What VST family offers the widest range of sounds?

[VariKusBrainZ]

I think you're highly covered using our bundle.

https://www.discodsp.com/bundle/

OK - I downloaded the demo's, but Windows 10 doesn't seem to like your installers:
'Windows Defender SmartScreen prevented an unrecognized app from starting.
Running this app might put your PC at risk.'

Bliss is on sale at
https://audioplugin.deals
For $48

With it you can easily create multisamples of any other VSTi

You can ignore those Windows warnings

[yellowmix]

Does OP not demo synths before purchasing them?

[layzer]

you want a synth that makes all the sounds on a shoestring budget?
use a soundfont synth and a general midi soundfont

[SoundPorn]

If it the 80s sound you're after have you saw/tried Phonec? I just found out about it thru computer music mag and it's incredible.
https://www.psychicmodulation.com/phonec.html

[ScottZ]

...I've just ordered D16 Group's LuSH-101 as it's just $39 (£30) at JRR Shop - it has many very usable and tangible presets and reminds me of the 1980s when I used to own and play synths like this.

The best LuSH-101 presets turned out to be a CPU killer - I don't think it was ever designed to have that many layers. Doh! LuSH-101 uninstalled.
Got Synthmaster on sale too - got bored of that as well. Synthmaster uninstalled.
I'm so hard to please.

Handling 7 layer patches like a champ here, did you turn multicore on?

[effalump]

...I don’t know if Studio One has a sampler but, that would be something to look at as well...

Thanks - good idea!
Yes, Studio One does have Sample One and Impact, but I'm trying not to use native VST instruments just in case I want to move to another DAW in the future (or even use the mixer of another DAW). My current situation is that I've got old 32 bit stuff in Cubase and new 64 bit stuff in Studio One. I'm also looking for some FX plugins for the same reason. It's a shame when DAW makers try to keep you loyal by tempting you with 'free' native instruments - I guess it's a commercial thing - but still it stinks to me - oh well.

[effalump]

...I've just ordered D16 Group's LuSH-101 as it's just $39 (£30) at JRR Shop - it has many very usable and tangible presets and reminds me of the 1980s when I used to own and play synths like this.

The best LuSH-101 presets turned out to be a CPU killer - I don't think it was ever designed to have that many layers. Doh! LuSH-101 uninstalled.
Got Synthmaster on sale too - got bored of that as well. Synthmaster uninstalled.
I'm so hard to please.

Handling 7 layer patches like a champ here, did you turn multicore on?

Ahh - no I didn't, thanks. I've just re-installed it, changed options to multicore and created 8 tracks of LuSH-101 - but there's no real difference in CPU usage - still hitting 50% on Intel i7-8700, which is way above what Tone2 VSTs use for much more complex sounds.
https://helpdesk.d16.pl/knowledge_base/article/23

[egbert101]

That's because LuSH-101 is circuit modelled, just like ACE, Diva, The Legend, Monark.

[VariKusBrainZ]

...I've just ordered D16 Group's LuSH-101 as it's just $39 (£30) at JRR Shop - it has many very usable and tangible presets and reminds me of the 1980s when I used to own and play synths like this.

The best LuSH-101 presets turned out to be a CPU killer - I don't think it was ever designed to have that many layers. Doh! LuSH-101 uninstalled.
Got Synthmaster on sale too - got bored of that as well. Synthmaster uninstalled.
I'm so hard to please.

Handling 7 layer patches like a champ here, did you turn multicore on?

Ahh - no I didn't, thanks. I've just re-installed it, changed options to multicore and created 8 tracks of LuSH-101 - but there's no real difference in CPU usage - still hitting 50% on Intel i7-8700, which is way above what Tone2 VSTs use for much more complex sounds.
https://helpdesk.d16.pl/knowledge_base/article/23

Change Realtime Quality to Normal and you should be fine

[do_androids_dream]

The synths that came with Logic 8/9 were the most complete and varied 'set' of instruments I always thought. Still nothing that compares with Sculpture.

[Whywhy]

On W10, today , 3 synths :
I would buy :
Rapid by Parawave,
Cypher2 by Fxpansion,
Alpha forever modular.

[ATS]

I have all the Tone2 stuff and would not do without any of it (except the effects I don't really use). But if you don't have Zebra I would grab that, it's amazing.

[shonky]

I think you're highly covered using our bundle.

https://www.discodsp.com/bundle/

OK - I downloaded the demo's, but Windows 10 doesn't seem to like your installers:
'Windows Defender SmartScreen prevented an unrecognized app from starting.
Running this app might put your PC at risk.'

I think I need to purchase a CodeSign certificate to get rid of that.

I've found this message comes up pretty often with products from smaller VST companies, it usually seems to be that there hasn't been a sufficient amount of users to verify that the program is safe by the looks of it.

[effalump]

I have all the Tone2 stuff and would not do without any of it (except the effects I don't really use). But if you don't have Zebra I would grab that, it's amazing.

I did try out the demo of Zebra - and I do like it, but it's rather expensive... so I will keep an eye on the upcoming Black Friday / Xmas sales.

[discoDSP]

I've found this message comes up pretty often with products from smaller VST companies, it usually seems to be that there hasn't been a sufficient amount of users to verify that the program is safe by the looks of it.

Yes, and getting a code sign certificate with instant reputation costs around $300/year which makes it harder for very small companies. I'm in the process of getting a non-EV but the bureaucracy for that is absurdly difficult and expensive too