Which one should I get?

[srv-musikmaker]

Hey folks, hope you are doing well

I'm at a point where I'm kinda convinced that I'll buy Sylenth1 cause I like it's warm sound (and the plethora of presets). But, many are suggesting Serum or Spire. I know those are more modern options and capable of really cutting-edge modulation stuff. However, the bread and butter sounds of Sylenth1 appeal to me as my music is kinda old school, with a bit of modern bite.

I want a good ROI for many years from whatever I would choose. Genres - deep, melodic house, trance, electronica, dancepop, DnB(very rarely), instrumentals etc.

Please consider that I do like to spend a little time in sound design, but enjoy not having to make patches from scratch.

Would really appreciate your feedback.

[Passing Bye]

You can rent-to-own both Sylenth and Serum.

U He Hive is probably good middle ground option, to have Sylenth and Serum’s sound pallet in one, ease of use, good presets and moderate CPU usage.

Personally, I would have good look at U He Diva, some of the 3rd party sound banks are work of art, if I need to have only one synth and my preference was oldschool, I would pick Diva in heartbeat.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWq2HPC8JtY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeJiMrG0PrQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fyPXqjJdBs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfFPBpagvQg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkjmNDky06E

[doc11235]

Have you considered Pigments 3? IMHO no other synth is capable of such an array of sounds stretching from creamy analog warmth to fizzy digital buzz. Phase plant is also superb, but you do need to have a good number of the Snapins to get the best out of it, so if you are only after another synth, and not a new utility bundle as well, then it probably wouldn't be a good choice.

[BONES]

I've decided that Pigments' sound quality just isn't up to standard. I really enjoy using it but I have to wonder if they put the same effort into the sound engine that they put into the workflow. I think I've replaced it in every song I used to use it in.

Mind you, I hate Sylenth 1. I don't like anything about it. It doesn't sound special at all and the workflow is quite poor.

If you are looking to buy this month, I'd suggest having a good look at Adam Szabo's Viper. It's kind of a Virus clone. It sounds really good and it's currently on sale. While you're there, check out his JP6K - it's the best $25 you will ever spend! Use the code AUG2021 to get 20% off either or both of them.

[SparkySpark]

...my music is kinda old school, with a bit of modern bite.

...Genres - deep, melodic house, trance, electronica, dancepop, DnB(very rarely), instrumentals etc.

...I do like to spend a little time in sound design, but enjoy not having to make patches from scratch.

Have you looked at Fathom Pro? At the moment, it's quite a bargain, USD 55 including all separately sold soundbanks. The genres used for the soundbanks resemble your list: https://www.fathomsynth.com/products

Fathom is also a joy to program, much more fun (I think) than the normal synth. The programmer comes from the Ensoniq team, so you can't get much more old-school than this.

In my mind, Fathom may be the best-sounding synth on the market. Of course, others will have other opinions, but there is something about its anti-aliasing or something else that makes it sound exquisite.

[Azbest]

With the info provided in the first post I'd say Dune or Pigments. Can't recommend Serum because I hate the core sound, but that's subjective of course.

Very helpful, I know.

[Ezilyboredgames]

I would also opt for Pigments here. It does sounds good, has great modulation options and won’t break the bank. Good for learning on. After that I would go for u-he Hive. I flipped a coin when choosing between the two as I could only get one at the time. Went with Pigments and did not regret.

[Lazlo94]

I'm using Serum at the moment and I like it a lot, but im upgrading my way through to Kilohearts Ultimate Toolbox, because I'm really looking forward to implement PhasePlant with all snap-ins into my work

[Passing Bye]

Invader 2 is good too

[cryophonik]

But, many are suggesting Serum or Spire. I know those are more modern options and capable of really cutting-edge modulation stuff. However, the bread and butter sounds of Sylenth1 appeal to me as my music is kinda old school, with a bit of modern bite.

I want a good ROI for many years from whatever I would choose. Genres - deep, melodic house, trance, electronica, dancepop, DnB(very rarely), instrumentals etc.

You've made a perfectly sound decision why you should buy Sylenth1. It's a staple in the genres you mentioned for the exact reasons you've mentioned, not to mention how light it is on the CPU, so you can use a LOT of instances. It's easy to use for rolling your own sounds, and/or you have endless options for commercial presets available for it.

I've never owned Serum (doesn't appeal to me at all), but it's nothing like Sylenth1 or like the sounds/styles you've mentioned (neither is Pigments, for that matter). Hive is certainly a good alternative to Sylenth1 and Spire (CPU killer, btw) has a more modern and more diverse sound that could be used in place of or as a complement to Sylenth1, but my opinion is that you should just go with the one you want and don't worry about what people who aren't you think you should do.

EDIT: oops, just realized this post a few months old.

[chk071]

If you're in for a warm sound, I'd recommend Spire over Sylenth1. Spire is wonderfully warm sounding.

[recursive one]

I'm now watching a psytrance-related production course released in 2019, the track they show sounds wonderful and all the sounds in it are made with Serum and Sylenth.

Despite all the Pigments and Phaseplants, Vitals and whatever there's a reason why pro producers still use these two synths.