Syntronik [update March 2018: New T-03 Bonus Content & 4-for-1 bass synth promo] available

[Peter - IK Multimedia]

So if this product isn't quite for me and isn't quite for a purist, who is it for?

This is a collection of classic and iconic synthesizer sounds with a carefully-crafted easy-to-use interface. It is not intended for someone who wants to create infinite synthesizer sounds from scratch. We have all the parameters in the world that we could expose if we wanted to, but it would make the interface a lot more difficult to use and generally undesirable for most people. We have chosen the provide the most popular controls so users can edit our sounds quickly and easily. But (again) this is not the product for someone that wants a total control synthesizer with a mod matrix, etc.

Also, the DNA videos show the synths that Syntronik recreates in a very realistic manner (including that very evolving Andromeda A6 video's demonstration which was posted as a challenge but remains unaddressed even after I posted twice that it is definitely possible with Syntronik and who is behind the product) be it via VERY extensive sampled content, analog-modeled filters, available tweaking/editing, effects, etc - or all of the above.

[wagtunes]

OK I don't post very often here but I have to say this whole thing seems a bit strange to me. I haven't read the entire thread but enough to know I'm not alone. At first I was quite intrigued, especially by the intro crossgrade price and the opportunity to reduce this even further with JamPoints. I've had my ups and downs with IK over the years but I know they are able to pull off a good product from time to time so the first look was enough to get my attention but I'm not quite there yet.

I have no problem with the idea of a hybrid design with sampling at its core, I'm sure the sound will be convincingly fat... but I'm a bit mystified at the inclusion of 17 different GUIs that all have identical functionality. Huh? I know people like pretty interfaces, and I do too, but that's really a new one.

And the 'DNA' videos talking about all the specific and innovative design and functionality of the original instruments... when in fact for the most part that functionality is not present here - all instruments have an identical and somewhat generic feature set, just with different underlying samples. Why draw our attention to that - were we not supposed to notice?

I'm confident that the samples will be well crafted, and the Drift thing and the filter modelling will add some extra oomph and realism, but it seems like the actual synth engine is kind of basic and limited... and, again, the same through each 'separate' instrument in the set.

So here's my issue... I have the Arturia set, and a metric ton of other synths and sample sets. I know there are Arturia haters and enthusiasts around these parts, and I've no interest in derailing the thread by getting into that, but what's the USP here that would make this essential for me? I am actually more concerned about tying up 50 gigabytes of drive space than I am about the purchase price. And when the Arturia models, whether one loves them or not, seem so much more complete and flexible, by virtue of being fully modelled as opposed to hybrid?

Yes, I know there are some instruments covered here that I may not have in the shed, but being a completist about such things has always seemed a bit silly, though I have fallen into that trap before. I'll readily confess that I'm also not really a synth purist - I don't have the original analog beasties on hand to compare to, though I used to (a very long time ago) have a CS80 and a Concertmate and have played many other wondrous dinosaurs 'in the flesh' over the years. I am more interested in the flexibility of a synth and its ability to produce unique, beautiful and interesting sounds, with subtle variability and tweakability, which will inspire and inhabit the music I make. I don't care if it sounds *exactly* like an analog machine from 40 years ago, if it sounds *good*.

But then again, if you're a purist, aren't you going to want the exact design and flexibility of the original, not just a GUI that looks a bit similar, a generic signal flow and a limited palette of samples and filters (and, yes, a killer FX section)?

So if this product isn't quite for me and isn't quite for a purist, who is it for?

I'm pretty much in the same boat. The "synths" sound fine. But as somebody who wants to "fully" program my synths, this product isn't for me. Business wise, it makes even less sense as there will probably be zero market for 3rd party sound libraries.

If these were true synths as in fully programmable,

1) They would cost a ton more

2) They would have taken infinitely longer to develop

3) I'd have my money out and waiting to buy regardless of the cost

Who is the market for these synths? I'll tell you who and I think it's a fairly large one.

