DUNE2 vs Sylenth1

[core]

Dune 2 is over 40% off in Synapse's Easter Sale until March 31st
http://www.synapse-audio.com/shop.html

[Firebird]

Dune 2 is over 40% off in Synapse's Easter Sale until March 31st
http://www.synapse-audio.com/shop.html

Great deal!

[Ridan]

A solid investment for sure. Even at full price.

[Chemik]

Dune 2 is over 40% off in Synapse's Easter Sale until March 31st
http://www.synapse-audio.com/shop.html

The continual value of KVR. Following this thread, see this and run off and buy Dune 2. I was initially not found of it for the odd quirk I've always had which is I don't like synths that "do all of the work for you" so to speak. But, I can say after spending 2 hours with this and having programmed a bunch of patches already, I was wrong. You just have to use these synths correctly.

[nIGhT-SoN]

Dune 2 is a lot more powerful than Sylenth1 and not to say, at least to me, it sounds more analog, it has some warmth that Sylenth1 doesn't. But hey, Sylenth1 it's really old, dunno why the price is still the same since there are far more and better choices out there.

[Muziksculp]

Hi,

Dune2 is one of my favorite VST Synths, and is currently one of my go to Synths. (Love it)

I highly recommend it.

Dune2 sounds awesome, and is able to create a very diverse range of sounds, a pure joy to program, and work with. One of the best investments I made as far as soft-synths go, I wouldn't want to be without it.

Cheers,
Muziksculp

[fluffy_little_something]

Dune 2 is a lot more powerful than Sylenth1 and not to say, at least to me, it sounds more analog, it has some warmth that Sylenth1 doesn't. But hey, Sylenth1 it's really old, dunno why the price is still the same since there are far more and better choices out there.

I don't know what analog sound really means (a few audio examples of such Dune sounds would help), but last time I tried Dune 2, I still preferred Sylenth's sound, which can sound warm as well - if you want it to (the equalizer is key here). Maybe they have improved Dune's sound by now, I was not thrilled the last time around. Dune demo versions have long ceased to work on my computer due to the developer's expiration date policy, which might actually cost him some sales with undecided people who don't rush buys, like me.

[chk071]

I read it a couple of times here now, of course every VA will sound more or less "analog", but it isn't a term i wouldn't especially associate with either Dune 2 or 1. At least, i think some soft synths sound more in that direction. Diva, Monark, Tyrell N6, TAL-Noisemaker, all synths which rather do the analog emulation thing, while synth like Sylenth1 or Dune 2, i would rather classify as digital VA's. And Dune's filters somehow are a bit off compared to other synths' IMO. I know it's not very chic around here to criticize anything about it, but it's just my opinion. I couldn't even really tell exactly what it is. Something with the slope or anything, which doesn't behave like a classic synthesizers filter. Was more so in Dune 1 though, but also present in Dune 2. Just compare the filter sweep, and envelope modulation to other synths, and you might notice it. Dune 1's filters never really opened fully either (actually compared to other synth's filters which don't fully open, it stays closed quite a bit), and therefor there always was an influence of filter resonance, even with the filter fully opened.

[fluffy_little_something]

For that very reason I think Sylenth does indeed not sound very analog without the equalizer because it sounds very bright, which hardware didn't. What is similar to hardware in that respect is Tone2's Saurus in my view.
I have made my own init patch on Sylenth, the settings differ quite a bit from the factory init patch. The EQ is on by default in my patch in order to reduce the brightness and increase the body. I like it that way

Of course it will not sound as analog as the latest emulations with all their CPU-devouring technology, but I agree that Dune 2 is not one of those.

[pdxindy]

while synth like Sylenth1 or Dune 2, i would rather classify as digital VA's.

I wouldn't call Sylenth a VA at all. It is just digital.

First, it's main calling card is the supersaw sound which is a digital creation from the start.

Second, it does not have classic analogue features like PWM, Osc Sync, Ringmod or any cross modulation. Pretty much every analogue synth ever has had at least a couple of those.

Other than being a subtractive design, Sylenth is straight up digital, not any attempt at virtual analogue.

[chk071]

Other than being a subtractive design

Which would be the main reason for me to call it a VA. It has the typical analog waveforms, typical filters, and nothing excatly "digital" in its sound producing process (of course besides that it's software emulating it). The things you mentioned, apart from PWM and maybe Osc sync, aren't present on many other "VA's" either.

[fluffy_little_something]

Maybe the term should be VS for virtual subtractive rather than VA to begin with

I don't think the definition of analog sound has changed since Sylenth was first launched. And back then people praised it for its analog sound. Sure, they didn't know Monark or Xils, yet, but still, it is absurd to assume that what was considered analog sound 8 years ago is now digital.

[nIGhT-SoN]

I don't know what analog sound really means (a few audio examples of such Dune sounds would help), but last time I tried Dune 2, I still preferred Sylenth's sound, which can sound warm as well - if you want it to (the equalizer is key here). Maybe they have improved Dune's sound by now, I was not thrilled the last time around. Dune demo versions have long ceased to work on my computer due to the developer's expiration date policy, which might actually cost him some sales with undecided people who don't rush buys, like me.

What I meant by analog is even when you push the filers/resonance hard, it doesn't sound digital, surgically clean to the point that it becomes unnatural. From what I've played with it, it really sounds fat and pleasing to the ears even without eq applied. I've encountered the same feeling with Z3TA 2. Sylenth1 is really good, but most of the time needs some eq. Probably the filters are what makes me like Dune/Z3TA 2 more than Sylenth1. Stabs sound amazing on these two, also pads.

If I were to sort them by my preference, just so you can understand what I'm looking for in a soft synth, it would be like this:
1. Z3TA 2
2. Dune 2
3. Sylenth1

I like Z3TA 2 more than Dune 2 because I feel is more powerful, way more options to change the wave form and modulations and suits my music better since I produce more electronic music. Also these 2 are cheaper than Sylenth1.

[chk071]

IMO, the sound of the raw oscillators in Dune is too thin to really call it sounding very "analog". Oscillators on analog synths are usually very full and rich sounding. Actually i would also say that it IS very surgical and clean sounding, while Sylenth1 is rather raw, saturated. Also there's something unpleasant with the unison when detuned, which sounds better in Sylenth1 too (which is obviously why it is THE choice of trance producers since pretty much it's release). Again, just my 2c, and nothing to get angry about, feel free to disagree.

[pdxindy]

Other than being a subtractive design

Which would be the main reason for me to call it a VA. It has the typical analog waveforms, typical filters, and nothing excatly "digital" in its sound producing process (of course besides that it's software emulating it). The things you mentioned, apart from PWM and maybe Osc sync, aren't present on many other "VA's" either.

the supersaw is exactly digital... and that was the main draw of Sylenth when it came out (emulating the Virus)