Best Synth (HW/SW)

**tekboi** · 21-07-2003, 06:36 PM

Hi everyone,

Just curious on peoples opinions on what the best synth for hardware and software is out there at the moment?

I have been told Absynth is the best soft synth.
As for a synthesiser not too sure, but would like to be recommended one.

Hope I can get some opinions for hardware and software thanks.

Cheers!!!

**herman** · 21-07-2003, 08:13 PM

hardware = supernova my favourite piece of hardware that i have ever owned just so versatile.

not to sure about software as im still fairly new to it but i have got a lot of mileage out of that a1 synth that comes with sx already great bit of software that.

**acidhead** · 21-07-2003, 11:26 PM

d'cota as a softsynth , or maybe try one of the modulars if your brave vaz

hardware - i go for the supernova2 as well - the virus does more - the novation sounds better :)

**djTequila** · 22-07-2003, 03:51 PM

I found the Novation gave more immediate 'trance' sounds, but I couldn't make it 'scream'. The Virus is all very nice - the C sounds particularly good, but the user interface is fouled up beyond recognition. In a studio session, I couldn't find a way to manipulate the LFOs on a lovely trance lead patch... Nor could my friend, or the engineer! In the end we had to abandon the sound.

Frustrating when you're paying for time, even more when you've found the right sound!

A Nord Modular or Nord Lead would be a good investment, from what I've heard of the sounds they can produce. Really crisp.

For software, if you want that Novation sound, the V-Station is quite lovely. Then back it up with Absynth or D'Cota for interesting pads and atmosphere... And some gorgeous lead & percussive sounds. I've had trouble with D'Cota in Logic though... The release on at least one oscillator seems to be permanently set to infinity!

I really like PlasticZ - a very unusual, deceptively simple soft synth, good for plastic, springy or lead sounds. Perfect for cutting hardcore effects, with some nice effects tucked away. Get a Muon Tau Pro from acid squelches, maybe a Beast for screaming Juno style hooverness (you can get the Juno X for this, and the Beast has a few sound issues - it locks out synths on Cubase SX and kills the sound on Logic for me.)

But more and more I'm using the default synths in Logic 5 Platinum. They have a lovely sound, lots of high end detail in the best possible way, and simple UIs. Maybe just a little generic though.

Oh, and don't forget the Moog Modular V soft synth. It sounds gorgeous for that real analogue feel...

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.........

Quite a processor hog though.

Tequila

**davethedrummer** · 22-07-2003, 03:57 PM

yeeesh!
all sounds a bit t.r.a.n.c.e. to me.
lot's of pads and sweeps and yuk!
still i have a nord modular and i must agree ,it rocks.

**djTequila** · 22-07-2003, 04:42 PM

Just why I don't rate the Novation much - too locked into one genre.

Is it just me or is the trance forum pretty dead? (Explaining why the trance heads are using this one...)

Tequila

**herman** · 22-07-2003, 06:25 PM

Not sure i agree about the novation and trance, i only make techno using it and must have used it on more than 100 tracks or so in the last couple of years maybe some people are just lazy with the editing or something

**Jimfish** · 22-07-2003, 07:33 PM

yeah, the novation sound is great for everything once you know how to werk it and get passed the trancey presets.
i love the bubbly watery sound and the real tight feel.

**tekboi** · 23-07-2003, 05:35 AM

Would I be right to assume that Virus would be a better investment than the Novation along techno lines?

**djTequila** · 23-07-2003, 11:01 AM

Originally Posted by herman

Not sure i agree about the novation and trance, i only make techno using it and must have used it on more than 100 tracks or so in the last couple of years maybe some people are just lazy with the editing or something

Fair enough! I only had a limited time with it... All the sounds I found in that time were quite trancey and pretty tame - but I'm more than willing to accept that as a shorcoming in myself rather than the synth!

(I did also get feedback from a longtime Novation owner that he had trouble making it scream... And from a pro who had one of almost every make of synth you could think of - apart from Novation, as he didn't rate them much. It's taste though. Always taste! ;) )

Most synths can be coaxed into producing sounds that fit your own ideals... And nothing beats being fully conversent with your favourite instrument!

:)

Maybe what you need to do is play with some (far cheaper) software synths first, learn about the ins and outs of synthesis (or just get used to it in its different forms), and then get a hardware synth that fits your requirements based on your experience and sound... You'll be able to try out several different units in a shop, knowing exactly what you're looking for and how to get it. That knowledge is something no amount of these replies will be able to give you!

