I have recently bought Cubase 7 and have started making some Uplifting/Emotional Trance with it, however i am starting to find some of the native synthesisers a bit limited in what they can do. (I do think Retrologue is a really fantastic synth for starters however, seems easier to use that ES2)
After some research I have found a few that I think may suit my needs:
1. Native Instruments Massive ($200) - I have tried the demo and it seems to be quite powerful, but for what I would be making (warm pads, plucks, trance leads etc.) I'm not sure if it is good for the job.
2. Lennar Digital Sylenth1 (~%180 AUD/USD) - Although it has less features and modulation options I wonder if it might be better. To me it seemed very easy to use. Does it sound better than Massive for trance?
3. Native Instruments Absynth ($200) - I picked this one because it seemed to have an overwhelming array of options. I doubt I would even use a 1/4 of the features but I figure it would be good value becuase it can make atmospheric effects etc as well. Is Absynth good for simple pads and leads using subractive synthesis as well as complicated effects?
4. U-he Zebra 2 ($200) - I originally thought this would be the best considering it's large array of options and configurability but after using the demo version I just couldn't get my head around the interface (too complicated to use for everyday synth sounds).
What I would like to know would be:
1. Which synth sounds the best/is the warmest/smoothest etc?
2. On which synth can you do the most (ie which is the most powerful)?
3. Which synth(s) to you use?
4. What synth would you recommend?
5. Which synth would last me the longest?
and also 5.Which synth has the most tutorials for trance music (on YouTube etc)?
I am only a student so I could't afford 2 synths, so unfortunately buying 2 or all of them is out of the question
Thanks very much in advance.
Looking to buy a ~$200 soft synth. Which one?
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- KVRian
- 1392 posts since 1 May, 2010
Sylenth is the right choice for now. Easy to program, plenty of good preset and it sounds great for trance.
To answer ur 5 question:
1. Diva.
2. Zebra.
3. Sylenth, massive, zebra, synthmaster.
4. Sylenth.
5. Sylenth.
Since u're a student, buy from lennard with the student discount, does not become nfr.
To answer ur 5 question:
1. Diva.
2. Zebra.
3. Sylenth, massive, zebra, synthmaster.
4. Sylenth.
5. Sylenth.
Since u're a student, buy from lennard with the student discount, does not become nfr.
musisikamar.com
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- KVRian
- 996 posts since 14 Jun, 2012 from Toronto, Canada
Out of those?
1. Absynth.
2. Zebra.
3. None of the above.
4. Sylenth.
5. Zebra.
6. Sylenth
1. Absynth.
2. Zebra.
3. None of the above.
4. Sylenth.
5. Zebra.
6. Sylenth
It's all about the wavelets. I dream of the perfect additive synthesis.
You can hire me if you are in Toronto! Contact for details.
You can hire me if you are in Toronto! Contact for details.
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- KVRAF
- 1770 posts since 1 Mar, 2010 from Paris
+1 for Sylenth1.
Though it's hasn't been updated in a while, it's one of my favourite synths.
I own all the ones you mentioned and S1 has the best ratio versatility/ease-of-use.
1) DIVA
2) Zebra
3) Too many to write here
4) Sylenth1
5) Zebra if you want to dive into sound design, Sylenth1 otherwise
edit: typos
Though it's hasn't been updated in a while, it's one of my favourite synths.
I own all the ones you mentioned and S1 has the best ratio versatility/ease-of-use.
1) DIVA
2) Zebra
3) Too many to write here
4) Sylenth1
5) Zebra if you want to dive into sound design, Sylenth1 otherwise
edit: typos
Last edited by Ghostwave on Sun Mar 17, 2013 1:03 am, edited 2 times in total.
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- KVRAF
- 8413 posts since 4 Jul, 2012 from Alesia
Id would def gravitate towards sylenth1
I did not really do the whole 5 point answer, I just think you should go for sylenth. If you want complexity and realistic warm analog sytle sounds maybe consider DCAM synthsquad and DIVA.
