what are the best softsynths now
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Up until recently i have only ever softsynths that come in packages with sequencers: pretty much all the logic audio synths and the abletons operator.

My biggest problem with softsynths is that a lot of there layouts are awful. A good example of this is the logic ES2 i know it is capable of some nice sounds but the layout of the parameters is awful. Ableton's operator is a lot clearer but it is still suffers from a sort of squashed interface. In anycase they are all good synths but they do not cut the mustard comparitvely. For example the ultrabeat does not stand up on ease of use compared to a machinedrum.

Anyway i desperately want to find one softsynth that i can apply myself to for the forseeable future (As in i only want to buy one).

So i had a play with future audio workshops new circle synth because of the emphasis on flow of sound design. Whilst, i am tempted i am put off by the price, but i always have been with softsynths hence why i only want to buy one. Before i jump in i wanted to get your impressions on circle as well as alternatives like zebra 2 and massive and anything else that you feel is on par or better.

Any thoughts would be apreciated as there are not many solid reviews of these synths on the net.
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Replies

zebra gets my vote
wonderful deep synth, with great updates by a kick-ass developper

and of course reaktor
so many options, so many great ensembles, you'll never get tired of this one

try an additive synth. there are alot of good ones around... you can sculpt whatever sound you can imagine out of them.

also r5 is good, and krishna synth by devine machine is rad, but expensive.

sorry, I couldn't edit my mis-linked post...

here is Oatmeal:

Oatmeal

Cbit: That is why i will stay away from reactor; i want one synth not hundreds :0)

Zebra seems to be the most recommended here. I have downloaded demos of circle, Zebra and massive and am playing with them now will let you know how i get on. Thanks for the help.

if you have logic... the es-2 is a pretty bitchin bread and butter synf.

yes i do but i already commented about the es 2 . . .

actually i am also very interested in the krishna synth as it is rentable.

i found the krishna-synth does some amazing sounds, but takes up a huge amount of hd-space. plus the interface is rather unintuitive.

I've been playing with the Circle synth half the evening I was quite impressed!

But generally I use...

FM8 and Reaktor at the moment. Can't go wrong with them 2 bad boys!
dur.. i actually read that u didn't like the es-2 then came back later and recommended it. ...

but now that u mention it. . once you learn it, it's really not hard at all, pretty simple stuff. I'd just hate for u to spend dough when it can do a lot.

fm8 is really awesome. i like absynth as well - it makes really killer basses.

what about teh nexus link

fair call monk

lol tylth you go get yourself the nexus and a copy of fruity and get your tracks on youtube man. Be sure to post a link to your myspace page. . .

teh nexus is pretty good, it only has too much cheapish reverb on all patches though, but you can always turn that off.

isnt nexus just a large preset box with a few params to edit? I only demo'd it for a few days, but I dont think its very flexible for the price of it all.

btw:
+1 for FM8

+100 for hardware (sorry, it had to be said)

As a long time user of Cakewalk Zeta, I've been trying new synths to add to the palette, but apart from FM8, which is capable of some great sounds, I've been pretty disappointed with what's out there. Zebra didn't impress at all; I just found it pretty indistinct and characterless, so in the end I just though I'd save for some hardware. Massive sounds okay, but I think the interface isn't particularly great (plus it kills my PC when the polyphony gets going).

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