Best synth $50-100

[ObsoleteAcc99]

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[Tricky-Loops]

Good call also but where can that be bought new for that price????

The MinimogueVA is a much cheaper, but good sounding alternative:

http://home.no/gunnare/index.htm

[ObsoleteAcc99]

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[Shy]

If you only had $50-100, what would you buy?

Aalto, which I'd say is the best and most interesting, sound/feature-wise, subtractive software synth.

My PC is kinda old, so Ace is out of the question too.

Then Aalto would definitely be out of the question, unless you can live with limited polyphony.

I don't know what kind of synth you want, but to me, none of the synths you have or others on the market is as useful, not to mention as amazing as Aalto. The only thing at the same level of stupendousness are hardware modular synth setups, but mine is not a Buchla monster and it can't do what Aalto can.

[masterhiggins]

I bought DCAM for $99. Couldn't be happier.

Synthmaster is also a bargain for $99.

+2

Took the words right out my mouth. They are insanely awesome.

ACE is good too, but fxpansion's transmod system is unrivaled. And when you enable oversampling in dcam, the sound quality is neck and neck with ACE. Plus you get Fusor, which includes a huge suite of great effects. Really a no-brainer if you find it on sale.

-Sam

[ObsoleteAcc99]

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[Shy]

You're right, I should mention that if you mostly use presets, although there are great presets posted by Aalto users on the Madrona Labs forum, I wouldn't get it since it's a synth that begs to be tweaked. For any "synth head" who loves tweaking a synth patch, it's perfect. Also, unfortunately most presets focus on "effect" type sounds, but in fact it's also excellent for more "standard" pitched sounds. Same issue with hardware modular or semi-modular synths, people think they can't make more standard, or "bread and butter" sounds .
About other recommendations, I'll PM you.

[ObsoleteAcc99]

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[FLWrd]

I can also recommend SynthMaster. I got it 2nd hand, just to try it out. It doesn't look like much, but looks deceive, as we know. If you like programming your own patches, it's a dream.

[tibah]

Among others, I have Wusikstation, Saurus, Gladiator, ElectraX, OP-X Pro II, Rayblaster, and ANA.

I was about to recommended Retrologue (my favorite, easy VA), but seems you got that ground already covered. Aalto gets loads of love here too, but I only keep noodling with the BEAT version of it for now.

I will heartily recommended Synplant, Glass Viper or Surge instead. All of these will give you a different approach on synthesis, which I find rather refreshing. Especially if most stuff in your arsenal functions in a more traditional way of applying modulation and all that.

[el-bo (formerly ebow)]

nothing wrong with some of the recommendations here, but it is not like you are just starting out with no access to a good palette of sounds

save for the one's you REALLY want

[Gamma-UT]

Among others, I have Wusikstation, Saurus, Gladiator, ElectraX, OP-X Pro II, Rayblaster, and ANA.

I had a quick listen on your Soundcloud. You might like Aalto, but it excels at sounds that aren't like other synthesizers which might not suit what you're doing. It looks like you've tried Synthmaster (maybe you still have it?). So, for low CPU, one to look at is Loomer Aspect - very low CPU, good sound - but it is duping some of what you've got. So, I'd give Loomer String a whirl instead for retro string-synthness.

[Shy]

So, I'd give Loomer String a whirl instead for retro string-synthness.

I have Loomer's String and I have to say that I much prefer Full Bucket's The deputy Mark II (which is free).

[Examigan]

Dang... as a new owner and explorer of Zebra2, I have to say save up a little while longer and get it for $150 with u-he's fake dinosaur retirement program.

I cannot think of a better sounding and more flexible synth...

There are plenty of of free VSTi's out there to possibly satisfy you while you sit on that cash and look for Zebra2 in the marketplace. Could probably even get it for $130-$140.

I might get a bit more than I thought I would and Zebra2 would be great either 2nd hand or through that dino program.

[Examigan]

ACE
Enable that multicore button and then add Valhalla Vintage reverb and go mad with it.

I could get that one, I guess I'd freeze tracks a lot but it would be a nice one for the price.