KVR Audio is the Internet's number one news and information resource for open standard audio plug-ins. We report new releases, product announcements and product updates (major and minor) for all VST Plug-ins, DirectX Plug-ins and Audio Units Plug-ins (and RTAS too). We manage a fully searchable audio plug-in database (updated daily), and offer many free member services including user reviews, product update notifications and a very active discussion forum. We also host official support forums for many plug-in developers plus the official Receptor support forum.
Plug-in Database: Virtual
Instruments, Effects & Hosts Plug-in
Ranks Banks & Patches
Download & Upload Plug-in Ratings
by KVR Members Wiki: Tutorials,
Audio Lexicon, ... Listen to Music
by KVR Members Search
KVR

Google Powered Search:

in new window

KVR Powered Plug-in Search:

All Reviews by djanthonyw


By djanthonyw
On 21st July 2008
Version: 2.0

Was this review
helpful to you?
Yes | No
  GUI
Sound
Features
Docs
Presets
Support
VFM
Stability
LennarDigital Sylenth1

I have never been inclined to write a review for any plugin until now, because this gem totally blows me away!

User Interface:
I consider the interface of any synth to be extremely important. The lay out of Sylenth1 is very clear and easy to understand, even for someone that's new to synthesis. As of this review I have been producing music for over eight years and I have never been inclined to program any sounds from scratch until I found this monster!

Sound:
In my opinion there are very few synths that compare to, or exceed hardware virtual analog synths, but Sylenth does both. Sylenth has this incredibly thick, warm, analogish sound while still being able to fit great in a mix. There are a few companies that advertise "sell your hardware, because our software can replace it", which is true to some extend, but Sylenth is the only software synth that really did replace mine... I just sold Virus and Nord! However, I do want to state that Sylenth is in no way a clone of the Virus, Nord, or any other synth, but I feel that it does have some characteristics of both, except with a smoother, creamier sound.

Once I heard Sylenth in action I jumped on the opportunity to get rid of my hardware. When it comes to music production nothing is more convenient than having a native software synth inside of your DAW software and when it sounds this good there is no contest!

Features:
Sylenth is extremely well balanced when it comes to features. It has enough features to do what you want, but not so many that it's overwhelming. Besides the actual synth, Sylenth features some very high quality built in effects that don't get in the way, they're neatly placed on an LCD panel in the GUI. A lot of people consider a synth that has a bunch of 'bells and whistles' to be a programmer's synth, but on the contrary I consider Sylenth to be a programmer's, as well as a musician's synth because it's very inviting and a pleasure to use.

Presets:
Sylenth1 version 2.0 now comes with over a 1,000 presets. All of which are extremely high quality. I will say that a lot of them are geared towards dance music, but there are no rules, you can use the presets in any genre of music. I think the irony with Sylenth is that it comes with so many presets, yet it begs to be programmed!

Documentation:
Sylenth comes with a PDF manual, there are also a few videos on lennardigital.com. Because Sylenth's interface is extremely intuitive, most people will probably jump right in without even reading the manual. That's usually how it is for me as well, but I did read the manual, because when I like a product as much as I do Sylenth, I usually read the manual just for 'fun', and to kind of 'take it all in'.

Customer Support:
I emailed LennarDigital once. I wanted to know how long it would be for the release of the Mac version of Sylenth. Lennard responded promptly a couple hours later telling me the estimated time frame. I will say that I think he should respond a little more often in his support forum here on KVR though, but it's clear now that he is just very focused on his work. When he does post in the forum or respond to an email he is very courteous and helpful.

Stability & CPU:
For the moment I'm running Sylenth in VST format in Logic 8 by using FXpansion's VST-AU adapter. Sylenth appears to be rock solid, however there is GUI bug with the adapter and Logic 8 that does not let you drag a plugin's GUI anywhere. I'm sure all will be well when Sylenth is released in Audio Unit format in the near future.

Also, I can't get over how CPU efficient this synth is. For my main workstation I'm running a Mac Pro 2 x 2.66, which is equal to four cores. In Logic 8, one instance of Sylenth moves the CPU meter on average, about one pixel, on one core... it's hardly even registering! It really makes me ask what most of these other developers are doing to make their plugins use so much processing power. LennarDigital is definitely doing something right!

Value For Money:
I've never been more satisfied spending money on a synth, hardware or software. For me, replacing my hardware was priceless.
 
Last edited : 28th July 2009     
Latest 1 review from a total of 1