Anthem or ...?

[poonna]

I'm planning to get one more synth during this Black Friday period. I've demoed Anthem and I'm really impressed by its aggressive filter. I think it's probably the most aggressive, with the most extreme resonance, that I've ever heard. The overall sound seems modern and HIFI. I think this might be a great candidate for more aggressive genres, e.g., industrial.

However, I think it's quite limited. The main attraction to me is the filter alone, perhaps also its unique paraphonic voicing. I want some unique synth for the lead and bass duty, and Anthem seems to fit the bill well, but I'm also considering others. These are some of the candidates:

• TVS Pro: I like its duophonic and dual sequencer approach. The SEM filter can sounds aggressive to my ears but far from Anthem's level. I can play with one hand on arpeggiator/sequencer and another on lead playing, which is fun and inspiring. This is the main candidate I'm considering as an alternative now.

• OB-1: My demo ran out a while ago when it was just released. I remember liking it and its aggressive character quite a bit. I can't demo it now, but I like the sound clips on the GForce site, especially the first demo.

• Atomika: Like OB-1, I like its aggressive character. It was one of ones I wanted then but never got around to buy it (limited budget). I find it a bit limited. It's quite shapable in its aggression though.

• multi/poly: At $99 on sale, this is the most expensive option -- a bit overbudget even -- but it's extremely flexible. Sounds great and can be really aggressive. But it's kinda complex for my intended use -- mostly leads, basses, and some arps. I guess I can handle it, but it's probably not gonna be quick going from init to where I want.

I have a number of other synths, so I don't want something that is too close to what I already have. These are some that I have that are probably in a similar ballpark (can be aggressive):

• Massive X

• Opal

• Softube Modular with Intellijel Korgasmatron II filter

• Korg ARP 2600 and TimewARP 2600

• Monark

• Bitwig Polymer

• Bazille CM

Perhaps you can sway me one way or another. I want it aggressive, and that's the main selling point of Anthem to me, but TVS Pro is fun and maybe what I have are aggressive enough already. Other candidates can be aggressive and more flexible, too...

[Gam456]

I don't think you will be able to reach the raw sound of the OB-1 with the Multi Poly

[chagzuki]

I bought OB-1 after the demo convinced me it had something special, but the honeymoon phase wore off quickly. I don't think it's particularly aggressive in character, more a bit of dark edginess on top of the OB squidgy smooth thing.

[mambo888]

I really like these ones: OB-1, Massive X, Opal, TVS Pro, Atomika

I also recommend to check out the Proxima - has really good character.

I don't recommend the Multi/Poly, it is very good but if you just want to tweak a few knobs, it is not worth it. However, if you are serious about experimenting and have the time to invest and learn, it is one of the best.

For an enthusiast, all the above are must have, if you just want one or two new sounds, I suggest Anthem + Proxima.

IMHO collect them all, we spend money on worse things than synths.

[XorXisT]

Try Massive X's Creak filter.

There's 4 modes.

Crank that resonance and you'll realize you don't need anything else (IMO).

[poonna]

Thanks for the recommendations so far!

Proxima sounds excellent in the videos I've seen, but it's quite a bit over my budget and I already have some Prophet-type synths (Model 80 and PolyMAX), so maybe a bit overlapped.

I'd love to check OB-1 out again, but I can't though. Other than the sound which I can't test now, the features probably might not be that different from other stuff I have. In that sense, TVS Pro seems quite different from other stuff I have. It's a hard decision to make.

Massive X with Creak filter does dirty really well, thanks! Also, I think I can get close enough to the Anthem's character with the Korgasmatron II filter in Softube Modular, with both being MS-20 inspired, although Modular is quite fiddly to patch. So, maybe the role I expect Anthem to do can be filled by others.

Still can't decide yet. But leaning a bit towards TVS Pro now...

[Ah_Dziz]

Playing around in a modular setup with feedback from filters is a great way to get interesting tones that you wouldn't hear too often. Reaktor is good for this. So is vcv rack. Anything that can do single sample feedback. Use a mixer for precise control over the feedback amount and play with positive / negative polarity as well as feeding back via bandpass output and tapping audio from low pass. All those combinations will give you neat sounds and different ones. That's before you take into account the overall gain staging of the patch and the raw materials you are filtering. I am not a fan of softube modular (not fun to use) but it can do all this stuff too.

[Vortifex]

I very much like Anthem. I just made a quick demo to show how the filter can sound on a bass patch. No processing, just raw Anthem:

https://soundcloud.com/vortifex/uad-anthem-demo

[Gamma-UT]

Playing around in a modular setup with feedback from filters is a great way to get interesting tones that you wouldn't hear too often. Reaktor is good for this. So is vcv rack.

Feedback is a much underrated function in synths. It's one reason why I like the OG Massive, though it's not the feedback you can get from the more up-to-date softsynth modulars. There was a period at NI, while Stephan Schmitt was still there, when they did a lot to exploit feedback.

[Matt67]

Vacuum Pro by Air is also quite dirty.

[Uncle E]

UA's Black Friday sale will be starting soon. Might want to wait to see what's there before deciding.

[Gribs]

Anthem to me seems like a $29 plugin and I am not even sure I would buy it for that given that I own a Polymax license already.

[zerocrossing]

It's a tough one. I own most of what you listed, except for TVS Pro, which I sort of feel is redundant, considering I have OP-E and OB-1. I also passed on Atomika. I'm not a huge fan of Cherry Audio emulations. A lot of what you already have, is already the best. Massive X is simply the best plugin available for aggressive sounds that are still free from digital artifacts.

I'd say, go with your gut and less about what you think that you need feature wise. The truth is, you could make almost any of them in Softube Modular, at least in terms of features. Play with the demos and listen to Youtube tutorials and patch demos. See if that makes you lean towards something more.

[zerocrossing]

Anthem to me seems like a $29 plugin and I am not even sure I would buy it for that given that I own a Polymax license already.

That's a weird take, considering Polymax and Anthem have very little in common, at least sonically.

[Gribs]

Anthem to me seems like a $29 plugin and I am not even sure I would buy it for that given that I own a Polymax license already.

That's a weird take, considering Polymax and Anthem have very little in common, at least sonically.

I listened to the demo videos for Anthem and it just sounds like an ordinary, simple VA with a slightly grungy, raw sound. That isn't my thing plus Polymax was free when I got it. So at least for VA type sounds with UA plugins, it covers what I normally would want. Plus... the ridiculous number of other plugins in my library. YMMV, but I am not interested in it. If it was $29 then maybe?