Recommendations for VSTi synth

acs · 05-29-2009, 09:34 PM

Hi,

I recently sold my Virus synth because it was a bit too much trouble to set up in my small space and wasn't getting much use at all, even though it sounded great and was fun to tweak. I want to get a two nice VSTi synths now. I'm buying Schwa's Olga soon and I'd like to pick something else up so I have two plugs that I can alternate between.

I don't have any super specific requirements but I'd like something that can produce a pretty wide range of sounds and is decent to work with. I know that this post is pretty vague, but I would appreciate any input. Thanks.

zenmonkey · 05-29-2009, 10:23 PM

Howdy!

My two favorite synths are Zebra2 and SURGE, in that order. Z2 has such a wide sonic palette it's easy for me to dial in a swirling pad or a piercing lead. SURGE's strength lies in dead simple routing and a love of crunchy digital sounds. I also really like that both developers treat their customers with respect and don't use challenge/response or hardware dongles.

I use both of these with Reaper and haven't had any problems with them on Windows XP.

Both of these synths have demo versions to try out and I easily recommend both. Good luck!

Zebra2: http://zebrasynth.com
SURGE: http://vemberaudio.se/surge.php

acs · 05-29-2009, 11:07 PM

Thanks!

Both of those look very interesting and I'll have a go at them both. I should have mentioned that I would greatly prefer that there are no dongles and such used, so thanks for pointing that out. I've never really needed/wanted a VSTi synth until now, and Olga has been great because I downloaded it a while ago and never got too deep into it but the more I play with it the more I like it. Same deal with Reaper and it's the first music software I've ever paid for and actually used regularly. The hardcore license-protection thing is something I've never had to deal with so I don't personally know how much of a pain it is, but I appreciate the easiness of software that doesn't go that route.

Sanskrit · 05-29-2009, 11:12 PM

I'd second that vote for Zebra. Also, I don't own them, but I've looked (and listened) pretty hard at the Korg softsynths (esp the Wavestation). Whichever direction you go, what a happy problem to have! Good luck!

acs · 05-29-2009, 11:56 PM

@sanskrit I'm having a hard time tracking down the Wavestation. It's late right now and maybe I'm not looking in the right spots but it doesn't seem to be showing up.

I really like both Zebra and Surge. Hard to choose between the them.

Sanskrit · 05-30-2009, 07:18 AM

Hey acs,
Google: Korg Legacy Collection Digital Edition. However, my bad, looks like the thing requires a damn dongle. Ach.

zenmonkey · 05-30-2009, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sanskrit

Hey acs,
Google: Korg Legacy Collection Digital Edition. However, my bad, looks like the thing requires a damn dongle. Ach.

Not only that, but I believe you are unable to resell it later if you decide you no longer want it, at least Surge has 1 sale allowed and Zebra just has a waiting period of I think a year.

I actually came back to Reaper with version 3. I had been seduced by Live's marketing for 8 and bought a license. 2 months later I get an email requiring me to give them an explanation for my excessive number of locks/unlocks. It made me paranoid to re-install my PC. I'm done with any software that treats me as some sort of burden.

Gravelle · 05-30-2009, 12:15 PM

Absynth. You can use it as an effect to.

bradleyfilms · 05-30-2009, 02:30 PM

Karma FX Synth a good all-round modular
Scannned Synth is now donationware and has a random button for when you run out of inspiration
KeyToSound are selling the DVD version of nexsyn on ebay for $15.
Odo's Double Six XXL also has a random button

I use Karma the most and it works live, plus you can use the modules as fx units on other sounds.

Computer Music magazine has a fine collection in the studio section

acs · 05-30-2009, 09:55 PM

Hey thanks everyone for the suggestions! I haven't really used any of them so I'll take some time and check each one out. Much appreciated.

Hellfog · 06-10-2009, 06:29 AM

Cakewalk Rapture and Zebra 2 are my favorites.

battla · 06-16-2009, 06:32 PM

crystal, oatmeal, tal-bassline, adonis pro (now free), taurus, zynaddsubfx, and ugo rez are some of my favorites...

and they're all FREE !

rluk · 06-17-2009, 01:16 AM

I'm by no means a big synth user, but I really like the way Sylenth sounds.
Check it out among others.

http://www.lennardigital.com/modules/home/