Top 10 Most Expensive Synthesizers In The World

[@Doctormix]

❤ Check out UVI's Vintage Vault! 👉 www.uvi.net/vintage-vault-4

[@sophiebride8433]

Hi Doctor mix, do you download a Chordana and buying a Casio CTX keyboard for you ?

[@MatthewChristianMurray]

I have Vintage Vault 3. There are some really good sounds in it. Still, I haven’t seen anything to make me think I need VV4.

[@dmitribovski1292]

You missed the Yamaha GX1 it should be number 1.

[@carbonatedbrainsauce]

There are other synths that are probably more expensive, but they are so rare that they hardly come up for sale so prices are hard to find. For example, Yamaha GX-1, EMS Synthi 100, and a complete Roland System 700.

[@giannagiavelli5098]

Elka synthex is 12k

[@ChrisFotopoulos]

In my opinion Synclavier & Fairlight should be on that list !

[@ChrisOBrien666]

I was also expecting to see Synclavier on this list somewhere…

[@sundaymorningmassradioshow8624]

dr mix does not like sampler.... I see this lol

[@WilliamCharlesShaver]

And the Yamaha GX 1…

[@notdoctorq]

Fully loaded Synclavier systems went for upwards of $1,000,000, and were capable of FM/additive synthesis in addition to sampling.

[@adude394]

100% with you on that. Synclavier was the first thing I thought of, too, along with Fairlight. I always think about the Synclavier when I drive up to Stowe, Vermont, because New England Digital was right at the point where I-91 and I-89 meet in White River Junction, Vermont. Back in the '80s, when Michael Jackson was doing his "Bad" tour, his keyboard players (Greg Phillinganes, Rory Kaplan, and Chris Currell, incredible talents all) did a clinic at a local music store when the tour came to Hartford. Although their main gear at the clinic was Akai, they all talked about the three Synclaviers that they were using in the tour. Something like $750,000 worth of gear, and that's just the Synclaviers! IIFC, Chris Currell used the SynthAxe to control one of the Synclaviers on a time-share basis. In those days, I would have gladly committed murder to get my hands on one. These days, you barely have lay out any cash at all to have a respectable recording rig.

[@JonathanKayne]

So back when I was a high school graduate I worked for Moog and built a lot of the modules for the modular systems during their reissue. The amount of work put into those really justifies the price. The whole thing is built by hand. Every resistor and wire is hand soldered. I built a system 55 and that took me a solid week to harness up. It was a challenge but a lot of fun!

[@chrisbarton708]

The “Switched-on Bach” record was a sight to see. My mom had that when I was a kid. I imagine the big reason for high cost is because these synths and their components are becoming more irreplaceable. Plus their innards are so uniquely designed and complex. It would be nice to see a video on the 10 oldest synths. Thanks Claudio.

[@liselottefrejdig1112]

Many of them is also hand builded. That also is weight in the price.

[@deanevangelista6359]

Pre integrated circuit, too.

[@sub40hz]

Let’s hope UVI continues to grow since the Image Line acquisition. Falcon is probably the best software out there.

[@1sostatic]

I did my electronic apprenticeship restoring most of the analogue synths on here. ...very nice that owners like Dr. Mix keep them alive . I had a DX5, and an EMS vocoder. Though, I would have put the Oberheim Matrix 12 in this list.

[@timburdsey]

Another brilliant video, Dr Mix. You’re the best! Very few are able to match your charisma, enthusiasm, and musicality. 👊🏻

[@hotpeppersrcool]

Ummmm, you might be wrong about the VCS3 being released in 1979 if Floyd was using it on DSOTM (1973)...

[@mtbevins]

Your channel is my favorite. You exuberant personalty and delivery along with your content is just addictive. You are the best!

[@RobertWrightOneManCovers]

Wow, Pink Floyd used a synth 'first introduced in 1979' on an album they released in 1973. That's pretty badass.

[@duncan-rmi]

yeah, he was too busy snorting sugary drinks & clarting about to even come back & fix it in the edit. coincidentally, it's roughly where I stopped watching.

[@Doctormix]

Sorry!! I misspoke that one 😅

[@M364A]

doctor mix, next time stop day dreaming and get your head into the real world so you dont make mistakes like that

[@mr.trippytrips8802]

@@Doctormix These guys are being dicks. Keep doing what you're doing and don't sweat the small stuff!

[@jean-louispech4921]

This is why they were precursors 😜

[@MatthewChristianMurray]

Agree that the DX1 belongs in a design museum. It’s so gorgeous.

