If you could have only one synth, what would you choose?

[tony10000]

I think you can draw the line between synth and sampler based on if the plugin/device has inherent oscillators/operators/waveforms, etc. A sampler requires you to load a sample/waveform to function. A ROMpler is kind of a mixed bag since some of them also have waveforms/wavetables.

[chk071]

[whyterabbyt]

I think you can draw the line between synth and sampler based on if the plugin/device has inherent oscillators/operators/waveforms, etc. A sampler requires you to load a sample/waveform to function. A ROMpler is kind of a mixed bag since some of them also have waveforms/wavetables.

Decent starting point for a line, but Im not sure some people would start calling Kontakt a synth if eg NI baked some single-cycle wavetables into it as 'inherent.'

And of course, there's not really any significant technical distinction between 'inherent' or 'loaded;' a sample could be inherent (the Blofeld ships with sample data that the SL uses) an oscillator waveform can be loaded (eg custom wavetables in most synths that support them get loaded as part of the preset)

That 'mixed bag' that you say ROMplers are is actually an interesting reflection of that; its not 'a' line, its a spectrum of overlapping things.

[fmr]

I think you can draw the line between synth and sampler based on if the plugin/device has inherent oscillators/operators/waveforms, etc. A sampler requires you to load a sample/waveform to function. A ROMpler is kind of a mixed bag since some of them also have waveforms/wavetables.

Decent starting point for a line, but Im not sure some people would start calling Kontakt a synth if eg NI baked some single-cycle wavetables into it as 'inherent.'

Which is the case of TAL Sampler, BTW. So, according to the current "definition", TAL Sampler is actually a synth

And it even has filters, envelopes and LFOs... which any of the "big three" also have. Go figure.

Oh, and both Falcon and HALion have oscillators too, which blurs the picture even more. I suppose these cannot be called samplers either.

[chk071]

Again, I think we should rather focus on what these plugins primarily do, not what they also can do. Of course, there's a lot of overlap, but, for the specific use case, it's kind of pointless to recommend plugins which primarily do a different thing, and have the respective feature set for that thing.

I wouldn't recommond Kontakt to someone who asks for a basic subtractive synth, even if there happens to be a library, based on samples or wavetables, which resembles a subtractive synth. That's nonsense, unless you're after those specific samples or wavetables.

[fmr]

Again, I think we should rather focus on what these plugins primarily do, not what they also can do. Of course, there's a lot of overlap, but, for the specific use case, it's kind of pointless to recommend plugins which primarily do a different thing, and have the respective feature set for that thing.

I find it VERY difficult to say what is the primary focus of both Falcon, or HALion, or even Pigments. They can do a lot of things, and what they do "primarily" depends a lot on each user. IMO.

[whyterabbyt]

Again, I think we should rather focus on what these plugins primarily do, not what they also can do.

Yes, lets pretend its entirely black and white.

But not because your argument is that its entirely black and white, no sirree.

[chk071]

Again, I think we should rather focus on what these plugins primarily do, not what they also can do. Of course, there's a lot of overlap, but, for the specific use case, it's kind of pointless to recommend plugins which primarily do a different thing, and have the respective feature set for that thing.

I find it VERY difficult to say what is the primary focus of both Falcon, or HALion, or even Pigments. They can do a lot of things, and what they do "primarily" depends a lot on each user. IMO.

Maybe. I find it pretty easy to see what the primary focus of Kontakt or Dune is, though.

[chk071]

Again, I think we should rather focus on what these plugins primarily do, not what they also can do.

Yes, lets pretend its entirely black and white.

But not because your argument is that its entirely black and white, no sirree.

What's the title of this topic?

I thought the man asked which synth would you choose if you could only have one. I don't think he asked for your deserted island sampler.

Yes, that is what Kontakt primarily does. Really.

Well, heck, if people want to choose Kontakt as their deserted island synth, then I'm fine with that too. It's an odd choice, but, I'm fine with it.

[vurt]

I think you can draw the line between synth and sampler based on if the plugin/device has inherent oscillators/operators/waveforms, etc. A sampler requires you to load a sample/waveform to function. A ROMpler is kind of a mixed bag since some of them also have waveforms/wavetables.

my line is different...

can i make some effing noise with this?

yes = make some effing noise.
no = find something else.

[chk071]

I think you can draw the line between synth and sampler based on if the plugin/device has inherent oscillators/operators/waveforms, etc. A sampler requires you to load a sample/waveform to function. A ROMpler is kind of a mixed bag since some of them also have waveforms/wavetables.

my line is different...

can i make some effing noise with this?

yes = make some effing noise.
no = find something else.

You can do noise slamming a ladle on the bottom of a pot. What do you need all those devices for.

[vurt]

I think you can draw the line between synth and sampler based on if the plugin/device has inherent oscillators/operators/waveforms, etc. A sampler requires you to load a sample/waveform to function. A ROMpler is kind of a mixed bag since some of them also have waveforms/wavetables.

my line is different...

can i make some effing noise with this?

yes = make some effing noise.
no = find something else.

You can do noise slamming a ladle on the bottom of a pot. What do you need all those devices for.

i have no ladle
i have used pots n pans though.
and a saw on my pine table, a drill too.

[Vortifex]

Edited

[chk071]

My one synth certainly wouldn't be Kontakt

Phew, at least one sane person in this mad house.

[vurt]

My one synth certainly wouldn't be Kontakt

Phew, at least one sane person in this mad house.

tbf, the discussion is a lot more interesting than another list of the same synths as the last thread