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Electro-Harmonix SYNTH9 Synthesizer Machine

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Electro-Harmonix SYNTH9 Synthesizer Machine

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$203.93 to $259.50 Price Tier: Standard

4.5 (32)

2 Critic Reviews

1 Review

Find out who is using Electro-Harmonix SYNTH9

10 community setups

50 wishlisted

109 saved

Page last updated Jul 02, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 9 stores. Prices updated July 2, 2026.

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Reviews

Price

4.0 (34)

$259.50

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4.5 (16)

$259.50

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4.4 (111)

$259.50 New

$239.77 Used (Like New)

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5.0 (70)

$203.93 69 available New

$173.12 27 available Used

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4.0 (11)

$259.50

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4.5 (4)

$259.50

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$259.50

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4.6 (56)

$209.00 $205.00 $4.00 · All time low

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£215.00

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Average Price: $238

Standard/Professional

$150

$601+

Price Tier

In the Guitar Synth Pedals category, Electro-Harmonix SYNTH9 Synthesizer Machine is priced in the Standard/Professional range. This is quality gear at a fair price point, suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and pros alike.

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 6 merchants for "Electro-Harmonix SYNTH9 Synthesizer Machine". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

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Unleash your creativity with the Electro-Harmonix SYNTH9 Synthesizer Machine, a game-changer in the realm of guitar pedals. This innovative device transforms your guitar or bass into an electrifying synthesizer, offering you a plethora of vintage synth sounds to explore. From the deep, groovy basslines of funk to the ethereal pads of spacey synth, the SYNTH9 is your gateway to an entirely new sonic landscape.

What sets the SYNTH9 apart is its 9 presets, precisely tuned to emulate the most coveted vintage synthesizer sounds. This device doesn't just mimic these sounds, it recreates them with an uncanny level of accuracy, taking your music to another dimension. Moreover, the CTRL1 and CTRL2 knobs offer you an astonishing degree of control over each preset's parameters.

Ease of use is another hallmark of the SYNTH9. There's no need for a special pickup – just plug it in and let it work its magic. With its wide playable range and precise tracking, it delivers consistent performance whether you're playing a searing lead on your guitar or a low, resonant note on your bass.

Key Features:

Synthesizer emulation pedal with 9 presets for electric guitar and bass
Precise tracking from the 23rd fret on a guitar's high E string, down to the open A string on bass
Separate Dry and Effect outputs allow for dual amp setups
CTRL1 and CTRL2 knobs offer preset-dependent controls such as filter envelope depth, voice intervals, and more
9-volt power supply included
No special pickup required
Fast tracking
Independent Effect and Dry volume controls for effect output
Extra dry output jack outputs your input signal unchanged
Controls: Dry Vol, Synth Vol, Control 1, Control 2 and Preset selector
Power supply with the included EHX 9.6 DC 200 mA power supply

Owner's manual

Electro-Harmonix SYNTH9 Synthesizer Machine User Manual

Product specs

Pedal Type	Synthesizer Emulator
Inputs	1 x 1/4"
Outputs	1 x 1/4" (effect out), 1 x 1/4" (dry out)
Power Source	9V DC power supply (included)
Height	2.1"
Width	2.75"
Depth	4.5"

FAQs

Can the Electro-Harmonix SYNTH9 Synthesizer Machine be used with both electric guitar and bass?: Yes, the Electro-Harmonix SYNTH9 Synthesizer Machine is designed to work with both electric guitar and bass, offering versatile synth emulations for both instruments.
What kind of power supply does the Electro-Harmonix SYNTH9 require?: The Electro-Harmonix SYNTH9 Synthesizer Machine requires a 9V DC power supply, which is included with the pedal.
How many outputs does the Electro-Harmonix SYNTH9 have, and what are they used for?: The Electro-Harmonix SYNTH9 features two outputs: a 1/4" effect out for the processed synth sound and a 1/4" dry out for the unprocessed guitar signal.
Does the Electro-Harmonix SYNTH9 provide polyphonic synth sounds?: Yes, the Electro-Harmonix SYNTH9 Synthesizer Machine offers polyphonic synth sounds, allowing you to play chords and complex harmonies.
Is the Electro-Harmonix SYNTH9 suitable for live performances?: The Electro-Harmonix SYNTH9 is well-suited for live performances, providing a variety of synth tones that can be easily integrated into your pedalboard setup.

Videos

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EHX

Electro-Harmonix SYNTH9 Synthesizer Machine (EHX Pedal Demo by Bill Ruppert)

EHX

Synth9 - Electro-Harmonix | Reverb Demo Video

Reverb

Electro Harmonix Synth 9 Pedal - Guitar & Bass Demo

PMTVUK

Electro-Harmonix Synth9 | 9 synth sounds in 9 minutes

JJ of the T

Electro-Harmonix Synth9 Pedal Demo

Guitarist

Electro-Harmonix SYNTH9 Synthesizer Machine!