People who don't want the hassle of programming synths but want the cool sounds that these synths offer. At this price, it's a no brainer for that crowd.

We're, of course, never going to be able to access sales figures but I'll bet dollars to donuts that this thing sells really well. And I hope so. Peter's a great guy and 1K makes top notch stuff. MODO Bass is the only electric bass I use now for rock, pop, whatever. Amplitube 4 is excellent. I used it exclusively in my last CD "Amp It Up."

Don't worry. This product will sell. It's just not for guys like us.

[ghettosynth]

So if this product isn't quite for me and isn't quite for a purist, who is it for?

The same people who buy UVI rompler based sample sets. The samples of an A6 will largely give you the color of an A6 as long as those samples are basically what you want to use in your music. The extra filters and drift may add something, but, like with any rompler, that's highly dependent on the samples.

[subtlearts]

Fair enough... I think I am indeed not the target market, and I accept that there is one, and that IK know what they are doing. And who knows, maybe the completist in me will force me to pick it up at some point...

[JJ_Jettflow]

OK I don't post very often here but I have to say this whole thing seems a bit strange to me. I haven't read the entire thread but enough to know I'm not alone. At first I was quite intrigued, especially by the intro crossgrade price and the opportunity to reduce this even further with JamPoints. I've had my ups and downs with IK over the years but I know they are able to pull off a good product from time to time so the first look was enough to get my attention but I'm not quite there yet.

I have no problem with the idea of a hybrid design with sampling at its core, I'm sure the sound will be convincingly fat... but I'm a bit mystified at the inclusion of 17 different GUIs that all have identical functionality. Huh? I know people like pretty interfaces, and I do too, but that's really a new one.

And the 'DNA' videos talking about all the specific and innovative design and functionality of the original instruments... when in fact for the most part that functionality is not present here - all instruments have an identical and somewhat generic feature set, just with different underlying samples. Why draw our attention to that - were we not supposed to notice?

I'm confident that the samples will be well crafted, and the Drift thing and the filter modelling will add some extra oomph and realism, but it seems like the actual synth engine is kind of basic and limited... and, again, the same through each 'separate' instrument in the set.

So here's my issue... I have the Arturia set, and a metric ton of other synths and sample sets. I know there are Arturia haters and enthusiasts around these parts, and I've no interest in derailing the thread by getting into that, but what's the USP here that would make this essential for me? I am actually more concerned about tying up 50 gigabytes of drive space than I am about the purchase price. And when the Arturia models, whether one loves them or not, seem so much more complete and flexible, by virtue of being fully modelled as opposed to hybrid?

Yes, I know there are some instruments covered here that I may not have in the shed, but being a completist about such things has always seemed a bit silly, though I have fallen into that trap before. I'll readily confess that I'm also not really a synth purist - I don't have the original analog beasties on hand to compare to, though I used to (a very long time ago) have a CS80 and a Concertmate and have played many other wondrous dinosaurs 'in the flesh' over the years. I am more interested in the flexibility of a synth and its ability to produce unique, beautiful and interesting sounds, with subtle variability and tweakability, which will inspire and inhabit the music I make. I don't care if it sounds *exactly* like an analog machine from 40 years ago, if it sounds *good*.

But then again, if you're a purist, aren't you going to want the exact design and flexibility of the original, not just a GUI that looks a bit similar, a generic signal flow and a limited palette of samples and filters (and, yes, a killer FX section)?

So if this product isn't quite for me and isn't quite for a purist, who is it for?

Me...and no one else.

[wagtunes]

JJ, as a customer of this synth, what is it that appeals to you? Just curious.

[JJ_Jettflow]

JJ, as a customer of this synth, what is it that appeals to you? Just curious.

Short answer, tonal character. Right now the only synths I am using are from the Roland Cloud. They are the only softsynths that do not make me cringe. So anything I buy goes up against them and if it doesn't cut it to my standard, then I do not buy it. I put the Roland Jupiter 8 alongside the J8...yes I recorded it and posted on SoundCloud so they would have a close source. I had trouble hearing any difference in tonal quality...for my needs in my humble opinion that is completely subjective and not objective and not trying to dis anyone else's definition of tonal quality and come across as hype trying to belittle someone's choices over mine.

