Soft Synths with their own individual character?
-
Sound Mechanics Sound Mechanics https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=54454
- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 1619 posts since 10 Jan, 2005 from UK
I've been trying a few of the classic hardware synth emulations by Arturia and Geforce. I have Monark and the Korg Legacy collection. All of these synths are modelled after great hardware synths and sound very close if not identical in some cases (that's another debate, not for here
So I thought about original software synths, not modelled on any classic synth in particular, that would have its own individual character that could even be copied in hardware. Maybe most soft synths are so complex and can cover so much sonic ground that an individual character is lost?
I'm just looking for a short list of the best software synths that, in hardware form, could site along side Moogs, Oberheims, Arps,... etc.
So I thought about original software synths, not modelled on any classic synth in particular, that would have its own individual character that could even be copied in hardware. Maybe most soft synths are so complex and can cover so much sonic ground that an individual character is lost?
I'm just looking for a short list of the best software synths that, in hardware form, could site along side Moogs, Oberheims, Arps,... etc.
-
- KVRAF
- 5664 posts since 7 Feb, 2013
NI Massive, NI Razor, IL Harmor - synths with strong "digital" character, not modelled after anything hardware (however it is hard to imagine them put into hardware boxes - it would be not that easy to replicate their GUIs with knobs, sliders and maybe even touchscreens).
Good old Sylenth also has very recognizable sound, especially its filter drive is often praised. It also has much simpler GUI that could be easily implemented in hardware form.
Good old Sylenth also has very recognizable sound, especially its filter drive is often praised. It also has much simpler GUI that could be easily implemented in hardware form.
You may think you can fly ... but you better not try
- KVRAF
- 5813 posts since 17 Aug, 2004 from Berlin, Germany
There are not so many with a own sound... most of them (unfortunately) sharing too much similarities.
Anyway, 2 synth coming to my mind where I would say they are unique in the sound and not modelled after some hardware.
Imageline Harmor - not this typical digital sound but there is some "Hifi" or "analogue" touch
Synapse Dune2 - remembers a bit to Roland synth but is not an emulation after similar hardware
Anyway, 2 synth coming to my mind where I would say they are unique in the sound and not modelled after some hardware.
Imageline Harmor - not this typical digital sound but there is some "Hifi" or "analogue" touch
Synapse Dune2 - remembers a bit to Roland synth but is not an emulation after similar hardware
| Links
-
Sound Mechanics Sound Mechanics https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=54454
- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 1619 posts since 10 Jan, 2005 from UK
Thanks for the comments.
Yes it could be down to the complexity of many synths. The korg MS-20 software has such a distinct sound and is so different from other soft synths. I am no programmer but it must be possible to create something new in the character of the filter - unless every possible filter character has been made?
I wonder if it's not so much the ability of a software synth to cover every sound now, but to build something very simple that sounds completely different... think Moog vs Arp vs Oberheim - easy to use a controller keyboard with too!
Just some thoughts.
Yes it could be down to the complexity of many synths. The korg MS-20 software has such a distinct sound and is so different from other soft synths. I am no programmer but it must be possible to create something new in the character of the filter - unless every possible filter character has been made?
I wonder if it's not so much the ability of a software synth to cover every sound now, but to build something very simple that sounds completely different... think Moog vs Arp vs Oberheim - easy to use a controller keyboard with too!
Just some thoughts.
-
- KVRian
- 900 posts since 19 Aug, 2009
Absynth.Hemmick Reef wrote:I've been trying a few of the classic hardware synth emulations by Arturia and Geforce. I have Monark and the Korg Legacy collection. All of these synths are modelled after great hardware synths and sound very close if not identical in some cases (that's another debate, not for here
So I thought about original software synths, not modelled on any classic synth in particular, that would have its own individual character that could even be copied in hardware. Maybe most soft synths are so complex and can cover so much sonic ground that an individual character is lost?
I'm just looking for a short list of the best software synths that, in hardware form, could site along side Moogs, Oberheims, Arps,... etc.
-
- KVRian
- 908 posts since 10 Jan, 2010
are you looking specifically for subtractive (analog) style synths? obviously there are quite a few other kinds - FM, PD, additive, wavetable, etc. that have very different characters from what you are talking about.
