FM synthesis has a reputation. It is behind some of the most famous sounds in pop, and it is also famously hard to program. LOVE Synthesizers, a small company from Reykjavik, Iceland, thinks it does not have to be. Its debut instrument, First Love, pairs an animated touchscreen with real knobs and buttons to turn FM into something you can play with, not just study.
Who makes it
According to the company's about page, LOVE Synthesizers was founded in Reykjavik in 2023 by musician, developer and inventor Kari Halldorsson. The team is small and includes developers, a product designer and a lead artist and performer, and the instrument won a best innovation award at Superbooth 2024 before it ever reached shelves. The stated mission is to lower the barriers to musical expression while still giving experienced players something deep.
The sound engine
First Love is a four part multitimbral, polyphonic synth built on custom FM synthesis and wave shaping. That means you can run four different sounds at once, say a bass, a pad, a lead and percussion, and play chords on each. The touchscreen visualizes what the operators are doing, which is the big idea: you see the sound change as you turn a knob, instead of guessing from numbers on a tiny display.
Around the engine there is plenty to perform with. A riff arpeggiator turns held notes into patterns, and a 4x4 live looper lets you stack ideas across four tracks. A microtonal tuner offers 256 scales for anyone who wants to step outside standard Western tuning. The effects section covers reverb, delay, chorus, flanger, a Bit-Cruncher and a Freezer for holding a sound in place.
Built to travel, built to connect
This is a portable instrument first. It has built in speakers and runs on four lithium batteries, so you can play on a couch, a train or a park bench without hunting for a socket. When you get back to the desk, it connects properly: two stereo or four mono outputs, USB-C, Bluetooth, MIDI in and thru, sync in and out, and a quarter inch headphone output. That covers a laptop setup, a modular rig or a pair of studio monitors.
Where to get it
Orders are open through the LOVE Synthesizers shop, and the company keeps a list of retailers carrying it. Demos and performances live on the official YouTube channel, which is the best way to hear what the engine can do.
Why it matters
This one is Surfacing. Most new synths aim at people who already own five synths. First Love is one of the few that feels designed for both the curious beginner and the seasoned producer. If you are just starting out, read our guide to the best synthesizers for beginners, and for another hybrid with a big personality, see the Arturia MiniFreak 49.
