KVR Audio

bduffy · Post by **bduffy** » Tue Jan 09, 2007 6:21 pm

I love this thread; it's like truth serum for KVR'ers.

neverfall · Post by **neverfall** » Tue Jan 09, 2007 6:25 pm

idobs wrote:

Actually, I think these threads where people list synths they DON'T like are quite useful. These are people that spent good hard-earned money (assuming they're not free synths on this thread), and STILL don't like the synth. That takes guts.

Anyway, that means that there are really only three ways to find out valid opinions on synths on KVR:
1) Ask people for the synths they hate but purchased (like this thread)
2) Ask people which synth of two they like better, and make sure that everyone that answers owns BOTH.
3) Ask people about comparing free synths

-Ido

1. I have hardware I could throw in for this question, but now that I'm older and a bit more wise...I tend to thoroughly do my homework before purchasing hardware and software.

Oh but Cubase was the worst software purchase ever. A lot of issues with midi timing that people used to complain about everyday all day with SX 2.

2. I REALLY want to say something flameworthy about this one, but I'd rather be nice...for today.

3. See #2.

mellotronaut wrote:ad idobs:
In a way, you're right. Better a thread with 'overrated synths' than with 'favourite synths'.
But i'm sure, most of the NI-or Massive-dislikers don't own it. They had the 30 min fully-working demo with all the factory-presets on their pc or mac and zapped from patch to patch. I also have this demo, but i tried to get more into it (it's not easy, even when you use the demo, because it quits after 30 min and you can't save, but it's worth the pain) and found out more about the potential of this synth beyond the factory-presets. It's quite flexible and the sounds can be very organic. The only mess is the high cpu.

Yup, I was speaking from a demo point of view. Everytime I've tried using the FM8 demo I swear I just couldn't see the big fuss over it. Totally different opinion with Massive. Perhaps it's because I found Massive much easier to program. It's a GUI THING.

peter01 · Post by **peter01** » Tue Jan 09, 2007 6:28 pm

Definitely Reaktor.

incomprehensible GUI's, chokes cpu, and ..erm.. well, it never makes it to the final mix. Must be me though.

jplanet · Post by **jplanet** » Tue Jan 09, 2007 6:28 pm

VAZ synths: Crashes every host on every system I've tried it on. What good is such authentic analog sound if I can't even complete a song using it? It's been years since an update, too...

bullshark · Post by **bullshark** » Tue Jan 09, 2007 6:32 pm

bduffy wrote:I love this thread; it's like truth serum for KVR'ers.

And (so far) incredibly civil also. I kind of expected all-out-war by page 2...

kind of disapointed by that AAMOF

griels · Post by **griels** » Tue Jan 09, 2007 6:33 pm

1) Virsyn Tera - just sounds cold to me
2) Albino - see above
3) HG Fortune synths (STS-26 etc) - just not my thang really I spose

ew · Post by ew » Tue Jan 09, 2007 6:35 pm

stdietmar wrote:2) Massive, because you need to buy a new computer if you want to play chords.

How do you manage to play a chord in Massive? I only could play two voices, otherwise it resulted in CPU overload

1) Turn down the quality on the global page to high or eco instead of ultra
or
2) use a newer computer.

Massive IS CPU heavy (I can see 75% CPU on 16 voices in ultra mode), but in high quality it's usable; just use ultra to render.

ew

rendelius · Post by **rendelius** » Tue Jan 09, 2007 6:36 pm

Ok here we go with the three most disliked commercial synths:

#1 HalionOne (it comes with Cubase 4). It's a bloated GM MIDI device with mediocre samples. The only thing it really shines in is to eat CPU like an idiot. Pick one of the normal pads (use four fingers) that Virtual Sound Canvas plays better at app. 5% CPU usage, and you see HalionOne steal app. 60% of your CPU. Completely insane.

#2 M42. It's a pulp fiction version of a pad synth. It sounds cheesy and cheap. I bought it.

#3 I hate to say it, but STS-26 is a HUGE disappointment. Where STS-24 was a dream machine for me, STS-26 just doesn't cut it. I have yet to find out how to tame the sounds there, they all sound way too agitated for what they are meant to be.

.jon · Post by **.jon** » Tue Jan 09, 2007 6:38 pm

1) Most commercial synths
2) Most freeware synths
3) Most VST instruments

SARcazm · Post by **SARcazm** » Tue Jan 09, 2007 6:42 pm

Wow! I didn't expect this many responses!

Anyway, I want to reiterate that the point of this thread is to counterbalance the fav threads out there. For example, many new guys come on here asking what synth to buy, and, from the answers to most of those threads, he'd/she'd come away thinking that 100% of KVR rate Absynth highly (it still is way over 50% probably, but at least threads like this will give a more balanced view.

Anyway, I agree with the KVR master cynic, John V, regarding Synthedit creations, tho they can sometimes sound good (like the Kong Audio stuff), they look and feel like a Albanian merkin.

Ditto for Wusikstation, tho alot of that has to do with the shameless self promotion, it really doesn't deliver for me.

Interestingly, the only NI synth I do rate is FM7/8, which several of you dislike.

trappist · Post by **trappist** » Tue Jan 09, 2007 6:43 pm

There is no overrated synth. The problem is the user. Everybody has his or her skills, tastes etc.

Yes, and......such is life.

bduffy · Post by **bduffy** » Tue Jan 09, 2007 6:46 pm

bullshark wrote:
bduffy wrote:I love this thread; it's like truth serum for KVR'ers.
And (so far) incredibly civil also. I kind of expected all-out-war by page 2...

kind of disapointed by that AAMOF

Yeah, what's up with that? John Viluch was involved, even! Maybe the truth is...we're civil!

diverdee · Post by **diverdee** » Tue Jan 09, 2007 6:46 pm

It's hard to say what's 'over-rated', so many different ways of working & people are looking for different things from their synths.
I've demo'd a lot of synths lately & I reckon, based on what seems like majority opinion here that the three below are the ones that (for now) I personally find over-rated.
1. Cameleon - I really wanted to like this, but I just found it hard to get any sounds I really liked out of it & i've returned to it again & again & it's just left me flat - i'll likely try it again at some point in the future.
2. Rhino. I love the sound of this beastie, but I personally found the interface very dificult to work with.
Never mind attempting to build a patch from scratch, I couldn't even de-construct & examine others patches - a great shame, another one that I wanted to like, but too much hard work.
3. Toxic - I was just totally underwhelmed by this & in general I prefer the simpler interfaces & designs, but I just couldn't grok the hype about this - likely it's just me.
Honorable mention to Zebra2 - but that may partly to do with it's modular nature, just too much complexity for me, again attempting to work out peoples patches made my teeth itch, although it created some nice sounds.

BosseJo · Post by **BosseJo** » Tue Jan 09, 2007 6:50 pm

John Vulich wrote:Anything made with Synthedit.

Pick any 3.

Everything from Kong is great and their are made with synthedit.

rockstar_not · Post by **rockstar_not** » Tue Jan 09, 2007 6:53 pm

Chameleon 5000 - I picked it as my prize for winning the Masquerade contest last year.

I've dedicated about 2 hours to learning it's use. Probably requires more time - I just don't have that much. 2 hours tweaking virtual knobs and sliders versus wrangling the neck of my guitar; I'll pick the guitar every time.

-Scott

The "I don't get it" or your 3 overrated synths thread