Your favorite "versatile analog-modelled/emulation" synth plugin?

[Introspective]

So, what is the next best alternative or similar synth to TAL-J-8 according to you that is little more involving than a Juno 106 emulation?

[sorry, interjecting here:]

Diva.
System-8. (If you don't mind The Cloud.)
Super 8.

[zvenx]

I just downloaded the demo of Model 84. My goodness! It sounds fabulous. Probably the kind of synth that I was looking for.

Two-sided thoughts:

- I wonder if I should consider it despite having Super 8 and Monark (I know it's mono, but still). Of course, I have Massive X, Dune 3, Spire too. Wonder if it would be just an unnecessary addition.

- If I do want to get it, should I consider it over Repro and/or Diva? Definitely can't have and don't want to have all 3.

TBH, I'm not a fan of the Juno's architecture. A single oscillator just won't do it for me. That would be the major consideration for me against a soft synth which emulates it. If anything Roland, I'd get the TAL-J-8. Just my opinion, of course.

I agree, although the upside of it is that it makes it easier to program (better for my not-so-nerdy or sound designer brain), which is why I like Super 8 too, and avoid getting lost in complex routing/modulation/etc. And if that is ever needed, we of course have other synths with more oscillators and overall sound design options.

I have heard good things about TAL-J-8, but just looking at its GUI, it looks a bit overwhelming. Of course it would be capable of more, but I wonder with more such options I will be able to or want to get any extraordinarily useful sounds that I wouldn't get with a simpler synth. Hope you got my point here.

I actually am quite comfortable with the J-8 GUI and I am easily intimidated by GUI's with too much stuff happening.

I guess though cause I have seen the J-8 before it has as many knobs etc as it has now I got to see it grow, so one more knob at a time didn't bother me, but probably more so cause I have spent time over the years, many moons ago with actually Jupiter 8's.

rsp

[LoveEnigma18]

So, what is the next best alternative or similar synth to TAL-J-8 according to you that is little more involving than a Juno 106 emulation?

[sorry, interjecting here:]

Diva.
System-8. (If you don't mind The Cloud.)
Super 8.

No worries. I hate the Roland Cloud, so I don't even bother searching it, sorry.

I did own Diva a couple of years ago, but I just did not get along with it and sold it. I do admit that I did not spent enough time in trying to learn it. I may try to demo it again.

Super 8 is brilliant. Along with it and Monark maybe I don't need Model 84 (and 72), but I see it is $79 right now. Perhaps it will be less than $50 later this year, like the Model 72 does occasionally. Of course Model 72 was released in Sep. 2020, so almost a year before Model 84.

[LoveEnigma18]

I just downloaded the demo of Model 84. My goodness! It sounds fabulous. Probably the kind of synth that I was looking for.

Two-sided thoughts:

- I wonder if I should consider it despite having Super 8 and Monark (I know it's mono, but still). Of course, I have Massive X, Dune 3, Spire too. Wonder if it would be just an unnecessary addition.

- If I do want to get it, should I consider it over Repro and/or Diva? Definitely can't have and don't want to have all 3.

TBH, I'm not a fan of the Juno's architecture. A single oscillator just won't do it for me. That would be the major consideration for me against a soft synth which emulates it. If anything Roland, I'd get the TAL-J-8. Just my opinion, of course.

I agree, although the upside of it is that it makes it easier to program (better for my not-so-nerdy or sound designer brain), which is why I like Super 8 too, and avoid getting lost in complex routing/modulation/etc. And if that is ever needed, we of course have other synths with more oscillators and overall sound design options.

I have heard good things about TAL-J-8, but just looking at its GUI, it looks a bit overwhelming. Of course it would be capable of more, but I wonder with more such options I will be able to or want to get any extraordinarily useful sounds that I wouldn't get with a simpler synth. Hope you got my point here.

I actually am quite comfortable with the J-8 GUI and I am easily intimidated by GUI's with too much stuff happening.

I guess though cause I have seen the J-8 before it has as many knobs etc as it has now I got to see it grow, so one more knob at a time didn't bother me, but probably more so cause I have spent time over the years, many moons ago with actually Jupiter 8's.

rsp

I am pretty sure you are comfortable for that reason then when you also feel intimidated by complex GUIs.

And too many knobs on hardware would probably be more comfortable/fun than looking at a software plugin.

[chk071]

I just downloaded the demo of Model 84. My goodness! It sounds fabulous. Probably the kind of synth that I was looking for.

Two-sided thoughts:

---

TBH, I'm not a fan of the Juno's architecture. A single oscillator just won't do it for me. That would be the major consideration for me against a soft synth which emulates it. If anything Roland, I'd get the TAL-J-8. Just my opinion, of course.

I agree, although the upside of it is that it makes it easier to program (better for my not-so-nerdy or sound designer brain), which is why I like Super 8 too, and avoid getting lost in complex routing/modulation/etc. And if that is ever needed, we of course have other synths with more oscillators and overall sound design options.

I have heard good things about TAL-J-8, but just looking at its GUI, it looks a bit overwhelming. Of course it would be capable of more, but I wonder with more such options I will be able to or want to get any extraordinarily useful sounds that I wouldn't get with a simpler synth. Hope you got my point here.

