Soooooo ...

[BBFG#]

Welcome to KVR, where threads never end.

Something else I can't believe I forgot to mention...
Synthmaster, since it does multiple forms of synthesis, has the ability to add soundfonts and wave tables and you can pick up the basic synth for around $70.00.

But then again, you still haven't really told us anything in real detail of 'this synth' except it has to have the sound, the options and the capabilities. Pretty vague.

But definitely download the Synthmaster demo since you could buy it well within your budget.

[Teksonik]

Well, I'm in my mid forties, but that doesn't matter, the fact that you spend your time flaming on software internet forums says a tremendous amount about your age.

The fact that you started the incendiary posting in the first place says a lot about your maturity which of course has nothing to do with your age. Have fun with Zebra...it's actually a great choice....funny how easy it was for you to get lucky.....

[Andywanders]

...It came down to zebra, which I have been considering splurging on for some years now. But zebra is now in everyone's circle and all everyone seems to use. It's all you hear about since it was used in a few film scores...

Just like a Fender Stratocaster - they're so common.

But in the right hands, each one is unique.

Point is: It isn't the tools you use, it's the way you use them.

[Teksonik]

So was I...

Same here

I'm more than likely older than you......

Same here again... I seem to remember Tek and I are around the same age (just call us 'grey matter'). We also go back a while together... KVR-wise, Orion-wise.... and I guess these days even Reaper-wise

Yep I'm older than dirt......but still young enough to dig......

Yes we go all the way back to your Virtual Sound Studio site......which was supposed to replace KVR......

[Dasheesh]

Welcome to KVR, where threads never end.

Something else I can't believe I forgot to mention...
Synthmaster, since it does multiple forms of synthesis, has the ability to add soundfonts and wave tables and you can pick up the basic synth for around $70.00.

But then again, you still haven't really told us anything in real detail of 'this synth' except it has to have the sound, the options and the capabilities. Pretty vague.

But definitely download the Synthmaster demo since you could buy it well within your budget.

Can I tell you I took advantage of the KVR coupon and sale and bought synthmaster about the time I started this endeavor. I've been knee deep in it all day long. I am floored by it's power. This is no $60 utility synth… this thing is DEEEEEP. A steal if you ask me. Congratulations KV331… You have exceeded my expectations. Even if buying it was a little sketchy … being forced through paypal.

I'm still springing on Zebra… been wanting it for years and I don't buy kit very often, but the price on synthmaster was unbeatable and I was looking for something new. Zebra will be there as soon as this check comes through so I can pay off the credit card… I was sold as soon as I started messing around with the additive and wave table oscillators in a modular environment. I will tell you guys I also found a nice little piece of kit from DSPdisco called vertigo that I played around with the demo… I don't know… it's not really necessary with my recent purchase plans, but I thought it needed honorable mention. If you want an additive at a good price.

[BBFG#]

Just like a Fender Stratocaster - they're so common.
But in the right hands, each one is unique.
Point is: It isn't the tools you use, it's the way you use them.

Actually, they really aren't that unique.
Case in point, I just 'watched' a lower budget movie where one character picked up his Les Paul and started playing, unfortunately, the sound being played was definitely a strat.
With guitars you start with the basic axe and its definitive sound (which boils down to pick up design more than the guitar brand name.) But from there, the 'unique' sound comes more from the amps, processing, mic'ing; and with as many combinations you can come up with in that, it can be unique. But mostly, it's not.
As with guitars, a VI-Synth can start with a particular raw character but most aren't unique because the marketed programming is mostly trying to emulate something else. The same is largely true with guitar rigs. But it is looking at their particular features that help us decide if there is a possibility of being different from the multitude of choices in redundancy. We make our best guesses with as much information as we can gather. And sometimes, it pans out.

[EnGee]

@OP
Now you are talking and the thread is going towards a positive and informative direction
In my case I don't have one synth that is doing it all. Instead, I choose different 3-4 synths (depends on the sound I need). Of course everything depends on how you are using it, but in general I never use just one synth.
I like to use different sounding synths (my common setup consists of Mono/poly, Wavestation or FM8, and something like Razor or Harmor).

