Hi,

My friend started to make music together with me and wanted to get into the soft synth world. He can only afford one. Consider both are under similar price range (Z is on sale in cake's Web site). Which one has better sound engine and feature rich? Our music towards to dance music like Trance/House so we need good SAW Lead/Lush PAD and Virus like bass and flexible arp programming.... Any discussion and comments are all welcome.

Cheers
Cowby

Synthmaster

+1

I can't really comment on Z3ta since there is no demo version afaik but I demoed Synthmaster some time ago and it's really great!

I don't really have a need for it since I already have Zebra, Diversion and some other synths but it's really a great synth which covers A LOT of sounds since it's very flexible

Cheers
Dennis

I have both... tough call, but there's a few reason's I'd go for SM [...and don't get me wrong I have z3ta 1 & 2, and can't live without them, however....].

First things first, worst comes to worst, you don't like it, you can resell it fairly easily [z3ta can't be resold. Ever].

Now, with that out of the way, it can simply do WAY more than z3ta, by a mile. It is the one and only TRUE desert synth imo. I really mean this. This is a synth I can't live without now.

The thing I like the most about SM is the dual filters and the drive that can be pre, post or IN THE FILTER = SUPER FAT FILTHY sounds. It's just really meaty. On the other hand, as meaty as it can be, it can also be very intricate and gentile, and the mod options are off this planet. Seriously, just do yourself a favor and get SM2.5.

Synthmaster! I have both and z3ta just sits around wishing it was Synthmaster!

I have SM and never use it. It's been 'fixed' and updated so many times that I lost interest in it. A bit 'indie' developer for my taste. I could always sell it to you if you're interested. PM.

Z3TA 2 has some issues on my system that may or may not ever be resolved. It's a Cakewalk. Enough said. There's a thread around here somewhere. Look it up if you're interested.

I'm no programmer or anything but if I was to recommend a great professional VSTi to a friend that he/she will not be disappointed with, I'd suggest taking a look at Rob Papen's Predator. No problem for me with CPU, unlike U-HE Diva for example. You need something you can use, not something that's good in theory.

Definitely, Predator is a great synth [got it as well ], and it's a good poorman's Virus a, and it does sound great and all, but the question was SM or Z2.

As for the dev cycle, it's been a long digestion period, but the constant development has now slowed down. Now it's getting slight tweaks. Sure there will be a ramped up phase again one day, but for now it seems we're at a set state of features, don't think anything will be added soon... and the indie thing, yes, yes it is, but there's something to be said for that as well. Which one of the "big names" have a swiss army knife synth like SM... very few I'd imagine. For the money you'll be very hard pressed to go wrong with SM.

A jack of all trades and master of none?

GeorgeZ knows his stuff, so I won't trash his valuable contribution here.

Of the two, I'd choose Z3TA 2.

If you decide on SynthMaster then I may be open to offers (if you're interested). It may as well go to a good home as far as I'm concerned.

Thank you for your "compliment" !



That IS correct, no more new features until v3.0. Only monthly updates for fixes (Yes, there are still some issues users report, which we couldnt reproduce so far)

We'll have version 3.0 coming hopefuly next year, and its beta cycle will be handled privately this time. We have a private group on facebook, formed my our team and our beta testers.

^
This is another reason to go for Synthmaster.
The developer is very active and responds quickly to users. Bugs seem to get fixed very quickly too!

Cheers
Dennis

+1 Their support & hardwork is 100% impeccable! As for Cakewalk????

Hi,

This week i will release the 3rd expansion for Synthmaster, the sounds you describe, i.e Lush Pads etc will be in there plenty.
I have Z3TA but never used it however Synthmaster would be my choice "obviously" and the developer himself (Bulent) is a great guy and another reason to support.

Cheers

Rob

Synthmaster would be my choice too. Great synth and the support is excellent.
Did you know Z3ta+ is free on the CM cover disc?

Synthmaster. Does it all, does it well.Like has been said, support is good and the developer is active and accessible.. try that with Cakewalk (I have, Cake's support is either useless or missing - mostly missing).

Just one ding and it's not the devs fault: it doesn't play well in Acid Pro 7 (not a big deal) or Orion (again, not a big deal). I'm moving to Reaper and it's rock solid there.

I own Z3ta V1 and it's a good synth, but it's just not as flexible as Synthmaster.

Best of luck with whatever you choose!