Sure. Although I still think a layout like the Juno 106 is too limiting for me.

So, what is the next best alternative or similar synth to TAL-J-8 according to you that is little more involving than a Juno 106 emulation?

Hm! Have you tried TAL-Noisemaker? It's a bit long in the teeth by now, but, it has that Roland sound, it's free, and it's still quite a simple synth, although it has more options than the Model 84.

[zvenx]

And free https://tal-software.com/products/tal-noisemaker..
HE updated it recently but probably more GUI and Browser..

CHANGE LOG

Version 5.0.4 / 05.07.2021
Minor bugfixes.
Version 5.0.3 beta / 30.06.2021
Some older presets do not load fixed.
Version 5.0.2 beta / 28.06.2021
Fresh UI
Maintenance UI and Audio Processor.
Audio engine is still the same and the plugin is backward compati


rsp

[LoveEnigma18]

I just downloaded the demo of Model 84. My goodness! It sounds fabulous. Probably the kind of synth that I was looking for.

Two-sided thoughts:

---

TBH, I'm not a fan of the Juno's architecture. A single oscillator just won't do it for me. That would be the major consideration for me against a soft synth which emulates it. If anything Roland, I'd get the TAL-J-8. Just my opinion, of course.

I agree, although the upside of it is that it makes it easier to program (better for my not-so-nerdy or sound designer brain), which is why I like Super 8 too, and avoid getting lost in complex routing/modulation/etc. And if that is ever needed, we of course have other synths with more oscillators and overall sound design options.

I have heard good things about TAL-J-8, but just looking at its GUI, it looks a bit overwhelming. Of course it would be capable of more, but I wonder with more such options I will be able to or want to get any extraordinarily useful sounds that I wouldn't get with a simpler synth. Hope you got my point here.

Sure. Although I still think a layout like the Juno 106 is too limiting for me.

So, what is the next best alternative or similar synth to TAL-J-8 according to you that is little more involving than a Juno 106 emulation?

Hm! Have you tried TAL-Noisemaker? It's a bit long in the teeth by now, but, it has that Roland sound, it's free, and it's still quite a simple synth, although it has more options than the Model 84.

Thanks, I never tried it before, so will give it a go.

[Super Piano Hater 64]

I just downloaded the demo of Model 84 (...) If I do want to get it, should I consider it over Repro and/or Diva? Definitely can't have and don't want to have all 3.

Could you clarify whether this is on grounds of budget or time investment? If it's strictly the latter, you may be able to tell already (from other comments) that Diva is clearly "deeper" than Repro, which is in turn deeper than Model 84. TAL J-8's place on that scale is debatable but I'd rank it just slightly below Repro.

[LoveEnigma18]

I just downloaded the demo of Model 84 (...) If I do want to get it, should I consider it over Repro and/or Diva? Definitely can't have and don't want to have all 3.

Could you clarify whether this is on grounds of budget or time investment? If it's strictly the latter, you may be able to tell already (from other comments) that Diva is clearly "deeper" than Repro, which is in turn deeper than Model 84. TAL J-8's place on that scale is debatable but I'd rank it just slightly below Repro.

Three things actually: budget, time, and my comprehension ability with complex synths.

Your ranking does make sense in terms of complexity/capability, but I also need something that is easier on my brain. TAL-J-8 sounds great (saw a couple of preset demonstration videos), but I am liking the sound of Repro and Model 84 better - just a taste thing I guess. Diva sounds amazing, but I would need to demo it again, along with Repro. Model 84 demo is already active.

[Scrubbing Monkeys]

Reaktor Blocks + Toybox expansion.

The sound is amazing. Sure, it takes a lot of patching to get anywhere, but I don't expect a very complex sound from an analog synth anyway.

This is true. Probably the best sound that I have come across. The Toybox FM synth block is simply amazing.

[e-crooner]

This is turning into a debate on principles, kind of...

Ok, a question for you then: If Saurus is supposedly emulating analogue sound, what IS analogue sound then, if analogue sound isn't really defined?

For me, it is, for example, trying to emulate sound characteristics in analogue filters as close as possible. Same with other components. For you, it might be completely different then.

I don't hear filter characteristics, I just hear the whole sound, for instance a sweep, and compare it to the sounds I know from old records.

Old records tracked on tape

I was just listening to my Patti Austin album from 1981, this song for instance is full of nice analog sounds in my view, not sure which synths they used back then, but they were surely analog ones. The background pad is lovely to my ears, so smooth...

[seismicfm]

My go-to was always Diva since its release, but I started getting bored with it. Now my go-tos are Repro1 and Repro5. And more recently Ob-xd which I think is more analog than analog. It's just so warm, like hot chocolate.

[chk071]

And more recently Ob-xd which I think is more analog than analog.

You guys are nuts.

[TheFrozenSea]

"Versatile" and "analog" doesn't really go together for me. I guess Diva (which I don't own) and Pigments (which I have, but does much more than analog) are two good choices.

[MadDogE134]

+1 on Softube Model 84