Skip to main content
MusicRadar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
UK EditionUK US EditionUS AU EditionAustralia SG EditionSingapore
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Artist news
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
Don't miss these
More
  • "The most expensive bit of drumming in history”
  • JoBo x Fuchs
  • Radiohead Daydreaming
  • Vanilla Fudge
  • 95k+ free music samples
  1. Tech
  2. Synths

The top 10 greatest custom synth creations

News
By Chris Barker published 24 October 2011

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Top 10 custom synths!

Top 10 custom synths!

Jeff Toman from custom synth is the go-to guy for getting your synth modded. His creations have been on stage with everyone from Kaiser Cheifs to Chromeo.

After the jump check out his current favourite creations and be sure to head over to his website and flikr account for even more pimped up synths.

Some words from Jeff Toman about selecting this gallery:

"Just picking 10 was impossible as every customsynth is unique and special . The 10 on the list were chosen as new techniques were used to create them. See more over at my

website

and feel free to choose your own top 10!"

Page 1 of 11
Page 1 of 11
Serge Modular

Serge Modular

Designed to be used sitting down and able to split so it can be transported, removable backs for access and modules had their rack ears removed to streamline the look.

See more photos at http://flic.kr/s/aHsjc96MtV

Page 2 of 11
Page 2 of 11
Arp 2600

Arp 2600

Re-tolexed in white with black hardware added, metalwork refinished in cream with brown print. Made as a one off and restored one at the same time back to the original for the same studio.

See more photos at http://flic.kr/s/aHsjsCFeVx

Page 3 of 11
Page 3 of 11
Moog Voyager

Moog Voyager

Lunar used to save time on the makeover, case was refinished in chrome to match the rest of the synth rig.

See more photos at http://flic.kr/s/aHsjw613i6

Page 4 of 11
Page 4 of 11
Arp Odyssey

Arp Odyssey

Inspiration taken from the Blue Meanie or Blue Marvin styled synths.

See more photos at http://flic.kr/s/aHsjp5vWon

Page 5 of 11
Page 5 of 11
Roland RD-700 GX

Roland RD-700 GX

Wonderful keyboard to work on and a fun design made as a one off.

See more photos at http://flic.kr/s/aHsjnTrVTK

Page 6 of 11
Page 6 of 11
Roland JX3P + PG200 Programmer

Roland JX3P + PG200 Programmer

Here we integrated both units into the JX3P case with added MIDI upgrade and operating system , they have been a few versions this being the latest.

See more photos at http://flic.kr/s/aHsjvhfBDA

...

Page 7 of 11
Page 7 of 11
Arp Axxe

Arp Axxe

Original synth had been left in a garage and all metalwork rusted. This was then painted with gloss paint which crazed and went like bad artex, the Axxe was then sanded down and spent a few months being used with dynamo labels for the text ,
we then gave it a white and blue makeover and replaced the end panels with cream leather.

See more photos at http://flic.kr/s/aHsjvmrW9G

Page 8 of 11
Page 8 of 11
Yamaha CS30L

Yamaha CS30L

This was bought off an auction site listing it in great condition, it arrived and it wasn’t in good condition at all, so rather than restoring it the synth, it had a white makeover. One of my all time favourite synths.

See more photos at http://flic.kr/s/aHsjunZy8X

Page 9 of 11
Page 9 of 11
Nord Lead 2

Nord Lead 2

This was covered in stickers that had been super-glued on; once they were removed they took the paint off. So the synth was customised with a black finish and two tone screen print black on black with silver text and legends.

See more photos at http://flic.kr/s/aHsjwC2aTh

Page 10 of 11
Page 10 of 11
Roland SH-101

Roland SH-101

Added nova mod by James at synth repair services then the rotary pots were sunken into the case to give the mod more of a factory feel. Then the case was refinished and given a unique look.

See more photos at http://flic.kr/s/aHsjrXGtCN

Page 11 of 11
Page 11 of 11
Chris Barker
Latest in Synths
Gary Numan Cars Video
How to emulate the sound of Gary Numan’s synth-pop classic Cars
 
 
Arturia Pigments 7's updated Play Mode
“Quickly grasp tone, timbre and intention behind each preset”: Arturia Pigments 7’s new reactive UI offers in-app tutorials and lets you visualise every sound
 
 
absynth 6
Native Instruments' Absynth returns – here’s the inside story, with developer Brian Clevinger
 
 
ALM Busy Circuits Pamela's Disco module
ALM Busy Circuits new Pamela’s Disco module lets you sync a Eurorack rig to a CDJ or mixer
 
 
Best impulse buy $50 plugins Cyber Monday 2025
19 of the best plugins under $50 for last-minute impulse buying this Cyber Monday
 
 
SYNTHDEALS
I've spent all day looking at Black Friday synth deals and these are the 5 I'd actually buy - grab them while you can!
 
 
Latest in News
Sombr and Wendy Melvoin
How Wendy Melvoin’s bass playing became the “secret weapon” on Sombr’s 12 to 12
 
 
YouTuber Carlos Asensio presents his brand-new Harley Benton ST-Modern signature model, which is offered in Cactus Green Metallic Gloss and Ice Blue Metallic Gloss finishes
Harley Benton just put a Vega-Trem on YouTuber Carlos Asensio's $700 signature guitar: is this the best-value S-style on the market?
 
 
BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - MAY 15: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Maya Delilah performs on day 2 of The Great Escape Festival 2025 on May 15, 2025 in Brighton, England. (Photo by Joseph Okpako/WireImage)
"I’m like, ‘That was me!’”: Maya Delilah on what it's like to be a young female guitar player
 
 
Fatboy Slim
"He came and said, 'Are you going to pay me for that sample?'": Fatboy Slim on The Rockafeller Skank
 
 
Billy Corgan in a very red light
“One of the most distinctive musical architects of the last three decades”: Which 90s rock icon is being honoured by NAMM?
 
 
Christopher Guest, Harry Shearer, Michael McKean and Rob Reiner attend 'Anniversary Film: This is Spinal Tap-35 Years' at Beacon Theatre on April 27, 2019 in New York City
"He was funny, he was smart”: Harry Shearer, Paul McCartney and others pay tribute to Rob Reiner
 
 

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...