[@giannagiavelli5098]

It's beauty and weighted I so want one

[@furiobisotti8150]

I would consider PS3300 instead of 3200 (one more oscillator). Then Fairlight and Synclavier. I love Elka Synthex and I consider it better than a Prophet or an Oberheim. But Synthex is now very expensive only because there aren't many available.

[@robocelot]

Surprised the Waldorf Wave isn't on there. I've seen a grand total of two for sale in the last five years. Arguably the Korg PS-3300 and the Yamaha GX-1 should be on the list but they are nigh-unobtanium and make the PS-3200 and CS-80 seem like achievable dreams, LOL.

[@Antara755]

HAHAHA, love the reference to The Party, Peter Sellers talking to the parrot: "Birdie num, num" !

[@marthamadrid2513]

Peter Sellers - The Party "Birdy Num num", Ahhhhh.... Thank you for making me smile!

[@MyronRalph]

Not many bands use synthesizers these days, seems to me. I play. Man… they sure are a lot of fun to play though.

[@a_cord]

Nice video but I would have also expected the Arp 2500 in this ranking.

[@jmdrumsgarrison]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure those are >$100k often

[@DJZeroz]

excellent video Claudio. Personally I thought the Yamaha GX-1 was the most expensive, I was surprised to see the CS-80 instead of the great GX-1. Greetings!!

[@whisperdancer]

Me too. But I guess the GX1 is somewhat an oddity: a synthesiser trapped in the body of an organ or an organ that thinks its a synthesiser.

[@TachyBunker]

Yup. But im also wondering if some famous giant modular configurations could instead take the cake

[@timburdsey]

Agreed. I was waiting for the GX to pop up.

[@timburdsey]

@MODULART JAPAN I think we can cut Dr Mix some slack here. These lists are always subjective to an extent. I do take your point, but I don’t think it invalidates the good-natured intent behind this exercise. It’s clear that the good doctor was merely seeking to illustrate the inclusion of the items on the list by finding the most expensive synths _available to buy_ at the moment. Greetings and much respect from the UK to our synthesizer brothers and sisters in Japan.

[@omnipop4936]

I think Benny Andersson (of ABBA) still has his GX-1 in his Stockholm studio.

[@dannydr]

That was a nice and interesting episode. I love this kind of content. NEEEEXT!

[@GizzyDillespee]

Was hoping this was all contemporary synths... but I can't be disappointed to see and hear all of these in rapid succession.

[@CrisBlyth]

@4:24 - YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT !! I WAS LOOKING AT THE SCOPE AT THAT EXACT MOMENT ! man, what a fun one

[@paulmitchell4421]

you can see much much more if you put it in XY and set the phase delays between channels correctly

[@valleyken]

I have the Arturia CS-80 plugin. Love it. But it's a bit too heavy for my old laptop, so it crackles when playing too quick or too many notes at once.

[@soliv27]

Do you mean computer cannot solve everything?! The heaviest desk modern computer should solve the crackles for 1000$

[@PSSST100]

Love The Party references...very cool film and fun music to match!! Would totally agree with your choices and have had the opportunity to try both the VCS3 and DX1! The CS80 is amazing though.

[@Coelacanth97]

That's what I was going to post...loved the birdy num nums and voice waveform reference!

[@DJ-ALIXX]

great show !! ps : i would take the Jupiter 8 !! Greetings Alex

[@jeanjacques7591]

Merci beaucoup DocteurMix. Toutes vos analyses, tous ces sons émis par ces différents synthétiseurs donnent vraiment le frisson.

[@marmite-land]

Il parle pas français le bonhomme

[@Daniele-music]

I found a Moog Emerson modular synth that cost 150000$, although it was sold a couple years ago. Another synth that you skimmed over a tad was the arp 2500 with going for 100000$ without taxes.

[@johnstilwagen193]

I was backstage when Edgar Winter used the Voyetra as a go to for Frankenstein! Wow!

[@TheSdzisuaf]

Let's all agree that best sounding out of all these is mini-chicken synth. Thanks, amazing vid!

[@0Zebadee0]

I was expecting the Fairlight CM1 to at Number 1. I seem to remember it being priced around £19~20,000 back in the early 80s so I cannot imagine what it must be priced at now, assuming there are still some out there. Thanks for another great show. Keep up the good work !

[@MFitz12]

Used ones I don't think command much these days.

[@thejollyjoker187]

I thought of that too but I guess it was excluded from the list for being mainly a sampler and not a synthesizer in the classic notion..

