Electronic Music 411 - what are the best softsynths now

06/25/08 + Horizons

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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edited: Jun 27 2008 + opulentaudio

Ochre said: " Massive sounds okay, but I think the interface isn't particularly great (plus it kills my PC when the polyphony gets going)."

I think NI named the thing after it's resource consumption.

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06/28/08 + hello6am

it does have quality variability for that though.

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06/28/08 + deltasleep

massive's resource consumption was like 10 times any other softsynth I've used, other than Jupiter8 or CS80.

I would HIGHLY recommend Sylenth, AAS UltraAnalog, and GMedia Oddity. But it really depends on what you wanna do. What do you wanna do?

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06/28/08 + DrexonField

I second trying "Sylenth". it's amazing! the sound quality is superb for the small amount of resources it uses. I've been using it quite a bit recently.

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06/28/08 + kidgamma

is reaktor even a "synth"?

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06/28/08 + zifcak

i love reaktor, but i like building my own stuff. it's actually the only soft synth i've used so i have no recommendations. reaktor is like halfway between max/msp and the nord modular: really flexible and open, but with traditional synthesis nomenclature and an easy interface.

06/28/08 + dpmtl

Ochre 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)."

Have you tried Albino?

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06/28/08 + implexgrace

of course reaktor is a synth. is a modular synthesis environment that also does sampling. it really is one of the best tools available.

06/28/08 + Fant00m

I really like the trilogy synth and NI absynth but i use it mostly for filtering to be honost

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06/30/08 + foka

Yep! Nexus is a ROMpler packed with fun. Among the synths: FM8, Massive, Absynth...You choose!

06/30/08 + krushing

The Mac version of Sylenth is in closed beta and apparently working great. Should be out in a month or so, maybe...

06/30/08 + tommytom

If you just want one synth get reason 4.0 thor is a monster it goes a lot further then the preset patchs,proper afxy sounds and when your using the cv inputs to modulate the synth all sorts of wackyness starts happening but dont use any synth unless you know how to work it.

06/30/08 + yghartsyrt

Ochre 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)."

really?
it's the complete opposite to me concerning zebra.
granted, that most of the presets, that come with it are not that convincing and that the interface is a little cumbersome at first. i got some really lovely pads and chords out of it.
i'd agree, that isn't hasn't a real sound of it's own. bt i see that as an advantage, as it is capeable of so many different types of sounds.

another synth, that is really great, is the minimoog from gforce.
although it's already kinda old, it is the best minmoog-emulation besides te arturia one.

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06/30/08 + papergoose

Big Up to Oatmeal, as mentioned previously. Such an amazing little synth, with the best randomize algorhythm ever.

and I love Massive.

And have HARDCORE WANT for circle.

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06/30/08 + sweettrip

another vote for Zebra2. i need to buy that. i been also digging Olga

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