I second synth1,
While all the other suggestions sound great this one is basic to a positive point:
It is raw subtractive synthesis which enables to learn the basics of soubd creation.
With all the knowledge that you can learn from this you will be able to create great sounds on any synth,
And have an easy time to learn the most complex features that are available in other synhs.

Cheers
Thor

Learning Subtractive synthesis does not teach one about Additive or FM synths.

It would good to get the CM magazine studio plugins.
Just going through those synths for some time to learn, and trying demos out.
This way when you finally choose one, you'll have a better idea of what you like.

Just in case you want to be supported by learning sound desing in and out, you could have a look there
http://www.robpapen.com/dvd-sound-design.html
I would take a look into the previews and videos first and look than after a synth.

I'd agree with learning the freeware Synth1 if you want to learn the basics of subtractive synthesis. Great sounding quality, very CPU friendly and easy "all in your face" to program GUI. V-Station as well. If you want to dig deeper in synthesis, then it looks like you already have everything you need to learn. Save yourself some money, perhaps buy yourself some guides instead to learn your Komplete 7 plugins.

Diversion is on Sale again :

http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=371837

Have some time to test the demo , until now I really like it's sound , and with the sale price it's very tempting .

Any one have here Diversion full and can recommend it ?

Thanks

Fantastic synth with a traditional subtractive heart and a modern modulation brain. The sound quality is pristine and crystal-clear (almost too much so), but the price tag is some serious CPU usage. You can get some very unique sounds out of it, and the effects are just top-notch, especially the reverb.

It would be one of my three desert island synths (Zebra and Alchemy being the other ones).

i have to say that this instrument looks great....probably the best ui i've ever seen....i'm no programmer but even i can make out the path and logic....and that sale price has me even thinking...thank fluck i have enough time to work out that i don't need it

will definitely demo the thing

You could always try the new ANA Demo see if you like the update... we will also be doing a massive series of tutorials on it in the coming weeks.

Really positive feedback on the update so far.

how does it come out to be a $20 difference dark zebra is $99 and zebra 3 upgrade I read should be $30?

This.

Also Sylenth 1 is the easiest of all these synths to start learning.

+ You must understand that what yu'll learn with Sylenth, then Massive will serve you for ALL the synths you'll want to master after that step is assumed.

+ NI synths are of course on par quallity wise with all other synths. Just different.

LtZ

you are wrong!! Massive,kontakt,FM8,Absynth all very pro stuff, no offense to Zebra and sylenth1.

i have komplete 7 too and the best money (29.50$) i have spent in 2012 is on a video lesson by macprovideo :
http://www.macprovideo.com/tutorial/nativeinstruments102
theses tutorials are for komplete 5 but you will get an intro to each essentials instruments : absynth, massive , fm8, reaktor ...
if you don't want to follow the entire tutorial you can buy individual and more deep tutorial for each instrument, i have followed razor and reaktor (top notch stuff)
absynth : http://www.macprovideo.com/tutorial/native-instruments-absyn th
massive : http://www.macprovideo.com/tutorial/native-instruments-206-m assive-essentials-mo-volans
fm8 : http://www.macprovideo.com/tutorial/native-instruments-210-f m-synthesis-sound-design
i will certainly buy this tutorial when i have some time !

But the OP is inspired and ready to really get into a synth so imo it would be a bit of a waste to spend it on of the easier synths, when now's the ideal time to get to know every knob and feature of a more intricate instrument like Zebra. He's also got the money now.

I agree to that. I have already mentioned ElectraX which got a great sound and tons of options while using an easy to use GUI.
If i would start today this would be one of my synths of choice. Another one is e.g. Synthmaster 2.5. Also Alchemy could be a choice as it offers different synth engines like e.g. VA, additive, samples, granular synthesis and spectral synthesis.

I know there is also Zebra which seems to be an obvious choice. Personally the interface of Zebra never really "clicked" with me which is one reason why i sold it.

If the focus is mostly on VA i could recommend e.g. Tone2 Saurus, Xils Lab Oxium, Waves Element (seems to be still available at a special price at JRR shop) or more simple ones like e.g. TAL U-NO-LX or kHs ONE.

Other mentioned using the synths in NI Komplete which are great for sure but the OP got that already and he asked for another synth.

It would help to hear if the OP is only interested in using "basic" subtractive synthesis or also others like e.g. additive, FM or wavetable scanning.


Ingo