Ok. So there's a lot of good commercial synths out there, and several that I can't see (hear) what the hype is about. As such, I thought I'd ask what you think the three most overrated synths are. I'm fully aware that some of you will may feel the need to defend your fav synths, but there are far too many "this is the beez synth" threads, and I reckon there's a place for a "now for the bad news" thread.

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EDIT:
OVERRATED SYNTH LIST (5 or more negatives)

Absynth - 11
Arturia Synths - 9
Zebra - 14
FM8 - 5
Wusikstation - 6
Massive - 14
Reaktor - 9
z3ta+ - 5
Cameleon 5k - 10
Albino - 7

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To kick off I know that many of you rate Absynth highly, but, no matter how much I try, I cannot see why. I've played with the demo; listened to the presets, but everything just seems to have a glitchy, cold sameness about it, nevermind the annoyingly small NI GUI (TBH, the only NI GUI I do like is FM7). I guess it has a place, but not nearly the esteemed pedestal that many of you seem to place it on.

Another is Discovery (which I downloaded in the brief time it was "free", and is now uninstalled). There is nothing special about this synth at all. There are many others that do as much and more, and to cap it off, it has the most annoying mod-wheel whine that I have heard from anything. Just load pretty much any Nord preset and turn up the Mod wheel and the effect is a non-musical irritating gnat whine.

Finally, I gotta add most of the MOOG emulations out there, but that's just cause I think the whole MOOG sound is in itself overrated (definitely a cop out, but there you go)

Note, that I'm not including free synths in this thread, as I respect the devs for donating us their time and effort, regardless of whether I like their synths or not.
Last edited by SARcazm on Thu Jan 11, 2007 1:29 am; edited 1 time in total

Until the other day I would of agreed with you concerning Absynth. I have never liked Native Instruments synths, they have always sounded a bit lifeless to me (apart from Massive). However I have now discovered that Absynth is an exception and sounds fantastic. What put me off at first was the complex envelopes and unusual interface but by just tweaking presets it is actually not that hard to learn- just different. It excels at spacey ambient textures -complements more in your face synths such as Zebra and Surge (In my opinion the best VST synths on the market!!!)

Discovery is a Nord emulation that sounds close but not quite there. Its more of an approximation than an emulation. I think is is good for high portamento leads and harsh fm sounds. Not the best out there but good especially considering how long it has been around.

Moogs?!!!!! For christ sake, any good subtractive synth can emulate a moog!!!!!
Last edited by Kebmaster on Tue Jan 09, 2007 6:22 am; edited 1 time in total

All the Arturia synths. I hear many like them, professionals use them, they must certainly be good in some way but *I* don't get it. They sound flat and boring in my opinion...

Payware or freeware or both?

Payware; see last paragraph of OP.

All samplers dedicated to any one type of instruments are overrated in my opinion.
What's the point when you just can buy one really good sampler and have it do everything (with a little extra effort maybe)? Infinitely more Occam's Razor.

Marco

Zebra 2 is #1 on that list for me.
I have downloaded it at least four times trying to force myself to like it, but it really just isn't me, and I just don't get it.

Synth1 despite its price is #2 on that list for me. And I have tried many of the 'acclaimed' banks.


rsp
Last edited by zvenx on Tue Jan 09, 2007 6:47 am; edited 1 time in total

I don't really consider these synths HIGHLY overrated, but I have my suspicions about why they receive so much praise.


1. FM8- I find it pretty strange how many people seem to prefer the sound of FM8 over Massive. It's almost like watching a pedophile prefer sex with a pre-med student over someone just entering her first year of pre-school. I swear it just doesn't mke sense. Tell the rest of us why you REALLY prefer FM8 over Massive? Is it the Cpu-hit? Can't be that...just lower the number of voices. Is it because you expect more individuals to be more open with their preference for Massive because it sounds much more ready to use right out of the box? Just wanna be different in your vocal opinion? Seriously this one I am curious about.


2. Sonik Synth 2 - I chose this one only after listening to so many claims that it can easily replace the Triton. Maybe if I didn't own a Triton....yeah then I wouldn't feel as biased towards this synth as I feel now. I just felt less than inspired while using it. Sorry....it wouldn't replace the Triton in a million light years...or a Fantom X.


3. Wusikstation - Let's just say I hope I never read any claims that this synth could replace Sonik Synth 2.

please use better analogies!

Anything made with Synthedit.

Pick any 3.

How dare you have that opinion!!!

I guess different strokes for different folks, because superwaves pro made by synthedit is one of my favourites.
rsp

I feel the same way exactly.

I really liked FM8 and was pretty indifferent over Massive...

I have to put zebra on that list as well. I just don't like the sounds that I've heard. It might just be me and not tweaking it correctly.

dw