-
- KVRAF
- 5664 posts since 7 Feb, 2013
Isn't Dune2 modelled after a Virus? I mean not exact modelling, like SH101 and TAL Bassline 101, but it is often mentioned as a software substitute to Access synths.4damind wrote:There are not so many with a own sound... most of them (unfortunately) sharing too much similarities.
Anyway, 2 synth coming to my mind where I would say they are unique in the sound and not modelled after some hardware.
Imageline Harmor - not this typical digital sound but there is some "Hifi" or "analogue" touch
Synapse Dune2 - remembers a bit to Roland synth but is not an emulation after similar hardware
You may think you can fly ... but you better not try
-
- KVRist
- 61 posts since 4 May, 2009
+1firepile wrote:Absynth.Hemmick Reef wrote:I've been trying a few of the classic hardware synth emulations by Arturia and Geforce. I have Monark and the Korg Legacy collection. All of these synths are modelled after great hardware synths and sound very close if not identical in some cases (that's another debate, not for here
So I thought about original software synths, not modelled on any classic synth in particular, that would have its own individual character that could even be copied in hardware. Maybe most soft synths are so complex and can cover so much sonic ground that an individual character is lost?
I'm just looking for a short list of the best software synths that, in hardware form, could site along side Moogs, Oberheims, Arps,... etc.
-
- KVRAF
- 8414 posts since 4 Jul, 2012 from Alesia
Tone 2 Saurus is full of character.
https://soundcloud.com/tone2-1/synth-legends-for-saurus
Another good Tone2 synthesizer that compliments Saurus well is their Nemesis synthesizer.
https://soundcloud.com/tone2-1/neofm-for-nemesis
Both are full of character and use very little CPU. I suppose if someone took the time they could recreate hardware controllers for these!
https://soundcloud.com/tone2-1/synth-legends-for-saurus
Another good Tone2 synthesizer that compliments Saurus well is their Nemesis synthesizer.
https://soundcloud.com/tone2-1/neofm-for-nemesis
Both are full of character and use very little CPU. I suppose if someone took the time they could recreate hardware controllers for these!
-
- KVRist
- 213 posts since 10 Sep, 2014
Here are some soft synths I find have their own distinct sonic character:
NI Absynth like Firepile said. It has some features like Aetherizer that give some of its patches a very unique sound.
Image-line Harmor. Like 4damind said it has a sound in between digital and analog.
Fabfilter Twin 2 has a very distinctive smooth sound to it. Must be the fab(ulous) filters.
AAS synths like Tassman 4 and String Studio 2, being physically modeled, have a very different and natural sound.
There are many other synths with their own sound character, I mention those above because I think they could be played alongside analog stuff and not clash too much with it.
NI Absynth like Firepile said. It has some features like Aetherizer that give some of its patches a very unique sound.
Image-line Harmor. Like 4damind said it has a sound in between digital and analog.
Fabfilter Twin 2 has a very distinctive smooth sound to it. Must be the fab(ulous) filters.
AAS synths like Tassman 4 and String Studio 2, being physically modeled, have a very different and natural sound.
There are many other synths with their own sound character, I mention those above because I think they could be played alongside analog stuff and not clash too much with it.
My latest crazy track "The Quick Brown Fox sampled the Lazy Dog": http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic ... 4&t=425647
15 Free DIVA Presets: http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic ... 8#p5892108
15 Free DIVA Presets: http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic ... 8#p5892108
- KVRAF
- 1702 posts since 22 Apr, 2009 from Belgrade
I'm a big fan of Charlatan and its raw character http://www.blaukraut.info/
Bedroom Producers Blog << Free VST Plugins!
-
- KVRist
- 213 posts since 10 Sep, 2014
For VA, I am impressed by DCAM: Synth Squad, AIR Vacuum Pro, AAS Ultra Analog 2, Fabfilter Twin 2 and U-He DIVA. Not sure which are unique and which are emulations though.
