Star Instruments was an electronic instrument manufacturer based in Stafford, Connecticut, owned by Norman Millard. The company is best known for the Synare line of analog percussion synthesizers, produced from the mid-1970s through the 1980s. Dave Kusek served as chief engineer between 1975 and 1979.

The Synare series included the Synare 1, Synare 2, Synare 3 (PS-3), Synare S3X, Synare 4, Lo Tom, and Sensor. The Synare 3, with its distinctive flying-saucer-shaped pad, two oscillators, noise generator, and resonant low-pass filter, became the company's signature product after its 1979 release. It was battery-powered and aimed at being the first affordable electronic drum synthesizer, retailing for around $225.

The Synare became a fixture of late-1970s and early-1980s electronic and new wave music, with its swooping, descending tom and zap-like impact sounds appearing on records by Devo, The Cars, Joy Division, New Order, Depeche Mode, The Cure, Gary Numan, Ultravox, Kim Carnes, and Herbie Hancock. The instruments remain sought-after on the vintage synth market for their distinctive analog percussion voice.

Star Instruments has 9 products cataloged on Equipboard, including Synthesizers, Triggers, and Electronic Pads. Their gear is featured by 11 artists, with the strongest followings in Rock, Electronic, and Pop. Notable users include Merzbow, Khruangbin, and Jean Michel Jarre.