I've started to use less synths like SynthMaster, Z3ta2. I really like them a lot, but I prefer now more 'specialised' synths. So for example, I would buy Diva instead of Zebra. After all, it is nice to have many choices

[Dasheesh]

Of course everything depends on how you are using it)

This. I grew up at a time when synths were coming into their own as a musical instrument. These days, in todays music scene…it's "I'm a producer, musician, mastered, sound designer, performing superstar!" well, no your not. You may get paid to be those things… but I know the difference. I know the difference between a sound designer, a musician, a producer, and a mastering agent. I have been playing with music and been around musicians all my life and I know my place. I have tried my hand at most things at one point or another… even drums and guitar, but I'm a keyboard player. A synth player specifically. It's how I express myself. It's how I communicate and make sense of the world. It's what I'm familiar with…. I'm not the best at it, but at least I CAN play (more than most these days). I look for instruments that I can become intimate with, but I gave up racks of analog and went digital when the processing power got to a point that the instruments got good. I only spring on a new piece of kit every few years (unlike my analog years) … so I think long and hard about it…. It's just time to upgrade to some newer algorithms. Time to take advantage of these newer programs…. I'll be hitting zebra next and then I will be good for a few more years.

[Dasheesh]

Oh yeah… the DIVA demo FLOORED ME. It's lovely, and I could fall in love with it, but I'm looking for something more modern.

[EnGee]

Oh yeah… the DIVA demo FLOORED ME. It's lovely, and I could fall in love with it, but I'm looking for something more modern.

You might also be interested in Reaktor in general (I don't have it but I have some instruments like Razor, Prism and Spark). If you have a fast cpu, then Razor is the king (about modern sounds). There is no demo, but this synth is amazing. Every knob makes a BIG change in the sound, and if you are the kind of a visual guy (means visualise the sound like me), then this synth is so addictive!
There are also some synths that gives you those additional sounds/effects that complement perfectly your melody like ScannedSynth Pro. It is only $25 for either windows or mac, but very unique really. I'm glad that I won it in the bids!

[Dasheesh]

You just hit me with one I've never seen before, thank you, I'll check it out. Scanned synth pro




EDIT… first impressions, it sounds the part. You can get some lovely sound out of it, but it seems to be limited in depth and scope for me. Some of those sounds are beautiful though. I'm pretty sure scanner was a download when it was first released… I remember downloading it and having it for a minute. It got lost when I switched to a new mac. Razor and prism were also downloads when first released… then NI stopped doing that.

[dsan@mail.com]

Sooooooo,

This thread has caused me thinking, which costs me money, I want a new synth. (Can't wait for the bankers to figure out a way to charge you for thinking!)

Sooooooooo,

Zebra or Diva? Without going into the technicals, cause I'm really just presets sort, is one generally more suited to specific music styles than the other? I do more along the lines of Tangerine Dream, Mannheim Steamroller, Moody Blues, ELO, etc., electronic orchestral. I am a bit concerned about Diva's CPU hit. Have an i5 something or other without going to look.

Soooooooo, not sure I even need a new synth, probably don't with my arsenal, but thinking tis the time to be supportive.

Thanks for your thoughts in advance.

Happy Musiking!
dsan

[Dasheesh]

Sooooooo,

This thread has caused me thinking, which costs me money, I want a new synth. (Can't wait for the bankers to figure out a way to charge you for thinking!)

Sooooooooo,

Zebra or Diva? Without going into the technicals, cause I'm really just presets sort, is one generally more suited to specific music styles than the other? I do more along the lines of Tangerine Dream, Mannheim Steamroller, Moody Blues, ELO, etc., electronic orchestral. I am a bit concerned about Diva's CPU hit. Have an i5 something or other without going to look.

Soooooooo, not sure I even need a new synth, probably don't with my arsenal, but thinking tis the time to be supportive.

Thanks for your thoughts in advance.

Happy Musiking!
dsan

You want diva… the most lovely sounding software ever released… especially for your style.

[BBFG#]

Sooooooo,

This thread has caused me thinking, which costs me money, I want a new synth. (Can't wait for the bankers to figure out a way to charge you for thinking!)

Sooooooooo,

Zebra or Diva? Without going into the technicals, cause I'm really just presets sort, is one generally more suited to specific music styles than the other? I do more along the lines of Tangerine Dream, Mannheim Steamroller, Moody Blues, ELO, etc., electronic orchestral. I am a bit concerned about Diva's CPU hit. Have an i5 something or other without going to look.

Soooooooo, not sure I even need a new synth, probably don't with my arsenal, but thinking tis the time to be supportive.

Thanks for your thoughts in advance.

Happy Musiking!
dsan

Actually, Dark Zebra HZ.

[Dasheesh]

He is doing classic rock you are telling him to get zebra over Diva?