Next up in our series of year-end retrospectives, we're plugging into the world of keyboards and synthesizers. In this post, we'll break down the year's best-selling products on Reverb from a diverse category that includes keyboards, synthesizers, modules, and controllers. These rankings reflect both new and used items taken directly from our sales data for 2016.

Overall, 2016 has been a strong year for synthesizers with the ongoing expansion of the analog and modular movement paying high dividends to many retailers.

Sales for blockbusters like the Korg Minilogue have ridden a wave of beginners looking to enter into the synth world, while a burgeoning class of "toy synths" – like the Teenage Engineering Pocket Operators and Korg Volcas – have given everyone the opportunity to own a basic and engaging noisemaker. At the same time, tried-and-true favorites like the Korg MicroKORG and the Nord Stage series continue to sell well across the board.

Like the pedal post we published last week, we're going to examine things along three lines as displayed in the three columns below. The first column shows the best selling new items that were released in 2016. The second column lists the overall top sellers, regardless of when they were introduced. The third column shows the synths and keyboards that generated the most gross sales by dollar amount. This list favors items with higher price tags and represents where the most money changed hands this year.

Like the pedal post we published last week, we're going to examine things along three lines as displayed in the three sections below. The first section shows the best selling new items that were released in 2016. The second section lists the overall top sellers, regardless of when they were introduced. The third section shows the synths and keyboards that generated the most gross sales by dollar amount. This list favors items with higher price tags and represents where the most money changed hands this year.

Other Takeaways and Observation

Korg absolutely dominated synth sales on Reverb this year, racking up seven of the ten top overall seller slots. As I've written about before, Korg truly understands the market for entry-level synth gear better than any other brand.

Despite the surging popularity of the Minilogue, the earlier digital MicroKORG just eked out the win for overall best seller. This may be due to the enormous used market for MicroKORG sales that the Minilogue has yet to be entered into.

The Nord Electro and Stage keyboards earned the most money for retailers on Reverb this year. It's not a surprise given the unmatched embrace for these keyboards within touring and professional circles.

Roland is somewhat absent from the list this year, though sales for used Junos like the Juno-106 remain strong.

The Make Noise 0-Coast is the only product from a modular-dedicated company to make the list. This integrated desktop synth is a testament to Make Noise's ability to design an instrument that appeals to more mainstream users looking to tip-toe into the modular and Eurorack world.

Keyboards & Synths