Ovation Music and Studios Gallatin

Electro-Harmonix Synth9 Synthesizer Machine | Guitar Pedal | Vintage King

Vintage King

EHX SYNTH9 Synthesizer Machine Effect Pedal Review & Demo for Bass | Electro-Harmonix

Bside Talks Guitar

Electro-Harmonix - Synth 9 Synthesizer Machine - In-depth Demo (EHX)

Ryan Lutton

Electro-Harmonix SYNTH9 Synthesizer Machine Presets Review

Jojo Jack (JJJ)

Reviews

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PROS

Perfect emulations of classic synths with unique guitar interaction
Inspires new compositions with subtle variations in controls
Rugged, all-metal construction ensures durability
No noticeable latency, excellent for live and studio use
Tracking is good even on lower notes, versatile for guitar and bass
Can create a wide range of sounds without special pickups
Expands musical presentation significantly, both live and studio
Offers a new level of fun and exploration for guitarists

CONS

Pricey compared to some alternatives
Inconsistent sound quality in live settings
Lack of ability to match guitar volume to unit output
Cannot store presets without third-party MIDI controller
Both outputs put out dry signal with pedal disengaged, may not suit all setups
Onboard compressor can't be configured, limiting flexibility

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Electro-Harmonix SYNTH9 Synthesizer Machine.

Comparisons

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Owners note the EHX SYNTH9 offers a more traditional synth sound, while the BOSS SY-1 creates a guitar-synth hybrid, suitable for specific mix applications.
Source
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Though the Synth9 offers 80s sounds, the Meris Enzo outperforms in versatility and tracking, suitable for broader synth applications.
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Users compare the SYNTH9 to the EHX Microsynth XO, noting the latter lacks presets which are present in the SYNTH9.
Source

Use cases and applications

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The EHX SYNTH9 is preferred for straightforward synth sounds, ideal for guitarists who do not want to delve into keyboard playing.
Source
0 0

Synth9 is often used for emulating 80s synth parts, making it ideal for covers of songs like "I Just Can't Get Enough" and "Blue Monday."
Source
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The pedal is noted for its suitability in recreating the Airwolf theme, highlighting its niche use in specific 80s-themed applications.
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Features and functionality

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The SY-1's polyphonic capabilities are limited, struggling with full chords and often resulting in mushy sound, especially in complex uses like pedal steel.
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The Synth9 is polyphonic but struggles with fast playing or bends, leading to glitches.
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The pedal features two outputs: one for synth sounds and one for dry signal, allowing blending if nothing is plugged into the dry output.
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The SYNTH9 is appreciated for creating synth sounds without a MIDI pickup, appealing to guitarists not familiar with synths.
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Mods and upgrades

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Users enhance the SY-1's sterile sound with additional effects, such as rotary simulators or chorus pedals, to improve its overall presence and texture.
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Owners enhance the Synth9's sound by routing it through ambient reverb, improving its texture and presence in mixes.
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Users express desire for an expression pedal jack to control parameters like OSC rate or filter cutoff, which is lacking in the SYNTH9.
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User experience

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Owners report noticeable latency and suboptimal tracking with the Synth9, affecting its usability in live settings.
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Some owners report tracking issues when using the pedal with a bass guitar, suggesting turning down bass frequencies for better performance.
Source

Value and pricing

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Some potential buyers feel the SYNTH9 lacks key features like MIDI input or tap tempo input for better integration with advanced pedal setups.
Source

Critic Reviews

Electro-Harmonix Synth 9

soundonsound.com

The Electro-Harmonix SYNTH9 Synthesizer Machine successfully transforms a guitar into a classic synth emulator, delivering an impressive range of sounds without the need for MIDI pickups. Its simplicity and affordability make it a strong contender against pricier alternatives like the Boss SY300. However, the portamento feature on the Mini Mood preset can be finicky, occasionally producing unwanted sounds. Overall, it's a versatile and user-friendly addition to any guitarist's pedalboard.

positive

Full Review

Electro-Harmonix Synth9 Synthesizer Machine review | MusicRadar

musicradar.com

The Electro-Harmonix SYNTH9 Synthesizer Machine impresses with its ability to transform a guitar into a vintage synth powerhouse. Praised for its broad range of synth sounds, it allows for creative blending and parameter adjustments. However, its performance is highly dependent on signal chain placement, and it lacks expression pedal support, which may limit dynamic control for some users. Despite these drawbacks, the SYNTH9 delivers robust tracking and a variety of classic synth tones, making it a valuable tool for those seeking to add a unique sonic flavor to their guitar setup.

positive

Full Review

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4.5 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 32 Ratings

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afbob

164

about 6 years ago

great for thriller

I bought this to do the synth lines in Thriller and have used it for all my 80s gigs. I love it, a bit temperamental, however, if you use your compressor along side it'll balance the sounds out.