Your top 2015 synthesizer list?

[Vectorman]

About the newest thing I use is Dune 2. Mostly it's older standbys like Zebra, Diva, Massive, Korg Wavestation, etc. Very little danger of me sounding like everybody else, given how little interest I have in making modern EDM or turning on the radio. I pretty much sound like my eccentric, forever un-hip self regardless of what's in the toy box at any given time.

[Apostate]

Every time I open up the PPG Wave 3 I get right into programming it, it really does deserve more mention here. Not as glamourous or innovative as the WaveMapper, and it doesn't sound quite as good as Largo or Nave (but yet again probably better than Serum in that regard), but a magnificent instrument nonetheless.

[chk071]

Every time I open up the PPG Wave 3 I get right into programming it, it really does deserve more mention here. Not as glamourous or innovative as the WaveMapper, and it doesn't sound quite as good as Largo or Nave (but yet again probably better than Serum in that regard), but a magnificent instrument nonetheless.

I read more than once now that some people are not convinced of Serum's sound quality. What exactly do you think it lacks soundwise? I would iamgine due to it being a wavetable synth, it should be the filter or envelopes which are unpleasant? Or are the wavetables bad in your opinion?

[Apostate]

Every time I open up the PPG Wave 3 I get right into programming it, it really does deserve more mention here. Not as glamourous or innovative as the WaveMapper, and it doesn't sound quite as good as Largo or Nave (but yet again probably better than Serum in that regard), but a magnificent instrument nonetheless.

I read more than once now that some people are not convinced of Serum's sound quality. What exactly do you think it lacks soundwise? I would iamgine due to it being a wavetable synth, it should be the filter or envelopes which are unpleasant? Or are the wavetables bad in your opinion?

Serum is a marvelous synth, and remains the one to beat, most particularly when it comes to modulating effects and LFO shapes...just incredible. But let's give it full, much deserved credit: it's a wonder of programming overall, Duda is simply a genius, and he's implementing so much more in the updates, it just keeps getting better imo. Duda did a huge favor to the synth world in creating Serum. Full Stop.

However, the sound of Serum's filters don't do much for me, sounding flat in comparison to several others I've mentioned. I must not neglect to add that the filters in themselves offer strikingly brilliant options; I'm quite taken with the idea to go from Low Pass-High-Band and back, and all the combinations (plus, the stunning capability to direct the filter to specific variables, the noise and sub, etc). That's just it though, I love the idea more than the sound, it just doesn't thrill me in Serum. Since Serum seems to be in long term beta mode, I am betting this will progress with the rest of the synth.

The oscillators are quite good, though my personal preference is more toward the "oscs plugged directly into the ears" sound of the abovementioned as well as the quintessentially "digital" punch of Z3ta and Helix. But again, this is entirely personal preference.

I can't complain in the slightest about the wavetables, the stock are at times a bit bland and/or catering to the EDM folks (nothing wrong with that). But if you don't like the stock (and you really shouldn't be judging it by the stock anyway) you have the capability to create your own, vastly original wavetables that should more than satisfy you.

I really don't have much to criticize Serum for, the filters are my only gripe and in the big scheme of things even that is so minor in comparison. Yes, it does tend to put me off a bit and use Nave and the Palm plugins more, but that's just me. When I want to go in deep and create exactly the wavetable shape I want, and take advantage of the amazing effects (so atypical of synths) and their modulation options, Serum is it, period.

edit announcement: The last was a bit too unequivocal. As I'm learning from a recent purchase, the WaveGenerator/Mapper combination can be a wildly creative resource, I feel I sold Palm a bit short. I feel this was a necessary equivocation, the Palm synths are not to be ignored imo.

[wagtunes]

Every time I open up the PPG Wave 3 I get right into programming it, it really does deserve more mention here. Not as glamourous or innovative as the WaveMapper, and it doesn't sound quite as good as Largo or Nave (but yet again probably better than Serum in that regard), but a magnificent instrument nonetheless.

