A legend reborn

A technological marvel and status symbol, the Synclavier dwarfed literally every other synthesizer of the 1980s, in both power and price. Its unique approach to sound design is just as relevant today as it was all those decades ago.

The go-to inspiration station for Sting, Frank Zappa, Kate Bush, Michael Jackson, Chick Corea, and many others began life as an FM synth. It evolved into the first tapeless music production system long before DAWs, adding features like high-res sampling and resynthesis. Nothing got close to this Rolls-Royce of synthesizers, and with maxed-out systems fetching mid six figures, almost no one got close either. Co-created with original inventor Cameron Jones, Synclavier V changes all that.

{{ item.title }}

{{ item.text }}

An experiment gone right

Born of a college team-up between musicians and engineers, the Synclavier started as a lab experiment and then became the most coveted synth in the music industry.

At prestigious Dartmouth College in the ’70s, students Cameron Jones and Sydney Alonso signed on to a research project with professors Jon Appleton (music) and Frederick Hooven (engineering). The goal: Make a computer behave like a musical instrument.

The prototype Dartmouth Digital Synthesizer became the Synclavier I. This used the FM technique pioneered by Dr. John Chowning of Stanford University, which would see widespread commercial success in the Yamaha® DX7.

{{ story.text }}

Your Starship Bridge Awaits

With all this control, it has never been easier or more immediate to perform the sonic miracles the Synclavier made possible.

Users loved the Synclavier’s interface, which involved a bevy of buttons to select parameters and one knob to rule them all. We say lots of knobs are better than one, making the experience even more intuitive.

{{ `0${index + 1}. ${item.title}` }}

{{ item.text }}

Fantastic Voyage

A computer screen option allowed precise editing on the original. Synclavier V injects you even deeper into the heart of the sound.

We kept the “green screen” look of the old-school VT100 terminal, then organized everything to enhance and empower your creative flow. Packed with functionality but intuitive, our advanced interface turns you into a sound design expert in record time.

Hear it in action

The Synclavier was designed to cover any sonic territory and be the last synthesizer its users would ever need.

These audio demos demonstrate the power of Synclavier V in that same spirit, using it for nearly all of their sounds.

Artists corner

Included in
V collection

Legendary Keyboards Reinvented

This instrument is also part of the V Collection -your complete dream line-up of the legendary synths, organs, pianos and more that made keyboard history. They’re modeled with the most advanced technologies for authentic realism, and enhanced with new creative options. Whether you use it as DAW plugins in the studio or standalone at gigs, V Collection puts the greatest keys of all time at your fingertips for instant inspiration.

Learn More

Gallery



All manufacturer and product names mentioned on this page are trademarks of their respective owners, which are in no way associated or affiliated with Arturia. The trademarks of other manufacturers are used solely to identify the products of those manufacturers whose features and sound were studied during the development. All names of equipment, inventors, and manufacturers have been included for illustrative and educational purposes only, and do not suggest any affiliation or endorsement by any equipment inventor or manufacturer.