Don't go by the preset patches - this thread has shown up one reason why that's bad.

Another is more subtle. The presets are made to sound good in a shop! They are usually of little use in a track, as they have far too wide a frequency footprint and far too many stong harmonics. (Basically they're trying to do the job of a whole track to make you feel excited enough to hand over the dosh). This will give you an unrealistic view of the potential of the synth in situ...

Trust me, even though it's not as immediatelty gratifying, you'll be better off waiting for a while than forking out over a grand for something you might regret later! Unless you are experienced and just looking for opinions... Or have a lot of money to throw around...

In the meantime, have a look at Z3ta+ as a s/w synth... The waveshaping looks like a powerful tool...

Tequila

**Dustin Zahn** · 23-07-2003, 07:23 PM

Basically, to say which synth is simply the best won't work cause its all a matter of preference. Plus, so many synths work best for different sounds. If you're looking for that lush techno sound, or edgy techy bass of drum n bass I guess the new Virus isn't a bad way to go. If you're lookin' to be the next Danilo Vigorito or whatever, it's time to invest in a moog or something old school.

As for software, I use a combination of things...reaktor, absynth, pro53, fm7, they all have their pros and cons. Personally, I am a big fan of the "lush" clean synth sounds, but it seems everyone and their mother have been using them lately. So, I've started using the Pro53 quite a bit to get a bit of a more old school sound.

In a nutshell, everything is going to sound "trancey" or "electro" when you mess with an un-modified preset. You have to tamper with things to get it to sound crazy!

**Jimfish** · 23-07-2003, 07:29 PM

u know the score..
some are 'better' than others in terms of flexibility though, but really as you say its about personal preferance

**Adverse** · 23-07-2003, 09:47 PM

i'm quite warming up to reaktor.

**The Divide** · 23-07-2003, 11:13 PM

Its a matter of preference. i like abysynth most. I also dig the sound you can get out Reasons Malstorm, it sounds kinda digital l but i think you can get some very odd/unique sounds out it. I like to play around with FM7 from time to time, not realy into of Pro 53. I think the Virus is my fav hardware synth. Absynth fav soft synth. Although, it does seem unstable from time to time, shit it even makes crazy nioses when it crashes.

**MARKEG** · 24-07-2003, 12:57 AM

yeah i love the fm7.

the pro 53 is bloody horrible to me these days.

**The Divide** · 24-07-2003, 01:25 AM

On this subject, just downloading Absynth 2 this very moment. I cant wait!!!!!!! Should have it by christmas on this ****ing 56K piece a shit!! Grrr. I would recommend Reactor, if you got a good head and understand building modular synthesisers. Its the ****in bee's knees for unique sounds and there's so much you can do with it. Its basically building you own VSTi from scratch. I had a tinker about with it a long time ago, it blagged my head. Gonna give it another shot when I get it.

**davethedrummer** · 24-07-2003, 11:18 AM

ting taNG TONG splang dink ploink!
that's how i like a synth to sound
and nothing less!

**DJZeMig_L** · 24-07-2003, 06:55 PM

Hardware ... I would go 4 the Novation like herman said u can basically get anything out of it but I think the new series is even better than SN2..

I like the virus C aswell though I find that it sounds a bit 2 strong on the midrange freq.

I luv my Pulse + :) & yamaha Cs 15...

Software.. the new Moog Modular is a beast ... I'm also quite impressed by Jungelist and A1...

Z

**djTequila** · 25-07-2003, 11:28 AM

Played with a Novation K-Station yesterday. The rhythm section is FAT.

I'm beginning to worry that my wide array of s/w synths is stifling my creativity. I was already worrying about this, then the editorial in FM made it quite clear. (Funny, 'cause I got FM mainly for the free synth on the cover disk. It's quite lovely, too - if a bit of a processor hog-beast.)

If you have 20 synths at your disposal, you'll use the presets from each one.

If you have three, you'll learn how to use each one incredibly well, and get the best, most unique sounds from them.

So... Which synths do I whittle down to?

Sigh... They're all sooooooooooo nice!

Tequila

**The Divide** · 25-07-2003, 11:46 AM

Looking back, I sometimes ask myself if there was any point buying my hardware synths (pulse/juno). Dont get me wrong I do use them from time to time. I love the pulse, its got a random patch on it. But at the end of the day, I realy like what I can do with programing Absynth now, it makes sounds that are what I am looking for. With some added F.X and distortion ontop.

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