Best Gifts for Synth Players in 2023

Are you looking for the perfect gift for the synthesist in your life this holiday season? Maybe you’re shopping for yourself or someone you know who wants to dip their toes into the musical waters of synthesis, beat making, and keyboards. Knowing where to start can be tricky, but we’ve done the heavy lifting to condense our massive array of synth gear into this short list. No matter the need or skill level, a little goes a long way, so we combed through thousands of products to find the best gifts for synth players in 2023. From Eurorack and semi-modular stylings to contemporary beat-production and MIDI controllers, there’s something for everyone. 

Best Gifts Under $500 for Synth PlayersBest Gifts Under $250 for Synth PlayersBest Gifts Under $50 for Synth Players

Best Gifts Under $500 for Synth Players

Roland AIRA Compact E-4 Voice Tweaker and sE Electronics V7 Microphone Bundle

Compact, comprehensive sound design to elevate your voice

The Roland AIRA Compact series was designed to blend a user-friendly form factor with versatile, inspiring tools. The Roland AIRA Compact E-4 Voice Tweaker is your answer to powerful, on-the-go vocal processing. It channels decades of innovative Roland sound design into a pocket-size module brimming with sonic-sculpting features, including a vocoder, a suite of effects, a looper, and plenty more. Deep connectivity options and MIDI compatibility let you sync directly to other AIRA Compact modules, ensuring the Vocal Tweaker’s vocal versatility can live anywhere within your setup.

Of course, you’ll need a mic to get started, too. Sweetwater adds an sE Electronics V7 vocal microphone to guarantee crisp, high-fidelity audio for voice-tweaking performances. Thanks to its excellent isolation, integrated shockmount, and heavy-duty construction, the V7 is perfect for the long haul. In this bundle, we also toss in a 10-foot Roland RCC-10-TRXF Black Series mic cable so you can get to work right away on your next transformative vocal showcase.

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Arturia KeyStep Pro 37-key Controller & Sequencer 

Flexible studio- and stage-grade performance powerhouse

Arturia’s dedication to cohesive, interactive instrumentation led to the creation of its 37-key KeyStep Pro Controller & Sequencer. It blends detailed MIDI control with robust performance appointments, including a polyphonic sequencer, nuanced expression options, and a 16-track drum sequencer. Whether you stick to Arturia’s painstakingly emulated soft synths or need the next control center for your rig, the KeyStep Pro is ready. Plus, it features dedicated CV/Gate jacks, making it a perfect fit for Eurorack modular systems.

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Radial Key-Largo Keyboard Mixer

Multi-keyboard mixing, one convenient control point

Space is limited onstage, and support systems can quickly lead to a mess of cabling and signal management. Your multi-keyboard solution? The Radial Key-Largo — a compact multichannel stereo mixer created for the stage. It’s capable of mixing three distinct sound sources, which are routed to the dedicated Monitor and DI outputs. The momentary footswitch can attenuate sustain and simultaneous effects for all instruments at once. If you need further connectivity options, then a USB port and MIDI I/O ensure any accompanying computer, controller, and linked instruments are always in sync. 

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Source Audio Collider Stereo Delay+Reverb Pedal

Multidimensional soundscape sculpting

Following the sonic success of its Nemesis Delay and Ventris Dual Reverb, Source Audio took the DNA of each device and smashed it together to form a multifunction texture-crafting tool greater than the sum of its parts: the Source Audio Collider Delay+Reverb stereo pedal. Blending malleable controls with state-of-the-art DSP processors, the Collider boasts 13 electrifying hues of reverbs and delays and is armed with dedicated footswitches for each effect to allow simultaneous use with detailed blending capabilities. Reverb and delay styles range from vintage-style Analog, Digital, and Tape tones to evocative Swell and dramatic Reverse effects. Pairing them together leads to multidimensional soundscapes that will send your synth sonics into the stratosphere.

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Best Gifts Under $250 for Synth Players

Cre8audio East Beast Semi-modular Analog Synthesizer

Cre8audio West Pest Semi-modular Analog Synthesizer

Two coasts of distinctive analog synthesis style

The East Beast and West Pest from Cre8audio are testaments to the company’s design ethos: pushing analog synthesis into imaginative new realms of sound. These semi-modular synths boast cutting-edge analog architecture that riffs on the style of their namesake inspirations: the subtractive synthesis of the East Coast and the additive aggression of the West Coast. Over a decade of R & D culminated in the Beast and the Pest, and not an ounce of that ingenuity went to waste. Both synths’ face buttons serve as 13-note keyboards, and, by removing their housing, they can transform into Eurorack-compatible monstrosities of sound.

