Emulations we are still missing 2023 edition

[chk071]

It was one example. I could name dozens.

And, it's really no argument to say "Who cares about it?". People care about it. That's why there are emulations, and that's also why every single person developing software or hardware synthesizers cares first and foremost about its sound.

If you don't care about sound, then why bother with music at all?

[Lbdunequest]

It was one example. I could name dozens.

And, it's really no argument to say "Who cares about it?". People care about it. That's why there are emulations, and that's also why every single person developing software or hardware synthesizers cares first and foremost about its sound.

If you don't care about sound, then why bother with music at all?

I do care about the sound, just not about the sweeps. Musicians that are in professional field surely dont care about the sweeps, but rather how to make good music that could be streamed milion times while still using Sylenth, Serum and some other popular synths.

Have you made a sweep that was streamed milion times because you used top of the line moog emulation?

[chk071]

You don't seem to be able to grasp the concept of an example.

[vurt]

It was one example. I could name dozens.

And, it's really no argument to say "Who cares about it?". People care about it. That's why there are emulations, and that's also why every single person developing software or hardware synthesizers cares first and foremost about its sound.

If you don't care about sound, then why bother with music at all?

I do care about the sound, just not about the sweeps. Musicians that are in professional field surely dont care about the sweeps, but rather how to make good music that could be streamed milion times while still using Sylenth, Serum and some other popular synths.

Have you made a sweep that was streamed milion times because you used top of the line moog emulation?

you are aware people make other music than modern dance related music?
such as classic prog rock style?
similar to the music you seem more at home with, this too has "signature sounds" and yes, a moog emu is more likely to work than serum or sylenth.

there are many others.

[zerocrossing]

I was thinking earlier today that it’s kind of weird. No one’s done a Evolver emulation. It’s been 20 years since its release. It’s time.

Had a Poly Evolver rack for a while, which broke down unfortunately. It had some quite unique sounds for a hardware synth, but nothing that can't be done with any proper vsti imo.

I always used it with the editor, so i could use it sort of like a plugin. When it broke down there were already plenty of software synths that ran circles around it, so never really bothered much about it. Always found it to be pretty digital sounding anyway. The distortion was nice tho.

Show me a single plugin that covers all an Evolver can do and sound good doing it. Not just the digital oscillators, the DCOs as well. I’m not saying that it can’t be done. I’m saying that I’ve never seen it yet.

Feature set might be different but Serum, Opal, Rapid, Phase Plant, Hive, Dune 3, Massive X, Vital, Surge XT can do so much and sounds amazing. Can Evolver do what those synths can?

I have all those, except Rapid, and I’ve yet to find any that capture the character of the DSI Curtis chip synths. Some hate them, but I love them.

Whats so sepcial that you cant replicate the sound in other synths? Im sure you can make similar brass, filter sweeps and bass sounds with any synths

If all you care about is bread and butter brass, filter sweeps and bass sounds, you really should just buy Syntronik and be done with it.

But let’s look at the Evolver a bit more closely, eh? Clearly you haven’t. First off, we have two analog oscillators and two digital oscillators, for a total of 4 oscillators at a time. So, right off the bat I’ve eliminated all the synths suggested as replacements, because the only one that will allow 4 oscillators at a time from that list is Phase Plant.

Now we have 2 analog low pass filters and two digital high-pass filters. Phase Plant could do this, but for some odd reason, it’s analog filter models don’t fit into the generator slots, so they can’t be modulated at audio rates, so that checks off Phase Plant as a contender for doing everything that an Evolver can do.

So now our list is a zero for being able to do what an Evolver can do. But there’s one more I want to add, as it’s a big one, and one where software usually goes home crying to mommy, while the big boys play. Feedback. The Evolver can do great sounds featuring feedback. I’ve yet to hear great feedback in a plugin. The best so far is Massive X, but I don’t use Massive X that much because I’m a big polyphonic aftertouch guy and that’s a feature that NI seems to loath. That said, even Massive X’s feedback is lame in comparison to the howling mayhem I can get from my Prophet 12 and what an Evolver can do.

I think decent feedback can be done in software, it just isn’t often done for some reason. I imagine it’s difficult considering it’s an instantaneous electrical phenomenon, but I guess they’ve figured out zero delay filters, so maybe. I’d be OK, with a tame version of feedback on an emulation, as long as it was in the neighborhood of what Massive X can do. Actually, now that I think of it, Legend’s feedback isn’t bad either.

So there you go. That is why I can’t just make Evolver style sounds out of Rapid, Vital, Dune 3, etc. It’s a beast.

[Lbdunequest]

Thats the thing i dont care about brasses and other typical sounds, but i got the view most of the guys care about those.

Dune 3, Rapid, Hive, Massive X can do 4 oscillators at once. Also add to the list Avenger, Viper and Spire.