[@mikiex]

Its kind of hard to justify its price being really high because its one of the easier synths to recreate.

[@0Zebadee0]

@@synthland4526 Wow! I bet they've probably deleted all their music files on it though ....

[@FailedMuso]

A Series III should set you back no more than £20K these days. I have a maxed out, restored Series III here ready for sale soon at around £16,500. A Series IIx in full working order should cost you no more than £12-£15K. Anything more than that is ridiculous and the seller is clearly trying to milk you. Add a few £K if the machine has famous provenance.

[@laynehoward2870]

How about the Synclavier ORK. If memory serves, it was about $60,000.00 way back in 1976. I was a teenager when I called them and asked. It was just a bit out of my price range.

[@isatellite]

Looking forward to the next series featuring the next 10 expensive synths: Fairlight, ARP 2600, ARP 2500, OBX, Rev 2 Prophet, PPG Wave, Waldorf Wave, System-700, Synclavier, Elka Synthex.

[@HeikkiSalovaara]

Here I am listening to this ear candy with my 25-year-old AKG K240 Monitor earphones. The sound gives me chills, good stuff never dies!

[@bengbangtbeats]

Your enthousiasme is so dope to watch, only reason i watch your videos - great work

[@mathiasdeschamps1637]

Missed the NED SYNCLAVIER but really good video !!

[@MysticFrequencies]

Awesome video! I have 3 from your list :) CS80, Jupiter 8, and a DX1 :) love them all! Thorough;y enjoyed the video!

[@giannagiavelli5098]

We are not worthy we're not worthy

[@windmill7708]

4:19 love "the party" peter sellers refrence lol

[@brutusmuerto]

The Birdy Nam Nam exactly at 4:20 really got me. 🪴

[@Mannizilla]

As Boris Blank once said "There are many Samplers, but nothing compares to the sound of a Fairlight". I think it's very expensive too, and of course the Synclavier. Mike Oldfield owned two Fairlights and Laurie Anderson used the Synclavier.

[@2fathomsdeeper]

Peter Buffet used a Synclavier for the premier of Spirit Dance in Green Bay. Everyone was told to not even breathe on it as it was touchy mechanically.

[@soulless_jm]

Video production quality keeps getting better on these videos!

[@peteragoston-petrosthemusi8260]

Oh. Thank you Claudio for this Arturia V collection demo :-) Honestly: NOW {after THIS vid} I can really appreciate the fantastic opportunity to own these wonders - at least in VST format

[@30m3]

The Voyetra 8 plugin sounds amazing.

[@seedmole]

I'm glad I got my hands on some 5U modules. Very cool to get to mess with stuff like that in hardware form without having to spend the brand name Moog prices.

[@andrewblackburn1426]

You can still get a new VCS3 from Electronic Music Studios - for a mere £5950!

[@entropybentwhistle]

One that came to mind when I saw the title was the Knifonium. It used to sell for around $15k, but I imagine the maker has raised the price somewhat since its first release. Its claim to fame is using vacuum tubes rather than capacitors for the circuitry, I guess making it more analogue than anyone else can boast.

[@Doctormix]

Knifonium, interesintg

[@avsystem3142]

Vacuum tubes and capacitors are not substitutes for one another in any analog circuit. A vacuum tube is no more "analog" than a discrete transistor, but superior if you want to heat up a workspace.

[@Pake154]

I´m a lucky owner of an Korg OASYS 88 keys. Also have the Kronos but the OASYS simplifies certain things. My dream one day would be to get my hands on a Fairlight CMI III

[@Jonathan-fy4cx]

keep looking for the stars hope your dream comes true

[@doggerproductions]

Always wanted one of them, had to settle for a triton studio with all the best expansion boards,....love my triton 💗.... still would love a oasys though ☺️

[@jooei2810]

Follow your dream friend!

[@stuartwilliams7371]

I love my Oasys 88 also 👍

[@uagaduguanac1163]

I think that Cs 80 is also used on Toto-Hold the line.

[@leerampton4443]

Loved the Peter Sellers impression. Keep up the great work.

[@JulianRequejo]

Awesome production and lots of knowledge went into creating this video. Thanks a lot for this amazing time travel experience.

[@laurentkaufmann1486]

Don't forget Buchla, a big system is around 20k, and an old near 80k... seen in ebay, and some Arp 2500 at 100k lol!!

[@jeremythornton433]

I remember many years ago playing with a CS-80 and just being confused by it. I was young and clueless. Now, I'm just poor and wishing i had one. Well, my back is glad that I don't. Great video! Thanks!