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Roland AIRA Compact S-1 Tweak Synth

Legacy sounds reimagined for the modern music maker 

Thanks to Roland’s state-of-the-art Analog Circuit Behavior technology, the legendary SH-101 synthesizer has found new life in the Roland AIRA Compact S-1 Tweak Synth. Like the E-4 Voice Tweaker above, the S-1 is a versatile and portable synth with a straightforward approach to sound design. Diverse connectivity ensures the S-1’s voltaic oscillators can fill any role in your setup. Plus, you can get hands on with Roland’s D-Motion system to modulate your sound in real time. If you want the SH-101 as a virtual instrument, then check out the Roland SH-101 VI Lifetime key.

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Arturia KeyStep 32-key Controller & Sequencer

Compact design with uncompromising control 

Like its larger sibling, the 32-key Arturia KeyStep Controller & Sequencer fuses flexibility with robust creativity. Onboard Chord and Arpeggiator modes are accompanied by a powerful polyphonic 64-step sequencer, letting you craft all manner of progressions. A Slimkey keybed, known for its playability that far exceeds conventional undersized keys, is included. Expression is a must-have feature, and the KeyStep offers capacitive touch strips to provide nuanced interfacing with the Pitch and Mod controls, plus reduced risk of damage while transporting or storing. 

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Kenton MIDI USB Host Mk3 USB Host to MIDI Converter

Multimode MIDI control for your system

Shortly after MIDI’s debut in 1984, keyboardist and electronics connoisseur John Price founded Kenton with a mission to make comprehensive yet accessible MIDI-usage products. The Kenton MIDI USB Host Mk3 is the company’s one-stop solution for turning your USB MIDI controller into a dynamic, powerful device fully capable of 5-pin DIN MIDI interfacing. Using a class-compliant MIDI USB host, you just plug and play — the MIDI USB Host Mk3 takes care of the rest, offering a triptych of operating modes to ensure you’re able to use bus-powered controllers with any compatible synth or keyboard in your rig! 

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CWE WIDI Master Bluetooth Wireless MIDI Interface

Ultra-low latency for any performance environment

Nobody wants to worry about wires getting tangled, but wireless control has been plagued by the same concern for years: latency. Fortunately, the CME WIDI Master MIDI interface offers a versatile spread of wireless linking with exceptionally low latency to ensure your performances are always in time. Bluetooth connectivity introduces compatibility with iOS and Android devices, and it’s bus powered, meaning you don’t need additional components to support its 65-foot range. A Bluetooth 5 design makes automatic pairing and grouping faster and more reliable than ever — you can transmit everything from note values and CC messages to SysEx files and MPE parameters.  

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Tiptop Audio Stackcable Eurorack Patch Cable Assorted Sizes

Tip-top connectivity for inspiring synthesis 

Modular Eurorack synthesis offers endless flexibility in crafting worlds of sound and texture. Still, limited space within an interface means that it can be difficult to split a signal. Fortunately, the Tiptop Audio Stackcable Eurorack patch cable is designed to remedy these woes while introducing inspiring opportunities to reimagine your modular array. While splitters do exist, Stackcables are engineered to streamline the complexity of patchbays and similar tools by featuring a 3.5mm jack directly after the plug. Now, any signal can be split at its source, and the multiple colors in this 15-pack make it a breeze to keep track of your patching! 

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Best Gifts Under $50 for Synth Players

Nektar Impact GX Mini 25-key MIDI Controller

Capable, on-the-go control for studio and stage

Whether you’re a studio nomad, someone working in tight quarters, or simply in need of a capable, travel-friendly controller, the 25-key Nektar Impact GX Mini MIDI controller is for you. From its variable velocity curves to its multifunction joystick, the GX Mini is a deceptively deep tool that features a nuanced array of sonic interfacing options. It’s bus powered, eliminating the need for extra cables or power supply units while transmitting detailed information directly to your device. It’s even got a 1/8-inch jack for a sustain pedal, ensuring a symphony of possibilities in 25-key intervals!

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M-Audio EX-P Expression Pedal

Maximum MIDI expression for M-Audio and beyond 

As the world of digital music production expands, you can craft an entire song with just your mouse. But where’s the fun in that? With the M-Audio EX-P expression pedal, you’ll introduce endless shades of expressivity to your playing. The EX-P is intended for use with MIDI controllers to allow for control of anything you assign to it. Do you need to increase the reverb on a piano throughout a passage or crank up the chorus as you lay down a solo? Now you can. The possibilities are endless, just like your creative potential.

