Synplant

[slowriot]

i must admit that's pretty much how i feel about it. when i first tried it out i thought it was the bees knees but... then i started stripping away the effects and such and heard how average it sounds. but then it does offer some very unique synthesis methods that could be very useful and inspirational for composing. i just don't know!!! there was a point when i was ready to pony up but then i suddenly realised that only the front panel parameters were automatable... the price is about right though as it is a little gimmicky and limited in use. i don't think it is worth more particularly

Agreed. As cool and intuitive as the interface is, the sound engine just doesn't seem particularly powerful. I'll use it to fiddle around and create a sound (very quickly) then go: "Hmm... that sounds pretty reedy and weak. I'll use Zebra to make that sound instead." I use it more as audio sketchbook rather than a synth in itself.

I've heard several people say it can sound rich, but I've yet to hear a patch that lives up to this description.

So, for me, the one thing I wish they'd upgrade is the sound engine.

IMHO of course. We all spend too long arguing the toss over sounds rather than music. Each to his own, eh?

I actually think the sketchbook function is one of the things which I think I would find useful about using it. i.e. to use it's method of working with synthesis, but to then export the ideas to a different environment.

That definitely seems to be it's most unique feature, the ability to work with simple synthesis, but in semi random/semi controlled fashion. And I think it sounds nice, but for me it doesn't feel fully finished as a complete synthsiser.

Maybe an export patch function would be cool? Would be v. difficult to implement though obviously. Or at least a way to see the internal layout of a patch, if that is desired. And obviously a way to interact more with parameters though obviously without comprimising the concept of interesting human directed random synthesis and inteliigently limited functionality (maybe a way to manipulate how the branch silder affects parameters?)

hmm

[pd]

I like it because I can randomize it with my host and get an interesting combination of different sounds with one patch. On top of that you can use the modwheel to change the sound. It makes some nice strange noises. I can't afford a real analog modular system so I love little bleep and chirp makers like this.

Quite innovative I think. I'm surprised we haven't seen more plugins like this.

[highkoo]

Quite innovative I think. I'm surprised we haven't seen more plugins like this.

i hope we do!

yeah its pretty endlessly fun.
i have one of them mod wheels that goes X+Y at the same time, and i just have them assigned to Synplants main filter + tonality...

just that, is pretty friggin amazing.
other synths can make those noises, but not like that.

[Nielzie]

Quite innovative I think. I'm surprised we haven't seen more plugins like this.

i hope we do!

+1 !

[do_androids_dream]

IMHO of course. We all spend too long arguing the toss over sounds rather than music. Each to his own, eh?

definitely. life was so much easier when all i had was fruityloops version 2... now i spend faaaaaaaaar too long auditioning softsynths, comparing softsynths...

[PaulSC]

I ended up buying SynPlant because I often need little one-off sound FX for the music I write. Sometimes pitched sounds, sometimes noisy ones, sometimes a family of related sounds. I've found it's easy to get these from SynPlant and tedious (although not really difficult) to construct them following a more conventional synth-programming approach. So it turned out to be a perfect match to my specific needs.

[qzen]

Ready to purchase this and wondering if anyone has a Sonic Charge coupon they're willing to pass my way?

[jobromedia]

Tried it... don't like it

How much time did you spend trying it? It takes some time to get into the think of things since this still is a very innovative synth that SC easily could've asked €400 or more for.

I spended 5 minutes testing it, and I didn't like it either. That was when I discovered that you can plant a new seed from the chosen key. Then I discovered that one can ctrl+click on the seed to spawn an entirely random sound.

It is a bit like biology. You take two seeds and combine them into one, the child of that seed can then be combined with another seed to create a refined version.

So take my advice: Don't just use the presets, tweak and the gems of this plugin will slowly be revealed. Put in some persistance. It is well worth it.

[waolelaid]

Hi all there were recently 3 banks of patches for synplant
on KVR to download made without genetic modification
sound very nice
I think this synth as infinite possibilities
can make stranges noises and very nice sounds
excuse me for my poor english I'm french
have a nice day

[risome]

For an analogue set of 80 patches for Synplant visit my website

[Drumtarded]

SC easily could've asked €400 or more for.

wow, I've read some really preposterous BS in my time but this statement really takes the cake.

I like synplant, but it's over priced as it is. The 'dna' section is un-necessarily convoluted, really convoluted, for the sake of sticking with a 'genetic' theme. there's no genetics going on in there, it's just standard synth settings represented in a really confusing way. cute, for about 10 seconds until you start trying to shape your sound. Really annoying moving up and down that double helix for no apparent benefit other than the most glib and superficial reference to 'genetic synthesis'.

I'd be all for it if it was beneficial in some way, any way. but it's not. I'm open to being schooled on this though. and the lack of automation ?
adding automation has to be a priority for a very near-future update. and they should provide an option to represent the 'dna' section in a plain way to make it easier to navigate OR put the double-helix paradigm to better use. the most annoying thing about being forced to cruise the double-helix is the utter pointlessness of it.

the front page makes more sense, it's aleatoric, genetic when it comes to cloning branches etc, that's where the 'genetic' paradigm shines. I can roll with that and enjoy it.


also, I thought sonic charge were swedish ? I was surpsied to find out the prices on the website weren't inclusive of vat. It's extremely rare in europe to find consumer products advertised without vat included. probably something they get around by selling it in U.S. dollars. but that's just speculation, there might be other, more lucrative reasons for a european company to sell in dollars.


I think in it's current state, synplant is worth about 65 euros INCLUDING vat. And I think that's not just fair, but just a little generous.

At close to 100 euros (including vat) it's not much cheaper than waldorf largo (149 from dontcrack.com) ... or korg legacy collection analogue edition ( ~150 euro after currency exchange rates ) or, or , or... you get the picture.


I mean really. 400 euro ? ... jesus christ you must be on medication ?

all that being said, I do actually like synplant quite a bit. But I'm finding it hard to justify the cost. And I've only got a week left in the demo!

[Madrayken]

It sounds like the demo has done its job perfectly, and helped you make a decision. Congratulations on your non-purchase. Use the cash to buy something you like. I wish I had.

[Dj Troy]

SC easily could've asked €400 or more for.

wow, I've read some really preposterous BS in my time but this statement really takes the cake.
I mean really. 400 euro ? ... jesus christ you must be on medication ?

last line made me lol i like it tho nice little vsti would i pay full price for it no i would not could i understand someone doing so of cource to each there own!

[republik]

It's hard to put a price on such an inspirational piece of software. Also: sound quality is great.

[wetdentist]

i like it for things, and it can be fun sometimes to lose yourself in it. but it's mainly a spice for me. i would like to see, among other things, for Sonic Charge to make synplant and microtonic x64. but i value it and its abilities