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Spookiest Synthesizers
Synths When
October 31, 2025
BENCH NOTES
It’s the spookiest time of the year, and we’re not just talking about filing your Australian taxes (look it up). That said, there’s nothing spookier than synthesizers, so we compiled a short list for your horrific enjoyment, category by category.
Happy Halloween!
SPOOKIEST SYNTHS
 | Spookiest looking: ARP 2600 While the argument could be made for the angular, Darth Vader-esque Yamaha CS-30, we feel that the imposing size and patch cable spaghetti of the 2600 tops it. The all black/gray models come across as “truly spooky”, but the orange accents of the later version add a certain Halloween touch. |
 | Spookiest sounding: EMS Synthi/VCS 3 Between the drifting oscillators, built-in ring-modulator, spring reverb, and stereo output, the Synthi was born to make spooky noises, and has contributed plenty throughout its history. |
 | Spookiest to use: SOMA Lyra Rather than choosing a synth with obtusely confounding menu diving, this freaky little unit won the usability category for pushing normal synth-heads deeeeep out of their comfort zone. |
 | Spookiest to repair: Moog Polymoog They’re big. They’re heavy. They’re fragile. They’re complicated. So much can go wrong on these temperamental behemoths, and tuning alone takes about a decade. Polymoog’s are certainly repairable, but not without tens of hours of slow maintenance and headaches. |
 | Spookiest price: Yamaha CS-80 Wins for being frighteningly expensive. |
 | Spookiest Price: Behringer Model D Also wins for being frighteningly cheap. Make of that what you will! |
LOCAL EVENTS
Synth and synth-adjacent happenings in the GTA.
Monday, November 10th | Toronto Electronic Music Open Mic
On the second Monday of each month, our friends at TEMOM hold an electronic music open mic night at Handlebar. 15 minute sets. All live. All musical styles. Drop by at 8pm and enjoy!
Wednesday, November 12th + 26th | Render File
You can often catch our talented tech Sam making noise at Render File on Wednesdays. This casual event stars a different video game playthrough each week with an improvised score by a live band. Check it out at Wenona Craft Beer Lodge every Wednesday at 8pm.
Saturday, November 15th | Frequency Freaks
Frequency Freaks Synthesizer Workshops are free educational synth events that encourage sharing gear info and sound-design techniques in the Toronto synth community. They’re held in association with Arraymusic at 155 Walnut Avenue.
Got any suggestions for local events we can add here? We’d love to hear about them! Just reach out and let us know.
If you made it this far, thanks so much for reading Bench Notes! Feel free to let us know what you think, share it with a friend, or suggest new topics you’re curious about.
—The Team at Synths When
