Built-in timbres
The number of built-in sounds provided in the synthesizer.
The number of timbres is often described as the number of instruments that a given model can imitate. However, this is not entirely true — rather, this parameter can be called "the number of instruments and sound effects." For example, the same instrument — an electric guitar — with different "gadgets" (distortion, overdrive) will sound differently, and in the synthesizer each such gadget will be considered a separate timbre. The “drums” timbre usually combines different types of drums and other percussion instruments — in other words, it allows you to portray both the “bass drum” and the cymbals without switching settings, just by pressing the desired keys. And some timbres may not have analogues among real instruments at all.
The more built-in timbres, the more extensive the possibilities of the synthesizer, the more diverse the sounds that can be extracted from it. At the same time, in high-end models like workstations (see "Type"), this number can reach 1000 or even more.
Accompaniment styles
The number of auto accompaniment styles (see above) originally provided in the synthesizer, in other words, the number of accompaniment options available to the user.
The more extensive this set, the higher the probability of finding among these melodies suitable options for a particular case. At the same time, the abundance of styles in itself is not yet a 100% guarantee that among them there will be a suitable one, especially since different synthesizer models can differ markedly in a specific set of melodies. So the list does not hurt to clarify before buying. Also note that the situation can be corrected by user styles (see below) — many synthesizers with auto accompaniment support them.
Custom styles
The number of user auto accompaniment styles supported by the synthesizer, in other words, the number of additional styles that can be stored in memory in addition to the built-in ones. Note that styles can have different volumes (depending on the number of notes used), so this parameter often turns out to be not exact, but only an average-approximate one.
Modern synthesizers may have a fairly extensive set of built-in auto accompaniment styles (see above), but even the richest set may not contain the desired melody. Thus, many models allow you to supplement the standard list with custom melodies. The addition methods themselves can be different: in some models, these melodies need to be downloaded from external media, in others they can even be composed manually. Nevertheless, the presence of user styles allows you to expand the range of auto accompaniment melodies, moreover, at the request of the user himself.
Microphone
The number of microphone inputs provided in the design of the synthesizer.
Microphones are mainly used for working with voice or recording sound samples (see "Sampling"). At the same time, in high-end models like professional instruments and workstations (see "Type"), there may be more than one microphone input — for example, for simultaneous recording of two vocalists, recording a sample from several sources on the fly, or recording stereo sound from a pair of microphones . At the same time, such tasks are quite specific and rare, and for most modern synthesizers one microphone is enough (if there is such an input at all).
Built-in acoustics
Rated power of the built-in acoustics of the synthesizer.
This indicator characterizes, first of all, the volume at which the instrument's built-in speakers can sound. At the same time, one should not forget that in most cases such speakers are intended rather for individual use — so that the music can be heard by the musician himself and the people in close proximity to him. With this application, high power is not needed for normal hearing; and if you still need a loud sound, you can connect the instrument to an external speaker.
Therefore, it makes sense to pay attention to the power of the
built-in acoustics if the synthesizer is planned to be used for more serious tasks than individual listening, and if external acoustics may not always be available.
Power consumption
Rated power consumed by the tool during operation. Modern synthesizers, even the most powerful and advanced ones like workstations (see "Type"), consume very little energy — up to 100 W, and often noticeably less. Therefore, it is rarely necessary to pay attention to this parameter in fact, mainly in rather specific situations — for example, when working from an autonomous generator, when you need to take into account the entire load connected to such a power supply.