My latest crazy track "The Quick Brown Fox sampled the Lazy Dog": http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic ... 4&t=425647
15 Free DIVA Presets: http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic ... 8#p5892108
15 Free DIVA Presets: http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic ... 8#p5892108
-
- KVRAF
- 1586 posts since 7 Jun, 2007
Microtonic (drumsynth)
AAS UltraAnalog 1 - has a 'ceramic' quality to its high end, really good clear bass
IL Sawer (a 'botched' emu of something I can't remember) - noisy oscillators and 12db LP and BP filters which are incredibly impolite
ABL Pro - my favourite grumpy old modular synth with distinctive 'shape' parameter.
Fabfilter One/Twin - FabOne filter is very distinctive. Twin's osc's are raw and forceful. It can be really aggro or smooth, but seems to retain its 'sound'.
Zebra 2 - very warm and midrange-y, high end is quite plasticky IMO
Then of course the ubiquitous Sylenth and Massive aren't hard to identify either.
I think I could pick these all out in a mix with a fair amount of certainty, but it really depends on what they're doing.
I love the filter on Saurus, really screamy, but, as the demo above illustrates very well it seems to be a "best of" collection...which IMO makes it sound quite generic as it goes in so many directions so well. But I would recognize that screaming filter sweep, I think it's the 12db LP which is so aggressive. Long time since I demoed it. One of the best bread and butter synths available IMO.
AAS UltraAnalog 1 - has a 'ceramic' quality to its high end, really good clear bass
IL Sawer (a 'botched' emu of something I can't remember) - noisy oscillators and 12db LP and BP filters which are incredibly impolite
ABL Pro - my favourite grumpy old modular synth with distinctive 'shape' parameter.
Fabfilter One/Twin - FabOne filter is very distinctive. Twin's osc's are raw and forceful. It can be really aggro or smooth, but seems to retain its 'sound'.
Zebra 2 - very warm and midrange-y, high end is quite plasticky IMO
Then of course the ubiquitous Sylenth and Massive aren't hard to identify either.
I think I could pick these all out in a mix with a fair amount of certainty, but it really depends on what they're doing.
I love the filter on Saurus, really screamy, but, as the demo above illustrates very well it seems to be a "best of" collection...which IMO makes it sound quite generic as it goes in so many directions so well. But I would recognize that screaming filter sweep, I think it's the 12db LP which is so aggressive. Long time since I demoed it. One of the best bread and butter synths available IMO.
-
Sound Mechanics Sound Mechanics https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=54454
- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 1619 posts since 10 Jan, 2005 from UK
Thanks for the suggestions.
One that comes to mind is Olga. Very raw sounding. It seems to have a distinct character because of the oscillators and filter.
One that comes to mind is Olga. Very raw sounding. It seems to have a distinct character because of the oscillators and filter.
- KVRAF
- 12557 posts since 7 Dec, 2004
The method used to apply filter saturation in Xhip is unique, and I have not yet heard it anywhere else.
http://xhip.net/temp/xhip_saturation.mp3
(btw, this demo was from before I added even-harmonic, so the current version of Xhip sounds slightly different.)
The technique is focused on:
The consequence of this is that it sounds rather unique and would be extremely difficult to do with an electronic circuit, while it is extremely easy to do in software.
Whether or not it sounds "good" is another question...
http://xhip.net/temp/xhip_saturation.mp3
(btw, this demo was from before I added even-harmonic, so the current version of Xhip sounds slightly different.)
The technique is focused on:
- Preventing any aliasing to eliminate the need for oversampling or anti-aliasing filters
- Reducing CPU requirements to minimum
- Ease of computation for both coefficients and processing the filter
- Generic, minimalist functions such as parabola x(2-|x|) are used in place of more complex functions such as tanh
The consequence of this is that it sounds rather unique and would be extremely difficult to do with an electronic circuit, while it is extremely easy to do in software.
Whether or not it sounds "good" is another question...
Last edited by aciddose on Fri Oct 24, 2014 8:06 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Free plug-ins for Windows, MacOS and Linux. Xhip Synthesizer v8.0 and Xhip Effects Bundle v6.7.
The coder's credo: We believe our work is neither clever nor difficult; it is done because we thought it would be easy.
Work less; get more done.
The coder's credo: We believe our work is neither clever nor difficult; it is done because we thought it would be easy.
Work less; get more done.