Recommend me a new synth plugin, please!

[kvruzer666]

I've just recently started getting into music production and the first synth plugin I've been playing with is Sylenth1, and it's great. However, judging from the presets and what I've read, it seems as though Sylenth is only capable of so many types of sounds. Therefore, I would greatly appreciate if you guys would recommend me some more synths to try out so I can expand my sound.


What I'm looking for:

#1. CPU-friendly

This is most important. My current CPU is an AMD Athlon 64 x2 @2.6Ghz, I believe. A synth plugin that's light on the CPU is a must for me.

#2. Sound quality

I assume most synth plugins sound good, but I'd really love to use one that sounds GREAT.

#3. Different than Sylenth1

By "different" I mean I want a synth that can make sounds that Sylenth can't. I don't need 2 synths that specialize in the same sounds, right? I'd really love something that can make trippy sounds, great pads, atmospheric stuff, etc..


There are so many plugins out there, and I'm such a noobie, that I figure you vets can help me out better than I can try to help myself.

Thanks in advance!

[Ingonator]

You could try the plugins by Tone2 like ElectraX and Saurus:

http://www.tone2.com/html/synthesizers.html


Ingo

[kvruzer666]

You could try the plugins by Tone2 like ElectraX and Saurus:

http://www.tone2.com/html/synthesizers.html

OK. I will look into those plugins. Thanks.

Can you tell me which ones are most different than Sylenth? Or are the 2 you said the ones?

[BDeep]

Absynth seems to fit the bill. (But my guess is your going to see a whole list of options )

[kvruzer666]

Absynth seems to fit the bill. (But my guess is your going to see a whole list of options )

As long as those options fit into my #1, #2 & #3, the more the merrier!

I will look into Absynth. Thanks.

[BDeep]

I believe it will fit all your points. It excels in atmospheric type sounds, only thing is, I find the GUI a bit awkward.

[tibah]

#1. CPU-friendly
#2. Sound quality
#3. Different than Sylenth1

I had the same computer specs still around 6 months ago.

The most CPU friendly synth I own is FM8. You can get it cheap here in the market place or when NI is doing a 50% off sale. It's not easy to get into and program per se, but I will always recommend it anyway.

Saurus comes to mind as well as being CPU friendly, but I guess overall it's not to different from Sylenth1 in most regards, but definitely can do some neat things via its mod matrix that Sylenth1 probably can't.

Synplant. A nice approach to synthesis and CPU friendly.

Padshop. Easy to use granular synth and a bargain as well, not sure about the CPU, but I found it to be still moderate.

[ScottZ]

well if your looking for freebies you can get the free zinio voucher for $50 then you can download curve 2 cm, dune cm, synthmaster cm, aaltocm, alchemy cm and many more synths & tools etc. check out the free charlatan too. Rapture and dimension pro are on sale right now for $20. Zebra and synthmaster the best all rounders imo, zebra being lower in cpu+more free presets, but higher in price. I also would recommend FM8 lots of presets. same with massive, but your better off waiting for a deal and buying komplete when it's on sale if you want more than one synth.

[kvruzer666]

The most CPU friendly synth I own is FM8..

Really? I was under the impression that NI plugins are resource hogs, which is why I'm wondering about Absynth that BDeep posted. I know I've read some bad things about Massive and CPU usage.

Synplant. A nice approach to synthesis and CPU friendly.

Padshop. Easy to use granular synth and a bargain as well, not sure about the CPU, but I found it to be still moderate.

I will look into these. Thanks.

[kvruzer666]

well if your looking for freebies you can get the free zinio voucher for $50 than get one computer music magazine then you got curve 2 cm, dune cm, synthmaster cm, aaltocm and many more synths & tools etc. check out the free charlatan too. Rapture and dimension pro are on sale right now for $20. Zebra and synthmaster the best all rounders imo, zebra being lower in cpu, but higher in price.

Hmm... I'm pretty sure that I've read about the majority of synths you've listed as not being too CPU friendly.

[tibah]

The most CPU friendly synth I own is FM8..

Really? I was under the impression that NI plugins are resource hogs, which is why I'm wondering about Absynth that BDeep posted. I know I've read some bad things about Massive and CPU usage.

I own Massive now and demoed it on my old AMD x2 (2x2.8GHz) and it's not fun this way. Depending on quality setting and patch complexity. But FM8 is among the lightest synths I've ever used.

The thing you learn with low(er) specs is to care for amp envelope release times, voice count and how many synth-based effects can be replaced by send effects inside your DAW.

[ScottZ]

zebra can get kinda high with the most cpu intensive presets with high release times possibly, but if you avoid that still runs fine on slower systems all the CM plugs I'd say are low cpu besides alchemy player plus they're free for now with that vouchers so what's to lose? Trust me your system can handle them unless you only got like 512mb-1gb ram even then some plugs would still run fine.

[whyterabbyt]

Look to older plugins, like Rhino, and the Korg stuff. Something modular like KarmaFX or VazModular, too, maybe, if you wanted to get in-depth with synthesis and customise stuff exactly to your needs.

[werp]

The question is not only what your PC can support but also your bank balance...
These things are quite addictive and girlfriend/boyfriend... umm...unfriendly...(I'm safe, I'm a bit married)
Welcome to the club

[werp]

Look to older plugins, like Rhino, and the Korg stuff. Something modular like KarmaFX or VazModular, too, maybe, if you wanted to get in-depth with synthesis and customise stuff exactly to your needs.

The Korg Legacy collection is brilliant!