Carbon Electra

Let me start by saying that I am quite choosy when it comes to softsynths, and I think the developers of Carbon Electra have managed to provide producers with a modern tone applicable to the modern sound.

The interface is practical and functional, the effects are easily switched-off if you don't need them, and the presets are relevant for the most part, there's something here for everyone. I just wish they had included a few more 'classic' presets hearkening back to the 90's rave scene because some of us out here are not synth programmers.

Having four oscillators available provides plenty of scope to make your own sounds, but the included presets show that this synth can provide anything from clean and fat to squelchy and analogy to synthy and distorted and everything in-between, just what a modern-day producer needs.

Unlike many softsynths Carbon Electra has a nice-looking onscreen interface, and one that doesn't get in the way and is accessible.