep digital synthesis.
So, what actually separates the two? Is there still a reason to choose hardware when your computer can run hundreds of synths at once? Let’s take a look.

Hardware synths

Hardware synthesizers are physical instruments that generate sound independently of your computer. They come in a huge variety of forms, from compact desktop modules and affordable monosynths to full-size analogue polysynths and powerful digital workstations.

They’re also not all the same under the hood. Hardware synths can use analogue circuitry, digital synthesis or a combination of both. You can find subtractive, wavetable, FM, granular, sample-based and modular synthesis in hardware, so “hardware synth” doesn’t necessarily mean “analogue synth”.

The biggest difference is the way you interact with the instrument. Instead of opening a plugin and controlling parameters with a mouse, you have a dedicated set of controls in front of you.

Turn a filter knob, and you hear the result immediately. Adjust an envelope, change the oscillator waveform or patch a cable into a modular system, and you’re physically interacting with the instrument.

That can make hardware particularly appealing for sound design and performance. You aren’t just looking at a screen; you’ve got an instrument in front of you.

The Pros of Hardware Synths

The hands-on experience is probably the biggest attraction. A dedicated synthesizer gives you immediate access to its controls, which can make experimenting with sounds feel more natural.

Hardware can also encourage a different way of working. Instead of scrolling through hundreds of presets or plugins, you might find yourself starting with an initial patch and shaping it yourself. That limitation can actually be useful when you’re trying to focus on making music rather than choosing equipment.

There’s also the practical advantage of having an instrument that doesn’t require a computer to make sound. Many hardware synths can be connected directly to an audio interface, mixer, headphones or amplifier, making them useful for standalone playing and live performance.

And then there’s the sheer variety of hardware available. You can buy a tiny desktop monosynth, a keyboard-based digital workstation, a semi-modular system or a fully featured polyphonic analogue synthesizer. There are plenty of options at different price points.

Finally, hardware is a physical product that you own, unlike an OS update or the IP being purchased by another company – the instrument is yours to keep.

The Cons of Hardware Synths

The obvious downside is that hardware takes up space.

One synthesizer might not seem like much, but a studio full of keyboards and desktop modules can quickly become a serious piece of furniture. You’ll also need to think about power supplies, audio cables, MIDI connections and potentially a mixer or audio interface.

Hardware can also become expensive surprisingly quickly. A computer can run multiple software instruments simultaneously, whereas every hardware synth requires its own physical unit.

There’s also the issue of recall. If you’ve created a sound on a hardware synth without saving the patch, reproducing it later might involve remembering exactly where you left every control. Even when patches can be saved digitally, recalling a complete hardware setup can still involve more physical equipment than opening a DAW project.

And while hardware gives you plenty of choice, no single synth can do everything. A dedicated analogue monosynth might sound fantastic, but it won’t necessarily give you the huge range of synthesis methods available from a modern software instrument.

Software synths

Software synthesizers – or “softsynths” – are virtual instruments that run on a computer, usually as plugins inside a DAW.

The software synth market has grown enormously since the first generations of virtual instruments appeared. Today you can find software recreations of famous analogue synthesizers, virtual versions of digital classics and completely original instruments that would be difficult or impossible to build as conventional hardware.

You can also run several instances of the same synth within a project. Want six bass sounds, three pads and a stack of lead parts? Your computer can potentially handle all of them simultaneously.

That’s one of the biggest advantages of software: you’re not limited by the amount of physical hardware sitting on your desk.

The Pros of Software Synths

The biggest advantage is choice.

A single software instrument can offer hundreds of presets and an enormous number of parameters, while a collection of plugins can cover almost every synthesis style imaginable.

Software also integrates extremely well with a DAW. MIDI notes, automation, presets and effects can all be saved with your project, meaning you can close a session and come back to it later with your sounds exactly where you left them.

There’s no need to photograph your hardware settings or remember which cables were connected to which inputs. Open the project and everything is recalled.