[@BuzzGoProductions]

Hi Claudio. Great selection of well known synthesizer. Always makes fun to view your content. So I'm waiting for "neeeeeext" :D

[@synthof]

Enjoying your videos all the time, thanks!

[@tobiasgreeeen]

Would love to see a video on super rare and basically priceless synths, like the RSF brand for example.

[@Geopholus]

The EMS VCS3 1st showed up around 1972 as the Putney. Woody Vasulka (founder with his wife Steina of the 1st electro media Gallery in NYC "The Kitchen"0 he regularly played one or two of them. His had 10 turn pots.

[@falangistavaleroso9689]

I am happy to own several of your featured since the late 90´s- as VCS3 mk 1, Minimoog signed by Moog etc, sadly not a Memorymoog, I regret having not bought one in that times.

[@romaneberle]

Yamaha GX-1 (ELP "Fanfare for the Common Man") :)

[@pacificbuildingcare]

I own a Yamaha DX1 going on 22 years now, I never plan to sell it because I love it

[@digitalbilly]

dude love your contact you got crazy energy!!! so fun to watch!!!

[@jjjohny_a5965]

once again the doctor show me synth i never herd of...great job

[@jjjohny_a5965]

i dont have twitter dm 's but thank you

[@markonemusic]

The CS80 is of course only the baby brother of the daddy of them all. The GX1. 3 manuals, and basically 2 CS80s and a CS1 integrated into a monster synth. Good luck finding one of them anywhere.

[@bengsynthmusic]

That's easily $120,000 plus.

[@benturner6270]

there was one available in Canada in 2020 - the seller told me a Norwegian buyer paid $138,000 for it

[@benturner6270]

they estimate Yamaha only made like two dozen of them or something. Stevie Wonder owns two. Keith Emerson had one, but now Hans Zimmer owns it.

[@Bergenslarsen]

@@benturner6270 Benny Andersson (ABBA) still has his original in his Stockholm studio.

[@kosmikmusa]

Yamaha CS80 released in 1977 and less than 800 units produced. Produced until 1979. I have one. I paid around 250€ in mid 90´s. I think most expensive synth is EMS Synthi 100. Its so expensive that you can´t find on sale ebay or reverb. I saw one in music exhibition in London in early 2000. It was fully refurbished and sold. I tried to ask how much it was but they never told me the price.

[@mikezaw8781]

Oh ho

[@jkashai]

Thank you Dr.Mix very entertaining and educational video. Greetings. Successes and blessings. YOU'RE THE BEST

[@chefsavour]

Doctormix, simply put. YOU ARE AWESOME! The passion you exude is next to none. It's really inspiring. Thx always for sharing all this great content.

[@NikoNoxious]

we love the excellent doctor mix

[@IanWaugh]

Coolio! Try finding, nevermind buying, a complete Roland 700 System 😱

[@pierrenhy3835]

Love your Juno 6 in your studio

[@carlbowles1808]

Everything here is amazing, thank you Dr mix.

[@raincells]

Great video and lots of fun to watch (as are all your videos). Some soft synths are so good these days, that it doesn't seem worth paying a premium for a vintage synth. The UVI examples you played sound amazing. However, there is an intrinsic value for collectors.

[@giovannicasimira]

Non ero riuscito a vederlo in premiere, me lo sono gustato con un aperitivo, ghiaccio e scorza d’arancia, il top x il top ! Doctor Mix riesce sempre a superare le aspettative ! ❤

[@DarkSideofSynth]

Vista la fascia di prezzo del video però, dovevi gustarti un vino raro di minimo 80 anni, servito dal maggiordomo in un salone con affreschi rinascimentali proittando il video su uno schermo cinematografico 😋

[@giovannicasimira]

@@DarkSideofSynth l’ ho visto su un 40 pollici e Martini bianco 😀

[@DarkSideofSynth]

@@giovannicasimira Può andare, può andare. 😀

[@danielortizdecaracas]

Increíble lista de inalcanzables sintetizadores Gracias maestro siempre lo máximo

[@scottk3292]

I'd love to see a video on the technical complexities of trying to replicate (patent issues aside for the moment) the classic synthesizers. For Instance: did Yamaha have their own sound ICs, giving them a unique sound? Did the CS-80 use very old-school components (resisters, capacitors, etc.) that act differently from modern components? One to talk about would be Deckard's Dream. I wonder how close it comes to the sound of a CS-80. How much extra work did they have to do in order to imitate the way a vintage xyz component would act?