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Roland CB-RAC AIRA Compact Carrying Case

Keep your AIRA sound secured 

If someone you know has — or is about to receive — one of Roland’s AIRA Compact instruments, then a reliable case is a must-have accessory. The Roland CB-RAC AIRA Compact carrying case is designed with a semi-rigid EVA shell to provide ample protection from bumps, dust, and the elements. It’s superior to a soft case but without the unforgiving structure of a hard case. Its snug lining protects any sensitive knobs, sliders, and other surface features from disruption, and the mesh pocket is the perfect place for storing cables.

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Analogue Solutions LED CV Caps

Visualize your Eurorack signal flow

If you don’t know Analogue Solutions, then this is the perfect opportunity to integrate its masterful engineering into your synth setup. The company’s award-winning work is derived from its passion and dedication to producing superlative analog synthesizers. With the Analogue Solutions LED CV caps, it has produced a welcome solution for synthesists of all styles. These semitranslucent plugs utilize LEDs to provide immediate color-coded feedback about the signal’s polarity. Plus, they add synchronized visual flare to your system!

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Nazca Audio Noodles Eurorack Patch Cables

Ensure your patching goes the distance

You can never have too many patch cables for your Eurorack setup. Well, maybe you could, but the Nazca Audio Noodles Eurorack patch cables are the first ones you’ll reach for. They’re meticulously crafted with slim yet durable jackets, ensuring long-term use with even the tightest configurations. What’s more, they’re available in various colors, quantities, and lengths (topping out at a whopping 118 inches), making painless work of patch design and signal management. If you want your synth sonics to go the distance, then Noodles are the way to go. 

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Maloney StageGear Covers 95728 Small Keyboard Cover

Coverage for your keys 

Most people understand the value of a solid keyboard carrying case, but a protective cover is frequently overlooked. With the Maloney StageGear Covers 95728 small keyboard cover, you’ll save yourself a whole lot of time and tedium. Its resilient polyester construction features a reversible silver side, perfect for outdoor arrangements and protection from heat and ultraviolet rays. In either configuration, the cover reliably safeguards your keys from dirt, water, dust, grime, and other intrusive elements. When it’s time to clean, you only need a damp cloth. 

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Black Market Eurorack Patch Cables

Cables so cool they should be illegal 

Synthesists love hanging out in the dark, producing evocative soundscapes, and conjuring the bleeps and bloops of the mystical realms of techno-musical wizardry, and they believe their tone-crafting tools should look as cool as the sounds they help produce. Black Market agrees, and the company’s durable, high-quality Eurorack patch cables come in an array of colorful choices, including a glow-in-the-dark design.

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Black Market Monomult 1×5 Splitter Hub

Maximize your modular synthesis opportunities 

Anyone working with modular or semi-modular synthesizers has experienced wanting to use a singular source for multiple destinations, but they need an easy way to do it. Thanks to the Black Market Monomult 1×5 splitter hub, you’ll find a convenient solution in no time. Its 1-in/5-out design means you can split the signal in five directions, massively expanding the creative scope of synthesis possibilities with your rig. The Monomult delivers five times the patching potential for any source signal. Plus, it’s available in various colors to suit your style.  

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Can’t Decide? Give a Sweetwater Gift Card!

Sweetwater Gift CardsChoosing the perfect gift has never been easier than instant digital delivery and the freedom to choose from over 63,000 music products. A Sweetwater e-Gift is the fastest way to get the giving going. You choose the dollar amount, and the music maker in your life — or maybe even you — gets exactly what they want. The perfect gift is just a few clicks away!

If you can’t make up your mind, then we have the perfect gift solution: a Sweetwater Gift Card! These can be purchased as either a digital card or as a physical card that you can use as a stocking stuffer.

For a digital card, simply click on the “Send as an e-Gift” button below, fill out your information, and choose the amount you want to place on the card. You can then email the gift card to your lucky giftee that day or choose a later date — you have up to a year to send it! Send a personal message with your gift card to make it even more special. Your giftee can pick from any of our 63,000 products, and they don’t have to spend it all on one purchase.

For a physical gift card, choose the “Send a Gift Card” option, choose the amount and the message, and we’ll handle the rest by mailing the card to either you or your recipient.

Whichever you choose, we are confident that the convenience will make this holiday season less stressful all around! These are the easiest way to make the season a little brighter.

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Ready to Summit the Heights of Synthesis?

We get it: synths inhabit a deceptively detailed musical space. Virtually every genre and style of music has incorporated some element of synthesis to wildly diverse extents. While these controllers, accessories, and sound-shaping tools cover plenty of terrain, there are thousands of more ways to interface with your synth sounds — physically or virtually — at any level of expertise. If you want to learn more about the items listed here or explore other options to spur inexhaustible heights of artistic growth, then call one of our knowledgeable Sweetwater Sales Engineers at (800) 222-4700 to get started today!
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