As well, Syntronik will be used as support for the Roland gear which will help save CPU cycles.

Long answer. Don't ask

[wagtunes]

JJ, as a customer of this synth, what is it that appeals to you? Just curious.

Short answer, tonal character. Right now the only synths I am using are from the Roland Cloud. They are the only softsynths that do not make me cringe. So anything I buy goes up against them and if it doesn't cut it to my standard, then I do not buy it. I put the Roland Jupiter 8 alongside the J8...yes I recorded it and posted on SoundCloud so they would have a close source. I had trouble hearing any difference in tonal quality...for my needs in my humble opinion that is completely subjective and not objective and not trying to dis anyone else's definition of tonal quality and come across as hype trying to belittle someone's choices over mine.

As well, Syntronik will be used as support for the Roland gear which will help save CPU cycles.

Long answer. Don't ask

Sound it comes down to sound. Yeah, I like the sound too. But as a programmer, it's just not enough for me.

But I must admit, the A6 is very tempting.

[JJ_Jettflow]

JJ, as a customer of this synth, what is it that appeals to you? Just curious.

Short answer, tonal character. Right now the only synths I am using are from the Roland Cloud. They are the only softsynths that do not make me cringe. So anything I buy goes up against them and if it doesn't cut it to my standard, then I do not buy it. I put the Roland Jupiter 8 alongside the J8...yes I recorded it and posted on SoundCloud so they would have a close source. I had trouble hearing any difference in tonal quality...for my needs in my humble opinion that is completely subjective and not objective and not trying to dis anyone else's definition of tonal quality and come across as hype trying to belittle someone's choices over mine.

As well, Syntronik will be used as support for the Roland gear which will help save CPU cycles.

Long answer. Don't ask

Sound it comes down to sound. Yeah, I like the sound too. But as a programmer, it's just not enough for me.

But I must admit, the A6 is very tempting.

Well, thanks to you, I decided to revive my old project and hold off moving forward...it is coming on really good this time and I even wrote a new song to go with those two you heard. So the limitations Syntronik has will fit right into my rig. 70's prog synth sounds were not exactly deep...they tended to use simple sounds and play very well and long, evolving sounds would not fit that style.

[wagtunes]

JJ, as a customer of this synth, what is it that appeals to you? Just curious.

Short answer, tonal character. Right now the only synths I am using are from the Roland Cloud. They are the only softsynths that do not make me cringe. So anything I buy goes up against them and if it doesn't cut it to my standard, then I do not buy it. I put the Roland Jupiter 8 alongside the J8...yes I recorded it and posted on SoundCloud so they would have a close source. I had trouble hearing any difference in tonal quality...for my needs in my humble opinion that is completely subjective and not objective and not trying to dis anyone else's definition of tonal quality and come across as hype trying to belittle someone's choices over mine.

As well, Syntronik will be used as support for the Roland gear which will help save CPU cycles.

Long answer. Don't ask

Sound it comes down to sound. Yeah, I like the sound too. But as a programmer, it's just not enough for me.

But I must admit, the A6 is very tempting.

Well, thanks to you, I decided to revive my old project and hold off moving forward...it is coming on really good this time and I even wrote a new song to go with those two you heard. So the limitations Syntronik has will fit right into my rig. 70's prog synth sounds were not exactly deep...they tended to use simple sounds and play very well and long, evolving sounds would not fit that style.

Yes, that's something else to consider. It's just I've got all those vintage sounds covered with way too many synths already. LOL.

And quite honestly, being a bit broke now factored into my decision as well. I have to limit my purchases these days to things I really, really need.

[ftech]

Right now the only synths I am using are from the Roland Cloud. They are the only softsynths that do not make me cringe. So anything I buy goes up against them and if it doesn't cut it to my standard, then I do not buy it.

