Devin Belanger’s Top Synths of 2025: Five Weapons for the Sonic Street Fight

Devin Belanger wastes no time—straight into the meat of his top five synths of the year, with a clear focus on desktop units. He’s not here to stroke egos or shill for brands; these are the machines that actually landed on his desk and earned their spot through raw sonic muscle. The vibe is celebratory but honest, with Devin making it clear he’s open to new contenders if you think he’s missed a trick.

This isn’t your average gear parade. Devin’s picks are all about character, workflow, and the kind of sounds that make you want to stay up till sunrise. If you’re expecting a list of safe, predictable choices, think again—there’s a mix of analog grit, digital weirdness, and even a tape-based curveball. 2025, it seems, was the year desktop synths finally took over the rave bunker.

First up, the Dreadbox Artemis storms in with a blend of analog attitude and digital effects that puts it way ahead of the plastic pack. Devin’s take? It’s a sweet spot between flagship sound and a price tag that won’t make you sell your kidney. The Artemis doesn’t just tick boxes—it punches through them, offering a feature set that’s both deep and accessible. In a market full of try-hard clones, this Greek beast brings genuine character and a sound that’s all its own.

The Sequential Fourm might look like a mini-keys oddball, but don’t let the form factor fool you. Devin admits it confused the market at launch—four voices, mini keys, and a price that sits awkwardly between budget and flagship. But here’s the twist: it’s got polyphonic aftertouch and a sound engine that borrows from the Prophet Five and Take Five, making it a sleeper hit for expressive players.

What really sells the Fourm is the playability. Devin raves about the intuitive workflow and the creative modulation options, calling it one of the most fun synths he’s reviewed in ages. If you’re after a synth that rewards hands-on exploration and doesn’t just sit pretty on a shelf, this one’s worth a serious look.

The grand prize goes to the Supercritical Redshift 6—a synth that doesn’t just push boundaries, it sets them on fire. With Demon Core oscillators, up to 16 voices per part, and a six-part multi-timbral engine, this thing is a proper analog street weapon. Devin’s verdict? It’s innovative, powerful, and just plain fun to use.

The Redshift 6 isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s got analog character modelling, a sound that’s both huge and detailed, and enough features to keep even the most jaded synth nerd up all night. If you want to know what the future of analog sounds like, this is the machine to watch—and the video’s demo jam is the proof. Don’t just read about it; go hear it roar.