For junior and senior high school students interested in musical activities or aspiring keyboardists in a band, I will introduce 10 models of keyboards and synthesizers for beginners that offer a wide variety of tones and easy operation.
⇒ Synthesizers for Students (Junior High and High School Students) List
01 Yamaha CK Series
The Yamaha CK Series is one of the most user-friendly models in Yamaha’s lineup. With a light, responsive touch, it’s easy for beginners to get comfortable with right away. It features a wide range of sounds, making it suitable for everything from pop and rock to jazz. Equipped with built-in speakers and battery-powered operation, it’s also a great choice for street performances.
Though it's classified as a stage keyboard, it offers intuitive operation on par with a synthesizer—thanks to clearly laid-out section buttons for sound navigation, organ-style drawbars, and a rich array of effects.
⇒ View Yamaha CK Series Models
02 Roland FANTOM-0 Series
Roland’s flagship FANTOM-0 Series is packed with features essential for live performance. It utilizes Roland’s powerful ZEN-Core digital sound engine—which contains an extensive library of sound data—while combining the intuitive interface of the top-tier FANTOM synthesizer with the lightweight portability of the FA Series.
It’s beginner-friendly, with smooth sound switching and easy operation. Its high-quality tones bring out the best in any band performance.
03 Roland JUNO-D Series
Among Roland’s beginner-friendly models, the latest JUNO-D Series, including popular predecessors like the JUNO-DS and JUNO-Di, continues to be a favorite among many users. It features a very straightforward interface and simple sound selection, making it an ideal first synthesizer.
Despite its lightweight design and affordable price, it comes equipped with all the essential features. It also supports USB Type-C bus power, allowing for use with a mobile battery in environments without access to a power outlet, and it offers great connectivity with PCs as well.
04 Yamaha MODX+
If you're looking to experience professional-level sound, I highly recommend the MODX6+. It features the same powerful sound engine as Yamaha’s flagship synthesizer, MONTAGE, allowing for deep and detailed sound design.
Like the MONTAGE, it’s equipped with the Super Knob, which lets you modulate multiple assigned parameters simultaneously that opens up vast creative possibilities. From practice to music production, this synthesizer is perfect for those who want to craft their own unique sound and take their creativity to the next level.
05 Korg KROSS2
The KROSS2 is an ultra-lightweight and portable synthesizer that still manages to pack in a wide range of powerful features. It comes with a rich library of sounds suitable for many genres, and even allows users to import their own samples for a more personalized experience.
With its simple, intuitive interface, it’s easy for beginners to use, while also offering the performance capabilities demanded by professionals. The unit supports battery operation and is easy to carry—making it ideal for playing anywhere. Its expressive sounds are sure to spark creativity and inspire your music-making journey.
06 Behringer DEEPMIND
The DEEPMIND6 is a synthesizer for those looking to explore analog sounds. Despite its many features, the layout of the panel is intuitive, making it easy to apply effects, switch waveforms, and manipulate various sounds during live performances. Additionally, with the use of a dedicated app, you can remotely control sound sources, generate waveforms, and fine-tune envelope settings, among other expanded functionalities.
This synthesizer is not only ideal as a beginner's first synthesizer but also a long-term instrument for further musical exploration.
07 Roland JUPITER-Xm
The JUPITER-Xm is a compact version of the JUPITER-X that was developed by combining the iconic 80s analog flagship synthesizer JUPITER with the Zen-Core system. It faithfully reproduces the sounds of classic instruments while also offering the ability to create new, innovative sounds. The JUPITER-Xm allows you to simultaneously use multiple synthesizers and drum machines, making it ideal for both live performances and studio productions. It supports wireless Bluetooth connectivity and battery operation, allowing you to enjoy music anywhere you go.
08 Korg MICROKORG2
The MICROKORG2 is the successor to the beloved MICROKORG, and it’s a model that has been adored for many years. Despite its compact size, it features powerful analog modeling sounds. The color display and large dial make switching between sounds and creating custom tones easy to understand, making it an excellent choice for beginners. Additionally, it comes with a vocoder function, allowing you to incorporate your voice into your music. With its unique features, you can create a distinctive performance that adds a fresh dimension to your band's sound.
09 Arturia ASTROLAB 61
The ASTROLAB 61 from the European brand Arturia is a synthesizer that incorporates the technology of the software synthesizer Synthesizer V into hardware for sound production. Designed with a unique layout featuring pads, knobs, and an LCD panel, it offers real-time operability that was previously not achievable in software. If you’re someone looking to work on sound production with DTM (Desktop Music Production) as well, this is a must-see!
10 Korg SV-2
The SV-2 is a stage piano that combines a vintage stylish design with a wide range of sounds. It comes with over 80 realistic tones, supporting everything from classic pianos, electric pianos, and organs to synthesizers. With its piano-touch keys and excellent interface for operation, it’s an easy-to-use instrument for those who mainly focus on the piano. The SV-2 is relatively lightweight for a stage piano, making it convenient for transport and is ideal for live performances as well as studio recordings!
These 10 products each have unique features and appeal that are designed to help beginners enjoy playing right away. Choose one that best fits your band or musical style, try it out, and explore your own sound. Find your perfect instrument and aim to become the hero of your band! Enjoy the world of music that lies ahead!