I read more than once now that some people are not convinced of Serum's sound quality. What exactly do you think it lacks soundwise? I would iamgine due to it being a wavetable synth, it should be the filter or envelopes which are unpleasant? Or are the wavetables bad in your opinion?

Serum is a marvelous synth, and remains the one to beat, most particularly when it comes to modulating effects and LFO shapes...just incredible. But let's give it full, much deserved credit: it's a wonder of programming overall, Duda is simply a genius, and he's implementing so much more in the updates, it just keeps getting better imo. Duda did a huge favor to the synth world in creating Serum. Full Stop.

However, the sound of Serum's filters don't do much for me, sounding flat in comparison to several others I've mentioned. I must not neglect to add that the filters in themselves offer strikingly brilliant options; I'm quite taken with the idea to go from Low Pass-High-Band and back, and all the combinations (plus, the stunning capability to direct the filter to specific variables, the noise and sub, etc). That's just it though, I love the idea more than the sound, it just doesn't thrill me in Serum. Since Serum seems to be in long term beta mode, I am betting this will progress with the rest of the synth.

The oscillators are quite good, though my personal preference is more toward the "oscs plugged directly into the ears" sound of the abovementioned as well as the quintessentially "digital" punch of Z3ta and Helix. But again, this is entirely personal preference.

I can't complain in the slightest about the wavetables, the stock are at times a bit bland and/or catering to the EDM folks (nothing wrong with that). But if you don't like the stock (and you really shouldn't be judging it by the stock anyway) you have the capability to create your own, vastly original wavetables that should more than satisfy you.

I really don't have much to criticize Serum for, the filters are my only gripe and in the big scheme of things even that is so minor in comparison. Yes, it does tend to put me off a bit and use Nave and the Palm plugins more, but that's just me. When I want to go in deep and create exactly the wavetable shape I want, and take advantage of the amazing effects (so atypical of synths) and their modulation options, Serum is it, period.

edit announcement: The last was a bit too unequivocal. As I'm learning from a recent purchase, the WaveGenerator/Mapper combination can be a wildly creative resource, I feel I sold Palm a bit short. I feel this was a necessary equivocation, the Palm synths are not to be ignored imo.

You really need to listen to my Serum library demo if you think the filters are their weak point. It's just how you use the synth. That's all.

https://soundcloud.com/steven-wagenheim ... sive-serum

[Apostate]

You really need to listen to my Serum library demo if you think the filters are their weak point. It's just how you use the synth. That's all.

https://soundcloud.com/steven-wagenheim ... sive-serum

Very cool!

Indeed, to me this sounds more like good programming than anything else. I retain my opinion about the filter sound, they sound a bit flat to me. However I must stress just how subjective this is. My opinion is just that, a lowly opinion. I like a certain sound, big deal who cares right?

To each their own, and vive le difference.

[wagtunes]

You really need to listen to my Serum library demo if you think the filters are their weak point. It's just how you use the synth. That's all.

https://soundcloud.com/steven-wagenheim ... sive-serum

Very cool!

Indeed, to me this sounds more like good programming than anything else. I retain my opinion about the filter sound, they sound a bit flat to me. However I must stress just how subjective this is. My opinion is just that, a lowly opinion. I like a certain sound, big deal who cares right?

To each their own, and vive le difference.

I'm curious as to what you mean by "flat". I'm not sure how I describe the differences between filters but I can demonstrate the difference between what I think is an off the charts amazing filter (Korg MS-20) and one that's just okay (Blue II) which I actually find a little disappointing. It doesn't have the range of the MS-20 or anywhere near the bite. I would definitely put Serum between the two and closer to the MS-20 end.

[Apostate]

You really need to listen to my Serum library demo if you think the filters are their weak point. It's just how you use the synth. That's all.

https://soundcloud.com/steven-wagenheim ... sive-serum

Very cool!

