What are the best VST instruments that sound "really" analog?

[zerocrossing]

And finally, after 12 pages my 2¢ to this topic....

Doepfer and Moog (Model 72) modules inside Softube Modular are my personal favourites when it comes to analog sound with software. I think especially the Doepfer modules are a bit underrated.

Initially I dismissed Softube Modular because it seemed too expensive, not enough interesting modules, and very taxing on my i7. Since then, I moved to a much faster computer and I’ve been building up my Softube Modular collection, and I agree that it is scarily close to sounding like an actual analog.

What is the copy protection on Softube Modular?

iLok

[TribeOfHǫfuð]

I cannot possible think in terms like ‘most real analog sounding’. I just like analogish basses of a certain type, which I have made with various sw and hw depending on where I sat when I got the idea for a tune. We use no synth leads, only pads and effects for which the digital concepted synths have a much wider scope, so analog is all about bass. So far these synths have been part of our analogish basses:

1. Polivoks (HW)
2. Altair 231 (HW)
3. NNXT sampler with Deepmind 6 and Bassstation 2 samples.
4. Uhe Repro-1
5. Reason Studios Europa.
6. Vital (upcoming)

There is no system favoring anything here. I just grap a synth and sound design. If it works, we are even too lazy to experiment with various synth to make it “better’. Usually the departure is fine. Should be, it is basically the same synth sound I have designed for 30 years in countless variations. Saw with a square sub, lowpass -24 env’ed, with or without additional bells and whistles.

[mholloway]

Softube Model 72.

The thing is absolutely ridiculous. I think simply due to the number of other minimoog emulations out there, people kinda missed it. But......it's in its own league, imho.

[pdxindy]

And finally, after 12 pages my 2¢ to this topic....

Doepfer and Moog (Model 72) modules inside Softube Modular are my personal favourites when it comes to analog sound with software. I think especially the Doepfer modules are a bit underrated.

Initially I dismissed Softube Modular because it seemed too expensive, not enough interesting modules, and very taxing on my i7. Since then, I moved to a much faster computer and I’ve been building up my Softube Modular collection, and I agree that it is scarily close to sounding like an actual analog.

What is the copy protection on Softube Modular?

iLok

Thanks...

[kobal]

Does VCV actually sound analog or does it just look analog?

Sonically i would still buy hardaware for the sound with vcv and softube modular , these can sound " analogish " in many case , but in many case analog still sound better specially with audio rate modulation it s where it s often not subbtle ( or if some vco sound like that in hardware it s really not highend analog sound but it s not possible ..). I just begin with vcv and can only use it at lower sample rate so maybe it will surprise me but so far i think reaktor 6 is closer but i need to use it more on complex sound ..for the patchs i made its better than vcv and softube to the point it feel like Hardware sonically to me . If i m right the first zdf appareared around 2007 with reaktor so maybe Ni developped some tricks to get closer with all the years of expérience , dunno ..their monark vs tha mini they emulated was very impressing also even if that sound i don t like much and ni sound in général ..but reaktor i always enjoyed ..back in the day it was one of the closest to hardware VA and today maybe also for some analog sound behavior.
it might completly different for you it s really a lot about personal taste and what touch you in analog sound,to me if it s vintage what can be considered imperfection in a technical way play a big role , if s it more modern highend it s a lot about big bandwiwtch and handling modulation wihtout making the timbre worst, for that second type , mpowersynth or msoundfactory are really not emulation of analog.. but i made very convinving analog sound with audiorate modulation abuse , not many soft can handle this the sound get worst quicker by getting thin and sometimes harsh ( or the modulations feel smoothed and not natural) so it s not possible to be happy with these for making these sounds.
a very good digital synth will be closer to some analog behavior than some emulation cause it will handle settings others don t even if there is zero emulation of hardware circuits. for me modern highend analog sound is same as digital but with zero digital artifacts and maybe some "warmth" specailly in the low/ mids and big extended bandwich in the high like digital

[Rastkovic]

Does VCV actually sound analog or does it just look analog?

It depends on the modules you are using. The modules from Vult sounds good, also the Liquid Filter clone from Audible Instruments.

Personally I use Reaktor Blocks or Softube Modular within the VCV Host Module, when I need/want analog sound inside VCV Rack. It's also possible to control Softube Modular with CV signals, when using the audio effects plugin version. Unfortunately you only have just two inputs.

[Elbenderman]

Another vote for Diva and Repro. The TAL synths sound lovely too.

[perpetual3]

Softube Model 72.

The thing is absolutely ridiculous. I think simply due to the number of other minimoog emulations out there, people kinda missed it. But......it's in its own league, imho.

Agreed. I’m a big fan of model 84 as well.

[kobal]

i was mentioning reaktor 6 beeing superior to vcv but it really depends the patchs and modules , ..probably the same with softube , i don t know if it s analog sound but aalto sound great also,it feel like all the software companies have their sound even doing the same emulation , placebo can be powerfull also so maybe in a blind test they might all sound very close on a similar patch

[vurt]

I cannot possible think in terms like ‘most real analog sounding’. I just like analogish basses of a certain type, which I have made with various sw and hw depending on where I sat when I got the idea for a tune. We use no synth leads, only pads and effects for which the digital concepted synths have a much wider scope, so analog is all about bass. So far these synths have been part of our analogish basses:

kind of agree with you here,

my modular system is a hybrid of analog and digital, im not in to one or the other, i just like playing with sound.
i use software alongside the modular and guitar too, often just for recording and some fx maybe. but also, as my modular has a few sampler modules, i use vsts to create loops to mangle.
i have been going through a "bass is all analog!" phase lately, alongside some granular mangling, it adds to the overall texture, so feels like it has to be analog.

but that shall pass im sure and ill try something else ...

[Halonmusic]

Layzer did a 'Jump' sound with onepingonly a few years back.(watch a video on his YT channel)and the reason i mention it is becauses the 'Jump' patch was made on a OB-something-who-cares synth back in the 80s, wich was nothing too special though and that it can be recreated with ANY synth nowadays, but my point is that even onepingonlt.. or.. this synth if you will can indeed sound analouge. To some extent Now, flaming intensifies .. or .. not?

[gaggle of hermits]

onepingonly? ok, son, sounds legit.

I think you might mean synth1.

[tomgron]

I have to admit that Arturia and U-he are probably the best "analog sounding" software I have heard, apart from sample based stuff from IK Multimedia and Native-Instruments.

[pierb]

6. Vital (upcoming)

What do you mean with upcoming?

(I know that comment was written in 2021 but Vital had been released by then)

[zerocrossing]

I just got a notice that Knifeonium is on sale, and it’s definitely one of the most analog sounding plugins, IMO. Very unique too.