UVI Falcon vs Synthmaster?

[Rik]

So out of curiosity, how does Falcon compare to other synths out there? What would be the other equivalents?

I was wondering about Synthmaster… Synthmaster has also all kinds of synthesis too and has a wide range of presets. How do they compare? Is that a fair comparison?

What would you guys use Falcon for that you can't do with other synths?

Erik.

[plexuss]

When you say "compare", in what context do you mean? Just in general, or more specific? For example, how do they compare in terms of sound? workflow? architecture? etc. I was going to answer your question but it's such a general question that it would require me to cover all aspects of both synths. I don't have the time to write out a complete and detailed comparison. So if you can narrow things down a bit that would help.

[Rik]

When you say "compare", in what context do you mean? Just in general, or more specific? For example, how do they compare in terms of sound? workflow? architecture? etc. I was going to answer your question but it's such a general question that it would require me to cover all aspects of both synths. I don't have the time to write out a complete and detailed comparison. So if you can narrow things down a bit that would help.

It certainly wasn't that clear. I was really wondering in terms of sound. I can imagine that the workflow is quite different, but I think my question should be - for what kind of sound would one use Falcon instead of another synth?

[Kinh]

How they're similar is everything is small and fidgety , the workflow isn't great and I personally find them quite frustrating and use Omnisphere for sound design.

What you can do in Falcon that SM cant is work with samples but it's prone to crashing depending on how much cpu you use.
As far as sampling goes: The granular in Falcon is really the only standout feature, everything else like time stretching and slicing you can do in most daws.

As far as sound, I think Falcon sounds better but that's because it has a better range of effects (I believe). they both have the basic 6 wave forms. Omnisphere in contrast has those but also a massive range of others, digital, classic analogue for every possible application, in fact probably the most in any synth.
They both have wavetable synthesis. SM has a bigger selection of (individual) waves for that but Falcon has a bunch of multi wave presets. The GUI however is very small compared to say Serum or Ableton Wavetable. Having said all that, I haven't updated SM for a while

[SoundPorn]

I don't think they compare. Synthmaster is used to make music. Falcon can be used to make anything you can imagine. The only thing that really compares to Falcon is Reaktor.
Synthmaster has 2 oscillators. Falcon has 15 and they're different. It's not close to Abletons Wavetable synth either it's more like Abletons Wavetable, combined with Operator, combined with Granular, combined with Sampler for starters.

[ATS]

I like Synthmaster but comparing it to Falcon is like comparing a Toyota to a Ferrari.

[fmr]

I like Synthmaster but comparing it to Falcon is like comparing a Toyota to a Ferrari.

It's more an "all terrain car" than a Ferrari



(maybe not so appealing aestethically, but more accurate image, IMO). A Ferrari is fast, but somehow fragile and not very adaptable. An "all terrain" is not so fast, but you can drive it wherever you want, and it's solid and robust.

And let's not forget another "all terrain" synth/sampler: HALion. But Synthmaster 3, if Bulent delivers what he is planning, will rival these, indeed.

[EvilDragon]

How they're similar is everything is small and fidgety

Falcon has UI scaling, so no, things aren't small and fidgety if you use that.

What you can do in Falcon that SM cant is work with samples but it's prone to crashing depending on how much cpu you use.

Falcon never crashed over here even when maxing out the CPU.

everything else like time stretching and slicing you can do in most daws.

Not with IRCAM algorithms you can't - unless you have those pretty expensive IRCAM plugins in your DAW.

Falcon can be used to make anything you can imagine. The only thing that really compares to Falcon is Reaktor.

Not really. In Reaktor you can do your own DSP, in Falcon you can't. Omnisphere is the closest thing to Falcon - with a big difference that in Falcon you can use your own multisamples instead of a single sample per layer like in Omni.

[Cinebient]

For synthesis only Synthmaster is much better for me.
If you want a hybrid and you have a really powerful machine than Falcon is good.
Falcon can´t really fly on my machine and so i just use it for hosting sample libraries like Bohemian Violin and Cello. Otherwise it´s damn slow and not as fluid as Kontakt if it comes to large sample libraries.
CPU usage is way to high and no multi-core support makes it not really usable for me.
The synthesis options are nice but not really good for me.
Some great FX and modulations but that´s also all possible with most of stock plugins in your DAW of choice.
From all hybrid synths i own is Falcon the last i would use.
At the end Synthmaster and Falcon are very different tools and workflows.
No demo for Falcon means i would investigate more before you buy.

[fmr]

Falcon can be used to make anything you can imagine. The only thing that really compares to Falcon is Reaktor.

Not really. In Reaktor you can do your own DSP, in Falcon you can't. Omnisphere is the closest thing to Falcon - with a big difference that in Falcon you can use your own multisamples instead of a single sample per layer like in Omni.

I wouldn't compare it to Reaktor either. More to HALion.

This said, I don't think Omnisphere can compete. The granular synthesis in Omnisphere has no comparison, AFAIK, it doesn't do wavetable synthesis (again, AFAIK), doesn't have as many filters as Falcon (Matrix-12 like filter, for example), and doesn't do physical modeling synthesis or FM synthesis either.

Not to say that Falcon is a powerful sampler/sample player, which Omnisphere isn't (not even close).

And (last but not the least) it is WAY MORE expensive.

[Cinebient]

Omnisphere is so different from Falcon as well. Then i would compare it more to Alchemy.
But then Alchemy wins, even when Falcon is more versatile in theory.
But then Omnisphere beats them both for things like parameter lock, easy microtuning and in general for setting it up fast a live performance.
Alchemy still win hands down for more moving sounds in general.
Ah....at the end just buy them all

[Kinh]

How they're similar is everything is small and fidgety

Falcon has UI scaling, so no, things aren't small and fidgety if you use that.

What you can do in Falcon that SM cant is work with samples but it's prone to crashing depending on how much cpu you use.

Falcon never crashed over here even when maxing out the CPU.

everything else like time stretching and slicing you can do in most daws.

Not with IRCAM algorithms you can't - unless you have those pretty expensive IRCAM plugins in your DAW.

Falcon can be used to make anything you can imagine. The only thing that really compares to Falcon is Reaktor.

Not really. In Reaktor you can do your own DSP, in Falcon you can't. Omnisphere is the closest thing to Falcon - with a big difference that in Falcon you can use your own multisamples instead of a single sample per layer like in Omni.

How do I resize the modules in falcon? the scaling is for the frame. all the modules stay the same size. Unless there's something I dont know.
The IRCAM algorithms are actually pretty close to Abletons as far as retaining quality goes. Ive tested them together (with re-tuning vocal) . In fact Ableton's complex pro is slightly better to my ears...less harshness.
Speaking of which, it's actually the IRCAM that cause mine to crash (i7 6core, 32G) so I never use it. Glad you got a better system than mine. I was thinking of upgrading to i9 but I shouldn't have to, every other plugin works perfectly

[Oberheim 8000]

How do I resize the modules in falcon? the scaling is for the frame. all the modules stay the same size. Unless there's something I dont know.

You can't, only whole UI: Options > Preference > UI SCaling and you can choose from 75% to 150%.
Whole UI will be resized, that means all text, knobs, faders, etc.. will be bigger or smaller, depends on scaling.

[EvilDragon]

AFAIK, it doesn't do wavetable synthesis (again, AFAIK)

Omni does do wavetables.

[fmr]

AFAIK, it doesn't do wavetable synthesis (again, AFAIK)

Omni does do wavetables.

Didn't know. I stand corrected, then

Can we load our own wavetables? Which format does it use?