High standard indeed!
The Roland synths are outstanding for sound quality from a plug-in synth. I haven't even bothered with the sampled content from the Cloud yet as the synths are more than enough for me

[Kumini]

Who is this virtual instrument for? Well, me. There are people who enjoys composing music. And I'm glad I don't have to synthesize every sound in order to do so. If I want a piano sound I grab a piano library. And if I want the sound of vintage synthesizers, Syntronik. And I happen to want that vintage sound so this is perfect for me

[robotmonkey]

This thread is absolutely hilarious. Why so much fuss? Seems to be a glorified sample library similar to UVI synths with a touch of SonicSynth. Totally uninspiring.

I guess if I would want that kind of thing, I'd rather look at Arturia V collection.

[Peter - IK Multimedia]

This thread is absolutely hilarious. Why so much fuss? Seems to be a glorified sample library similar to UVI synths with a touch of SonicSynth. Totally uninspiring.

I guess if I would want that kind of thing, I'd rather look at Arturia V collection.

JJ, as a customer of this synth, what is it that appeals to you? Just curious.

Short answer, tonal character. Right now the only synths I am using are from the Roland Cloud. They are the only softsynths that do not make me cringe. So anything I buy goes up against them and if it doesn't cut it to my standard, then I do not buy it. I put the Roland Jupiter 8 alongside the J8...yes I recorded it and posted on SoundCloud so they would have a close source. I had trouble hearing any difference in tonal quality...for my needs in my humble opinion that is completely subjective and not objective and not trying to dis anyone else's definition of tonal quality and come across as hype trying to belittle someone's choices over mine.

As well, Syntronik will be used as support for the Roland gear which will help save CPU cycles.

Long answer. Don't ask

Who is this virtual instrument for? Well, me. There are people who enjoys composing music. And I'm glad I don't have to synthesize every sound in order to do so. If I want a piano sound I grab a piano library. And if I want the sound of vintage synthesizers, Syntronik. And I happen to want that vintage sound so this is perfect for me

Different strokes for different folks, what may be "uninspiring" for you is absolutely inspiring for others. And quite a few others, too, judging by the great (and sincerely appreciated) interest in Syntronik from the (very specifically-described by my and others numerous times in this thread) audience for which it is intended.

[wagtunes]

This thread is absolutely hilarious. Why so much fuss? Seems to be a glorified sample library similar to UVI synths with a touch of SonicSynth. Totally uninspiring.

I guess if I would want that kind of thing, I'd rather look at Arturia V collection.

JJ, as a customer of this synth, what is it that appeals to you? Just curious.

Short answer, tonal character. Right now the only synths I am using are from the Roland Cloud. They are the only softsynths that do not make me cringe. So anything I buy goes up against them and if it doesn't cut it to my standard, then I do not buy it. I put the Roland Jupiter 8 alongside the J8...yes I recorded it and posted on SoundCloud so they would have a close source. I had trouble hearing any difference in tonal quality...for my needs in my humble opinion that is completely subjective and not objective and not trying to dis anyone else's definition of tonal quality and come across as hype trying to belittle someone's choices over mine.

As well, Syntronik will be used as support for the Roland gear which will help save CPU cycles.

Long answer. Don't ask

Who is this virtual instrument for? Well, me. There are people who enjoys composing music. And I'm glad I don't have to synthesize every sound in order to do so. If I want a piano sound I grab a piano library. And if I want the sound of vintage synthesizers, Syntronik. And I happen to want that vintage sound so this is perfect for me

Different strokes for different folks, what may be "uninspiring" for you is absolutely inspiring for others. And quite a few others, too, judging by the great (and sincerely appreciated) interest in Syntronik from the (very specifically-described by my and others numerous times in this thread) audience for which it is intended.

Which is why I ultimately said that I think this thing is going to sell very well. If I were simply a composer with no interest in programming synths, I'd probably buy this myself. But my business has taken me into a whole new direction where buying things simply to make music falls at the bottom of my priority list these days.

In a way it's sad. But it is what it is.