Next Softube Synths

[hebex]

I received a survey from Softube today soliciting my feedback on the Model Series synthesizers, and asking me about what I would like to see in future Model synths. This question was particularly interesting:

Any of those listed synthesizers would obviously be nice.

But I´m really looking forward to Softube versions of analog polys, especially Oberheim and Yamaha CS.

Softube is IMHO the only company that has come close to emulating analog synthesizers this far, and there is still room for improvement.

[PAK]

Is it a trick poll to make the Polivoks appear more popular? In their defence - perhaps the list is constrained by what can be physically obtained / borrowed? Otherwise it'd be rather disappointing given how many of them have been done -multiple times- by now..

EG Arp Odyssey but NOT Chroma Polaris?! Not even the Quadra?! A Voyetra 8 emulation? Korg Trident? Not even a hint of MemoryMoog?! Another take on the Synthex even? I think any of those, done really well, would likely offer more to the current market than those proposed. Which isn't to say they can't improve on what's already done. But the room to do it is getting pretty narrow, where you're basically talking about stuff like VCA's, distortion, resonance detail etc.

From that list I'd choose the Access Virus, especially if they could get Access on board. It'd have to perfectly import the thousands of existing patches out there too. Maybe there's room for a "more gritty" PPG take but, IIRC, Groove Synthesis (makers of the new PPG inspired 3rd Wave) have made some noises that they'd be willing to work with someone on doing a virtual version of their synth. I think something like that would be more interesting than repetition?

If they do "yet another Jupiter 8" then they had better NAIL it.

[soulata]

What I really want from Softube is for them to trash that godawful preset system.

Exactly. I've given them this answer in their questionaire.

What´s wrong with it? I think it´s great.

It looks awfully tiny on big monitors. You can resize the synth but presets, when you open the menu, would always be like font size 5.

[Vortifex]

..

[SebAV]

ARP Odyssey ! From this one, you could almost reach the model 2600 by using the « deconstructed modules » inside Modular !

[hebex]

What I really want from Softube is for them to trash that godawful preset system.

Exactly. I've given them this answer in their questionaire.

What´s wrong with it? I think it´s great.

Personally, I hate the fact that it opens a new window instead of just existing inside the synth. Also, if I select Save As from the plugin interface it only saves the preset name in lower case, so I then have to open the preset browser to edit it. It has other quirks, but overall it's just clunky and annoying.

Just a thought, but I suppose this poll means their next synth is quite some way away.

Well, I love that, in the new window, I can flip the presets using my computer keyboard arrows up and down and I don´t have to use the mouse. Something that is very rare in most other VSTs. The Softube way is very ergonomic and helps against my carpal tunnel syndrome.

[electro]

They could do an Xpander, but instead they'll do the world's 900th SEM emulation. Woooo.

I would probably buy a SEM emulation if Softube did it (considering their other high quality stuff). I passed on the Gforce one, because I thought that it doesn't quite hit the right spot sonically for me.

Arturia did the Expander which is the same synth as a Matrix 12. They probably have the rebuilt emulation coming in the next upgrade. Passing on the Gforce SEM doesn't make sense because they did an amazing job, the best ITB SEM officially endorsed by Oberheim.

[seangm]

For the survey I asked them to please stop making such "painfully accurate" synths that include the limitations of the 40 year old technology (monophonic with no option for poly, limited to 6 voices only on Model 84). Other than that I like their synths for the most part and look forward to the next one.

[D-Fusion]

For the survey I asked them to please stop making such "painfully accurate" synths that include the limitations of the 40 year old technology (monophonic with no option for poly, limited to 6 voices only on Model 84). Other than that I like their synths for the most part and look forward to the next one.

I complained about the Chorus noise which is not needed in 2022

[seangm]

For the survey I asked them to please stop making such "painfully accurate" synths that include the limitations of the 40 year old technology (monophonic with no option for poly, limited to 6 voices only on Model 84). Other than that I like their synths for the most part and look forward to the next one.

I complained about the Chorus noise which is not needed in 2022

Good point, they can at least give the option to turn off the noise for those of us who don't want it and the people who want that can still use it.

[chk071]

They could do an Xpander, but instead they'll do the world's 900th SEM emulation. Woooo.

I would probably buy a SEM emulation if Softube did it (considering their other high quality stuff). I passed on the Gforce one, because I thought that it doesn't quite hit the right spot sonically for me.

Arturia did the Expander which is the same synth as a Matrix 12. They probably have the rebuilt emulation coming in the next upgrade. Passing on the Gforce SEM doesn't make sense because they did an amazing job, the best ITB SEM officially endorsed by Oberheim.

Maybe, but, that doesn't mean that it's the best that could exist.

It's not bad per se, but, I thought it lacks something that I hear in sound demos of the real thing, like this:



The brainworx SEM sounds closer to that IMO. It has some other issues though.

[zvenx]

Strange that I never got this survey... Did many others get it?
I love softube analog emulations, not at all impressed with their Statement Lead, Monoment Bass or Parallels so for my money they can keep doing emulations..

I can never have enough vintage oberheims, the jupiter 8 would be on my list if not for loyalty for Patrick, an Access Virus would also be in my top 4 as well as Drum Module..
rsp

[martinjuenke]

Haven't got it as well...

[mholloway]

I have not received the survey either, and I've given Softube plenty of money so I'd appreciate it if they'd ask for my input....

[mholloway]

They could do an Xpander, but instead they'll do the world's 900th SEM emulation. Woooo.

I would probably buy a SEM emulation if Softube did it (considering their other high quality stuff). I passed on the Gforce one, because I thought that it doesn't quite hit the right spot sonically for me.

Arturia did the Expander which is the same synth as a Matrix 12. They probably have the rebuilt emulation coming in the next upgrade. Passing on the Gforce SEM doesn't make sense because they did an amazing job, the best ITB SEM officially endorsed by Oberheim.

The Arturia Matrix-12 is....OK. If softube made an Xpander or Matrix-12, I'd be thrilled. Maybe Arturia will update the Matrix, maybe they won't. I hardly think it's a sure thing; just because they've updated some of their more famous /popular synths doesn't mean everything will get that treatment. It's also not as old as the one's they've upgraded.

Re: "officially endorsed" -- Tom Oberheim has given his name to just about every Oberheim emulation out there, at some point. It used to be Arturia, now it's G-Force: this is called Marketing, it has nothing to do with what actually sounds the best.

I like Gforce a lot but I find their SEM underwhelming, and generally prefer Oberhausen to it. I'd love to hear someone make the Gforce SEM sound like the SEM in the YT video above -- I sure can't, nor has anyone else I've heard, so far. Lots of talk about how it's 'the best' yet no examples of it...