You can mimic feedback with a distortion in the filter. But indeed that one is tricky because its a rare that a distortions sound as great as analog.

As far as i know PhasePlant can do audio rate mod when filters are in effects section. Also you can have it poly aswel.

[BBFG#]

Something in my psyche believes that synthesizers are best when its oscillators are in odd numbers.

1,3,5 or 7.

[zerocrossing]

I agree some synths do have distinctive sound but many high end software synths can be used to make sounds that would be same as hardware.

Looking from a distance you see four cars zoom by (the listener). You notice that two cars are blue but they drive too quickly for you to see what brands the blue cars were (the mix). Both cars are heading to the same location.

The passenger of Blue Car #1 is driving a cheap Citroen C3 and is very warm as he cannot use the air conditioner because that will make the car go slower, so he has his windows down to get some air. He is listening to Radio Hits and is humming along.

The passenger of Blue Car #2 is driving a BMW. He listening to Bohemian Rhapsody on full blast while having a nice breeze cool down the interior of the car.

Driver of car #1 doesn't care about cars.
Driver of car #2 loves his car and the experience it gives him.

Both will arrive at the destination at the same time.

You can drive to get somewhere, which is probably the equivalent of using a sample based synth. You want a classic Moog bass or whatever, and there it is. You can’t really get off at any exit, and go exploring. Some speed changes and lane changes are about as much as you can get.

An actual 1:1 emulation will let you wander and explore. Depending on how good the emulator is, you might not get the same supple Corinthian leather (no such thing ) feel and the AC might not chill as quickly. Instead of a 0-60 in 5.2 seconds, it may take up to 5.9. We make that concession because the cost of the real deal is often too high, and other factors that have no car analogies, but we make those concessions because we want to go exploring. There’s always the sample based instruments for when the destination is clear.

[zerocrossing]

Thats the thing i dont care about brasses and other typical sounds, but i got the view most of the guys care about those.

Dune 3, Rapid, Hive, Massive X can do 4 oscillators at once. Also add to the list Avenger, Viper and Spire.

You can mimic feedback with a distortion in the filter. But indeed that one is tricky because its a rare that a distortions sound as great as analog.

As far as i know PhasePlant can do audio rate mod when filters are in effects section. Also you can have it poly aswel.

You are totally wrong.

[zerocrossing]

Something in my psyche believes that synthesizers are best when its oscillators are in odd numbers.

1,3,5 or 7.

Medication and therapy can help.

[vurt]

Something in my psyche believes that synthesizers are best when its oscillators are in odd numbers.

1,3,5 or 7.

9 is a more magickal number.

[vurt]

Something in my psyche believes that synthesizers are best when its oscillators are in odd numbers.

1,3,5 or 7.

Medication and therapy can help.

not me they can't

[vurt]

i too like the evolvers, but where they a universally loved product? as in, guaranteed to sell lots of licences? or are they more cultish?

A bit cultish yeah. Maybe not as much as the Buchla - and that found its way to the V Collection so you really never know.

Looking back it feels like the Evolver marked the point when developers started to move back to hardware again after years of plugin-mania.

It’s definitely a bit cultish, but you’re right, it did harken the trend of analog and hybrid hardware comeback that we’re currently enjoying. Also, like some proto-mammal, it branched off into many sub species. A smart emulation of the Evolver could also be a MoPho, Prophet ‘08, Tempest and REV2.

cheers
like i said, don't really follow media, and the only synth people i know is you lot, here in my home town what i do, is akin to witchcraft to some of my friends. they mostly stopped listening to music around justice for all... or at least anything new, just the same old rehashed rock and metal.
synths and drum machines are the work of the devil.

they don't quite have who's side the devil is on right, but all the headbanging probably messes you up at 50.

and of that list, id say the prophet is the one most around here (kvr) mention. which is why i wondered if evolver was worthwhile from a devs pov, saleswise.

[Lbdunequest]

Thats the thing i dont care about brasses and other typical sounds, but i got the view most of the guys care about those.

Dune 3, Rapid, Hive, Massive X can do 4 oscillators at once. Also add to the list Avenger, Viper and Spire.

You can mimic feedback with a distortion in the filter. But indeed that one is tricky because its a rare that a distortions sound as great as analog.

As far as i know PhasePlant can do audio rate mod when filters are in effects section. Also you can have it poly aswel.

You are totally wrong.

And how i am wrong?

[zerocrossing]

You may not care about specific instruments, but then just say so. What use is pointing out that specific instruments are generic? It just makes you seem ignorant. It’s fine not to care, or even like, specific instruments, but just say so. The Access Virus is that for me. I couldn’t care less of getting that sound, but I wouldn’t tell you that Dune 3 is the same, even though I like it more. I’ll suggest it, if you’re asking for an alternative, but not if you’re looking for an emulation.