KVR Audio

Uchdryd · Post by **Uchdryd** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 12:51 pm

As possibly the most widely used and most loved software synth around, Synth1 doesn't immediately impress you with its capabilities. The more time you spend using it, however, the more you appreciate what it can do. For the benefit of those who haven't really discovered the potential of this great piece of freeware, I ask the following:

1) What is it that sets Synth1 apart from less successful synths?

2) Which sounds is it best suited for?

3) How does it compare to the Clavia Nord Lead 2 (http://www.vintagesynth.com/clavia/nord2.shtml), which it was supposedly designed to emulate?

4) Which are your favorite presets?

Uchdryd

juffi · Post by **juffi** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 1:07 pm

For this reason we have reviews here on KVR, dont you think?

SciFiArtMan · Post by **SciFiArtMan** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 7:49 pm

I think Synth1 is very misunderstood and written off as a simple little synth that makes beeps, sweeps and growls because that's what most of the patches I hear made for it sound like, but it's actually capable of a lot more, with some understanding and effort.

1. I love the versatility of Synth1! It can't do eveything, no one synth can, but Synth1 can do more than most synths and do it with relative ease and little CPU drain. And that's the key for me - versatility of sound with a small CPU footprint.

2. I don't see it locked into any one sound area, and that's the point. It's not the greatest ambient synth, but it can do a fair job if you're clever. It's not the best a natural instruments, but can do SO much more than most seem to realize. I don't think it's all that great at trance/techno/dance type stuff, but it can do a little if forced at gunpoint. Its greatness lies in its utility - it's the Swiss Army Knife of the softsynth world. Don't leave the studio without it!

3. I have no idea about how it compares with the real Nord Lead 2, and don't really care (no offense). I've diddled with a Nord Lead 2 a few times and the sounds I got on it don't seem all that similar or dissimilar.

4. My fave presets are mostly my own creations, and include Rickenebacker Basses, Hammond Organs, Choirs, Moog and ARP Lead tones, a few Arpeggiated Patches, Electric Pianos, Strings, a few Ambient Pads, some Buzz Guitars, Lead Guitars, and the usual bizarre synth sounds from the world of tomorrow.

What's great about Synth1? - versatility of sounds, quality of sounds, ease of use, small CPU use, stability, dependability, resizable and small modifiable GUI, high quality effects modules, large and easy to use patch banks, large library of available patches, and amazingly it's all FREE! Synth1 would get a LOT more respect if it cost $300+!!!

What's wrong with Synth1? Not much! But the LFO speed settings need to be stablized. Synth1 is complex enough that a good manual would be a benefit to many, if not most (contact me if you want to help!). Other suggestions would simply be improvements, not fixes.

Synth1 may not be the greatest freeware synth ever created - then again, maybe it IS! Or at least one of them!

Dr.Chacal · Post by **Dr.Chacal** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 9:33 pm

synth1 is good in the navy

1. i love the original colors, and the low cpu
2. it's best suited for synth sounds

, and space moosic

3. i don't know
4. i LOVE the Chacalized Monstruous bank : free webcam girl you can find here :

http://www.freewebtown.com/drchacal/

5. don't stop don't stop

Uchdryd · Post by **Uchdryd** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 9:51 pm

juffi wrote:For this reason we have reviews here on KVR, dont you think?

Well, let's see. None of the four questions I asked are addressed in the 22 reviews of Synth1, so far as I can tell. Also, there is no way to discuss/debate any particular aspect of Synth1 with others by way of the reviews. And lastly, very few people post reviews as compared to the number of people who post messages in the forums. I would like to hear what other people (besides the 22 aforementioned reviewers) think of Synth1, how and why they use it, etc.

Uchdryd

Uchdryd · Post by **Uchdryd** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 10:29 pm

SciFiArtMan wrote:I think Synth1 is very misunderstood and written off as a simple little synth that makes beeps, sweeps and growls because that's what most of the patches I hear made for it sound like, but it's actually capable of a lot more, with some understanding and effort.

In this respect it's like Voyager. You have to either program it or download some banks before you have any idea that it's capable of sounding any better than the Casio VL-Tone.

SciFiArtMan wrote:4. My fave presets are mostly my own creations, and include Rickenebacker Basses, Hammond Organs, Choirs, Moog and ARP Lead tones, a few Arpeggiated Patches, Electric Pianos, Strings, a few Ambient Pads, some Buzz Guitars, Lead Guitars, and the usual bizarre synth sounds from the world of tomorrow.

Care to share or sell any of these?

I like LushFM EP2 (for a DX-7 sound), Retro Organ, Ruff Analog, Almost 303, Cosmos, and Porta Synth. (I can't remember where I DL'ed these from.) I definitely need to make some of my own.

