Why do I seem to like free synths better ?

[vurt]

free ears, stands to reason you'd like the synths

[Borbolactic]

Why do I seem to like free synths better ?

Because you have cheap taste. People who like synths that cost money have more expensive taste.

[Michael L]

I just seem to feel more at home with free and very cheap stuff.

They have a simple set of parameters.
They have a simple learning curve.
They make simple sounds.
They have a simple GUI.
They're simply easier.
D'oh!

[dellboy]

Why do I seem to like free synths better ?

Because you have cheap taste. People who like synths that cost money have more expensive taste.

Maybe there is some truth in what you say. But since I started this thread back in 2021 I have bought most of IK Multimedia's stuff, Arturia V collection 9, Softube 84, and other VSts that I forget. I already had Komplete 11 and loads of other stuff. I also had six months free use of Reason+ (came with hardware) and never used it. Not forgetting that I own Cubase Pro 12, and Studio One Pro 6, Mixcraft Pro 9 with all the associated software that comes with that. And yet I rarely use any of that software. Of late I have been messing around with the free beta XT-S1 and having great fun with it..........
https://www.xtsware.com/?page_id=50

[Borbolactic]

Why do I seem to like free synths better ?

Because you have cheap taste. People who like synths that cost money have more expensive taste.

Maybe there is some truth in what you say. But since I started this thread back in 2021 I have bought most of IK Multimedia's stuff, Arturia V collection 9, Softube 84, and other VSts that I forget. I already had Komplete 11 and loads of other stuff. I also had six months free use of Reason+ (came with hardware) and never used it. Not forgetting that I own Cubase Pro 12, and Studio One Pro 6, Mixcraft Pro 9 with all the associated software that comes with that. And yet I rarely use any of that software. Of late I have been messing around with the free beta XT-S1 and having great fun with it..........
https://www.xtsware.com/?page_id=50

Well I was more or less joking in that comment, but cool about your experience since then. Your mention of Arturia reminds me of their Buchla repro whose You Tube demo sounded intriguing. Have you got that in your Arturia collection?

I also have a DAW that comes with a whole bunch of pretty cool stuff-- Harmor and Sculpt for 2 fave examples-- but I never use them because I prefer working with the FLOSS, Ardour DAW.

...Hey, have you heard of the free music notation software-- forget the name-- that can host VSTs, thus making it a kind of DAW? I'd like to try that one day.

[gentleclockdivider]

I just seem to feel more at home with free and very cheap stuff.

They have a simple set of parameters.
They have a simple learning curve.
They make simple sounds.
They have a simple GUI.
They're simply easier.
D'oh!

Uh no ,
-Supercollider (free)
-Tranzistow (pay what you want starting from 50 )
-Surge ( free)

[Michael L]

I just seem to feel more at home with free and very cheap stuff.

They have a simple set of parameters.
They have a simple learning curve.
They make simple sounds.
They have a simple GUI.
They're simply easier.
D'oh!

Uh no ,
-Supercollider (free open source software environment and dynamic coding language)
-Tranzistow ( "mandatory donationware" synth from 50EUR to 200EUR )
-Surge ( Paid synth until 2019 )

FTFY

If we want to move the goalposts further we can include C++, Csound, JUCE, Puredata, CDP, OpenMusic, MuseScore, etc.

The exceptions (e.g. Dexed & OB-Xd that model hardware) prove the rule. Some developers (e.g. u-he) have free cutdown versions to give users a taste, and others charge for synths (e.g. Fathom) when they get more features.

Sometimes simple is more down-home:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=deskt ... 8H-67ILaqc

[dellboy]

. Your mention of Arturia reminds me of their Buchla repro whose You Tube demo sounded intriguing. Have you got that in your Arturia collection?

Yes, the Buchla Easel V comes in the package, I have never used it though. I will give it a go later. The only synth I use out of the whole V9 package is the Prophet 5 synth.

[Spring Goose]

because you don't like spending money on music plugs?

[gentleclockdivider]

I just seem to feel more at home with free and very cheap stuff.

They have a simple set of parameters.
They have a simple learning curve.
They make simple sounds.
They have a simple GUI.
They're simply easier.
D'oh!

Uh no ,
-Supercollider (free open source software environment and dynamic coding language)
-Tranzistow ( "mandatory donationware" synth from 50EUR to 200EUR )
-Surge ( Paid synth until 2019 )

FTFY

If we want to move the goalposts further we can include C++, Csound, JUCE, Puredata, CDP, OpenMusic, MuseScore, etc.

The exceptions (e.g. Dexed & OB-Xd that model hardware) prove the rule. Some developers (e.g. u-he) have free cutdown versions to give users a taste, and others charge for synths (e.g. Fathom) when they get more features.

Sometimes simple is more down-home:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=deskt ... 8H-67ILaqc

Was it about emulations ?
O.K. then let's exclude supercollider since it's a synthesis programming environment .
We still got tranzistow and surge , both of which :
Don't have a simple set of parameters.
don't have a simple learning curve.
don't make simple sounds.
don't have a simple GUI.
Are not simply easier.

[Michael L]

We still got tranzistow and surge, both of which

were/are not free and thus poor examples of the Topic question:

- Tranzistow is mandatory donationware for 50-200EUR
- Surge was designed as a paid synth, that the developer donated to the FOSS community in 2019.

My simple point is that free synths are generally simple in many ways and that may be the simple reason why someone may like them better.

I can understand why the OP who likes a simple synth better thinks he may be mentally ill, cuz everyone in KVR has OCD about the synth with the most features.

[sQeetz]

because you don't like spending money on music plugs?

Wish I was like that.

[Spring Goose]

because you don't like spending money on music plugs?

Wish I was like that.

me too!

[BONES]

It sounds like you are but you can't help yourself.

The exceptions (e.g. Dexed & OB-Xd that model hardware) prove the rule. Some developers (e.g. u-he) have free cutdown versions to give users a taste, and others charge for synths (e.g. Fathom) when they get more features.

I think you'll find that most of u-he's free synths are bespoke instruments - Tyrell N6, Podolski, Triple Cheese, etc. - not cut-down versions of commercial products.

Of course, there are also plenty of examples of products that go the other way - commercial synths that "have a simple set of parameters... a simple learning curve... make simple sounds... have a simple GUI". Most vintage emulations would fall into that category, yet they can cost a lot and are very popular.

The only synth I use out of the whole V9 package is the Prophet 5 synth.

That's one more than I've ever used. I haven't even bothered installing any of them on my new laptop. Stupid waste of money.

[MadDogE134]

maybe it is a psychological thing? when you spend money you may be more critical of the purchase but not so when you just get a free product. it may not be that one is better than the other but one may not be scrutinized as much.