Software also makes it easy to experiment. You can load a synth, try a preset, add another instance, route it through effects and automate almost anything without changing your physical setup.

Then there’s the question of space. Your entire software synth collection could potentially occupy nothing more than an SSD, leaving your desk completely clear.

For producers working primarily inside a DAW, that combination of flexibility, recall and convenience can be extremely useful.

The Cons of Software Synths

The biggest compromise is that software relies on a computer.

If your computer isn’t available, your DAW isn’t running or your plugin isn’t compatible with your current setup, you can’t simply switch on the synth and start playing.

There’s also the question of interaction. A mouse and keyboard can give you precise control over thousands of parameters, but they don’t necessarily provide the same immediacy as reaching for a physical knob and building a patch can be like building a ship in a bottle.

Of course, MIDI controllers can bridge that gap. A controller with knobs, faders and pads can give you a much more hands-on experience, but you’re still controlling software rather than interacting directly with a dedicated instrument where controlling more than one can take some setting up, rather than reaching for two separate controls on two different instruments.

Software can also introduce other considerations, including plugin formats, operating-system compatibility, licensing systems and updates. A synth you bought years ago might not always behave perfectly on a future computer or operating system.

And while software can be incredibly powerful, having thousands of sounds available at the click of a mouse can create its own problem: choice overload. Sometimes having fewer options is exactly what you need.

Who Makes Hardware Synths?

Some of the biggest names in hardware include:

Korg – Analogue, digital, hybrid and workstation-style instruments
Roland – Classic-inspired analogue and digital instruments alongside modern synthesis
Moog – Famous for analogue synthesizers and their distinctive filter designs
Sequential – Analogue and hybrid polysynths with a strong connection to classic synth design
Arturia – Analogue, digital and hybrid hardware alongside its extensive software range
Behringer – A large range of affordable analogue and digital synthesizers
Elektron – Powerful digital and analogue instruments focused heavily on sequencing and performance
Waldorf – Particularly well known for digital and wavetable synthesis
U.D.O – Powerful analogue + hybrid built with care and enthusiasm

This is only a small selection. The hardware market has expanded considerably, with manufacturers producing everything from affordable entry-level instruments to extremely sophisticated flagship synthesizers.

Shop all Hadware Synthesizers

Who Makes Software Synths?

Some of the software synth and virtual instrument manufacturers you’ll find at Andertons include:

Roland – Roland Cloud brings many of the company’s iconic synthesizers into software, including virtual versions of instruments such as the JUPITER-8, Juno-106 and SH-101.
Arturia – Their V Collection features software recreations of classic synthesizers from across the industry, alongside Arturia’s own original instruments and modern takes on classic designs.
Native Instruments – Offers a broad range of software instruments covering synthesis, sampling, acoustic instruments and experimental sound design, with deep integration across its production ecosystem.
GForce Software – Specialises in virtual instruments inspired by classic synthesizers and keyboards, combining vintage character with modern software features.
EastWest Sounds – Covers a much broader range of virtual instruments, from synthesizers and electronic sounds to orchestral, cinematic and scoring instruments.

Shop all Software Synthesizers

Conclusion

Both hardware and software synths have their strengths.

Hardware is particularly appealing if you want a hands-on instrument, enjoy tweaking controls in real time, perform live or simply prefer making music away from a computer.

Software makes a lot of sense if you want maximum choice, instant recall, easy DAW integration and the ability to run lots of instruments without filling your studio with hardware.

But there’s a third option: use both.

A hardware synth can provide the physical interaction and character of a dedicated instrument, while software can provide additional sounds, effects and processing inside your DAW. MIDI makes it possible to use your computer to sequence hardware, while audio interfaces let you record the results directly into your projects.

For many modern producers, that’s the most useful way to look at the hardware-versus-software debate. It’s not necessarily about choosing a winner – it’s about deciding which tools fit the way you like to make music.

After all, the best synthesizer is ultimately the one that makes you want to sit down and make something.

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