Indeed, to me this sounds more like good programming than anything else. I retain my opinion about the filter sound, they sound a bit flat to me. However I must stress just how subjective this is. My opinion is just that, a lowly opinion. I like a certain sound, big deal who cares right?

To each their own, and vive le difference.

I'm curious as to what you mean by "flat". I'm not sure how I describe the differences between filters but I can demonstrate the difference between what I think is an off the charts amazing filter (Korg MS-20) and one that's just okay (Blue II) which I actually find a little disappointing. It doesn't have the range of the MS-20 or anywhere near the bite. I would definitely put Serum between the two and closer to the MS-20 end.

Flat as in it doesn't have that striking, Largo (and Waldorf in general) sound. Actually, I'm finding myself grateful you asked me about that in the light that the Waldorf filters (especially Largo) are what many would consider to be "characterful", where the Serum is more standard (I don't mean that in a deprecatory way at all).

Paucis verbis, I just seem to like the character of the PPG and Waldorf filter sound better.

[layzer]

You really need to listen to my Serum library demo if you think the filters are their weak point. It's just how you use the synth. That's all.

https://soundcloud.com/steven-wagenheim ... sive-serum

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sq9ZZ8zilDw

[Apostate]

You really need to listen to my Serum library demo if you think the filters are their weak point. It's just how you use the synth. That's all.

https://soundcloud.com/steven-wagenheim ... sive-serum

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sq9ZZ8zilDw

Hey this is fun, thanks!

[layzer]

You really need to listen to my Serum library demo if you think the filters are their weak point. It's just how you use the synth. That's all.

https://soundcloud.com/steven-wagenheim ... sive-serum

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sq9ZZ8zilDw

Hey this is fun, thanks!

hehh, yeah. couldn't resist pointing out how much Wag's serum patch demo reminded me of my
beloved old C64

[wagtunes]

You really need to listen to my Serum library demo if you think the filters are their weak point. It's just how you use the synth. That's all.

https://soundcloud.com/steven-wagenheim ... sive-serum

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sq9ZZ8zilDw

Hey this is fun, thanks!

hehh, yeah. couldn't resist pointing out how much Wag's serum patch demo reminded me of my
beloved old C64

Well, I grew up with that stuff. That's my music. The new electronic sound is still kind of foreign to me.

[layzer]

You really need to listen to my Serum library demo if you think the filters are their weak point. It's just how you use the synth. That's all.

https://soundcloud.com/steven-wagenheim ... sive-serum

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sq9ZZ8zilDw

Hey this is fun, thanks!

hehh, yeah. couldn't resist pointing out how much Wag's serum patch demo reminded me of my
beloved old C64

Well, I grew up with that stuff. That's my music. The new electronic sound is still kind of foreign to me.

yup! me too, i got sucked into the analog love affair when i first heard the ELP "lucky man" moog solo many years ago. then even more when i heard the beginning of lover boy's "You take me to the top"

[wagtunes]

yup! me too, i got sucked into the analog love affair when i first heard the ELP "lucky man" moog solo many years ago. then even more when i heard the beginning of lover boy's "You take me to the top"

When Lucky Man came out, I was about 15 or 16. ELP was my 3rd exposure to Prog Rock which started with King Crimson and Genesis.

There's an interesting story about Lucky Man, which is why I heard it after KC and Genesis.

The single was originally released in Europe in 1970. It didn't come to the states until 1973. It barely made a dent in the charts here and it really wasn't until Brain Salad Surgery that ELP had become a "popular" band though never really having more than a cult following.

Keith Emerson's classical solo works as well as Greg Lake's were excellent.

When prog rock died in the late 70s, I really wasn't sure what I was going to spend most of my time listening to, even though I did enjoy all kinds of music. But for a solid 9 or 10 years, groups like ELP, ELO, Genesis, Kansas, Yes, Statcastle, Renaissance, Triumvirat, Fireballet and Tangerine Dream (just to name a few) were my guilty pleasure.

[goldenanalog]