Complimentary VSTi's

[Whole Note]

I hope this subject doesn't sound too vague, but maybe I can help define it a bit more.

I've been reading through Simon Cann's "How to Make a Noise" book to beef up my newbie sound design skills and started to wonder "can ManyStation make some of these sounds"? I'm strictly talking subtractive synthesis here. Some of the things I was questioning were key sync, fixed/free running modes, hard sync, phase adjustments, various filter types, etc. I admit, I don't even know enough to recognize what some of these things sound like, let alone know how to program them OR if they are even relevant to the kinds of music I want to create (new age, ambient, space-music, Teutonic School, electro-funk, etc.).

I've been using ManyStation's basic waveforms (saw, pulse, etc.) along with some freeware (ASynth, Free Alpha) to help me learn subtractive synthesis and was wondering if there were opinions on a vst synth to start out on that would compliment ManyStation (ie., fill in any gaps in MS's subtractive synthesis powers). Here are my stipulations:

1)Low CPU usage
2)Not super basic (limited), but not excessively complex
3)Good as a "work horse" synth (poly and mono sounds)
4)Under $150 ($100 and under would be better)

I really appreciate any feedback on this. I love being able to create the sounds in my head and you would be helping one of the many "synth-lovers-with-no-time-or-money" out there


P.S. - I've already demoed Vanguard; I can't escape it's "dancie-ness", so it's a no go.

[oxymoron]

You've probably tried it, but I recommend Synth1 to everyone. It is IMO the king of the free (and not so free) subractive synths. I still use it, even in light of more expensive and exotic rivals. It probably has the lowest CPU usage of anything right now.

[flippya2000]

Key sync refers to arpegios - An arpegio is started from the 1st note(aka key), instead of one of the notes produced from the arpegio.

Fixed/free running mode: This can refer to LFOs, ie, fixed = sync to the host's tempo; whereas freerunning = not insync with host tempo.

Phase adjustment (I'm not sure abt this) - Changes the shape of a waveform, eg a sine wave can be changed to saw wave using phase distortion

Toxic III is considered 1 of the easiest FM synths out there. FM synthesis is quite hard, but I just use my ears when using Toxic, coz the theory behind it is way too complic8d for me! It's in ur price range too (hwr, it's cpu usage can get quite high, so try the demo to see if it's ok 4u). Hope this helps.

[jPod]

IIRC, Make a Noise uses Vangaurd for subtractive examples. I think it's within your price range and it's a great overall synth.

iloSynth-1 is also a great "learning" synth -- it has a nice, unclutterd layout and does all the basic subtractive stuff with a touch of FM thrown in for good measure. It's also one of the best sounding freebies around.

Once you get comfortable with subtractive synthesis you'll find that Manystation can do it all, it might just take a slightly different route though.

Flippya; I think phase adjustment is probably referring to oscillator phase, not phase distortion. E.g., if two oscillators start their waveforms at the same time they're considered in phase, if one of them starts its waveform at a different time they're out of phase. I believe some synths call this adjustment "offset" as well.

[flippya2000]

Flippya; I think phase adjustment is probably referring to oscillator phase, not phase distortion. E.g., if two oscillators start their waveforms at the same time they're considered in phase, if one of them starts its waveform at a different time they're out of phase. I believe some synths call this adjustment "offset" as well.

Cheers for the info jpod

[Whole Note]

Thanks everyone for your quick replies!

I researched some of your suggestions and some how I stumbled upon square I at rgcaudio. I had been looking at pentagon I, but realized that I just don't know enough yet to make use of all that power and decided to take the plunge and spend all of $35 on square I. So far, it's met all of my above points in being cheap, low on cpu and a good all around subtractive synth. As a bonus, I love the sound of it too!!

Special thanks to the explanations/clarifications by flippya2000 and jPod !!