A update for 64bit osx users is coming too.. eventually
I think that the 32bit version still works fine in some DAWs, so your all good. Sylenth is a great workhorse because of the ultra-low CPU usage.
Another very low-CPU usage contender is Zebra.
Personally If you just want to end your search for modern low-cpu consuming EDM production synths get
Zebra, Massive, Sylenth, FM8
You will find billions of preset librarys out there for them
I did not really do the whole 5 point answer, I just think you should go for sylenth. If you want complexity and realistic warm analog sytle sounds maybe consider DCAM synthsquad and DIVA.
A update for 64bit osx users is coming too.. eventually
I think that the 32bit version still works fine in some DAWs, so your all good. Sylenth is a great workhorse because of the ultra-low CPU usage.
Another very low-CPU usage contender is Zebra.
Personally If you just want to end your search for modern low-cpu consuming EDM production synths get
Zebra, Massive, Sylenth, FM8
You will find billions of preset librarys out there for them
Last edited by V0RT3X on Sun Mar 17, 2013 12:15 am, edited 2 times in total.
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- KVRAF
- 1770 posts since 1 Mar, 2010 from Paris
Then you might want to forget about Sylenth1. I heard the lastest version is not very stable on a Mac but try the demo and see for yourself.neon64bit wrote:Ah yes, I forgot to mention I am on a Mac.
And if you have an old synth around (or get creative), you can qualify for the dinosaur crossgrade and get Zebra for $150.
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- KVRAF
- 8413 posts since 4 Jul, 2012 from Alesia
They are pretty lenient with the dinosaur crossgrade, but yah support U-he they are good people.
My next workhorse will have stripes, however I do plan on getting Sylenth once it gets updated because it is a good one if you need fast sounds for production.
Between the two of them you really can't go wrong. Sylenth is much easier to use and program!
Zebra once you figure it out is a breeze to program, but it feels much more like a true modular because you can really build any sound with it. It's feature set and ability to create crazy sounds outdoes sylenth on a very very big scale.
Both work really well together though!
My next workhorse will have stripes, however I do plan on getting Sylenth once it gets updated because it is a good one if you need fast sounds for production.
Between the two of them you really can't go wrong. Sylenth is much easier to use and program!
Zebra once you figure it out is a breeze to program, but it feels much more like a true modular because you can really build any sound with it. It's feature set and ability to create crazy sounds outdoes sylenth on a very very big scale.
Both work really well together though!
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- KVRian
- 927 posts since 13 Jan, 2013 from United States
Zebra is an awesome synth and the learning curve is not bad -- it's especially easy to tweak presets to make the sounds you need. You can also make it as simple or as complex as you need. If you're at all interested in sound design it's a great choice -- very, very powerful.
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- KVRAF
- 2177 posts since 12 Nov, 2009
i would suggest sylenth but do yourself a favor and demo DUNE too.
Finally!
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- KVRAF
- 2177 posts since 12 Nov, 2009
i am no expert in measuring the power of synths, but Dune wins over Sylenth because it is still supported and not done by a one man shop but a successful company.
to me i like the sound of dune a bit more. there are very good trance presets available.
ps: i also find the graphics of dune cleaner, so for me it is easier to make my own sounds with it.
to me i like the sound of dune a bit more. there are very good trance presets available.
ps: i also find the graphics of dune cleaner, so for me it is easier to make my own sounds with it.
Finally!
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- KVRAF
- 8109 posts since 13 Jan, 2003 from Darkest Kent, UK
You could look at Fabfilters Twin 2, almost the definition of warm and Smooth. 
Also fairly easy to use (typical 2 osc VA architecture) but some excellent modulation options which you can delve into later.
Also fairly easy to use (typical 2 osc VA architecture) but some excellent modulation options which you can delve into later.