[@FranckMartin]

Nice list, but did you forget the Buchla vintage easel, or the Skylab USD15,000 retail, or even a system 200e like Suzanne Ciani uses?

[@FranckMartin]

@doctormix some scammers above ^^^

[@Arcessitor]

4:15 I can't believe you called me out like this.

[@NigelMarston]

Genuine LOL at the "Birdy num num". Only those of a certain age would know this. So funny. 😂

[@ruikazane5123]

Oh my...the CS-80...Personally a "meager" DX7 is plenty for my skill, and since my computers are slowly becoming vintage by now I can't say much about plugins. I do think if you have a decent computer there is little reason to have the real deal unless you just want 'em! You know you do

[@performtransform]

"Birdy, Num Num..." Brilliant! Love the movie, "The Party"!

[@SimonVeith-jr3jb]

10:44 beautififul arrangement ! its your own composition ? i love it so much 😊

[@DmitryGorbushin]

Every 'ne-e-e-e-e-e-e-x-x-t-t-t' step on this counting down list I was like "What? Again? Not Yamaha CS-80? Really? Are you crazy? You didn't put this beast in the list?" and at the very end my patience was rewarded :-)

[@todorv.todorov5055]

Ulrich Schanauss has Voyetra 8, one of his favoured polyphonic synths.

[@mindthreatx]

Now to follow it up with the top 10 most expensive MIDI controllers! ;)

[@frankcisde2338]

Awesome. Next vidéo : samplers Mike Emulator II, Fairlight and Akai, among others

[@phlynniii]

Well, for all your videos, for your really hard work, for your passion,... Thank you so much

[@mattshannon4578]

This list is missing a Sequential Circuits T8. 8 voice, fully weighted keys, and polyphonic aftertouch. Amazing synth. Fantastic!!!

[@MathHammer]

When it was available for purchase, wasn’t the Moog Emerson modular remake something like $250k? I filed it under “museum recreation piece.”

[@StudioBonn]

I also thought about the Fairlight CMI to be on place #1, but the CS-80 is well done... Btw. the Crumar Status on top in your backside rack was my first Synthesizer in the beginning 80s...later sold for 350,00DM...😔

[@mikezaw8781]

Deutchland

[@sophiebride-gq8fn]

Hello Doctor Mix. The Casio CZ5000 is the top and mighty digital Cosmo Synthesizer too ?

[@gogamusic]

recently discovered Full Bucket Emulation of Korg stuff and I'm pretty blown away. Does anyone else think that ? It's free VST's too!!

[@Emlt]

a truly great video!! I'd love to have your insight on Ethnicolor from the Zoolook album.👍

[@efroymson]

Arp 2500. Have you checked the price on those? Also, they are awesome.

[@robgauthier8530]

Just getting into synths. Thinking of getting a midi controller and some plug ins of vintage synths to start due to costs. Any thoughts or suggestions? I always enjoy your videos.

[@lapinlaid4283]

I tought the Synclavier II with an original price of $200,000 to $500,000 would be somewhere in there !

[@juanvincenti]

Amazing The Party reference! Saludos de Argentina

[@guypisapia]

Claudio, how could you forego the Yamaha GX-1???

[@djashley2002]

Probably because it's so rare that I can't remember seeing one for sale anywhere for over a decade.

[@guypisapia]

@@djashley2002 Apparently, the GX-01, back in 1973 would sell for over 50 000USD. That's over 350 000USD in today's US dollars.

[@djashley2002]

@@guypisapia Well the last one I saw for sale was going for $250000 and that was over ten years ago. I imagine that if one came up now with the programmer it would sell for well over half a million - annoyingly probably to someone who wouldn't even know what to do with it.

[@guypisapia]

@@djashley2002 Anyways... thank God for VSTs...

[@JayTheJolly]

Commenting this right from the start here. I like how you could see the waves of your voice on that oscilloscope back there :D Edit: Yes I was looking at that, but I swear I was still listening to you haha.

[@CaptBubbs]

Another great video - thank you! And I'm surprised that the Wave PPG 2.2 wasn't on there anyplace. I don't even think I saw it mentioned in the comments.

[@SchmidtSynthesizer]

Thanks Doctor Mix! :)

[@atworkstation]

The CS-80 was also used on Olivia Newton John’s top 5 hit, Make A Move On Me.

[@kevinbatchelor9566]

Try buying an ARP 2500 or Korg PS-3100. Those have to be up there on the expensive list.

[@justinmijnbuis]

Love the Peter Sellers reference!