I would be glad to help write instructions on how to program this untamed beast once I get familiar with it (which is likely to take 6-8 years).

Uchdryd

Teksonik · Post by **Teksonik** » Wed Nov 01, 2006 1:16 am

How many four year old freeware synths get at least one thread dedicated to them every couple of weeks? Come to think of it how many synths get the kind of love Synth1 gets or have a larger user preset base? Speaks volumes as to the quality and versatility of Mr Toda's wonder synth.

afreshcupofjoe · Post by **afreshcupofjoe** » Wed Nov 01, 2006 2:24 am

Every time I try a new synth at some point I get annoyed with the way a feature is implemented or the lack of certain features, or even overcomplexity or workflow problems. Whenever I feel this way, I always hold up synth1 as an example of how to do a synth right. Some (mostly expensive) synths sound a lot better for certain tasks, and many other synths have more powerful features. Yet somehow it manages to strike a perfect balance between all the things I'd want in a VA synth. It rarely sounds amazing, but it almost always works well. That really can't be said for any other VA synth I can think of. It truly is the swiss army knife of VA synths, and that's something I'd be willing to pay top dollar for. It's amazing that sofware of this quality can be had for free! If I were ever going to buy a hardware Analog or VA synth, I'd use synth1 as the standard in features/funtionality that I'd look for. And if I could only keep one software VA synth (god forbid) it would be synth1!

Uchdryd · Post by **Uchdryd** » Wed Nov 01, 2006 3:01 am

afreshcupofjoe wrote:It rarely sounds amazing, but it almost always works well.

I think that sums it up right there. That's the reason it's used so often.

For someone looking to pay money for a synth that's similar to Synth1 but has more features and better quality, would discoDSP's Discovery fit the bill? (I'm just curious--Synth1 is good enough for me for the time being.)

Teksonik · Post by **Teksonik** » Wed Nov 01, 2006 3:57 am

Uchdryd wrote:
afreshcupofjoe wrote:It rarely sounds amazing, but it almost always works well.
I think that sums it up right there. That's the reason it's used so often.

For someone looking to pay money for a synth that's similar to Synth1 but has more features and better quality, would discoDSP's Discovery fit the bill? (I'm just curious--Synth1 is good enough for me for the time being.)

Wow I think Synth 1 can sound amazing. Try Nolween's "Annabelle" bank.

I own Discovery and have to say it's a totally different beast than Synth1. Better quality? I'll have to say equal quality. Discovery has a smooth sweet sound while Synth1 has a raw attitude. You could own both and be very happy. One thing I like to do is layer a Discovery patch with a Synth1 patch. Best of both worlds.

Uchdryd · Post by **Uchdryd** » Wed Nov 01, 2006 4:57 am

Teksonik wrote:Wow I think Synth 1 can sound amazing. Try Nolween's "Annabelle" bank.

Wow! Those presets sound incredible! I had already been using Nolween's banks for Oatmeal and Voyager and was very impressed. The guy really knows how to program a synthesizer! Didn't realize he had made a bank (actually three) for Synth1. . . .

Teksonik wrote:I own Discovery and have to say it's a totally different beast than Synth1. Better quality? I'll have to say equal quality. Discovery has a smooth sweet sound while Synth1 has a raw attitude. You could own both and be very happy. One thing I like to do is layer a Discovery patch with a Synth1 patch. Best of both worlds.

Thanks, Teksonik, for that information.

hoffy · Post by **hoffy** » Wed Nov 01, 2006 5:25 am

Uchdryd wrote: The guy really knows how to program a synthesizer! Didn't realize he had made a bank (actually three) for Synth1. . . .

I think you are wrong on the authors gender there, Uchdryd...

... then again, i could be wrong. Anyone care to correct me?

Churchy · Post by **Churchy** » Wed Nov 01, 2006 5:37 am

i really dont rate synth1. i've used it a lot, but it always sounds cheap to me. yes i know it's free.

SciFiArtMan · Post by **SciFiArtMan** » Wed Nov 01, 2006 5:57 am

hoffy wrote:
Uchdryd wrote: The guy really knows how to program a synthesizer! Didn't realize he had made a bank (actually three) for Synth1. . . .
I think you are wrong on the authors gender there, Uchdryd...

... then again, i could be wrong. Anyone care to correct me?

Yes, and she appears to be a rather attractive young lady as well.

hitman8081 · Post by **hitman8081** » Wed Nov 01, 2006 6:34 am

heres the angry side of synth1. dont piss it off

http://en.swoopshare.com/file/e9550173a ... x.rar.html

Synth1: A Tribute